The 594th 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 November 2011.
A lodge of MM's was opened in due and ancient form at 13:00 hours with WB Inomata, PM, WM in the East, Bro Tsujii, acting SW in the West and WB Buda, PM in the South.
WB Inomata asked the Brethren assembled to be upstanding for a minute's silent prayer in memory of Bro James H. Koga, a member of this Lodge who passed away on 2 October 2011. After prayer, the WM ordered the charter draped for 30 days. And this was reported by WB Garfield T. Roberts who is residing in US. Thank you for your information which helps us a lot.
The WM then recognized the Distinguished Brethren and greeted our guests for this afternoon, including WB Watanabe, Bro Sugita and Bro Takenaka of Tokyo Yuai Lodge No. 11, Bro Yoda of Lodge Star in the East No. 640, and Bro Philip Ketsdever of Yokosuka Lodge No. 20. WB Watanabe was invited to join WB Inomata in the East
And then he announced that this being our Stated Meeting for the month of November 2011, 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 and they were APPROVED AS READ.
The Treasurer gave his report for the month of October 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 following:
CHARITY: Alms in the amount of ¥11,569 was collected.
BALLOTTING: None.
RECEPTION OF PETITIONS: None.
CORRESPONDENCE: The secretary announced the G/L Bulletins of October 22, Minutes of GLEC on September 17 and a Message from GM had tapped on the bulletin board in the conference room so please read. And also introduced a letter from YIWC asking for annual donation for Orphanage Christmas Party which sponsored by the Club. We, also received a letter from TMA and asking for nomination of officers of association..
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: The WM read Article II, Section 2 of our By-Laws.
NEW BUSINESS:
Donation for the Party: To contribute the Orphanage Christmas Party sponsored by YIWC, the Secretary proposed to donate 50,000 yen which received unanimous affirmative vote and approved.
Trustees, Councilors and Supervisor to TMA: a call was made for the Lodge to nominate TMA's officers. Following tradition, the Lodge refrained from nominating any of its own members but was pleased to nominate our distinguished visitor WB Watanabe of #11, who accepted the nomination.
Proficiency Test of MM:
While the Lodge was still at labor in the Third Degree, Bro Shunji Suzuki was tested on his proficiency in the Third Degree and declared fully proficient by the WM.
FC degree: at 14:10 hours, the Lodge lowered to the FC degree.
The Second Degree Conferral had started with 3 distinct knocks by Bro Junichiro Mukai at 14:40 and at 15:00 hours; he had made his Obligation on FC degree. The second section of conferral was started at 15:45, the Stair Case Lecture had given by Bro Tomio Ogawa, and Working Tool lecture was by Bro Shunji Suzuki. "G" Lecture was given to the candidate by Bro Yutaro Suzuki and the Charge of this degree was delivered by MWB Watanabe. All ritual work was done in Japanese.
The Second Degree Proficiency test, Bro Akimichi Yamada was tested on his proficiency and declared fully proficient by the WM.
Resume the Lodge to MM degree at 16:30 hours after all FCs retired and proceeded to close.
WB Watanabe of #11, thanked the WM and Brethren of Far East Lodge No. 1 for their welcome and said he had enjoyed witnessing our Second Degree Conferral. He had been particularly impressed by the determination of Bro Ogawa's delivery of the Staircase Lecture and noted that such dedication should serve as a model to us all.
The WM then announced that there being no further business to come before this Lodge of MM's we would proceed to close. Peace and harmony prevailing, this lodge was closed at 17:00 hours.
There were 15 MMs and 2 FCs of this Lodge and WB Watanabe, Bro Sugita and Bro Takenaka of Tokyo Yuai Lodge No. 11, Bro Yoda of Lodge Star in the East No. 640, and Bro Philip Ketsdever of Yokosuka Lodge No. 20.
Regrets had received from Brothers Sagara, Tamado, Sneathern and Erickson.
APPROVED:
NORIHIRO INOMATA, PM
Worshipful Master
ATTEST:
KAZUHIRO WATANABE, PGM
Secretary