The 559th 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 6th day of September 2008.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting WM in the East, RWB Smith, JGW, acting SW in the West, and WB Carreon, reigning master of Yokosuka No. 20, acting JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer in remembrance of Bro Lamm who had passed away on March 1, 1989. WM ordered the Charter draped for 30 days to honor our departed Brother.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, WB Ortiz, PM and JGL was received by with GRAND HONORS for his official visit on behalf of VWB George Loar, Senior Grand Lecturer of GLoJ, and was invited to a seat in the East.
Then acting WM Katagiri 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 September 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 July and Special Meeting on 9th August and both were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of June was reported by MWB Watanabe 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: The Secretary read a Petition for the Degrees of Freemasonry from Mr. Eric Anderson, Investment Advisor of IFG Asia Ltd.
BALLOTTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the G/L Bulletins of 23 August and Minutes of the GLECM of 23 August had been posted on Bulletin Board in the conference room. We also received letters from GS which notified WB Otani’s official restoration and reminder to fill in the Petition From.
CHARITY: Amount of ¥4,250 + $19.00 (approx ¥6,250) was collected from the Brethren present.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: The Lodge was lowered to the Second Degree and Bro Tamado, FC and Bro Ogawa, FC were invited into the room for the purpose of taking their proficiency test. The test was conducted by MWB Watanabe and MWB Katagiri congratulated them for their fine performance and declared them fully proficient.
COMING SCHEDULE: After the Lodge resumed to the Third Degree again, Bro Secretary announced the following;
CLOSING: At 14:45 hours, the WM announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs that we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 14:55 hours with MWB Katagiri, PGM, acting WM in the East, RWB Smith, JGW, acting SW in the West, and WB Carreon, reigning Master of Yokosuka No. 20, acting JW in the South.
There were a total of 16 Brethren present of whom 8 were members of Far East Lodge No. 1 and 8 were visitors. At the same time the Temple was visited by 2 FCs, 2 EAs and a Petitioner.
APPROVED:
JANUSZ BUDA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary