The 493rd 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 8th day of December 2001.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1415 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM, in the East, WB Herrera, PM, SW, in the West, and RWB Katagiri, JGW, JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, MWB Heath announced the death of Brother Woodley Crocker Blackwell, Jr, on 30 April 2001. He then ordered the charter to remain draped for an additional 30 days and after low twelve was sounded, MWB Heath concluded with a prayer for our departed Brother.
MWB Heath then recognized the 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 December 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 was given by MWB Watanabe, PGM, after which he moved and WB Herrera seconded a motion that the Treasurer’s report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary read the bills for the period and moved that they be paid. RWB Katagiri 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 the receipt of a $100.00 donation from Brother John H. Tibbitt which will be credited to our Benevolent Fund.
SICK & VISITATION: WB Hodges reported the death of Bro. Charles J. Reinbold, a member of Lodge Star in the East No. 640, S.C., and a well known member of the Yokohama community, on 1 December 2001.
REFRESHMENT & ENTERTAINMENT: WB Hodges reported that the cost of children attending the Installation Banquet will be Yen1,500 for those under the age of 12 years.
BALLOTING: None
RECEPTION OF PETITION: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the following items of correspondence:
This prompted MWB Heath to appoint WB Sugai and MWB Watanabe as a committee of two to plan for the visit of the Grand Master. He also requested WB Hodges to extend an invitation to the Brethren of Lodge Star in the East No. 640 to join with us on the occasion of the Grand Master’s visit. WB Hodges responded that the information would be passed to the members of 640. He then informed the Brethren that the Grand Master of Scotland is scheduled to visit Lodge Star in the East No. 640 the evening of 18 February 2002. Additional details will be forthcoming from Lodge 640 sometime in January 2002 and will be disseminated to both lodges.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MWB Heath read Articles 100 through 100d of the Constitution and Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the lodge By-Laws, all of which govern or pertain to the annual election of officers of a lodge.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Hodges reported that there will be no one suspended for Non Payment of Dues. MWB Heath then called the lodge briefly free from restraint and after sounding the gavel in the East, he announced that Bro Jud Buda has been installed as the SW of Lodge Star in the East No. 640 and extended the best wishes of the Brethren for a successful year. MWB Heath then announced that the Annual Election of Officers of this lodge would be conducted. With MWB Onishi, PGM, Grand Lodge Inspector for Far East Lodge No. 1 and Bro Buda acting as Tellers, the following Brethren were elected to the office specified:
MWB Heath again called the lodge briefly free from restraint to permit the newly elected officers to select those who will fill the appointed position. After sounding the gavel in the East, MWB Heath announced that the following named Brethren have been appointed to the position specified:
MWB Heath then cautioned RWB Katagiri about getting complacent simply because he was not elected or appointed to any specific office. This was done intentionally to permit RWB Katagiri to be used as the “Wild Card” in the lodge, meaning that he will be called on to fill any position in the absence of the elected/appointed officer. RWB Katagiri responded with appropriate remarks and pledged to give his full support to the lodge as usual.
MWB Heath then appointed Bros Buda and Mendoza to try to come up with a plan by our January meeting of how best to spread the work associated with the preparation of the monthly refreshments amongst the Brethren. It has been noted that Bro Johnson has been ending up doing most of the work when the labors involved should be shared by all those attending.
MWB Heath then announced that the January meeting will be a busy meeting and that it will start promptly at 1400 hours on 12 January 2002. Upon conclusion of all business, the lodge will be called off until approximately 1530 hours at which time the Installation of Officers will commence with MWB Chester L. Ditto, PGM, Grand Secretary, MWGLOJ, as the Installing Officers and MWB Kazuhiro Watanabe, PGM, the Installing Marshal. The banquet will follow at the United Seamens International Seamen’s Club starting at about 1800/1830 hours. He asked Bro Jud Buda to act as the Master of Ceremonies at the banquet and announced that MWB Ditto will be the guest speaker.
Bro Mendoza brought greeting and regrets from MWB Ditto, who was unable to attend today.
There being no further business to come before this lodge of MM’s, MWB Heath, PGM, WM, closed the lodge in due and ancient form at 1613 hours with WB Herrera, PM, SW, in the West and RWB Katagiri, JGW, JW, in the South. There were 12 members present.
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary