The 539th 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 November 2006.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Masaki, PM, acting WM in the East, MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting SW in the West, and WB Buda, PM, JW, in the South.
The WM 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 November 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 of the Monthly Meeting held on 7th October and they were approved as read.
The Treasurer gave the report for the month of September and 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:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
BALLOTTING: The WM of the Lodge reported that the Committee of Investigation had submitted a favorable report on the petition of Mr. Taiki Ogawa, Yoshikane Tei, Seiichi Honda and Akihiro Tatara. They were then elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this lodge by separate ballot of the members present.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that both the GLEC Minutes of July and G/L Bulletin of 20 September had been tacked on the Bulletin Board in the Conference Room.
CHARITY: The amount of ¥4,770 was collected from the Brethren present.
READING By-Law: Article II, Section 2 was read by the Secretary.
COMING PROPOSED SCHEDULE: The Secretary proposed to the Brethren present that a Special Meeting be held to confer the 2nd degree upon Bro Konno, EA.
The following degree work was agreed upon:
UNFINISHED BUSSINESS: After discussion of nominations for TMA Trustees, Supervisors and Counselors it waas concluded that we would not recommend any at this time.
NEW BUSINESS:
CHRISTMAS PARTY The Secretary proposed that no more than ¥30,000 or equivalent USD be donated to the annual Orphanage Christmas Party sponsored by YIWC. The proposal was seconded and approved.
HONORARY MEMBER MWB Katagiri proposed that WB Kanemitsu, PM of Aomori #10,be made an honorary member of FE#1. The proposal was seconded and the Brethren present unanimously elected WB Kanemitsu to be made an honorary member. WB Kanemitsu expressed his thanks for the honor.
3rd DEGREE PROFICIENCY EXAMS:
At 14:40 hours, two of the Lodge’s newest Master Masons offered to give their Third Degree Proficiency. MWB Watanabe examined Bros Mikuni and Tsujii in Japanese and WB Masaki, the acting Worshipful Master, declared both of them proficient in the 3rd degree.
VISITOR FROM US:
The Secretary reported that our senior Brother Ed Lawson had visited us on 28 September, on which day we were supposed to hold a Special Meeting to confer the 3rd degree, but the meeting was cancelled due to the inconvenience of the Brethren. He seemed a bit disappointed that he could not meet the current members of this Lodge. He left Japan on 31 September to return to the US so that he could not join our October meeting but a photo of him and the Secretary is available on the Lodge's website.
Lowering the Lodge to the First Degree: At 14:55 hours, the Lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of initiating Mr. Takeshi Noma.
INITIATION CEREMONY:
At 15:05 hours, by three distinct knocks on the door by Mr. Noma was admitted into the Lodge and Obligated an Entered Apprentice by WB Masaki. Bro. Mikuni gave the Working Tool Lecture and MWB Watanabe the Apron Lecture. The Degree Lecture was given by MWB Katagiri and the Charge was delivered by MWB Watanabe. All lectures and charges were given in Japanese. The Lodge was then called briefly free from restraint at 16:25 for the purpose of congratulating our newly obligated Brother.
CLOSING:
The Master of the Lodge announced that he would proceed to close in short form at 16:35. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 16:45 hours with WB Masaki, PM, acting WM in the East, MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting SW in the West, and WB Bro Buda, PM, JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from WB Herrera, Bro Miyata, Bro Tsuruyiannis, Bro Akimoto and Bro Inomata.
There were 11 brethren present including 1 EA of this Lodge and also 2 petitioners joined during our harmony before the meeting.
APPROVED:
R. C. HERRERA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary