While the Brethren ate, Mr. Jim Geiszler from the North Shore School District's Secondary Academy for Success spoke.  He informed us that without the financial help of St. John's Lodge No. 9 this program would have been scrapped by the school district.  However, due to our help the school district refunded the program and due to our continued support  it is now a stable program which helps many of our youth. 

The program is also beginning to branch out.    Along with learning to play with instruction from professional musicians these students now have the opportunity to learn the studio recording part of the music business as well.  Song writing is on the horizon and the program is alive and growing.

Following the excellent meal PM Storrs (Skip) Albertson gave the Lodge a presentation on what the Puget Sound Alliance is doing to model the sound and make recommendations as to how to return health to our waterway.  This is a very difficult problem and will take all the resources that can be brought to bear to return total health to all portions of the Sound.  This project is a priority for our Governor. This was a very well researched presentation and the Brethren were held in rapt attention while WB Albertson spoke.

At 7:30 PM the Brethren retired to the Lodge Room where WM Charles Tupper opened Lodge on the Master Mason Degree.  After the flag was presented the WM called up Brother Ryan Stoulil for his MM proficiency examination.  With the challenge by his coach, VWB Jim Russell,  Bro. Stoulil satisfied the Brethren of his proficiency and was welcomed into St. John's Lodge as a full Master Mason member.  He was immediately assigned a position on the paraphernalia inventory committee.

Introductions were then accomplished.  St. John's Lodge had five sitting Master's of Lodges attending.  These included the Masters of Eureka Lodge No. 20, King Solomon Lodge No. 60, Occidental Lodge No. 72, Greenwood Lodge No. 253, and Esoterika Lodge No. 316.  We also had eleven from the Grand Lodge of Washington in attendance.

The usual business of the Lodge was quickly dealt with:  the minutes of the previous communication were read, treasurers report was received, the bills were read and approved for payment, communications were read and passed around the room for a more personal look by the membership.

 

o COMMITTEE REPORTS

Grand Master’s Reception

WB Hans Wehl reported that the District 4 and 5 reception for the Grand Master was fairly well done but he thought there should have been more mention of the accomplishments of individual Lodges in addition to the powerpoint presentation of the Deputies.  He reported that the entertainment was excellent and the evening was enjoyable.

 Trustees

VWB Chuck Brockway reported on the Trustee's meeting of last Wednesday.  He reported that:

1) The Trustees discussed inventorying the Lodge paraphernalia and recommended a committee be appointed by the Master to accomplish this.  The completed listing will be kept by the Treasurer.

2) Granite Falls Masonic Park assistance was discussed and it was decided to ask the Lodge to add $25,000 to the budget for the riverwall construction.

3) Anniversary entertainment was discussed and it was decided to invite the Masters, Wardens, and their significant others of the Lodges which meet in the Greenwood Masonic Center to our 147th Anniversary Celebration which will feature the three piece mandolin/accordian band which played last year and James Foote, official Theodore Roosevelt at Sagamore Hill, who will present an 'in character' presentation of the life of Theodore Roosevelt.

4) Health insurance for a member was discussed and is being handled away from the official business of the Lodge as a personal commitment among members.

5) Rules were clarified for Past Master and Officer reimbursement of a portion of annual Grand Lodge communication expenses.

6) A request for funding for the George Washington Masonic Memorial was laid over until a vote of the Grand Lodge is taken on this subject.

7) A Committee of two was appointed to make recommendation and report on  Lodge assistance for Officer Tuxedo costs.

8) Officer and Trustee retreat expenses were discussed and it was decided to ask the Lodge to add $5,000 to the budget for up front expenses.

9) It was decided that the Master shall require all interested persons in running for the open Trustee position or elected Lodge office who are not sitting Trustee's or elected Officers  to submit a statement of availablitity containing information relating to qualifications for the desired position before October 1st.  This statement will be printed in the November Trestleboard.  If a sitting officer is unopposed the filing is not required.  If a sitting officer is opposed he must file prior to the October Stated Communication.

10) It was decided to draft a letter thanking Esoterika Lodge for its generous help with the St. John's table lodge and have the Master and Wardens deliver it personally.

11) A "New Guys Charity Fund" was discussed and will be implemented by the Senior Warden.  This fund will require proved up members of less than three years to form a committee and decide on a charity to support.  The Lodge will make a donation to that Charity.  It is expected that the committee will be involved in this charity.

12) Bro. Nick Mitchell was appointed chairman of the 150th Year committee with Bro. Ken Wehl as the first member of this committee.

VW Brother Brockway reported that a lot of business was taken care of in a very expeditious manner and the meeting was over at 7:50 PM.

Masonic Service Bureau

WB Joseph Lund has been appointed St. John's Lodge No. 9's delegate to the KCMSB.  He reported that W Brother Leonard Luchau retired from the bureau and that changes are in the works for the association.  More will be decided at the next meeting.

 o MASONIC EDUCATION

 Worshipful Master Tupper talked about the difference in dress that sometimes crops up between age groups and how Masons should act with one another - no matter the dress code.  He also talked about how Masons should act in public.  The talk was well received.

o READING OF PETITIONS

 A petition for the degrees was read and a committee consisting of W Brother Ken Lane Sr., Ryan Stoulil, and David Long was appointed to investigate the candidate.

o BALLOTING ON PETITIONS

 A petition for the degrees was balloted and Kevin Smith was elected to receive the degrees of Masonry in St. John's Lodge. 

 o COLLECT LODGE SURVEY

 The Lodge surveys were collected and given to the Senior Warden for collation and future use.

o MEMORIAL SCROLLS

A memorial scroll for Brother Irving Israel was read.  Bro. Adam Creighton, Lodge Musician, played a memorial song and our Chaplain delivered the Lodge memorial.  Several Brothers remembered our departed Brother and told of a long and friendly association.  Our Brother Israel will be missed by many. 

o JUNIOR GRAND WARDEN CANDIDATE TALK

VW Brother Santy Lascano, candidate for Junior Grand Warden, was escorted to the East where he talked about furthering the work being done by the Grand Lodge.  He told the Lodge that he would be proud to be elected and would do his utmost to see that the vision statement of our Grand Lodge continues to be worked toward. His talk was well received and it is always good to be able to hear from candidates for this office at St. John's Lodge No. 9 each year.

o UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 Grand Lodge Resolutions were reported on by  MWB Sat Tashiro, Chair; VWB Mike Davis, RWB Gale Kenney, VWB Ashley Brinkley, and WB Joe Lund.  The resolutions were covered in an expeditious manner and everyone now knows what will be voted on at the upcoming Grand Lodge session.

o NEW BUSINESS

1) Entered Apprentice Degree

An Entered Apprentice degree will be scheduled before the next Stated Communication.

2)  Richmond Highlands Rainbow; West Seattle Rainbow

Two checks for funding were authorized for the two Rainbow Assemblies.

3)   Secretary's computer

Funding was authorized to purchase a new computer and related equipment for the Secretary.

4)   George Washington Memorial

Action on the Charity request was laid over to the June Stated Communication.

5)    Budget adjustment resolution

The Trustee's recommendation to adjust the Lodge Budget to include an additional $2,000 for operations, $5,000 for the officers and trustees retreat, $3,000 for charity reserves, and $25,000 for the riverwall at the Masonic Park were read and will be discussed and voted on at the June Stated Communication.

7)    Seafair Masonic Float

Bro. David Long has been appointed chairman of the Seafair Torchlight Float Committee.  Funding was authorized to support this activity.

8)    Company Store funding needs

W Brother Hans Wehl received authorization to spend funds on new acquisitions for the company store.

o ANNOUNCEMENTS

The brethren are reminded of the following dates of interest:

 May 22 (7:30pm):  King Co. Masonic Library (Delta-White Center)

May 23 (7pm):  Officers meeting
June 12 (7-9pm):  Ritual instruction classes at Greenwood Masonic Center
June 14-16:  Grand Lodge (Tri-Cities)
June 18:  King Solomon Lodge No. 60 Annual Strawberry Feed
June 20 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated; Scholarship Night
June 28 (7pm): Officers meeting
July 12 (7pm):  degree
July 16:  Teen Feed
July 18 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated; Herb’s Night – Ladies invited
July 25:  Greenwood Seafair Parade
July 25 (7pm): Officers meeting
July 28 (7:30)pm:  Seafair Torchlight Parade
August 8 (5pm):  Board of Trustees – College Club
August 9 (7pm):  degree
August 12 (11am – 4pm):  Lodge picnic at Nile (Sunday)

o CLOSING OF LODGE

Lodge was closed in due form by WM Charles Tupper at 9:55 PM with MW Brother Al Jorgensen delivering the closing charge.  Peace and Harmony prevailed.