The 450th 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 11th day of October 1997.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1413 hours with Bro. Masaki, SW, Acting WM, in the East, WB Warnell WM, Acting SW, in the West and Bro. Montgomery, JW in the South. After the lodge was open and before any matters were discussed, WB Warnell and Bro. Masaki switched positions.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the WM then welcomed everyone and then recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tiler's register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of October 1997, the first order of business would be the reading of the minutes of our last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meetings. The Secretary read the minutes and they were approved as read.
WB Katagiri, PM, then gave the Treasurer's Report and moved that the report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. WB Hodges, PM, seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges then read the bills for the period and moved that the bills be paid. MWB Robinson, PGM, seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
With the exception of the following, all committee reports were negative:
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges reported on the status of preparations for the Eighth Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, noting that reservations have been made and letters of invitation prepared for mailing later this month.
COACHING: WB Watanabe, PM, reported that he has contacted all of our Japanese EAs and provided them with a copy of the new "short/short" proficiency. Only one acknowledged that he would make another effort to become proficient. WB Warnell reported that Bro. Ogiu has yet to make progress but it is hoped that he will make the effort sometime in the future.
INVESTMENT: WB Warnell spoke at some length of the current efforts being made by the Investment Sub-Committee to identify suitable investment for the lodge's funds in order to start generating income. It was noted that no final decision will be made until exhaustive efforts have been made to ensure that any investment made will be a safe investment and that the lodge funds are properly secured and protected. He stated that if a suitable investment is found the matter will be laid before the lodge for final decision and approval. After comments by Bro. Montgomery, WB Heath, WB Hodges and WB Katagiri, WB Warnell advised that the lodge will be kept completely informed of progress as soon as there is anything to report.
BALLOTING: After reporting a full and favorable report by the members of the Enquiry Committees on the Application for Dual Membership submitted by Bro. Jack Lynn TAYLOR and the petition for the degrees submitted by Messrs Marvin Hurt McGUIRE, IV and Renato Quinto PROTACIO, WB Warnell announced that balloting would be had on each person individually. Secret balloting was then had and Bro. Jack Lynn TAYLOR was elected to become a Dual Member of this lodge and Messrs McGUIRE and PROTACIO were elected to received the degrees of Masonry in this lodge.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a petition for the degrees of Masonry submitted by Mr. Anthony Fitzgerald POSEY. WB Warnell directed that the petition take its usual course.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the Grand Lodge Bulletin of September 20, 1997. He mentioned that Grand Lodge will again sell Masonic Calendars for 1998 and that anybody desiring same should contact him after lodge. He also noted that he has received a request from the Chairman, Grand Lodge Temple Committee, requesting information but that he wished to discuss the letter with the WM before responding.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Bro. Montgomery reiterated his intention to publish a lodge newsletter and that if all goes well, he will publish the first issue next month. He requested inputs from anyone who is interested in contacting the lodge members and hoped that WB Warnell and other officers would find time to some words to be included. WB Warnell asked the status of the Staircase Canvas. Bro. Montgomery advised that he would contact the artist and ascertain if he is still interested in painting the canvas.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Warnell requested WB Hodges to read Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the Lodge By Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution. After which, WB Warnell announced that the Annual Installation of Officers for 1998 will be conducted on 10 January 1998 following the Stated Meeting. It will be an Open Installation and he requested RWB Heath and MWB Ditto to conduct the installation.
He then obligated MWB Robinson, PGM, and Bro. Jack Lynn Taylor as Dual Members of the lodge. He then announced that Bro. Hayden will have to depart Japan ahead of schedule and will most likely be unable to attend lodge again before his departure. He encouraged the Brethren to call Bro. Tye if possible to wish him well.
He then announced that we will hold a First Degree in November for Mr. McGuire and Mr. Protacio.
After switching places with WB Warnell, Bro. Masaki 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 1610 hours with Bro. Masaki, SW, Acting WM, in the East, WB Warnell, WM, Acting SW, in the West, and Bro. Montgomery, JW, in the South.
There were 14 Brethren present, of whom 2 were visitors.
There were 8 Brethren present.
APPROVED:
JIMMIE D. WARNELL
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary