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 | | September 3rd brought the members, visitors, and guests together once again for the September Stated Communication of the Lodge. At six PM everyone sat in the small dining room for an excellent supper of lasagna, salad, and spumoni ice cream. Our visitors and guests were excellent dinner companons. The meal was tasty and filling, as is usual for the Lodge. |
| Following the meal everyone retired to the Lodge room where the people involved in the Blue Nile Orphanage project gave the Lodge a look at what is being done at the project site. Blue Nile has now teamed with the Terra-Forma Education group to plan and help them build the project and to work with them. | |  |
Together they hope to teach those who will live there how to be self sufficient without bringing a lot of western thought changes. They have found that people work best within their own societal structure. |
 | | The Blue Nile Orphanage was featured in the Seattle Times on the Friday following the Stated Communication. This charity will pay immense dividends to the people of Ethiopia far into the future. The entire project is dependent upon donations from small groups such as St. John's Lodge.
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This is one of our major charity expenses for the year and we are very proud of those implementing the work. |
The presentation ran a little bit over so the Stated Communication was called to labor at about 7:45 by WM Terry Grove. The regular business of the Lodge was quickly dispensed with.
For the informaton of those not members of the Fraternity, regular business consists of the reading of the minutes, the reading and passing around of communications from other Lodges, organizations, | |  | | and Grand Lodge, as well as letters of interest to the Lodge. Outstanding bills are read and payment authorized, coming expenses which will come due before the next Stated Comunication are also read and payment authorized. |
 | | Members birthdates during the month are mentioned and those present who have one are treated(??) to the Lodge singing "Happy Birthday" - usually out of key. Sickness and distress among members and their families are brought to the attention of the Lodge and appropriate action is authorized in each case. A treasurers report on the health of the Lodge investments is also given. |
VWB Chuck Brockway and WB Alan Pinch gave a very interesting and moving talk on Ionic Lodge No. 90 before it merged with St. John's Lodge No. 9 ten years ago and the contributions to St. John's Lodge No. 9 by the membership of that Lodge since the merger.
The resolution which was tendered to the membership at the last Stated Communication and was included in the Trestleboard was passed. This makes the budget for the year closer to the actual expenses the Lodge expects to incur during the last quarter.
| As it is fall we are beginning to look toward next year's charity donations and our support of Masonic affiliated groups. VWB David Campbell stated that he will be visiting all of the Youth groups in our area to ascertain which are still working so the Lodge can plan accordingly. The membership was reminded that it should be thinking about whaich charities the Lodge should support next year. | |  |
Other minor business related to committee reports was concluded and everyone was reminded of the 143rd Anniversary celebration on September 13th at the Seattle Design Center.
Announcements were made, the minutes were read and the brethren parted at about 9:30 until we meet again at the 143rd Anniversary Celebration. Peace and harmony prevailed, as it always does, at St. John's Lodge No. 9.
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