The 588th 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 2nd day of April 2011.
A lodge of MM's 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 Bro Tsujii, JW in the South.
At the sound of the gavel in the East, the lodge was raised for a moment of silent prayer for victims of earthquake and tsunami disaster.
WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren as listed in the Tyler's register of this date.
And he announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of April 2011, the first order of Business would be the reading of the minutes of our last Stated Meeting and all subsequent Special Meeting. The Secretary read the minutes of our Monthly Meeting held on 5 March and was APPROVED AS READ.
The treasurer report for the month of March reported by the Secretary due to the absence of Treasurer after which he moved and it was seconded that the report 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 followings:
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
BALLOTTING: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The secretary announced the Monthly Bulletin of 29 March and approved GLEC Minutes of 19 February had tapped on the Bulletin Board in the conference room.
CHARITY: Amount of \8,153 was collected from brethren present.
SICK AND VISITATION: Negative report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: As Bro Secretary brought up member's attention on our current annual dues in March meeting, he asked to every brethren present on this issue. Some suggested 1,000 yen raise and other proposed to make it 12,000 JPY. Bro Secretary suggested that make it (for instant) two times of Head Tax amount of GloJ. So that we will be free from amend our By-Laws on every time head tax changed. He continued that the dues amount for oversea members will be better by fixed amount, 50.00 USD may be since they do not have any benefit from the Lodge. He again leaves this issue on the table until next meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
PROFICIENCY EXAMS: Bro Shea Ericson and Bro Shunji Suzuki had tested by Bro Tsujii in English after the Lodge lowered EA degree and they did very good performances and the WB Inomata declared those two brethren are fully proficient.
EDUCATIONAL TALK: After calling the Lodge free from restraint for a short break and to allow EAs and FCs to join us for the next item on the agenda, WB Inomata invited MWB Watanabe to give a short talk.
MWB Watanabe started that the most influenced brothers were WB Matsumoto, long time Secretary of Kyoto #5 and WB George Purdy of Harmony #18 and without them I am not be a member today. However, during my masonic life, someone push my back all the time to put me to the front which I do not wanted be. He concluded his talk by aid of many senior brethren; he had enjoyed his Masonic life.
THE LODGE RESUMED BACK TO LABOUR: The WM then asked the EAs and FCs present to retire from the Lodge and labor was resumed.
EARTHQUAKE & TSUNAMI DISASTER RELIEF FUND: the Fund had set by GLoJ and Bro Secretary proposed that this Lodge donate 100,000 JPY in which 50,000 from our Benevolence fund and another half had donated from WB Emberga, GL of Philippine through WB Inomata.
At the same time, Bro Tsujii, Refreshment Committee Chairman, proposed that collect 2,000 JPY of fee of the Hanami Party from whom supposed to be joined. The party scheduled to be held on April 9 but cancelled by recent disaster. He will collect those fees and donate to the disaster relief fund.
COMING SCHEDULE: The lodge decided followings;
On May 14, FC conferral will be held upon Bro Ericson and Bro Shunji Suzuki after business
Session on Monthly Meeting on May 14, date had amended from May 7 by Golden Holidays.
CLOSING: At 15:55 hours, there being no other business, WB Inomata proceeded to close the Lodge in due and ancient form.
There were total 12 MMs of this Lodge and 3 EAs and petitioner. We had also WB Donald Zamora of Yokosuka #20, GL Inspector had joined. Regrets had received from WB Buda, Bro Tamado and Bro Ishibashi.
APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary