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 | | The May Stated evening began, as is usual for the Brethren, guests, and visitors to St. John's Lodge No. 9 with dinner. This month Steve served Lasagna with caesar salad. An excellent meal! Conversation revolved around catching up on the activities of the various members and the upcoming move. |
| After announcements, which were made following the meal, the brethren retired to the Lodge room where WB Bill Collison presented the findings of the Long Range Planning sub-committee on moving the Lodge to a new location. | |  |
The committee reported that it had explored all avenues of moving from buying property and building a new structure, leasing space in an existing building in the Seattle core area, to moving into another Lodge's building. After deliberation the committee reported primarily on the following:
In the committee's opinion, after research, is that the most practical solution for a meeting location at this time would be to continue as tenants in an existing lodge hall.
A number of halls were considered, with three examined by the committee: 1) Doric Masonic Center in Fremont, 2) University Masonic Temple in the University District, and 3) Greenwood Masonic Center in the Greenwood District. All three facilities meet the criteria of being located near the majority of our active members, and having a dining area to meet our needs. All three have limited parking, however Greenwood has a working agreement with St. John's parochial school within a half-block of the lodge. Only Greenwood has enough unused space available for storage of paraphernalia and lodge archives. However, Greenwood Lodge No. 253 meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month and the 2nd Wednesday if the 1st Wednesday falls on a holiday. They are dark in July and August. Four other facilities in the north end (Queen Anne, Occidental, Green Lake, Yancey C. Blalock) were presented to the brethren as existing options, none meeting many of the requirements considered necessary for serious consideration.
Exterior and interior photos of Greenwood Masonic Center were projected for the brothers' review. Following some discussion, the presentation was closed that the stated meeting could formally open.
Guests were then excused and the Master opened Lodge on the Master Mason degree. The flag was presented and visitors were welcomed. Among the visitors this month was WBro. P. S. Moorthy, a Past Master of Morland Lodge No. 25 of the Grand Lodge of India. Morland Lodge is located in the city of Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh State in South India. He was invited to join the Master in the East. WBro. Moorthy was wearing a beautiful Grand Lodge of India apron, collar and the jewel of his office. Morland Lodge No. 25, is one of the oldest Lodges under Grand Lodge of India, consecrated in the year 1875. VWBro. Michael Davis, our district deputy, presented WBro. Moorthy a pin from our Grand Master, Sat Tashiro.
Bills were authorized to be paid, the minutes of the previous meeting were reported on, and communications were read and/or passed around the Lodge for the individual perusal of the Brethren.
The following committee reports were heard:
Trustees: VWBro. David Campbell, reporting for the Trustees, stated that our assets fell $174,682.61 in the first quarter. We have received $10,000 from our late Bro. J. Clarence Margraf's final Will & Testament. The Board recommends that Greenwood Masonic Center be approved as a meeting place for St. John's Lodge, and that the Lodge act as a sponsor for Esoterica Lodge U.D. A bylaws committee was appointed, as well as a lodge moving chairman. The Trustees recommend that credit reports and criminal reports be attached to all investigations of petitioners for the degrees.
Company Store: WBro. Hans Wehl distributed newly created St. John's lapel pins. They are a beautiful pin, and will be proudly worn by members of the Lodge and also given to visitors and other members of the fraternity.
Teen Feed: Bro. Jim Wold was congratulated for his fine leadership in providing another Teen Feed at University Christian Church in the University District. Seventeen members and friends of the lodge provided meals for about fifty homeless teens, April 17. Left over food was taken to the kids shelter down the street.
Service Bureau: Bro. Steve Specht was unable to attend last month's Service Bureau meeting. The Bureau has been under fire from some members of the Masonic community for its high travel and low charity expenses. Worshipful Master Lund has directed that our annual dues be withheld until a financial accounting has been reported to our satisfaction.
Two petitions for the degrees were read and the WM will appoint investigation committees for each. One petition for plural membership was balloted and accepted.
The secretary read a memorial scroll and the officers of the Lodge performed the Lodge memorial service for our fallen Brother.
The membership voted to sponsor a new lodge in this jurisdiction to be known as Esoterica Lodge.
It was decided that St. John's Lodge No. 9 move its meetings to Greenwood Masonic Center. As Greenwood Lodge No. 253 meets on the 1st Wednesday of the month, and meets on the 2nd Wednesday if the 1st Wednesday falls on a holiday, it was also decided that the stated meetings of St. John's Lodge No. 9 be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and that the effective date for this action shall be on the 3rd Wednesday of September, 2005.
A resolution to that effect will be voted upon at the next Stated Communication. The resolution reads as follows:
| Whereas the Seattle Valley of the Scottish Rite has given notice to all its tenants to vacate the premises by March 1, 2006, and
Whereas it is imperative that St. John's Lodge No. 9 by this notice to vacate must establish a new place to meet, and
Whereas it is our desire to maintain a presence as a "Seattle Lodge," and
Whereas following a full review of available locations, convenient to the majority of our active members and meeting a number of desired criteria,
Therefore Be It Resolved that the by-laws of St. John's Lodge No. 9 be amended as follows:
Article II - Communication
Section 1. The Stated Communication of this Lodge shall be held on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the hour of 7:30 p.m.
Section 2. All communications of this Lodge shall be held in the Greenwood Masonic Center, 7910 Greenwood Ave. N., Seattle, Washington.
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The Scholarship Committee was authorized to guarantee funds to those to whom scholarships would be granted and the Moving Committee was authorized funds to move the Lodge Archives.
The Junior Warden announced that there will be another outing coming up in June that will be attractive to families and prospective members. On June 15th we will be gathering at Doc Maynard's for a tour of Underground Seattle. A light dinner will follow at Ivar's Fish & Chips on the waterfront. Reservations through WBro. Tupper no later than June 3 are required.
There being no further business before the Lodge, Lodge was closed at about 9:40 PM. Peace and Harmony prevailed, as it always does at St. John's Lodge No. 9.
Following Lodge the Brethren gathered in the dining room for pie and coffee. They then went their separate ways until we meet again.
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