The 572nd 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 November 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, WM in the East, Bro Inomata, SW in the West, and Bro Sagara, JW in the South.
And WM announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of November 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 3rd October and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of October was given by Bro. Secretary 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.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced the G/L Monthly Bulletins of 21 October and a draft copy of the GLEC Minutes of 17 October had been posted on the bulletin board in the Conference Room. Bro. Secretary also introduced a letter from GS on the nomination of TMA officers and a letter from WB Jimmy Warnell who had moved to San Francisco.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥6,456 was collected from the Brethren present.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
READING OF BY-LAWS: Article II, Section2 of the By-Laws was read by the Worshipful Master.
NEW BUSINESS:
BALLOTING: A ballot was taken on the application of Bro Atsushi Takigami of Yuai Lodge No. 11 for affiliation to Far East Lodge No. 1. The ballot proving unfavorable, the WM called for a second ballot (in compliance with Article 133c of the Constitution of GLoJ), with the same result. WB Buda instructed Bro Secretary to inform Bro Takigami of the result and return his application fee.
DEMISSION GRANTED: After confirming that Bro Jose M. Ferrer had paid all outstanding dues and that there were no valid objections to his request for a demit, WB Buda ordered the demit to be granted.
Proficiency Test in FC Degree: After the WM had lowered the Lodge to the Second Degree, first Bro Kevin Adams and then Bro Masami Ishibashi stood West of the Altar and were examined in their proficiency in the Fellowcraft Degree by MWB Watanabe. The examinations were conducted in English. Even though only two weeks had passed since both Brethren had been passed to the Second Degree, they proved themselves completely proficient, and the WM congratulated them on an outstanding performance.
Raising the Lodge to the MM degree: At 14:30 hrs the WM resumed labor in the MM degree.
FAQ translation: The WM thanked Bros Taiki Ogawa and Tatara for their prompt and voluntary translation of the Lodge website's FAQ. The translation would be uploaded as soon as possible
COMING SCHEDULE: MWB Watanabe outlined the Lodge's schedule for the next few meetings. A Special Meeting would be held on November 28 for the purpose of raising Bro Eric Anderson to the sublime degree of MM.
Our Stated Meeting for December would be held on December 5, with Bro Inomata, SW, taking the East in place of WB Buda, who would be in Kobe for a series of Scottish Constitution installations. The Lodge would hold its election of officers at the December meeting, with the officers elected or appointed at that meeting being installed at our Stated Meeting and Installation of January 9, 2010. After a brief business meeting, the open installation would begin at approximately 15:00 hrs and would be followed by a banquet at the Yokohama Country and Athletic Club.
WM's COMMENTS: Speaking from the East, WB Buda announced the Lodge Star in the East No. 640 installation and banquet would be held on Thursday, December 3, and that all members of Far East Lodge No. 1 were welcome to attend. The WM gave a brief explanation of balloting procedures used in other Constitutions, where two or three black balls were needed to reject a candidate. WB Buda then announced that WB Thomas Hodges had been diagnosed with lung cancer. For the benefit of Brethren who had joined the Lodge after 2004, the year in which WB Hodges returned to the United States, WB Buda summarized WB Hodges' illustrious Masonic career with both Far East Lodge No. 1 and Lodge Star in the East No. 640.
CLOSING: There was no further business from the West or South, but MWB Watanabe brought up the donation for the orphanage Christmas Party sponsored by YIWC and Bro Honda suggested a donation to a local orphanage. It was concluded these matters would be discussed at the next meeting. There being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs the WM announced that we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this Lodge was closed at 15:40 hours in short form with WB Buda, WM in the East, Bro Inomata, SW in the West, and Bro Sagara, JW in the South.
There were a total of 17 brethren present (including 1 FC and 2 EAs) who were members of this lodge and 1 visitor (potential candidate) during harmony.
APPROVED:
JANUSZ BUDA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary