The 509th Stated Meeting of Far East Lodge No. 1, F. &A.M. was held at the Masonic Temple located at 77-12 Honmoku Midorigaoka, Naka-ku, Yokohama on the 7th day of June 2003.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 1410 hours with WB Herrera, PM, SW, acting WM in the East, RWB Katagiri, DGM, acting SW in the West, and WB Sugai, PM, JW, in the South.
The WM 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 June 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 April 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 after which he moved and it was seconded that the bills be paid. MOTION CARRIED.
Next was the report of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
SICK AND VISITATION: WB Hodges reported that MWB Heath has advised that MWB Ditto continues to make progress even though he is still in the hospital and uses a wheel chair to move around.
AUDIT: RWB Katagiri reported that he had audited the books and that he would prepare and submit a formal report for our September meeting.
HOUSE: Bro Buda updated the Brethren on the proposed construction project noting that the Neighborhood Association has collected over 300 signatures opposing the project. This is more than 3 times the number of signatures needed for City Hall to issue a stop order. No meetings of the Association have been had in more than a month so current status is unknown.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: After the lodge was raised, the Secretary read a letter of appreciation from the GM thanking all for their help and support for the Annual Children’s Festival where 1,258 people signed in. After the lodge was seated the Secretary read the GL Bulletin of 20 May 2003.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: Open discussions were had on the situation of the Craft in Japan and of Far East Lodge No. 1 in particular with the focus on what can be done, not only to attract new members, but to keep those who do knock on our door. Much concern was expressed by the Brethren. However, beyond the extensive discussions of the pro’s and con’s of conducting lodge business in the First Degree instead of the Third Degree and the need for an effective and continuing publicity campaign, no short or long range solutions presented themselves.
MWB Watanabe moved, and it was seconded, that Alms be collected at this and all future meetings of the lodge to give the Brethren the opportunity to contribute to the Benevolent Fund and for the Fund to start accumulating funds for charitable purposes. MOTION CARRIED.
Alms in the amount of ¥5,300 and US$0.25 was collected.
Apologies were received from MWB Heath.
After confirming that there was no further business to come before this lodge, WB Herrera proceeded to close the lodge in due and ancient form at 1535 hours with RWB Katagiri, DGM, acting SW, in the West and WB Sugai, PM, JW, in the South. There were 8 members present.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Acting Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary