The 556th 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 10th day of May 2008.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:20 hours with WB Buda, PM, WM in the East, MWB Watanabe, PGM, acting SW in the West, and Bro Inomata, JW in the South.
WB Buda 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 May 2008, 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 5th April and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of April was read out by Bro Secretary 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: None
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the G/L Bulletins of 26 April and Minutes of GLECM of 16 February had been posted on the Bulletin Board in the conference room. He then introduced a letter from the GM about the Children's Festival to be held on 25 May, Special Dispensation 5-08 and the news that RWB Robert H. Koole had been reassigned as a Lodge Inspector for this Lodge. One other letter from the GS informed us that WB Sugai had become a dual member of Kintai Lodge No. 16.
CHARITY: Amount of ¥4,100 was collected from the Brethren present.
COMMENTS: WB Buda spoke about the Table Lodge sponsored by Lodge No. 640 on 19 April and announced that the next one was scheduled to be hosted by FE1. Bro Secretary reported that he is planning it for some time int he fall season, in October maybe, and in the Masonic Center in Tokyo. It would be a good chance for some of the No. 640 Brethren to see the Center .
WB Buda also reported that the rubbish resulting from the hedge trimming in the back yard and some plastic boxes had taken away by Bro Ozaki of Lodge No. 640.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: Due to the large number of key brothers of FE1 who had sent their regrets for the meeting, the scheduled MM degree conferral upon Bros Tei and Suzuki was postponed to our July meeting.
MASONIC TALK: At 14:15 hours, the Lodge was lowered to the First Degree for a Masonic Talk by WB Buda, and all EAs and FCs were invited into the room. Before starting the Talk, WB Buda asked to the Brethren about their motivation to become a member of the Fraternity. All responded by describing their individual reasons.
WB Buda started his Talk by pointing out that, for a candidate giving three knocks on the door of the Lodge, the door could be considered an entrance into a room, an entrance into Freemasonry, or an entrance into a world of new knowledge.
After the Talk, he called the Lodge free from restraint so that the EAs and FCs could leave without needing to salute the WM. After a short break, WB Buda resumed labor in the Third Degree at 15:10 hours.
COMING SCHEDULE: Bro Secretary announced the following:
CLOSING: At 15:35 hours, the WM announced that he would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 16:45 hours in short form with WB Buda, PM, WM in the East, MWB Watanabe, PGM, acting SW in the West, and Bro Inomata JW in the South.
The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from Bros Tatara, Katagiri, Masaki, Sagara and Tamado (EA).
A total 12 members of this Lodge including 2 EAs and 2 FCs joined our meeting today.
APPROVED:
JANUSZ BUDA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary