The 502nd Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F.&A.M. was held at the new Masonic Temple located at 77-12 Honmoku Midorigaoka, Naka-ku, Yokohama on the 2nd day of November 2002.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1418 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM, in the East, WB Herrera, PM, SW in the West, and WB Sugai, PM JW, in the South.
MWB Heath then recognized the Distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date, including MWB Ambrose, Grand Master, GLOJ and MWB Collins, PGM, Grand Secretary, MWGLOJ. He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of November 2002, 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 gave his report for the month of September after which he moved and it was seconded that the report be accepted as read subject to the usual audit. MOTION CARRIED.
The Secretary then read the bills for the period and moved they be paid. After being seconded, the MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
SICK AND VISITATION: MWB Heath reported that he had received regrets from RWB Katagiri, SGW, who advised that his wife is having medical problems and he must attend to her needs.
COACHING: MWB Watanabe gave a report on the progress of Bro Yokozawa, advising that email contact has been lost due to Bro Yokozawa’s recent travels. MWB Heath requested MWB Watanabe to continue efforts to contact Bro Yokozawa with the idea of not loosing total contact with him.
HOUSE: WB Hodges noted that he new temple is now in use, with our meeting today being the first Masonic meeting to be held in this building. He also reported that the building and grounds are completely paid for with no outstanding bills at present. He reported that we will be required to sign a lease with Masonic Hall, Ltd on an annual basis which will stipulate our monthly rental fees, and all provisions pertaining to the use of the building, including the fact that the entire building will be designated a No Smoking area. He advised that a very large tax bill must be paid by March of next year and that there is currently insufficient funds available to cover the projected tax. Other means are being looked at to reduce our tax bill sufficiently to permit payment of the tax with some several million yen remaining in the bank. If these efforts do not work out, MHL will finalize the loan of ¥10,000,000 from this lodge that was approved at an earlier stated meeting. He indicated that he would keep the Brethren informed of the situation as it develops.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletin of 20 October 2002.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MWB Heath read Article II, Sections 1 & 2 of the lodge By-Laws and Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution of the Grand Lodge. He then announced that due to the absence of Bro Hodges and Bro Buda on 7 December, he will request a Special Dispensation to change our December Stated Meeting from the 7th to the 14th. He also asked the GM if a new Grand Lodge Inspector for Far East Lodge No. 1 has been appointed. With the death of MWB Onishi, we will need a new inspector to certify that the WM, SW, JW elect are proficient. MWB Ambrose acknowledge that he has not yet appointed anyone but will take care of the oversight shortly.
NEW BUSINESS: WB Hodges reported on the calendar of upcoming events, noting that the District Grand Lodge of the Far East, Scottish Constitution, Hong Kong, will consecrate the new Temple on the 5th of December which will be followed almost immediately by the Installation of Officers of Lodge Star in the East No. 640, that will subsequently be followed by a Banquet at the YC&AC. Detailed information will be forwarded early next week to permit everyone to plan their schedule.
He advised that Masonic Hall, Ltd is working up a contract for the lodges to sign which will spell out the responsibilities of the Tenant/Owner and will establish the rental fees and utility payments. It will also stipulate that smoking in the lodge building, anywhere, is prohibited. Those who are still addicted will have to step out side to feed their addiction. The members, as soon as received, before signing will review lease agreement
He then pointed out to the Brethren that we lack many things necessary for the maintenance and upkeep of the new Temple and that he will be buying things as the need is identified. All such expenses will be shared equally between FE#1 and 640. Advance approval is not being sought but no major purchases will be made without prior approval. He pointed out that most of the cost of the new computer monitor was off-set by the sale of one of the old computers and that every means will be used to keep our out of pocket expenses to the minimum.
WB Hodges then moved and MWB Watanabe seconded a motion that the lodge approve the expenditure of up to US$100.00 as our share of the projected annual donation of food for the Orphans Christmas Party sponsored by the Yokohama International Women’s Club. MOTION CARRIED.
Bro Buda brought congratulations and fraternal greetings from Bro Duncan Macpherson, Proxy Master at Grand Lodge of Scotland for Lodge Star in the East No. 640, who has been following the progress of the construction as well as the lodge on our Home Page.
WB Hirose extended his personal as well as official congratulations and fraternal greetings from Kyoto Masonic Lodge #5 and Lodge Hiogo & Osaka No. 498 in Kobe.
Bro Kubota, PM, brought greetings and congratulations from Lodge Star in the East No. 640, S.C.
MWB Watanabe to extended a most sincere and warm vote of thanks to WB Hodges and Bro Buda for all the work they have done to get us into the new temple and functional, and recognized the significant amount of work that yet needs to be done. The Brethren responded with a warm round of applause.
MWB Collins reported that Yokosuka #20, Zama #13 and Iwakuni #16 lodges, all of which reside on US Military Bases, will most likely have to vacate and move off base next year. It is going to be difficult for them as they have not adequately been able to prepare themselves for this move. He ask the Brethren of Far East Lodge No. 1 for their prayers and moral support for these lodges.
MWB Ambrose spoke briefly and thanked the Brethren for their warm reception and made a special note of the excellence of our home page.
The WM 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, this lodge was closed in form at 1520 hours by MWB Ambrose, GM, GLOJ, with MWB Heath, PGM, WM in the East, WB Herrera, PM, SW in the West, and WB Sugai, PM, JW in the South. There were 9 members and 4 visitors present
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
SABURO KATAGIRI, SGW
Acting Secretary