Minutes 5 June 2010

The 579th 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 5th day of June 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 Donald Zamorra, Grand Lodge Inspector for Far East Lodge No. 1, was received with Grand Honors and invited to sit in the East.

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 June 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 8th May and of our Special meeting held on 29th May and both were APPROVED AS READ.

The Treasurer's Report for the month of May was read 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 petitions from Mr Yasumitu Hoshi, a security trainer and Dr Kenji Omura, an internalist.

BALLOTTING: None.

CORRESPONDENCE: The Secretary announced that the Monthly Bulletin and approved GLECM had been posted on the bulletin board in the Conference Room. He also introduced a letter from the Children's Festival Committee which thanked us for our donation to the festival.

CHARITY: An amount of ¥11,373 [¥8,373+¥3,000 ($32.75)] was collected from the Brethren present.

SICK AND VISITATION: Negative report.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The Secretary reported two items:

1. Macoy had not yet responded to our query letter about Masonic Bibles and Aprons, in which he asked about postage and duty from the US.
2. Gardener: Our last meeting approved the trimming back of the hedge, however it looked as if the gardener was having a busy time and he informed us that the cutting would be delayed until some time in the early part of June. WB Buda reported that half the amount for this disbursement would be paid by Lodge No. 640.

NEW BUSINESS: Bro Yamada, EA, was supposed to have a Proficiency test in this meeting but asked for a postponement for personal reasons. He will try again at our July meeting.

The WM asked WB Buda to report on the activities of the Masonic Education Committee. WB Buda noted that the Committee hoped to stimulate Masonic education from within as well as without. He suggested that each newly raised Brother be asked to chose a Masonic topic of personal interest and research a short presentation to be given in Lodge.

WB Inomata welcomed this suggestion and then announced a provisional schedule of Lodge activities in the second half of this year. Of particular note was a farewell party for Bro de las Alas who was being posted to Tennessee. This party was scheduled for Saturday, August 28, with details to be announced later.

Two items were offered from the floor of the lodge: a proposal from Bro Honda for participation in charity work which was laid aside for further information and consideration, and fraternal greetings from the WM and Brethren of Honolulu Lodge, Hawaii, brought by Bro Stanley of that Lodge.

WB Inomata asked Bro Stanley to reciprocate with similar greetings from the WM and Brethren of Far East Lodge No. 1 when he returned home.

WM's COMMENTS: The WM reconfirmed the FC Conferral upon Bro Yamada (if he succeeded in his EA degree exam) and Bro Suzuki will be scheduled on July 3rd, after the business meeting.The position assignment had also been confirmed as follows:

• FC Obligation — WB Inomata
• Working Tool Lecture — Bro Sato
• Staircase Lecture — Bro Ogawa, Taiki
• G. Lecture — Bro Taniuchi
• Charge — WB Inomata

CLOSING: At 14:45 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 14:55 hours with WB Inomata, WM in the East, Bro Sagara, SW in the West, and WB Buda, JW in the South.

APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA
Worshipful Master

ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary