The 578th 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 8th day of May 2010.
A lodge of MMs was opened in due and ancient form at 13:00 hours with WB Inomata, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, SW in the West, and WB Buda, JW in the South. Then WB 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 2010, 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 April and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer's Report for the month of March was reported by Bro Secretary due to the 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 announced that he had received a petition from Mr. Shea Erikson, US Navy, and residing in Zushi City.
BALLOTTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the Monthly Bulletin of 21 April and GLECMs of 20 February were posted on the bulletin board in the Conference Room. He then introduced correspondence from GL announcing that WB Don Zamora, PM, had been reassigned as Grand Inspector for this Lodge. He also read Special Dispensation #2-10 (change of meeting date) and noted that the Children Festival will be held on 16 May this year.
CHARITY: An amount of ¥6,456+1.00 USD (¥6,556) was collected from the Brethren present.
SICK AND VISITATION: Negative report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None.
NEW BUSINESS: After being called Free from Restraint for a short break, the Lodge resumed labor and the Secretary proposed the following:
MM Conferral: Reconfirmation of MM Conferral upon Bros Adams and Ishibashi which will be scheduled for May 29 and a discussion of position assignments.
FC Conferral: Reconfirmation of FC Conferral upon Bros Yamada (if he succeeds in passing the EA examination) and Suzuki will be scheduled for the July Stated Meeting on 3rd July and a discussion of position assignments.
WORSHIPFUL MASTER'S COMMENT: WB Inomata reported that he had visited the Grand Lodge of the Philippines for their Annual Communication as a deputy of the GM of Japan.
When the WM called for other business from the Lodge, WB Buda reported that Lodge 640 was planning a whisky-tasting session to which everyone was invited. He also reported persistent attempts by a so-called investigative journalist to gain access to the Yokohama Temple and interview Brethren. WB Buda advised any Brother so approached to decline all requests and direct the journalist to contact the Public Relations Committee of Grand Lodge.
Bro Honda showed a sample of a baseball cap embroidered with the name of our Lodge. He suggested it might make a memorable souvenir for visitors, or could be used by Lodge members during group activities. The WM asked about the cost of the cap (2,000 yen) and then said that he would lay the proposal on his table for further consideration at future meetings. He then proceeded to close the Lodge in due and ancient form.
CLOSING: At 14:20 hours, the WM announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MMs we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 14:30 hours with WB Inomata, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, SW in the West, and WB Buda JW in the South.
There were a total of 19 (including 2 FCs and 2 EAs) Brethren of this Lodge and two visitors, Bro Erwin J. Angeles from Rising Sun Lodge No. 151 and Bro John Espeleta of Pride of the Orient Lodge #55.
APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary
After the Lodge had been closed and the Members had removed their regalia, all visitors to the Temple, including several potential candidates, were invited into the Lodge Room, where WB Buda, with the aid of a printed handout, gave a lecture on the history of Freemasonry in Yokohama. After noting that Yokohama was the birthplace of Masonry in Japan, WB Buda traced the history of Yokohama lodges and temples from the nineteenth century to the Second World War, and then described the post-War rebirth of Masonry, the founding of Far East Lodge No. 1, and the creation of the Grand Lodge of Japan. His talk generated almost a dozen questions and requests for more details.
(Noted by Secretary)