The 472nd 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 December 1999.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1412 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Hererra, SW in the West, and RWB Watanabe, DGM, Acting JW, in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in thc East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in memory of Bros. Gilbert Sherman Howe, Ronald Eugene Tevalt, and Louis Leland Wochos, who were called to the Celestial. Lodge on 11/14/99, 10/6/89, and 8/02/98 respectively. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brethren.
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tiler's register of this date and welcomed everyone. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of December 1999, the first order of business would he 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.
Next was the Treasurer's Report given by WB Katagiri, PM. It was moved by WB Katagiri and seconded by MWB Heath, PGM, that the report be approved as read, subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
WB Hodges then read and moved that the bills he paid. MWB Heath seconded the motion. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
With. the exception of the following, all committee reports were negative:
CHARITY: WB Hodges reported that the lodge, together with Lodge Stsr in the East No. 640 donated three large turkeys, 8 cases of soft drinks, 236 candy canes and 12 Anthony's Pizzas to the Yokohama International Ladies Club for use at their annual Xmas Party for the 100 plus children of Kofu-Kodomoen and Kodomo-no-sono Orphanages
REFRESHMENT AND ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges reported that due to the almost complete lack of interest, the Annual Thanksgiving Day Dinner was cancelled. Only 3 members made reservations.
BALLOTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 20 November 1999 and, after the lodge was raised, the Grand Master's Proclamation 2-99.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MWB Heath then read Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the lodge By-Laws and Articles 100 through 100d of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge.
WB Hodges read the names of the members who will he suspended for non-payment of dues on 31 December 1999, unless payment is received by that date. They are Bros. Byron Dean Brown, PM, Bro. Tyrone Lynwood Hayden, and John Arthur McCauley, PM.
NEW BUSINESS: MWB Heath moved and WB Katagiri seconded a motion that Bro. Garfield T. Roberts be made an Honorary Past Master of this Lodge for services rendered to the lodge over the past 4 years. Bro. Roberts has been instrumental in having ¥217,000 in overpaid Grand Lodge fees returned to the lodge and a significant amount of money saved by avoiding the payment of Grand Lodge fees for Brethren who were called to the Celestial Lodge many years ago.
The lodge was then called briefly free from restraint and at the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Masaki appointed MWB Heath and WB Hirose tellers and declared that the annual election of officers would be held. The following named Brethren were elected to the office indicated:
Bro. Herrera then announced that the Annual Installation of Officers would be held on 12 February 2000 and that Appointed Office Bearers would be announced at our January meeting.
WB Hodges announced that MWB Ditto, PGM, Grand Secretary, and MWB Heath, PGM, will be the installing Officers.
WB Hirose, Grand Lodge Inspector, advised Bros. Herrera and Mendoza that he will he available on weekends to work with them on giving their proficiencies. 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 short form as authorized by Edict 13 at 1605 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, Bro. Herrera, SW, in the West, and RWB Watanabe, DGM, Acting JW, in the South.
There were 9 Brethren present, including 1 visitor.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES
Secretary