The 533rd 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 1st day of April 2006.
A lodge of MM's was opened in due and ancient form at 13:25 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 April 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 read.
Treasurer report is postponed due to the Treasurer’s absence.
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:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: The Secretary read a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry from Mr. Kiyoshi Wachi of SNK Ocean Co., Ltd.
BALLOTTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced the G/L Bulletins of 20 March had tapped on Bulletin Board in the conference room.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥4,350 and $15.00 was collected from the brethren present.
REPORT OF THE COMMUNICATION: WB Herrera briefly reported on the Annual Communication held on 17 and 18 March. At the election of Grand Lodge Officers, the following named brethren were elected; MWB Mitsuru Ishii as GM, RWB Joedie Poole as Deputy, RWB Michael Setzer as SGW, RWB Robert Koole as JGW. Both Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary remain the same as MWB Iwahama and MWB Philip Ambrose respectably. WB Herrera, Worshipful Master of this Lodge was honored to be appointed to Grand Marshal.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Degree Lecture and Charge of the 3rd degree were scheduled to be given to Bro Larry Jackson this afternoon but because of the absence of MWB Katagiri they were postponed to either our Special Meeting next week or our Stated Meeting next month.
NEW BUSINESS:
PRESENTATION OF DIPLOMAS: WB Herrera, Worshipful Master of this lodge, asked Bro Walter Johnson be placed himself West of Altar and presented him with a DIPLOMA OF MERIT from Grand Lodge and an Honorary Past Master’s Certificate made by WB Buda. It was indeed a beautiful certificate using an old-fashioned calligraphy font. Then WB Herrera was himself placed West of the Altar and presented with his Past and Reigning Master’s Certificates by MWB Watanabe. The Worshipful Master rapped the gavel and called the Lodge free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our WB Walter.
Then Brother Secretary briefly explained current progress reports of candidates and petitioners and also reported that we may need to have some more Special Meetings. WB Buda reported about Mr. Miyoshi, a potential candidate who was supposed to visit us today and was almost ready to submit a petition but who was suddenly transfered to another department and would not be free on Saturday afternoons. We decided we will keep in touch with him until he finds a chance to become a member of this or another lodge.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from MWB Katagiri and Bro Sagara.
The WM 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 at 14:40 hours 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 9 brethren plus WB Kanemitsu of Aomori #10 as a visitor and one petitioner and potential candidate join us during Harmony.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary