September 2007 Stated Communication

Following dinner everyone adjourned to the Lodgeroom where representatives of John Rogers and Sacajewea Elementary Schools reported on the success of their Accelerated Reader programs.

Ms Debby McDonald and Principal Marsha Boyd of John Rogers expressed their appreciation for the consistency of our support and hope for future funding. Ms Visala Hohlbein and Ms Deborah Davis of Sacajewea added their appreciation, and introduced students Eli and Rueben who told the assembled members and guests about their experiences with the Accelerated Reader program and how it has improved their motivation to read. The teachers said

that special programs are frequently introduced into a system, only to be abandoned in short order. They emphasized their gratitude for our willing to be there for the long run.

WBro. Joseph Lund presented Ms Selam Kifle with a check for $2,000 as continued support for the Blue Nile Children’s Organization. BNCO provides education, health, lodging and other living expenses for over forty-eight mainly HIV/Aids orphaned children in Ethiopia. The BNCO plans to build a health center for orphans and the destitute in the immediate community of

Addis Ababa. Building a health center is very important because the ratio between patients and medical doctors in Ethiopia is around 100,000 to 1.

PRESENTATION OF THE FLAG

The American flag was presented by the Marshal and deposited in a place of honor in the East. The Worshipful Master called upon the Marshal to lead the brethren in the pledge to the flag.

INTRODUCTIONS

Following the Tyler’s invitation to join his brethren, the Worshipful Master called upon the Senior Deacon to introduce our visitors with the exception of Masters, Wardens, and Grand Lodge officers and committeemen. In attendance and receiving a warm St. John’s welcome were two visiting brothers, WBro. Jim Lumsden and Bro. Adam Creighton of Greenwood Lodge No. 253.

The Past Masters of St. John’s Lodge No. 9 were asked to stand and be recognized and were graciously thanked for their dedication to the Lodge.

The Senior Warden introduced his counterparts, VWBro. Michael Davis of Queen Anne Lodge No. 242, and Bro. Larry Blake of Greenwood Lodge No. 253. The Master introduced VWBro. David Campbell (Eureka Lodge No. 20) and WBros. Olen Johnson (Terrestrial-Mountain View Lodge No. 194), Marvin Pearson (Greenwood Lodge No. 253), and Ken Lane, Jr. (Esoterika Lodge No. 316), all Masters of their respective lodges. They were accorded the public Grand Honors.

The Master then instructed the Senior Deacon to escort the Grand Lodge Officers and Committeemen East of the Altar and shook each by the hand as he announced their names. In attendance were Bro. Vince Kodikal (technology), WBro. Charles Tupper (technology), WBro. Darrel Womack (public relations photographer), VWBro. Michael Davis (chairman of CHIP), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP), VWBro. Charles Brockway (Special Deputy), VWBro. Jim Maher (Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5), VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (Grand Bible Bearer), MWBro. Al Jorgensen (jurisprudence), and MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington.

They were accorded the public Grand Honors.

PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION

The Worshipful Master called upon Bro. Mathew LaCroix to demonstrate his proficiency on the Master Mason degree. He was examined by his coach Bro. Nick Mitchell. The brethren of the lodge expressed their full acceptance of Bro. LaCroix’s work.

In appreciation of Bro. LaCroix’s excellent demonstration of proficiency, VWBro. Jim Maher presented him with a certificate acknowledging his completed work. These newly created certificates were also then awarded to our more recent proficient brothers David Long, Vince Kodikal, Ryan Stoulil, and James Swift. It was noted that Bro. Kodikal is working on the Grand Lodge webpage.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION

The minutes of the previous communication were read in short form and were available in full as posted at the Tyler’s door.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer reported that our financial portfolio has increased 12.44% in the past twelve months ending August, 2007. Our portfolio account management team of Oppenheimer has announced that Mr. Ryan Carr has left that company and will no longer be manager of our small Cap account. Another associate will be appointed to manage all small Cap Accounts. Mr. Ryan has managed our small Cap account since late 2005.

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, WBros. Darrel Womack and Terry Grove), were submitted to the Lodge for approval. After the acting chairman, WBro. Womack, attested to the accuracy of each bill or invoice, he stated the expenditures were in order and moved for the payment of the bills. On vote of the Lodge, the bills were approved for payment.

COMMUNICATIONS

Trestleboards and letters of communications were distributed. Concerning each, the Secretary reported the following:

The Greenwood Chapter No. 196 of the Order of Eastern Star will be offering a salmon BBQ, Sunday, September 30, from 1-4pm. This fund raiser for the OES is advertised at $10 each and will be held at the Greenwood Masonic Center.

Hatasu Temple #1 of the Daughters of the Nile will be hosting the Supreme Session of the Daughters of the Nile in 2008 in Seattle. The Session will be June 15 to June 19. Donations are being accepted to help pay for the expenses involved with holding such a large function.

The Grand Lodge of Washington forewarns that beginning in 2008, the Department of the Treasury is requiring all tax-exempt organizations to file Form 990 or Form 990-EZ with the IRS. The Grand Lodge also has sent out information encouraging all lodges to participate in the Grand Lodge Scholarship Awards program and to nominate a teacher for Outstanding Educator Of The Year.

The Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5 urges all lodges to send representatives to the next LOMA meeting, Wednesday, September 26, and all future LOMA planning meetings. The schedule of meetings for the remainder of the year is as follows: September 26^th, October 24^th,November 28th, January 23^rd, 2008 - February 27^th, March 26^th, April 23^rd

At our next LOMA meeting we will be finalizing plans for our annual Youth Halloween Party & Dance on October 20 and continuing our discussion of our planned Freemasonry 101 presentation on November 3. If your lodge does not already have a representative to the LOMA group please have someone attend.

We have received a letter from the Greenwood Temple Board and Greenwood Lodge No. 253 thanking us for our generous and continued support of this Masonic Center facility. Another note of appreciation comes from the University of Washington for our continued support; from Niambi Kanye, a student scholar for her assistance in her education; and from the Job’s Daughters of Washington for our sponsorship in their Grand Bethel annual session program. World Vision sends their appreciation for our contribution to agricultural assistance in the Dominican Republic.

We have received newsletters and Trestleboards from the Phinney Neighborhood Association, the City of Hope, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras, the HOPE Heart Institute, Heirloom Bible Publishers, Conversay, Diamond Lodge No. 83, University Lodge No. 141, Daylight Lodge No. 232, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281. Please take home the extra copies of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading.

The Master reported that “over 120” attended our 147^th Anniversary Dinner. (Actual count: 123) He asked for a show of hands of those who attended. The general consensus was that it was an excellent program and a fitting evening to celebrate our 147 years as a lodge.

WBro. Joseph Lund reported that the Masonic Service Bureau has been responsibly downsizing to reduce its overhead expenses. It has eliminated all hospital equipment (most of which was damaged in a recent flooding of the Alki Masonic Center). The Bureau continues to call for volunteers to serve on the funeral team. He estimates that the Bureau has about $400,000 in assets, however much of that is in the form of trusts, whose principles cannot be touched.

WBro. Jeff Lane read a letter from Mr. Jim Geizler of the Secondary Academy for Success. We have offered support for the music program the last couple of years. This fall’s curriculum will include writing lyrics as instruction in English class. The musical course is not only fast paced and fun, but very educational. There are opportunities to work with some of the best musicians in the Northwest, including Curly Cook, former guitarist for the Steve Miller Band, and Bernadette Bascom, a popular and talented vocal performer. There will be a concert at 1pm on Thursday, September 27. SAS is an alternative school in the Northshore School District, and is located at 18603 Bothell Way NE, Bothell.

WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported that student Jennifer Moe is recommended by the scholarship committee to receive assistance from the lodge. It was m/s/p that a scholarship be granted to Ms Jennifer Moe.

The Master sadly reported that WBro. Michael Rust has placed himself in the care of a local hospice, determining not to continue with his leukemia medical treatments. He’s still enjoying visitors, but sometimes gets pretty tired and is good about excusing himself when he gets to that point. Wife Alexandra schedules visits so that it “doesn't get too crazy.” The best times for visits are from around noon until 2pm and from 4pm until around 6pm. Please no visits if you have respiratory infections or anything contagious and please no children.

The Master also reported that he dispensed $500 in Master’s Charity last month.

The Master called the lodge “free from restraint” for a period of five minutes and invited the brethren to mingle and to greet each other upon the level.

The Master recited a number of entries in an imaginary diary of an elderly Master Mason, the root of the story signifying how much it meant for the old gentleman to be a Freemason. The “diary” concluded with an entry about how much the Masonic white apron meant to him personally, and how important Masonry had been in the old Past Master’s life.

A petition for the degrees was received from Mr. Raymond Louis Gehrig. Mr. Gehrig was born November 16, 1970, in Spokane, WA. He is married, a father, works for The Boeing Co. as an engineer, and lives in Everett, WA. He is a senior DeMolay, a Past Master Councilor and a Chevalier. He is recommended by VWBro. Charles Brockway, VWBro. Jim Russell, and WBro. Charles Tupper.

A committee was appointed to visit Mr. Gehrig and to report back to the Lodge by the next Stated Communication.

Bros. Glenn Goodson (9/5/25), Harry Arthur (9/10/30), Vince DiGiulio (9/22/49), and Olen Johnson (9/26) were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.

WBro. Joseph Lund requested that another set of bicycles be provided to the three schools in our Accelerated Reader charity. He also noted that it would be a good idea to provide locks in addition to the helmets and bikes. It was m/s/p to fund the bicycles, helmets and locks for this fall quarter’s Accelerated Reader motivational program.

The Senior Warden would like to see the principle officers and Trustees of St. John’s go through a team-building workshop to master the latest techniques, innovative tools and best practices used by the country’s top managers to achieve improved team performance and increased productivity. He recommends that we gather together at Leavenworth this January to develop tools for improving cooperation, strengthening teamwork and opening lines of communication.

Bro. Wold proposes that we include our wives on this trip, where they can shop and enjoy the sites of Leavenworth while the men work. As this would be in the heart of the wintertime, he suggests that we charter a bus from the Bellevue area. It was m/s/p to authorize funds this year for up-front expenses related to the officer team-building retreat to Leavenworth..

VWBro. Charles Brockway stated that he has just been given the responsibility to organize a fund-raising breakfast on behalf of the Washington State DeMolay Foundation and would like this lodge to assist in its financial support. The DeMolay Foundation exists to offer financial support to the DeMolays of this state. The annual breakfast is designed to obtain pledges of financial support for this purpose. Youth committee chairman VWBro. David Campbell m/s/p to donate funding to host a breakfast for the Washington State DeMolay Foundation. The breakfast will be held February 23, 2008, at the Masonic Retirement Center.

WBro. Darrel Womack said that two years ago the Washington Grand Assembly of Rainbow Girls had pulled the charter of the Burien Rainbow Assembly because an insufficient number of members were active in the Assembly. Now, the girls in the area have re-grouped, and a new charter has been issued to the Southgate Rainbow Assembly. He invited all to attend the re-constitution of the Assembly at 7pm, Saturday, September 22. It was m/s/p to present a check to the new Southgate Assembly Rainbow for Girls.