Minutes 7 March 2009

The 565th 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 March 2009.

WB Buda recognized the Distinguished Brethren of this Lodge as listed in the Tyler’s register of this date.

A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:15 hours with WB Buda, PM, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, acting SW in the West, and Bro Honda, acting JW in the South.

He announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of March 2009, 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 7th February 2009 and they were APPROVED AS READ.

The Treasurer's Report for the month of February was reported by Bro. Secretary due to Bro. Treasurer’s absence, 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 Dual Membership from Bro de las Alas of Nippon Lodge No. 9, Sasebo.

BALLOTTING: Mr. Jason P. Kraker and Mr. Masumi Ishibashi were elected to receive the Degrees of Masonry in this Lodge by ballot of the members present.

CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the G/L Bulletins of 26 February and ECM on 24 January were tacked on the Bulletin Board in the Conference Room.

CHARITY: An Amount of ¥8,046 was collected from the Brethren present.

SICK AND VISITATION: MWB Katagiri phoned that he is feeling something wrong with his shoulder.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

1. Discussed about the submitted resolution from Lodge No. 2 and concluded that FE1 vote Nay.
2. Bro Inomata will attend the Communication alone and WB Buda and Bro Sagara will not be able to join due to their business commitments. Also asked to Bro Honda to stand in for Bro Inomata if he could not join.

NEW BUSINESS:

Proficiency test: After the Lodge was lowered to the EA degree and all EA and FCs invited into the room, the examination was started. The Lodge being raised appropriately, Bro Eric Anderson took his Entered Apprentice test in English, Bro Mamoru Sato took his Fellowcraft test in Japanese, and Bro Tomio Ogawa took his Master Mason test in English. All three tests were conducted by MWB Watanabe, and WB Buda declared all three Brethren completely proficient in their respective degrees, complimenting them on their outstanding memory work.

COMING SCHEDULE:

1. The Secretary announced that the initiation date upon Mr. Kevin Adams had been fixed for March 28 and the Apron Lecture will be given by Bro Honda, the Working Tools by Bro Tatara and the Degree Lecture by Bro Sneathern. All of them volunteering to do their respective ritual work.
2. Fruitful discussion was also held on the location and scheduling of the delayed Table Lodge with Lodge Star in the East No. 640.
3. On the necessity of amending the Lodge's Bye-laws to authorize a slight increase in annual, initiation, and life membership fees. After a lively exchange of opinions and suggestions regarding the most appropriate increases, the Secretary was charged with drawing up a concrete proposal which could be further discussed at our next meeting.

CLOSING: At 15:55 hours, the WM announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs and we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 16:10 hours in short form with WB Buda, PM, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, acting SW in the West, and Bro Honda, acting JW in the South.

There were a total of 12 brethren present of whom 10 were members of this Lodge and 3 FCs, EA and one petitioner joined our harmony.

The Lodge welcomed a visitor, Bro Takigami of No. 11.

The Secretary reported that regrets had been received from Bros Tamado, de las Alas and Katagiri.

APPROVED:
JANUSZ BUDA, PM
Worshipful Master

ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary