August 2006 Stated Communication

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August Stated Communication
Pictures by WB Charles Tupper
Report written with aid from the Stated Meeting Minutes

Scholarship night began with a magnificent steak dinner prepared by Steve (Steve's Expresso Cafe). The dining room was not full at 6:15 but most of the Scholarship winners were on hand.

Members and guests kept arriving until there were only a couple of seats left.

After the meal all of the scholarship award recipients stood and each told the assemblage what school they were attending or going to attend as well as what they were going to study. We feel that our help will pay great dividends as these young people become the leaders of tomorrow.

With all the dishes entrusted to the care of Greenwood Temple's intrepid cleanup man the students and their families were thanked for attending. A few minutes were then allocated for "just visiting" and everyone enjoyed the time. The membership then adjourned to the Lodgeroom for the August Stated Communication.

WM Mark Campbell opened Lodge on the Master Mason degree. He immediately introduced our new musician, Brother Bert Bertram (Westgate 128) who was gracious enough to come on short notice to fill in for the rest of the term. Visitors were then introduced and the Grand Lodge team was assembled east of the altar where these brethren were accorded the public grand honors. The Master then instructed the Senior Deacon to "seek out" the Grand Master and to present him at the altar. He was accompanied by MWBro. Al Jorgensen. The Master greeted MWBro. Charles McQuery and escorted him to the East where he was accorded the private grand honors. The WM then had the minutes from the previous meeting read in short form (the long form being posted at the entrance to the Lodge room), the communications read, and the bills paid.

WBro. Bill Collison reported on last week's Trustee's meeting. We reviewed our 2nd quarter financial performance. Assets declined in the second quarter, but we are still up this year after expenses. We agreed to not use cash generated from company store sales to purchase additional merchandise. It was agreed to recommend that the lodge tweak four line items in the 2006 budget. We will endeavor to take a more proactive approach with prospective members who contact us via our website.

The Junior Warden announced that we will be conducting two Entered Apprentice degrees on Wednesday, August 30, predicated on a favorable vote later in the meeting on the two candidates. Senior Deacon Chris Carney will let us know what roles need to be filled for the degrees.

WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported that the scholarship committee still has a couple of students to interview.

Favorable ballots were spread on Mr. Anthony Kent Porter and Mr. David Glyn Long for the degrees. Both petitioners had received unanimous favorable recommendations by their investigating committees.

VWBro. Charles Brockway was presented with a card and pin in recognition for having been a Master Mason for forty years. VWBro. Brockway was initiated into Ionic Lodge No. 90, June 1, 1966, passed to a Fellowcraft, June 15, 1966, and raised a Master Mason, August 31, 1966.

Two scrolls were read, followed by a memorial service led by the Wardens, Master and Chaplain.

Bro. Ken Wehl paid tribute to those who helped make this year's family picnic a success. He invited WBros. Terry Grove, Ken Lane, Sr. (and Darlene), Ken Lane Jr., and Bros. Brian Downie and Doug Lidz to stand and receive the recognition so justly due. Not present this evening, but also acknowledged were WBro. Dennis Archambault and Bro. Rick Heston. Attendance was greater this year than the past couple of years, with 104 adults and 14 children representing 38 families. It was m/s/p to re-imburse Bro. Wehl for out-of-pocket picnic expenses.

The Treasurer recommended adjustments be made to three line items in the 2006 budget. He projects that we will be over-spending in stated meeting rentals, degree refreshments, and telephone expenses. It was unanimously m/s/p to increase these items.

The Master expressed concern that we were not visiting the sick or those other members and widows who need our concern and care. He asked for volunteers to step forward who would be willing to be called upon. Bro. Ken Wehl and WBros. Hans Wehl and Vince DiGulio volunteered their services.

The current Tyler's Register has but a few more months remaining in its blank pages. There are inexpensive "off-the-shelf" registers. The Secretary expressed his opinion, which is shared by others, that we should have a nicely bound register similar to the one which we have been using for the last thirteen years. It was m/s/p to authorize the Secretary to cause a new Tyler's Register to be printed and bound.

WBro. Charles Tupper expressed concern that we need to take a more proactive approach with prospective members who contact us via our website. Currently, those who make inquiries are automatically referred to the secretary, who responds generally by email and occasionally by telephone. They are invited to attend dinner on our next stated meeting night. Many respond, but most do not. WBro. Tupper proposed that we identify lodge brothers who would be willing to meet with a prospect for lunch, dinner, or coffee. There is money available for these expenses. For safety reasons, two or more brothers should work together as a team. WBro. Tupper m/s/p that expenses be authorized for two or more brothers to meet with those who inquire about lodge membership who are otherwise unknown to a member of this lodge. Several brothers expressed their willingness to be called upon for this pleasant duty.

The Master read a request for a dimit from membership in St. John's Lodge No. 9 from plural member VWBro. David Julian. VWBro. Julian cites the desire for a dimit due to health and personal reasons. The Master announced that he regretfully grants the dimit.

VWBro. Vince DiGulio announced that next Thursday the Childhood Identification Program will be staffing a booth at the Evergreen Fair in Monroe, and encouraged volunteers to fill 3-4 hour shifts. Fair publicity regarding the CHIP activity mentions Freemasonry as one of the sponsors of the program

The Secretary reminded the brethren of the coming anniversary celebration and dinner at the College Club in Seattle. VWBro. Charles Brockway encouraged the brothers to avail themselves of the three levels of underground parking below the Club, just off 5th Avenue and Madison. The Huskies and Cougars both have local games on that date, so traffic likely will be impacted.

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

August 22 (7:30pm): King Co. Masonic Library (Delta-White Center No. 172)
August 23 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice
August 23 (7pm): District 5 Lodge Officers & Members Assoc. meeting (Greenwood)
August 30 (7pm): Entered Apprentice Degrees
September 16 (6pm): St. John's Lodge No. 9 146th Anniversary Celebration (College Club)
September 20 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated

WBro. Joseph Lund read a letter from the Blue Nile Children's Organization. The BNCO received money from the (WBro.) Richard Oslund estate which is being used to build the Richard Oslund Memorial Medical Clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The clinic will be built by the "Selam Children's Village Organization." Over a period of 25 years, the children of this organization were educated and trained to the point that they grow their own food, have their own bakery, and have the skills to build hotels and other heavy construction. WBro. Lund hopes to be able to travel to Ethiopia next spring to be present for the dedication of the medical clinic.

The Senior Warden distributed beautiful Masonic ties to each of the brothers, and encouraged everyone to wear the tie to lodge and elsewhere.

Bro. John W. Ratcliff congratulated the lodge on maintaining an excellent web page. Bro. Ratcliff, in addition to being the Junior Warden of Wentzville Lodge in Michigan, is also a member of Naphtali Lodge No. 25, and a webmaster from that area. As webmaster, he maintains an "unofficial" web page for the Naphtali Lodge.

The Master turned the gavel over to Grand Master MWBro. Chuck McQuery, who called on RWBro. Gale Kenney to bring a message from his recent visit to the annual communication of the Grand Lodge of Wyoming.

MWBro. McQuery encouraged attendance at the Warden's Conference next March, and the annual communication of Grand Lodge in Kennewick next June. There will be a golf tournament the day preceding the opening of the annual communication, as well as an evening BBQ sponsored by Kennewick Lodge No. 153.

Our concordant bodies will be given special recognition throughout this term, with the Shrine in the spotlight in October. In November, attention will be focused on the Order of Eastern Star. MWBro. McQuery hopes that our lodges will make this a part of our programming and invite members of the concordant bodies to share in our deliberations.

The Grand Master reminded us to get our Masonic message out into the community and to encourage our friends to investigate Masonry. He challenged the brothers to encourage one new man a month to consider the fraternity.

The Grand Master concluded by encouraging everyone to attend a Fellowcraft degree.. It is one of the most beautiful of the degrees, and says a lot about Masonry.

The minutes of this communication were read and approved in short form. There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Master Masons, the flag was retired and the Lodge closed at 9:53 p.m. in Ample Form by the Grand Master, assisted by MWBro. Al Jorgensen in the West and MWBro. Sat Tashiro in the South, peace and harmony prevailing. RWBro. Gale Kenney delivered the closing charge.