The 441st Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple, No. 250 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Japan, on the 9th day of November 1996.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1408 hours with WB Warnell, WM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West, and WB Watanabe, PM, JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, RWB William M. Heath, SGW and Grand Lodge Inspector for Far East Lodge No. 1, was received on an official visit and was seated in the East.
The WM then recognized the other Distinguished Brethren and first time visitors as listed in the Tiler's Register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of November 1996, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings. The Acting Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as read.
WB Hodges, PM, then gave the Treasurer's Report and moved that the report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. WB Heath seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges, Acting Secretary, then read the bills for the period and moved that the bills be paid. WB Heath seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
The following committee report were negative: Charity/Sick & Visitation/Friendly Tips/Masonic Education & Lodge History/Audit/Investment. The Refreshment & Entertainment Committee briefly discussed the upcoming Thanksgiving Day Dinner. WB Katagiri, PM, volunteered to contact the Japanese Brethren by phone to ensure their understanding since there is insufficient time to publish the event in Japanese. WB Warnell thanked WB Katagiri for his assistance. WB Warnell then noted the fact that the chairs had been rebuilt and recovered and that they look very nice and add much to the ambiance of the lodge. WB Hodges noted that Masonic Hall Ltd will pick up the tab for the work which resulted in a vote of thanks to Masonic Hall Ltd.
BALLOTING: A favorable ballot was had on the Petition for Restoration submitted by Bro. Archie Horace Clark, Jr. after which WB Warnell announced that Bro. Clark had been reinstated. After retiring from lodge, a favorable ballot was had on the Petition for Dual Membership submitted by Bro. Kenneth A. E. Gustafson, after which WB Warnell announced that Bro. Gustafson was now a member of the lodge and invited Bro. Gustafson to be seated in the lodge. The Acting Secretary then read a request for Demit submitted by Bro. David Lee Odem. He informed WB Warnell that Bro. Odem has paid his dues to 31 December 1996 and that Bro. Odem is not under Masonic Charges of any nature and that he knew of no reason why Bro. Odem should not be granted a Demit. WB Warnell then ordered the Demit to be signed and forwarded to Bro. Odem.
The Acting Secretary then read the petition submitted by Bro. Aneese "Al" Makdisi for dual membership in this lodge. WB Warnell directed that the petition take the usual course.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Acting Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 10/20/96 and a brief letter from Bro. Volinic. He mentioned that the GL had received two e-mail messages from or concerning members of this lodge. He commented that we should perhaps be thinking of establishing our own Web Page as this seems to be the thing to do. The Acting Secretary then read excerpts from two letters from the Grand Secretary both dated 2 Nov 1996, which establishes 15 December 1996 as the deadline for lodges/individuals to submit resolution to change or modify the constitution; 31 January 1997 as the deadline for submission of recommendations for the GL Diploma of Merit; and the desire of the GM to ensure that the lodge Audit Committee verity and certify the existence of the lodge Life Membership Fund, providing the lodge has previously established a Life Membership Fund as required by the constitution.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Warnell instructed the Acting Secretary to read Sections 1 & 2 of the By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution after which he reminded the Brethren that the annual election of officers will be held at our December Stated Meeting and because of the elections and other items of business to be attended to at that meeting, we will defer conferring the Second Degree of Masonry on Brother Johnson either to our January meeting or at a Special Meeting that will be held sometime in January. After considerable discussion, WB Warnell instructed the Acting Secretary to work with the Grand Secretary and other parties to select a date for the Installation of Officers and to make the necessary arrangements for the banquet to be held following the installation.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Welsh moved and WB Hodges seconded a motion that the Acting Secretary be authorized to expend up to $150.00 to purchase turkeys and other food items to donate to the Yokohama International Women's Association for their annual orphans Christmas Party. MOTION CARRIED.
The WM then announced that there being no further business to come before this lodge of MMs, we would proceed to close. Peace and Harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed in due and ancient form at 1615 hours with WB Warnell, WM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West and WB Watanabe, PM, JW, in the South.
There were 11 Brethren present of which 3 were visitors.
APPROVED:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Acting Secretary