The 507th 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 5th day of April 2003.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1412 hours with MWB Heath, PGM, WM, in the East, WB Herrera, PM, SW in the West, and WB Sugai, PM, JW, in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of prayer in remembrance of the following named Brethren who passed to the Celestial lodge on the date indicated:
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren present as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date. He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of April 2003, 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 then gave his report for the month of March 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:
REFRESHMENT & ENTERTAINMENT: MWB Heath thanked Bro Johnson for bringing the refreshments today and lead the Brethren in a warm round of applause.
COACHING: MWB Watanabe reported that Brother Yokozawa is still not ready to give his first degree proficiency and that he was unable to attend today due to having a wedding reception. He also reported on the young Japanese who visited and shared harmony with us today who seems quite keen on submitting a petition and hopes he will be a candidate soon. MWB Heath noted that we seem to be losing every candidate as soon as they are initiated. He also noted that the present GM in his letter to the lodges makes note of the fact that the lodges need to contact their lost EA’s and FC’s to see what can do to bring them back to the Lodge. MWB Heath further indicated that future assignment of a coach to assist a new candidate would be made primarily on the basis of who is willing to take the time and effort to bring the candidate along, not necessarily on who signs that person’s petition. He concluded his remarks by reading the GM’s letter appointing RWB Norinaga Miyoshi, SGW, as the Grand Lodge Inspector for this lodge.
INVESTMENT: MWB Heath brought up the matter of the ¥10M to be loaned to Masonic Hall, Limited and asked WB Hodges if he could provide an update. WB Hodges announced that MHL definitely will not need to borrow the money as the problem has been resolved in a more suitable fashion.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the GL Bulletins for 20 February and 20 March 2003 and the GM’s letter concerning the Annual Grand Lodge Children’s Festival.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MWB Heath requested RWB Katagiri give a summary of the highlights of the Grand Lodge Communication held in March. RWB Katagiri reported that only Resolutions 2003-5 and 2003-7 were approved by Grand Lodge. Resolution 2003-6 generated the most discussion at GL. RWB Katagiri then noted that MWB Watanabe, who was the elected representative for this lodge was only permitted to cast 3 votes on each question requiring a vote. After considerable discussion on this matter, MWB Heath instructed the Secretary to prepare a letter to Grand Lodge objecting to the decision to allow MWB Watanabe to cast only 3 votes – the constitution permits every Grand Lodge Officer, Past or Present, one vote by virtue of their having served or are presently serving as a Grand Lodge Officer. This right is not compromised by virtue of his having been the elected representative of this lodge since he in fact holds none of the positions permitted to vote at GL communications, e.g. Master, SW or JW. MWB Heath also requested RWB Katagiri to bring this matter up at the next Executive Committee Meeting for resolution for it is believed that an incorrect decision was made and if such proves to be the case, the Grand Lodge will have to decide if the voting during the communication must be invalidated.
NEW BUSINESS: It was moved and seconded that the lodge donate ¥30,000 to the Annual Children’s Festival. MOTION CARRIED.
After discussing, MWB Heath confirmed that our May Stated Meeting will be held on the 3rd as scheduled regardless of that day being a Japanese National holiday.
After confirming that there was no further business to come before this lodge, MWB Heath proceeded to close the lodge in due and ancient form at 1523 hours with WB Herrera, PM, SW, in the West and WB Sugai, PM, JW, in the South. There were 7 members present.
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary