The 511th 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 4th day of October 2003.
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.
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 October 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 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:
CHARITY: Alms in the amount of ¥5,060 was collected.
SICK AND VISITATION: MWB Heath gave a brief update on the status of MWB Ditto indicating that he continues to improve and may be able to return home soon. MWB Heath also provided an update on his own situation and advised that he may be unable to attend our November meeting, depending on when he will receive surgery for the removal of a skin cancer on his chest. He will keep the lodge advised.
AUDIT: MWB Heath reported that the Financial Committee met this afternoon and after reviewing the situation voted to leave the money at Eagle Star until such time as all funds have been recovered and possibly beyond that time, depending on the situation prevailing at that time.
HOUSE: Bro Buda updated the Brethren on the proposed construction project noting that the new owner had announced that they would begin test drilling on 01 October, however, no drilling has actually started yet.
WB Hodges then advised the estimate to fabricate and mount two display boxes and two frames to hold the banners and Charter of the two lodges was received but rejected due to high cost (¥300,000). He advised that suitable frames can be purchased at NEX Yokosuka for US$80.00 each. He advised that Bro Buda is attempting to locate a local source to fabricate new banners and that he was attempting to find a source in the US were suitable wall display boxes can be purchased to mount and house the existing banners. He then moved and it was seconded that the lodge purchase a new frame for the lodge Charter. MOTION CARRIED.
BALLOTTING: After announcing a full and favorable report on the Application for Affiliation submitted by Bro. Tohru Akimoto and the Petition for the Degree submitted by Mr. Charles James Jackson, Jr., balloting was then separately done and both were elected. MWB Heath then proceeded to obligate Bro Akimoto an Affiliate Member of the lodge and instructed the Secretary to inform Mr. Jackson the results of the ballot and that he would be initiated at our November meeting. Bro Akimoto was presented with his personal copy of the lodge By-Laws after having signed the Book of By-Laws.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary read the G/L Bulletins of 20 September 2003 and a portion of a letter from the Grand Secretary pertaining to the nomination of Trustees, Supervisors and Counselors of the TMA and invited any interested Brother to review the entire letter with attachments after lodge.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: MWB Heath announced that RWB Katagiri will be unable to be the Installing Officer at our installation in January and that MWB Johnson, PGM, has been requested and has acquiesced to be the Installing Officer. MWB Watanabe remains the Installing Marshal.
NEW BUSINESS: MWB Heath read Articles 100, 100a and 100b of the Constitution and Article II, Sections 1 and 2 of the lodge By-Laws. He then announced that we will confer the first degree of Masonry on Mr. Charles James Jackson, Jr. at our November Stated Meeting and proceeded to assign the work as agreed to by the Brethren present.
MWB Heath then called on WB Sugai to give us a brief report on his recent visit to Finland. Bro Sugai said that he was able to attend a lodge meeting during his visit and that the lodge conferred the first degree on a candidate at that meeting. WB Sugai said that even though he could not understand the language, he believes that the ritual is almost identical to our own. After the meeting, there was Harmony and he enjoyed everything very much.
On behalf of the Brethren of Lodge Star in the East No. 640, S.C., Bro Buda extended an invitation to the Brethren, their family and friends to join in the Harbor Boat Cruise scheduled for 18 October 2003. He advised that Bro Hodges would be happy to provide additional details to those interested in attending.
After confirming that there was no further business to come before this lodge, MWB Heath proceeded to close the lodge in short form at 1605 hours with WB Herrera, PM, SW, in the West and WB Sugai, PM, JW, in the South. There were 9 members present.
APPROVED:
WILLIAM M. HEATH, PGM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
THOMAS H. HODGES, PM
Secretary