The 542nd 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 3rd day of February 2007.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and WB Herrera, PM, JW in the South.
Then WM recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
He then announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of February 2007, 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 13th January and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer gave the Report for the month of January 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: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the G/L Bulletin and the Minutes of the GLECM of 20 January had been tacked on the Bulletin Board in the Conference Room.
CHARITY: The amount of ¥6,325+$5.00 was collected from the Brethren present.
INSTALLATION BANQUET REPORT: The Secretary reported that the Installation Banquet had 29 attendees including guests and was a very good one regarding both cuisine and atmosphere.
FINANCIAL REPORT: The Report was submitted by the Treasurer and introduced by the Secretary to the Brethren present and he commented that the financial situation of this Lodge is fair at the present time.
CONFERRAL: The Secretary asked the Brethren present whether a First Degree conferral to be conducted for two petitioners who had kept waiting should be held this month as a Special Meeting or next month as a Stated Meeting. The Brethren chose next month.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Bro Sneathern, who was absent on the day of the Installation last month, was installed to his appointed position of Junior Steward by MWB Katagiri, Installing Officer and WB Herrera, Installing Marshal.
NEW BUSINESS:
FIRST DEGREE CONFERRAL upon Messrs. Taiki Ogawa and Seiichi Honda was started by lowering the Lodge to the 1st degree at 14:00 hours after which Bro Takeshi Noma, EA, was invited into the Lodge room. At 14:15, the above-mentioned candidates gave three distinct knocks on the door and were admitted into the Lodge and obligated as EAs by WB Masaki. The Working Tool Lecture was given by Bro Wachi and the Apron Lecture by MWB Watanabe, both in Japanese.
At 15:00 hours, the Lodge was called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly obligated Brethren and having a short break before the start of the Degree Lecture.
At 15:10, the Lodge resumed labor and the Lecture was given by MWB Katagiri in Japanese. The Charge was given by MWB Watanabe and then WB Masaki, Master of the Lodge, gave the necessary instructions to the newly initiated EAs.
CLOSING:
At around 16:20 hours, the WM resumed the Lodge to the 3rd degree and announced that he would proceed to close in short form. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed at 16:30 hours with WB Masaki, PM, WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and WB Herrera, PM, acting JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from Bros Inomata and Takeda.
There were 17 member of this lodge present, including EAs, and also 5 visitors had joined us during harmony hours.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary