The 487th 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 April 2001.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1410 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SS, Acting SW, in the West, and RWB Katagiri, JGW, JW in the South.
MWB Heath introducted WB Ian Campbell, Reigning Master of Cosmopolitan Lodge No. 43, E.C., located in Zurich Switzerland and presented him with a first time visitors card. At the sound of an alarm at the door, MWB Onishi, PGM, Grand Lodge Inspector for Far East Lodge No. 1 was received with Grand Honors and seated in the East.
MWB Heath then recognized the other Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date. He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of April 2001, 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.
The Treasurer’s report for April was given by MWB Watanabe, PGM, after which he moved and WB Hodges, PM, seconded a motion that the Treasurer’s report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary then read the bills for the period. He moved and MWB Watanabe seconded a motion that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees:
All Committee reports were negative.
BALLOTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITION: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 March 2001, a letter of invitation to the Thirtieth Anniversary and Installation of Officers from Han Lodge No. 8, under the jurisdiction of the MW Grand Lodge of F&AM of China, and the Grand Master’s letter of 29 March 2001 regarding the 26th Annual Children’s Festival.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: WB Hodges submitted the attached PROPOSED CHANGES TO BY-LAWS OF FAR EAST LODGE NO. 1, F.&A.M. dated 14 April 2001. After review and appropriate discussion, MWB Heath directed that the proposed changes lay-over until our May meeting at which time every proposed change will be voted on under Unfinished Business. He also instructed the Secretary to notify the in country Brethren in writing that the lodge will vote on the proposed changes at our May meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Hodges moved and MWB Watanabe seconded a motion that the lodge donate the sum of ¥30,000 to the Children’s Festival. MOTION CARRIED.
MWB Heath opened discussion of a proposed Table Lodge to be held jointly with Lodge Star in the East No. 640. After discussion, MWB Heath instructed the Secretary to forward the Table Lodge Ritual to all in country Brethren with email. He asked the Brethren to consider ways and means of handling the logistics of a Table Lodge to be held either here in the lodge or elsewhere. If the Table Lodge is to be held at the lodge, should the food be catered and if so by whom and at what cost? Would “Pot Luck” be an alternate method of providing the food? The matter will be discussed further at future meetings under Unfinished Business.
In the absence of WB Herrera, MWB Heath then requested MWB Watanabe to give us a report on the proceeding of the Annual Grand Lodge Communication. MWB Watanabe reported that Resolution 2001-1 and 2001-2 submitted by this lodge to change Chapter I, Section 8 and Chapter IV, Section 37 of the General Laws of the Grand Lodge were approvedby Grand Lodge. Resolution 2001-3 and GRAND MASTER’S EDICT SIXTEEN, after having been converted to a Resolution, failed to gain the required 5/6th of the votes and therefore failed. Both did receive a majority of the votes cast and will therefore lay over and be taken up at the next Annual Communication when another vote will be taken by Grand Lodge. MWB Watanabe also reported that the Grand Master’s proposed Lifemembership Resolution was voted on again after failing at the last Communication, and was adopted. RWB Katagiri and MWB Watanabe reported that there was considerable discussion as to whether or not Chapter XVII, APPENDIX II. Titled: Of the Civil Magistrate, Supreme and Subordinate, should be deleted from the General Laws of the Grand Lodge.
After thanking WB Campbell again for his visit, and the Brethren for a very productive meeting, MWB Heath then announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MM’s, we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing the lodge was closed in due and antient form at 1623 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM, in the East, WB Masaki, PM, SS, Acting SW, in the West, and RWB Katagiri, JGW, JW in the South.
There were 10 members and 2 visitors present.
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary