The 442nd 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 14th day of December 1996.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1415 hours with WB Warnell, WM, in the East, Bro. Masaki, SW, in the West, and WB Watanabe, PM, JW in the South.
The WM recognized the 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 December 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. WB Warnell expressed his appreciation for those attending the Thanksgiving Day Dinner, especially those visiting Brethren. He also thanked WB Hodges for his arrangements and other work to make the dinner a success. WB Hodges reported that 34 people attended the dinner and that he actual cost for the honored guests was only ¥7,500.
WB Hodges then reported that the annual Orphan Christmas Party sponsored by the Yokohama International Women's Association was held on 7 December 1996 and that he had purchased the turkeys and gave the fruit juice to the attendants as instructed.
WB Hodges then reported that Bro. Herrera was not quite ready to give his proficiency and he apologized for not contacting Bro. Herrera prior to publishing the summons. Bro. Herrera indicated that he would be prepared to give his proficiency at our January meeting. WB Warnell reported that Bro. Hayden is also not quite ready but expects to be ready by the January meeting.
BALLOTING: A favorable ballot was had on the application for dual membership submitted by Bro. Anis Al Makdisi.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Acting Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 11/20/96 and after the lodge was raised, the Grand Master's Proclamations 3 and 4-96.
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. WB Warnell then announced that the Annual Installation of Officers would be held on 18 January 1997 but later changed the date to 01 February 1997 after it was determined that MWB Ditto will not be in country on the January 18th. The Acting Secretary also read the names of those Brethren who would be suspended for non-payment of dues on 31 December 1996, providing the named Brethren fail to pay their dues by that date. The Brethren named were:
The Acting Secretary then read the names of 24 Life Members who will be suspended under the category of OTHER as they have not been issued a valid dues card in two or more years, some as long as 20 years. The Brethren named were:
NEW BUSINESS: WB Watanabe moved and WB Hodges seconded a motion that the lodge resubmit the same resolutions to change the constitution as was submitted in 1996. After considerable discussion, MOTION CARRIED.
WB Warnell requested WBs Heath and Watanabe to work with the Acting Secretary to ensure any desirable wordsmithing is done prior to submission.
MWB Robinson suggested that in the interest of economy, we use the computer and/or faxes to transmit our monthly summons to the extent possible.
The lodge was then called briefly from restraint and at the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Warnell announced that the annual election of officers would now take place. He appointed MWB Robinson, PGM, and Bro. James H. Morgan to be Tellers. The Brethren then proceeded to elect the following named Brethren to the positions indicated:
After a brief recess, WB Warnell announced that the following named Brethren have been appointed to the positions indicated:
It is to be noted that Bro. Takumi Masaki was elected as the Worshipful Master on the first ballot but after explaining that he needed more time to learn and to be able to qualify himself in the work of the Master's Chair, Bro. Masaki very graciously declined the position.
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 1620 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 1 was a visitor.
APPROVED:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Acting Secretary