Minutes 4 March 2006

The 532nd 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 March 2006.

A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Herrera, PM,  WM in the East,  WB Masaki, PM,  SW in the West, and WB Buda, PM,  JW, in the South.

The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.

And then he announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of March 2006, 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 amended.

Treasurer gave the report for the month of February, 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.

At this point, the Worshipful Master asked the SD to collect Alms from the brethren present and a total amount of ¥4,005 and $10.00 was collected

Next was the report of the several committees:  All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:

RECEPTION OF PETITIONS:  Negative.

BALLOTTING:  WB Herrera, WM of the Lodge reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr. Takashi Tsujii.  He was then elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this lodge by ballot of the members present.

CORRESPONDENCE:  The Secretary announced the G/L Bulletins of 20 February had been tacked on the bulletin board in the conference room. The Secretary introduced to the Brethren some papers from Grand Lodge such as “Attendees for Annual Communication”.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

• Resolution 2006-1: Regarding Edicts—Grand Master and Grand Lodge.  Both English and Japanese translated papers were circulated to the Brethren present and explained by MWB Katagiri.  FE#1 decided to vote negative.
• Edict Sixteen: This was voted on at the 48th Annual Communication held on 18 March 2005 and had simple majority but could not receive a 5/6 vote.  As a result, it was lying on the floor and will be vote on again at the 49th Annual Communication to be held on 17 March.  After discussion by the Brethren present it was decided to vote “yes” as FE#1.
• Candidate: Brother Secretary reported that he has been contacted by 3 Japanese through our Web Site and one among them seems to be a good candidate.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Honorary Past Master: MWB Katagiri made a motion that Bro Walter M. Johnson be made an Honorary Past Master.  Seconded by MWB Watanabe who explained how Bro Walter had dedicated himself to FE#1 in spite of being born in 1913.  The motion received an unanimous vote from the Brethren present.  MOTION CARRIED.
• Proficiency: At 14:15 hours, the lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of a proficiency test upon Bro Dimitris Tsourougiannis.  The Junior Deacon invited him into the Lodge, and he was placed West of the Altar and examined by MWB Watanabe.  WB Herrera, Worshipful Master of this Lodge, declared him proficient in the First Degree.
• Raising: At around 14:30 hours, labor was resumed in the Third Degree for the purpose of conducting the Ceremony of Raising upon Bro. Larry E. Jackson.
  
  At 14:55, by three distinct knocks on the door Bro Jackson was admitted into the Lodge and Obligated a Master Mason by WB Herrera, Master of the Lodge, with WB Masaki, SW in the West and WB Buda, JW in the South.
  
  The Lodge was called from Labor to Refreshment at 15:50 hours, and the Tragedy started with MWB Watanabe as KS and WB Masaki as HT.  When the Tragedy was over, it was already 16:50 hours so the Worshipful Master decided to postpone the Lecture and Charge to the next meeting which will be held on 1st April.

After the Brethren congratulated our newly raised MM and at the sound of the gavel in the East, the WM announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs we would proceed to close.  Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 17:20 hours in short form with WB Herrera, PM,  WM in the East, WB Masaki, PM,  SW in the West, and WB Bro Buda, PM,  JW in the South.

There were 11 brethren plus 1 FC and 1 EA.  Also we had WB Kanemitsu of Aomori #10 as a visitor.

APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master

ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary