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 | | On a lovely summer evening the members and guests of St. John's Lodge No. 9 met for the last time at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center. Our future Stated Communications will be held at the Greenwood Masonic Center on 80th and Greenwood Ave. N.
This was Scholarship Night so our scholarship recipients were our guests at dinner. |
| Dinner was started about ten minutes late because we were told that our new Grandmaster, MWBro. Alvin W. Jorgensen, would be attending this evening. When he arrived everyone filed into the main dining room for dinner. The prayer was said by our Chaplain and all sat down to eat and talk. Steve had the waitresses serve us an excellent steak and potatoes meal and everyone enjoyed every bite. | |  |
 | | Once again, we were pleased to have guests who found the Lodge through our website at our dinner. They sat with members and discussed Freemasonry and St. John's Lodge No. 9 in particular. We hope they came away with a favorable opinion of our Lodge and of Freemasonry in general | | |
| Following the meal and dessert our Scholarship Committee had each of our Scholarship Recipients stand and introduce themselves. We at St. John's Lodge No. 9 are very pleased to be of help to these upstanding young people in their quest for higher education and hope that our help spurs them to excel in their chosen fields of study. | |  |
 | | Immediately after the meal the scholarship recipients were asked to pose for a group photo. They all posed on the entry stairs and WB Darrel Womack took enough pictures so that we can have one excellent shot for our records. We think that this group of young men and women will excel in the future and we will be pleased with their endeavors. | | |
| Immediately following the meal while the pictures were being taken everyone else adjourned to the Lodgeroom where the scholarship recipients joined us for a presentation on the efforts of Mercy Corps by Ms. Maria Finch. She thanked the Lodge for its generous donation. She went on to tell us that Over 23,000 people in tsunami-ravaged areas are hard at work | |  | | restoring community infrastructure like roads, water systems and public buildings through Mercy Corps' cash-for-work programs. These programs provide an income source and a sense of community. Mercy Corps, with financial help from individuals and organizations like St. John's, is working in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, and Somalia. |
 | | All the guests were then excused and the WM opened Lodge for our August Stated Communication. Visitors were introduced and the WM had the Senior Deacon seek out the Grandmaster and present him at the altar. WM Joseph Lund then escorted him to the East and introduced Grand Master of Masons of Washington, MWBro. Alvin W. Jorgensen, to the Lodge and the | | Lodge accorded him the Public Grand Honors. WM Lund offered the gavel to the GM and it was returned so that WM Lund could conduct the meeting and the GM sat beside him. |
The usual business of the Lodge was then conducted. The Secretary read the minutes of the previous meeting in short form, the treasurer gave his report, the communications were dealt with and then the WM began getting committee reports:
Bro. Jim Wold said that the family picnic committee could use some additional workers to help set up at 9am, and to assist with games, cooking and tear-down. Bro. Ken Wehl will again be entertaining adults and children with his magic. WBro. Ken Lane, Sr. reported that he has reserved the date of Sunday, August 13, site 'B', at the Nile for next year.
WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. said that parents have expressed appreciation to the lodge for making a significant difference in the lives of many students with their scholarship opportunities. Our support has "put them over the top" to further their education. Members of the committee were thanked by the brethren. Those serving this year were Bros. Chris Carney, Iain Cameron, WBros. Ken Lane, Sr., Allan Pinch, and co-chairmen WBros. Skip Albertson and Ken Lane, Jr. Many hours of interviews and selection decisions are required to make this program effective
WBro. Jeff Lane reported that the Greenwood storage remodeling is moving along. The electrician has finished his work, with the doors, floor, paneling and shelving to be done this and the following week. We should be completed by August 15 and ready to move our records, archives, and belongings immediately following. VWBro. Jim Russell requested the brothers to help with the move, and WBro. Hans Wehl announced that the Merle E. Luther Chapter, Order of DeMolay (Black Diamond) will be assisting with much of the heavy work. WBro. Lane added that WBro. Jim Lumsden, treasurer of the Greenwood Temple Board, has been extremely accommodating and helpful in this transition.
Bro. Iain Cameron reported that the 145th Anniversary Dinner will be Saturday, September 10, and encouraged all brothers and their spouses to attend. He called for assistance to decorate the Scottish Rite main dining room for the dinner and dance. Bros. Helmuth Svoboda and David Flood, WBros. Jack Berg and Terry Grove, and VWBro. Jim Russell volunteered to assist in the effort. Dina Blade and her orchestra will again entertain with dance music, as well as a smattering of magic performed throughout the evening by Bro. Ken Wehl. A no-host bar will be opened at 6pm, with dinner being served at 7pm.
Following these reports two petitions for the degrees were favorably balloted. These men will receive their first degrees at Greenwood Masonic Center and we look forward to their joining us at our September Stated Communication.
| The WM then instructed the SD to escort WBro. David Karpilow to the East. The WM and the GM presented him with a pin in recognition of serving the fraternity for sixty years. WBro. Karpilow was born March 2, 1917, in San Francisco; raised in Euclid Lodge No. 64, AF&AM, Lajunta CO June 15, 1945; affiliated with Centennial Lodge No. 25, Snohomish, | |  | | January 19, 1983; dimited from Centennial December 18, 2002; and affiliated with St. John's January 8, 2003. He has been an active member, serving on the long range planning committee, and volunteering his services for many lodge activities.. |
Birthdays were then announced and the Brethren sang?? the Happy Birthday song for these Brothers.
New business was then taken care of:
Resolution to Adjust 2005 Budget
The Secretary read a resolution for a mid-year adjustment to the 2005 budget:
Whereas the Trustees annually perform a mid-year review of our annual budget, and
Whereas changing our stated meetings from the 1st Wednesday to the 3rd Wednesday will cause our 2005 installation of officer
expenses to come payable this year and not next, and
Whereas we underestimated the fees necessary to manage our investment portfolio, and
Whereas it is our desire to conduct criminal background checks on petition applicants,
Therefore be it resolved that the following increases to our 2005 Operating Budget be made:
Increase Installation Ceremony $1,500
ncrease Oppenheimer Management Fee $35,000
Add Petition Processing $300
The Secretary presented a request that the lodge support the Childhood Identification Program (CHIP). A parent's worst nightmare is the disappearance of a child. In today's society with over 1 million children being reported missing each year, the problem cannot be ignored. CHIP is designed to give families a measure of protection against this ever increasing problem. It is the most comprehensive child identification currently available to our communities. Working together, the Washington Freemasons, the local dental societies and the local law enforcement agencies are attempting to make this program available to every family who wishes to participate. Through the benevolence of the Washington Masons, this service is brought free of charge to the participants. The program consists of four major components: a brief videotaped interview, fingerprinting, a DNA swab, and a dental bite registration. This kit costs approximately $4. CHIP also provides Masons with the opportunity to bring before their communities by example the principles of our craft. By increasing awareness of what Masonry means and what Masons do, it promotes public awareness of our fraternity.
The Lodge allocated funding for this program. The Secretary also asked for volunteers to help staff a CHIPs booth which will be provided by the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe, August 25 - September 5.
The Secretary asked "Still fixed to meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month? How about a visit to Greenwood Lodge, our new neighbor?" Greenwood Lodge meets on Wednesday, September 7. It would be "real neighborly" to attend and express our appreciation for their hospitality. Dinner will be served at 6:30pm Eleven members indicated an interest in attending the lodge. The Secretary will alert Greenwood to expect a visit and to "add a little water to the soup."
Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 has the District Traveling Trowel and their next stated communication will be Thursday, September 8. A minimum of five lodge brothers are required to show up from a lodge to capture the trowel. The Master or a Warden must also be a part of the delegation. The Master suggested that we should capture the trowel and challenge others to re-capture it at our first meeting at Greenwood.
WBro. Jerry Schor expressed a desire that the leaves donated by St. John's now hanging on the Scottish Rite's Tree of Life be transferred to the Tree at Greenwood Masonic Center. The Masonic Retirement Center endowment fund benefits from the proceeds generated by purchases for leaves for the Tree of Life. Each leaf is engraved with the memory of a deceased brother in the name of the lodge. VWBro. Charles Brockway, WBro. Hans Wehl, and Bro. Chris Carney will make arrangements.
Our next venture out to include families and prospective Masons will be to the Seattle Art Museum, Thursday, September 29.
The Senior Warden expressed concern that we were low on St. John's "bucks," which are issued to all brothers following a stated or special meeting. The Secretary offered to "loan" his bucks for the evening and will see that new bucks are printed.
The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
August 6: Open Air MM Degree at Masonic Park
August 14 (11am): Lodge picnic at Nile (Sunday)
August 17 (7pm): Entered Apprentice degree
August 23 (7:30pm): King Co. Masonic Library (Delta-White Center No. 172)
September 7: Visit to Greenwood Lodge No. 253
September 8: Visit to Queen Anne Lodge No. 242
September 10 (6pm): St. John's Lodge No. 9 145th Anniversary Celebration @ Scottish Rite
September 21 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated (Greenwood!)
September 28 Wednesday (5pm): Trustees 2006 budget review
September 29: Seattle Art Museum Family and Prospects Tour
October 12 (5pm): St. John's Lodge No. 9 Trustees
October 19 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
Announcements were heard from the following:
Bro. William Isabelle brought greetings from Glacier Lodge No. 10 of Anchorage, Alaska, where he and Bro. Robert Dinwiddie recently visited.
WBro. Bob Petrie expressed appreciation from Daylight Lodge for our assistance and participation in the Fremont Fair information booth in June.
VWBro. Mike Davis, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, reminded the brethren of several events coming up, and expressly invited the brethren to visit Queen Anne Lodge on September 8. All-you-can-eat spaghetti will be served for $5 at 6:30pm, and a special program will be offered in their series of examining the seven liberal arts and sciences.
Bro. David Flood reminded the brethren of the special program being offered by Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research, Friday, September 2. Right Worshipful Brother Robert Cooper, curator of Scotland Museum and Library, will be speaking on "The Operative Legacy Within Scottish Freemasonry" at the Sheraton Bellevue. Tickets are $35 each.
The brethren were reminded of the Open Air degree at the Masonic Park. The Prince Hall Masons will be putting on the Master Mason degree.
Following announcements, the Master turned the gavel over to the Grand Master, who thanked the lodge for its hospitality and reminded the brethren that we are ALL part of the Grand Lodge Team. Every Master Mason who is a member of this jurisdiction should consider themselves as part of the team. It should not be "us" and "them," but "we." Working together we can make good things happen.
He added that his theme this year is "Great Expectations," and that we should achieve our expectations on three levels: 1) we should set our own aspirations, 2) we should set goals for our lodge and assist our officers in achieving those goals, and 3) at the Grand Lodge level, we must direct our energies to achieve our vision for the future of Washington Masonry.
The lodge was then closed in ample form by the Grand Master at 9:30 p.m., peace and harmony prevailed as it always does at St. John's Lodge No. 9.
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