May 2006 Stated Communication

Home - Archive Index - 2006 Archives - May Stated Communication

May Stated Communication
Pictures by WB Darrel Womack
Report written with aid from the Stated Meeting Minutes

All four candidates for the office of Junior Grand Warden were in attendance as St. John's Lodge No. 9 met at the Greenwood Masonic Center for our May Stated Communication.

Steve (Steve's Cafe and Expresso) served an excellent burger dip dinner to a full dining room.

Following dessert everyone was invited to meet in the Lodgeroom to hear the candidates. VWB Gale Kenney(St. John's Lodge No. 9, University Lodge No. 141), WBro. Andrew Olson (Ellensburg Lodge No. 39, Cle Elum-St. Thomas Lodge No. 139), VWBro. John Lunt (Riverside Lodge
No. 112, William H. Jett Lodge No. 285, Zarthan Lodge No. 148, Hermanos Del Artes Lodge No. 314), and VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (St. John's Lodge No. 9, Delta-White Center Lodge No. 172, Hermanos Del Artes Lodge No. 314) all spoke about their vision for the future of our Grand Lodge. All seem very well qualified to lead us into the future.

The guests were then excused and the Master opened on the Third Degree.

The flag was already in the East and the Pledge was recited, Introductions were made.

Most Worshipful Brother Al Jorgensen, Grandmaster of Masons in Washington, was formally escorted to the East and introduced to the Brethren. He was accorded private grand honors.

Minutes of the last meeting were read, communications heard, bills paid, and all the other usual business of the Lodge was quickly dispensed with.

Bro. Brian Downey was examined on his Master Mason proficiency skills by his coach (and uncle) Ken Lane, Jr. Following an excellent performance, he was joined by his grandfather WBro. Ken Lane, Sr., and step-father Bro. Richard Heston and presented a gift for his work.

Among the various communications that were received by the Lodge during the month were the following communications of note:

Our Grand Master has granted permission to print and display two banners using the Masonic symbol, and the word "Masons" to display
at the Little League baseball games featuring the St. John's teams.

Daylight Lodge No. 232 invites our participation in this year's Fremont Fair Masonic information booth, June 17 and 18. University Street Ministry announces that the Teen Feed program has a need for a sponsorship on the third Thursday of each month. Also, a substitute team is needed for three dates this summer. We have received notice of a matinee performance of "The Foreigner" staged by Taproot Theater, one of our charities. A special group price is available for a Wednesday, June 14, performance.

A Masters and Wardens ritual competition will be held Saturday, June 3, in Tumwater. Winners of this competition will compete for the Grand Lodge award which will be presented at Ocean Shores during the annual Grand Lodge communication.

We have received a note of appreciation from a Past Master in Australia, who found our Web Site and thoroughly enjoyed browsing and reading a few Trestleboard articles; a thank you note from Bro. Tom Martinson, a plural member from Vancouver, BC, for our birthday greetings; a thank you card from Mrs. Joyce Crowe for our thoughts and Master's charity; a thank you letter from one of our scholarship recipients, Brooke Ashpole; two thank you's from officers of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra; and an acknowledgement for our support for the Rainbow Girls Grand Assembly. Support requests have been received from Mercy Corps, and from the Pike Market Medical Clinic.

WBro. Skip Albertson reported that the scholarship committee has been interviewing students, completing three interviews at Ballard HS this week. They will be interviewing at the Northwest School of Nursing soon. It was m/s/p to empower the scholarship committee to commit resources to selected students within the limits of the amount budgeted for scholarships.

WBro. Bill Collison reported that the Board of Trustees reviewed the performance of our financial portfolio through the close of the first quarter of this year. Our income is up. A bird flue contingency plan for the lodge will be addressed shortly. It was agreed to recommend that the lodge contribute to the Ballard Food Bank; to offer a resolution at our May stated communication to provide a grant to the Seattle Police Department CSI unit; and to recommend that monies be contributed to the Greenwood Masonic Center to remodel the downstairs bathrooms and to recommend that the project meet the ADA guidelines if possible. It was agreed to recommend that an expenditure be approved to assist in the sponsorship of the 2006 Fremont Fair Masonic information booth; and that the wages for the Musician and Tyler be increased.

Bro. Jim Wold reported that there will be a Fellowcraft degree next Wednesday, May 24, with a practice scheduled for Monday, May 22. We expect to have two candidates.

A favorable ballot was spread on one petitioner for the degrees and two for plural affiliation. An unfavorable ballot was spread on one petition for the degrees.

A memorial was read by the Secretary and the Officers performed the Lodge memorial service.

WBro. Doug Crosby was honored with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" to celebrate achieving one more year in his journey through life. The Brethren actually sounded very good in this rendition. Perhaps the hundred forty plus years of practice are beginning to pay off.

WBros. Joseph Lund, Bill Collision, Bro. Chris Carney, VWBros. Michael Davis, Charles Brockway, and Jim Russell reported to the lodge the thirteen resolutions which will be acted upon at next month's annual Grand Lodge Communication. Each resolution was presented with an explanation of the proposed purpose and effect it might have on the Masons of Washington.

The following resolution, read at the previous stated communication was presented by the Secretary:

- Whereas St. John's Lodge No. 9 has two resolutions to amend the Grand Masonic Code before the delegates at this year's annual communication of Grand Lodge, and

- Whereas, there are also two candidates from our lodge who have presented themselves as candidates for Junior Grand Warden, and

- Whereas it is in the interest of this lodge to be well represented to make our case for the support of these resolutions and candidates, therefore be it resolved

- That the budget line item "Grand Lodge annual communication" expenses be increased by $1,000 to $4,500.

Following an opportunity for questions and debate, the resolution passed overwhelmingly with one dissent.

Bro. Jim Wold asked for volunteers to assist with the University Street Ministries "Teen Feed" tomorrow, Thursday. One of the regular teams cancelled at the last minute. The food will be purchased by others, but they could use some able bodies to help prepare, cook, and serve to the homeless teens in the University District. We have committed to staff the evening of Tuesday, August 1.

The Secretary distributed a picture of a Seafarer/Wayfarer machine washable costume as found by WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. He proposed that we add this costume (staff not included) to our Master Mason degree inventory. This costume may be too small, and it is hoped that other size options are available. This would be another step toward upgrading our costumes for the open-air degree in 2008. It was decided that funds be authorized to purchase a seafaring/wayfaring costume for the Master Mason degree.

The Board of Trustees presented a request that monies be granted outside our charities budget to support a package of needs by the Seattle Police Department Crime Scene Investigations Unit. WBros. Bill Collison and Ken Lane, Sr. recently toured the CSI unit, which is about two years old in its attachment to the SPD. Before this time, each detective was responsible for developing his own crime scene investigation.

Our support would offer good visibility for the lodge, if approached in the proper way. It is the intent that this should come outside our 2006 charities budget, if approved, leaving the current balance available for additional charity contributions.

WBro. Charles Tupper and others stated that our asset growth in the past year should allow us this opportunity to do something good for the community, similar to the heat imaging camera we supplied to the Seattle Fire Department five years ago. Following discussion in which some concern was given by the Treasurer about the need for increasing the budget at this time, and also for a clarification by others as to what purpose these funds would address, it was agreed that this should be presented in the form of a resolution, to be acted upon at the June Stated Communication.

WBro. Collison presented the following resolution:

- Whereas a Crime Scene Investigation unit has been recently created to enhance the services of the Seattle Police Department and

- Whereas our community will benefit when crime scenes are professionally handled, documented, preserved and analyzed which will improve the likelihood that cases will survive any legal challenges presented in court and

- Whereas the ability for the Seattle Police CSI to effectively perform its assignments are restricted by the reality of city budget restraints and

- Whereas it is the desire of St. John's Lodge No. 9 to assist our community and to do so in such a way that casts a favorable light on the Masonic fraternity, such as was done on behalf of the Seattle Fire Department in 2001,

- Therefore be it resolved that $13,000 be granted to the Seattle Police Department Crime Scenes Investigation(CSI) Unit for enriched operational enhancements.

Ths resolution will be printed in the June Trestleboard and will be voted on at the June Stated Communication.

In as much as we are in possession of the District 5 Spittoon, designed to encourage lodges to visit each other, it was determined that we should attend the next stated communication of Daylight Lodge No. 232. This would allow us also to present them with the check to support the Masonic Information booth at the June Fremont Fair. Three brothers indicated they would join in this effort this coming Saturday.

VWBro. David Campbell, chair of the youth committee, reported that Job's Daughters No. 40 of Burien has increased its membership size this past year, and would like assistance in helping the girls attend Grand Bethel June 24 - 27. It was decided that money be given to Bethel No. 40 through the Bethel Guardian Kathy Nieto, who has dipped into her own pocket to pre-register the girls for the annual convention.

WBro. Jerry Schor presented a request through the Trustees that the lodge support the Ballard Food Bank. With the Trustees recommendation, it was decided that a check be allocated to the Ballard Food Bank.

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
May 20: King Solomon Golf Tourney (Auburn)
May 21 (2pm): SYSO - pizza feed at Benaroya Hall (rehearsal/practice from 11:30am - 2pm) (Courtesy tickets to the 3pm concert will be provided)
May 23 (7:30pm): King Co. Masonic Library quarterly meeting (Delta-White Center No. 172)
May 23 (6:30-8:30): Cedar Way Elementary Literacy Night (Accelerated Reader check presentation)
May 24 (7pm): Fellowcraft degree
May 24 (7pm): District 5 Lodge Officers & Members Assoc. meeting (Greenwood)
June 8-10: Grand Lodge of Washington (Ocean Shores)
June 12: King Solomon Lodge No. 60 annual Strawberry Feed
June 17-18: Fremont Fair (with Daylight No. 232)
June 21 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated

VWBro. Jim Russell requested a show of hands of those who wish to accompany him to Cedar Way Elementary to present a check for $3,000 to support their accelerated reader program. The mayor of Mountlake Terrace, Bro. Jerry Smith, intends to join us in the presentation. The Master will be joined by Brothers David Campbell, Charles Tupper, Steve Specht, Hans Wehl, and Jim Russell.

Issuing wages, the Senior Warden presented neckties to WBro. Allan Pinch and Bro. Jim Wold for their contributions to the lodge.

WBro. Jerry Schor extended his best wishes to WBro. Ed Tupper, who served as a member of Thomas M. Reed Lodge No. 225 when WBro. Schor, WBro. Ed and WBro. Charles Tupper were all active in that lodge. Thomas M. Reed Lodge has since consolidated with Occidental Lodge No. 72. He asked the lodge to extend the public grand honors to "Brother Ed and his wonderful son."

VWBro. Ashley Brinkley suggested that the brothers of the lodge might want to attend the movie "The Da Vince Code" as a group. The movie will be released Friday. The Secretary will attempt to contact those who have an interest and arrange a date.

WBro. Andy Olson extended appreciation to the lodge for the opportunity to speak and to sit in lodge with the brothers. VWBro. John Lunt extended his appreciation in like manner.

VWBro. Charles Brockway said that he has delivered our check to the Royal Arch Masonic Park, and has received assurances that we will be invited to share their facility sometime this summer.

The Grand Master was presented the gavel. He addressed the brethren, inviting all Master Masons to attend Grand Lodge at Ocean Shores, whether they are voting delegates or not. He asked for volunteers to assist in transporting our out-of-state guests from SeaTac airport to Ocean Shores, using the vehicles assigned to the Masonic Retirement Center. MWBro. Jorgensen recalled his days as a DeMolay, when he participated in the King Solomon Lodge No. 60 Strawberry Festival. At that time, St. John's Lodge No. 9 would send a sizable contingent out to share in the festivities. Last month, MWBro. Jorgensen attended a Grand Masters summit event in Salem, OR, and had the pleasure of renewing an old (DeMolay) friendship with our Past Master Jim Shields (1973). He returned the gavel to the Master to close lodge.

The Lodge was closed in due and ancient form by the Worshipful Master at 9:55 p.m., the Grand Master giving the closing charge. Peace and harmony prevailed as it always does at St. John's Lodge No. 9.