The 547th 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 7th day of July 2007.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Herrera, PM, acting WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting JW in the South.
WB Herrera called the Brethren up for a moment of silence in remembrance of Bro Guy Poll of this Lodge who was summoned to the Celestial Lodge above on 9 May 2007. The WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
Then WB Herrera recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.
He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of July 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 our Monthly Meeting held on 2nd and 30th (Special Meeting) June and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer gave the report for the month of June 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 were the reports of the several committees: All committee reports were negative with the exception of the following:
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the G/L Bulletins and Minutes of GLECM of 20 June had been tacked on the Bulletin Board in the Conference Room. He also introduced a letter from the Committee Chairman of the Children's Festival in which he thanked us for our donation to the festival.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥5,300 + $2.00 was collected from the Brethren present.
Conferral Schedule: The Secretary reported that although a large number of FCs, EAs and Candidates has been waiting for conferral it might be better for the Brethren to rest and refresh themselves during in the dark month of August so as to be ready for the latter part of this year. Our schedule starting from September will be announced shortly. And on the last Saturday of this month (28 July) we will hold a Lodge of Instruction starting 13:00 hours. Those who have a time, please join.
Third Proficiency Test: Bro Ogawa announced that he was ready for his MM’s test and was examined by MWB Watanabe. The WM of this Lodge declared him proficient in the Third Degree.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS:
EA LODGE OPENED: At 14:05 hours, the Lodge was lowered to the First Degree for the purpose of initiating Mr. Koji Suzuki and Mr. Yasushi Tamado. At 14:15 hours, the above-mentioned candidates gave three distinct knocks and were admitted into the Lodge. They were obligated as EAs by MWB Watanabe in Japanese. The Apron Lecture was given by MWB Watanabe and the Working Tool Lecture by Bro Honda, both in Japanese.
At 15:30 hours, the Degree Lecture was given by MWB Katagiri and the two newly-obligated Brethren were joined by Bros Hiroshi Komura and Tsuyoshi Taniuchi who had missed their degree lecture in June due to the lecturer’s absence. The Charge had delivered by MWB Watanabe. The Lodge was then called briefly free from restraint for the purpose of congratulating our newly initiated Brethren at 16:20 hours.
CLOSING: At 16:30 hours, the Lodge resumed labor in the Third Degree and the WM announced that he would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed at 16:45 hours with WB Herrera, PM, acting WM in the East, WB Buda, PM, SW in the West, and MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had received from Bros Inomata, Jackson, Tsuruyiannis, Takeda and Sagara. There were 16 brethren (including 1 Visitor, 1 FC and 4 EAs), present and 4 potential candidates joined us for Harmony.
APPROVED:
TAKUMI MASAKI, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary