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Home - Archive Index - 2006 Archives - November Stated Communication
November Stated Communication
Pictures by WB Darrel Womack
Report written with aid from the Stated Meeting Minutes |
 | | The turnout for the November Stated was better than expected with an early winter storm blowing through Seattle. Over 40 members, guests, and visitors were in attendance for the monthly dinner and Stated Communication. Our Grand Master, MW Bro. Chuck McQuery was also in attendance. |
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This month Steve (Steve's Expresso Cafe - Downtown Bothell) prepared and had served Shrimp Fettucini. An excellent meal which was enjoyed by all.
Following the meal the assemblage heard from the Blue Nile project which St. John's Lodge has helped support for the past several years. | |  |
Selam Kifle, Tom Skinner, and John Perryman spoke about the progress of the Blue Nile Children's Organization. Many children have already benefited through our support of the BNCO, however, they still need our help to achieve their long-term goal of constructing and operating a campus that will provide the children shelter, education, health services, emotional support and an environment designed to promote self-sufficiency, as well as continuing their orphan sponsorship program.
The organization does not have an "orphanage," but enables a foster program so that the children are not removed from the realities of daily existence. This allows them to be raised in a caring environment and to learn how to exist in a "street wise" community.
Individuals from the United States and around the world may offer support at $30 per month per child, which goes toward food, clothing, books, etc.
WM Mark Campbell presented them with a check to further their program.
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 | | Following the presentation WM Campbell invited all Masons to meet in the Lodgeroom for Past Master's night and our annual election of officers. It is at the November Stated meeting that St. John's Lodge also votes on the budget for the next year. |
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 | | The Lodge was opened on the second degree. Visitors, Wardens, and Master's were introduced. These included the introduction of VWB David Campbell, the father of our WM, who was recently installed as Master of Eureka Lodge No 20. This makes an unusual occurrance of a father and son serving as Master of different Lodges at the same time. |
 | | Grandmaster of Masons in Washington, Most Worshipful Brother Chuck McQuery was escorted to the East where the Worshipful Master introduced him and had the Lodge accord the public grand honors. |
The Grandmaster then rejoined the Brethren on the sidelines for the Stated Communication.
Minutes of the previous communication were read, the Treasurers report received, Bills ordered paid, and communications were read.
Included in the correspondence is a communication to all households in the Edmonds School District. In it is a section about the Cedar Way Elementary School in which the Freemasons are given credit for supporting the successful Accelerated Reader program.
Bro. Joseph DuWors sends his greetings and announces that the family expects the birth of another baby girl in March. Bro. DuWors also is slowly counting down his time in the army (18 months left this December).
We have received a communication from the Grand Master applauding our actions in providing assistance to the family of a fellow Mason from Virginia.
Word has been receive of major flood damage to the Masonic Park at Granite Falls. In addition to damage to roads and loss of shelters, the most extensive damage occurred to the open air amphitheater, in which all stations of the lodge were washed away leaving a mire of mud. Initial estimates set the damage between $40,000 to $50,000. Many volunteers are sought to help replace roads and shelters.
The Greenwood-Phinney Community will be holding a Tree Lighting Ceremony December 2nd and is offering an opportunity for us to be a part of the "greening of Greenwood" by sponsoring a live tree among a grove of trees at $50.
WBro. Bill Collison reported that the Board of Trustees has met each of the last two months to prepare a 2007 budget for the lodge approval. In October, we addressed the operating budget, as well as met with representatives of Oppenheimer, our investment councilors.
The Trustees again met in November to address a number of issues, primarily the 2007 charity budget. Four members of the lodge are delinquent in their 2006 dues. Our private holdings were reviewed. It was agreed to make no additional investment in the Conversay private fund, a voice-activated computer development company. A scholarship endowment fund was proposed and will be researched further. It was agreed to develop some criteria or guidelines to follow when considering a candidate for plural membership. A 2007 operating budget and a 2007 Charity budget will be recommended to the lodge.
The secretary reported that four brothers are delinquent in their 2006 dues. Two of them are plural members and their standing in their respective lodges is also in jeopardy. WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. volunteered to contact one of the brothers. One brother lives in Hawaii; several volunteered to go meet with the brother!
Five memorial scrolls were read and the Lodge memorial service was performed for these Brothers.
Ballots were distributed for the election of officers for 2007 and one Trustee whose term will expire in 2010. Thirty-four members were present and voting. MWBro. Chuck McQuery and VWBro. Jim Maher served as the tally committee. The result of the ballot was:
WBro. Charles H. Tupper W.M.
Bro. James Wold S.W.
Bro. Chris Carney J.W.
WBro. Kenneth M. Lane, Jr. Treasurer
VWBro. James F. Russell Secretary
WBro. William Collison Trustee 2010
Each graciously accepted the honor and responsibility entrusted to them.
WBros. Bill Collison (11/3/37), and Jerry Schor (11/20/18) were honored with a rendition of "Happy Birthday" to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.
The proposed 2007 budget had been distributed before the opening of lodge. WBro. Bill Collison presented the Trustees' recommended budget for 2007 which, following nearly no discussion, was approved unanimously.
WBro. Ken Kane, Jr. will be getting a list of needy families from local food banks. He will be accompanied by WBro. Ken Lane, Sr., and Bros. Jim Wold, Brian Downie, and James Swift to provide Thanksgiving meals assistance. WBro. Charles Brockway will again lead the brothers in presenting Christmas cheer to needy families at Fort Lewis. Assisting VWBro. (and Sherla) Brockway will be WBros. Hans Wehl, Bill (Aundie) Collison, Rich (Bev) Hawley, and Joseph Lund, and Bros. Jim (Janet) Wold, and Doug Lidz. It was m/s/p to issue checks for the Fort Lewis Christmas Family Charity and for the local Christmas Family Charity. Food and toys will be distributed to selected families at Fort Lewis on Saturday, December 16. The volunteers will meet at 8am at the home of VWBro. Brockway for purchase assignments and afternoon distribution.
The University Street Ministry, which organizes the daily schedules for local charity groups to serve hot meals to the homeless teens in the University District, has made a list of "wants" to be available to the young people this winter. We have participated in serving these young people over the last five years. Bro. Jim Wold m/s/p that St. John's allocate funds for the purchase of supplies for the homeless teens in the University District for the Christmas season.
The Washington DeMolay Foundation is a non-profit public charitable and educational foundation established in 1968 under the laws of the State of Washington. The purpose of the Foundation is to create, collect, receive, and maintain a charitable and educational fund for members of Washington DeMolay. The principle remains intact. The interest will be used for the purpose of furthering DeMolay in the State of Washington for years to come. Simply stated, the Foundation was incorporated to ensure that no worthy young man is prevented from benefiting from DeMolay programs because of financial needs. VWBro. Charles Brockway, a member of the Foundation, m/s/p that funds be contributed to the Washington State DeMolay Foundation. This money will be used as seed money for a fund raising banquet designed to raise more money for the Foundation.
Officers will be installed on Saturday morning, December 9. It was m/s/p that the 2006 installation of lodge officers be open to the public. VWBro. Jim Russell will be leading the installing team. WBro. Tupper will be installing his appointed officers. Practice for the installation will be at 9am that morning. Officer pictures will also be taken at that time.
Officers and Trustees will be having dinner at Greenwood Romio's Pizza this coming Friday, November 17, to discuss plans and expectations for the coming year. It was m/s/p to approve up to $400 for the 2007 Officers dinner.
The Greenwood-Phinney Community will be holding a Tree Lighting Ceremony December 2nd, and is offering an opportunity for us to be a part of the "greening of Greenwood" by sponsoring a live tree among a grove of trees at $50. Each sponsor's name is printed on weatherproof 6" high x 18" wide plaques which are mounted to stakes and anchored in the display grove. The grove will be displayed in front of Greenwood Market for six weeks from Thanksgiving through New Years Day. During those six weeks, the grove will have everyone's 'stakes' in the community proudly and prominently displayed for all to recognize and acknowledge. When the New Year arrives, the plants leave the display for permanent homes out in our community and along our streets. VWBro. Jim Russell m/s/p that the lodge sponsor a Greening Greenwood tree for $50.
The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
November 17 (7-9pm): Officers and Trustees dinner (Greenwood Romeo's)
November 21 (7:30pm): King Co. Masonic Library (Delta-White Center No. 172)
November 29 (6:00pm) 7:00pm: (dinner) EA degree Greenwood Lodge 253, St. John's courtesy candidate
December 2 (5:30pm): Greenwood Installation of Officers
December 9 (10am): Installation of Officers (Saturday morning)
December 14 (7pm): Officers meeting/practice (Thursday)
December 20 (6:15pm) 7:30pm: St. John's 9 (dinner) Stated
WBro. Boe Lindgren announced that Bro. Anthony Porter is proficient on the Entered Apprentice degree and is ready to be passed as a Fellowcraft. He congratulated WBro. Mark Campbell for his work in the East this year as Master.
WBro. Helmuth Svoboda invited the brethren to attend his closing night as Master of University Lodge No. 141 on Monday, December 4. A dinner will precede the stated communication. University Lodge will be installing officers, Saturday, December 16, at 3pm.
Bro. David Flood encouraged the brethren to submit the names of any children who could be helped by the York Rite's Children's Heart Foundation. All children seventeen years of age or younger are eligible. The Foundation's assistance has been under-utilized.
VWBro. David Campbell gave tribute to veteran WBro. Jerry Schor. WBro. Schor has been awarded two silver stars, one bronze star, and three purple hearts for his World War II tour of duty. President Eisenhower personally presented the last purple heart several years after the war.
| MWBro. Charles McQuery presented a Pillar of Progress for Fraternalism award to the lodge and expressed his great appreciation for the Master and our lodge's assistance to the family of a brother from Virginia. He said that he had received a thank you message from the Grand Secretary of the jurisdiction of Virginia. | |  |
It showed that St. John's not only "talks the talk, but also walks the walk." WBro. Campbell accepted graciously on behalf of the lodge and extended the credit to VWBro. Jim Russell who had stepped forward during this family crisis. |
WBro. Campbell expressed his appreciation to his officers and the brethren of St. John's Lodge No. 9. He expressed his belief that St. John's is a quality lodge, with quality brothers who participate in all that it does. The brethren stood to show their support and appreciation of the retiring Master.
As is our tradition, Past Masters were invited to close Lodge in the following stations and places:
WBro. Joseph Lund W.M.
VWBro. Charles Brockway S.W.
WBro. Doug MacKenzie J.W.
VWBro. James F. Russell Treasurer
WBro. Kenneth Lane, Jr. Secretary
VWBro. David Campbell Chaplain
WBro. Terry Grove Marshal
WBro. Bill Collison S.D.
WBro. Kenneth Lane, Sr. J.D.
WBro. Serco Tokatlian S.S.
WBro. Herb White J.S.
Bro. Bert Bertram Musician
MWBro. Sat Tashiro Tyler
The minutes of this communication were read and approved in short form. There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Fellowcraft Masons, the flag was retired and the Lodge closed in due and ancient form by the Worshipful Master at 9:20 p.m., peace and harmony prevailing.
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