As a special tribute to the Past Masters of St. John’s, the Master directed the Senior Deacon to arrange the Past Masters in a semi-circle west of the Altar.  Twenty of 57 living Past Masters[ii], representing St. John’s No. 9, Ionic No. 90, Elliot Bay No. 257, and T. H. Roosevelt No. 229 were in attendance.  Each Past Master was greeted and presented a red carnation by Worshipful Master Tupper, accompanied by an expression of sincere affection and appreciation for his past and current support of the Lodge.  WBro. Mike Rust, whose weakened immunity system prevented him from attending this evening, was recognized via cell phone transmitted through the loudspeaker system and expressed his gratitude to the Worshipful Master and his St. John’s brethren.

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 2008 proposed budget was distributed as the Treasurer reported that while the market has been up and down over the past several weeks, our financial portfolio is in order.

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER

The following bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (Bro. Jim Wold, VWBro. Charles Brockway, WBro. Mike Wilderman), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the chairman, Bro. Wold, 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: 

Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 encourages our participation to sponsor a debate tournament for local high school students that would focus on The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and The Bill of Rights.  Mr. Shannon Scott, the director of Seattle Pacific University’s Speech and Debate Team will be addressing this at Queen Anne on Thursday, December 13, at 6pm.

We have received a thank you letter from Warren R. Schoeben representing the Child Identification Program for our support of CHIP.

Master-elect WBro. Al Luberts of Green Lake Lodge No. 149 extends an invitation to their annual installation of officers on Friday, December 14.  Dinner will be served at 6pm, followed by the 7:30pm installation.

We have received a notice to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of Conversay, Thursday, December 6, opening at noon at the Columbia Winery.

Newsletters and Trestleboards have been received from Conversay, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras, Phinney Neighborhood Association, the HOPE Heart Institute, Eureka Lodge No. 20, Diamond Lodge No. 83, Doric Lodge No. 92, University Lodge No. 141, 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.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported that WBro. Michael Rust is resting at home, but still enjoys short visits from his brothers.

VWBro. Chuck Brockway reported that the Board of Trustees met last week to review our investment portfolio with our Oppenheimer financial advisors.  Our 3^rd quarter 2007 equity stood at a new high, and has grown 17+% over the past three years.  A possible trip to Leavenworth next fall will be suggested to the lodge brethren.  Guidelines for preparation of the 2009 budget were adopted on a trial basis.   Additional leaves will be considered for the Tree of Life in memory of recently departed brethren.

VWBro. Brockway also reminded the brethren that we will again provide food, clothing and toys to the children of families stationed at Fort Lewis.  We call this Operation Kid Smile, and it really does bring happy expressions to the faces of the children and their parents.  We have been doing this for about five years.  Our volunteers will meet at the Brockways at 8am Sunday, December 16, and divide into three teams to purchase food, clothing (the ladies), and toys.  Volunteers include VWBro. Brockway (chair), WBros. Hans Wehl (Santa), Skip Albertson, Joseph Lund, Rich Hawley, and Bros. Jim Wold, Ken Wehl, and George Rine.  Several will be bringing their ladies to enjoy the day. 

Bros. George Rine, Jim Wold, and WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. reported on their successful Thanksgiving Families Charity.  Food and other necessities were supplied to several families in need – names provided by the Greenwood Food Bank.   Others who helped included Mrs. Ken Lane, Sr. and Bro. Matt LaCroix.  Many of these families and a few others will be recipients of our Christmas Family charity next month.

WBro. Joseph Lund has distributed bicycles to one of our Accelerated Reader schools (Sacajawea), with bicycles still to be delivered to John Rogers and a third school wishes to wait for delivery until December 21 because of lack of display space.

WBro. Hans Wehl reminded the brethren that there are several items in the company store which would make nice gifts for the Holidays.  He suggested warm jackets, sweatshirts, vests, and coffee mugs.  Items will be available at the close of the meeting.

WBro. Wehl also announced that the City of Hope raised $1.1 million at its auction earlier this month.  Several brothers from the lodge attended the dinner and auction.

The Secretary reported that only one brother has yet to pay his 2007 dues of $12, and recommended that the lodge not grant him a temporary waiver for this year.  The brother has not been seen in lodge since his raising as Master Mason in 2002.  He has until December 31, 2007 to avoid delinquent dues status. 

GREETING BROTHERS ON THE LEVEL

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.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Ballots were distributed for the election of officers for 2008 and one Trustee whose term will expire in 2011.  Forty members were present and voting.  VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan and VWBro. Jim Maher served as the tally committee.  The result of the ballot was:

Each graciously accepted the honor and responsibility entrusted to them.  Proposed by Bro. Jim Wold, it was m/s/p that the installation of officers for 2007-2008 be open to the public.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

Bro. George Rine (11/8/49) and WBro. Frank Pascoe (11/9/38) were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.

MASONIC EDUCATION

The Worshipful Master, as is his custom, came down upon the level to address the brethren with a story pertinent to the evening:  In the days before Freemasonry, when a stone mason was an apprentice, it generally took about seven years of work before he was raised to a full master of his art.  He learned to be skilled at what he produced.  Today, we become Master Masons much more quickly.  However, we generally become Masters of our Lodge after around seven years.  There, we find that being Master requires a great many skills; that a Master is one to whom a great number turn for assistance.  Only a Past Master can relate to the responsibility, the burden, and the joy that rests upon the shoulders of a Master.

WBro. Tupper thanked the lodge for its trust and support given him as Master of St. John’s.  He said that it is a singular honor he will never forget.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

2008 Officer Retreat Expense

Bro. Jim Wold requested authorization and it was m/s/p to issue a check for $3,000 to the officer-retreat facilitator in early January, prior to our January stated communication.  The officers and Trustees will be meeting in an all-day Saturday session at Leavenworth on the weekend of January 11 – 13 to improve effective communication.

NEW BUSINESS

2008 Operating and Charity Budget

The proposed 2008 budget had been distributed earlier in the evening.  Bro. Jim Wold presented the Trustees’ recommended budget for 2008 which, following nearly no discussion, was approved unanimously.  The budget allows for $179,525 in operating expenses, $25,000 in student scholarships, and $76,000 in additional charity.

Tree of Life

The Secretary reminded the brethren that leaves from the Tree of Life are engraved to honor brothers of our lodge and that each engraved leaf represents $100 for the Masonic Retirement Center Endowment Fund.  He m/s/p that five leaves on the Tree of Life be dedicated to the memory of WBros. Joseph Reardon, Joe Marable, VWBro. Desmond Marble, WBro. Warren Wold, and Bro. Francis Bean.  WBro. Reardon was Master of Ionic Lodge No. 90 in 1969.  WBro. Joe Marable was Master of Ionic Lodge No. 90 in 1960.  VWBro. Desmond Marble was Master of Elliot Bay Lodge No. 257 in 1963 and 1971 and served as Deputy of the Grand Master 1966-1968.  WBro. Wold was Master of Ionic Lodge No. 90 in 1966.  Bro. Frank Bean was raised a Master Mason in St. John’s in 1943.  'Flags,' as he was known by his navy comrades and family, was in command of his ship in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked.  He served his country honorably and with pride, and was a credit to the highest traditions of the naval service, which he loved.

 Accelerated Reader Expense

WBro. Joseph Lund requested that the lodge consider using the remaining funding for the accelerated reader programs in this year’s budget as an advance on next year’s program.  He m/s/p that funds be expended from this years budget and deduct the amount from the expenditure next year. 

Lodge of Sorrow

The Washington Masonic Code, Sec. 23.02 B.L. allows a Master, on vote of a Lodge, to open a Lodge of Sorrow, which will remain open only during his term of office, for the purpose of conducting Masonic funeral rites.  It was m/s/p that a Lodge of Sorrow, for the purpose of conducting Masonic funeral services under such restrictions as provided by the Washington Masonic Code of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, be opened Saturday, December 8, 2007.

2008 All-Member Trip to Leavenworth

VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (not present) has suggested that the lodge sponsor a bus trip to Leavenworth.  Leavenworth-Zarthan Lodge No. 148 might be amenable to opening their building for our use.  We could celebrate Oktoberfest or participate in the annual Christmas tree lighting.  The bus expense could be shared with the lodge and those participating.  It was generally felt that this might be of interest in 2008 and it was m/s/p to expend funds from this year’s budget to reserve a bus for a 2008 October trip to Leavenworth.  WBro. Charles Tupper will chair this lodge outing.  A show of hands indicated that a Saturday not in conflict with a home Husky football game would be preferred.

Officer Installation Expenses

Bro. Jim Wold m/s/p that funds be authorized for expenses for the December 8 installation of officers.  This reflects the balance remaining in this year’s budget for this expense.

2008 Officer Planning Dinner

Bro. Wold also m/s/p to authorize funds for expenses for a 2008 officers planning dinner, to be held at Louie's Cuisine of China (Ballard) if available, Saturday, December 15 (5pm).  Other venues will be researched if necessary.

Company Store

At WBro. Hans Wehl’s request, it was m/s/p to authorize restocking certain items in the company store.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

·      November 28 (7pm):  LOMA meeting

·      December 8 (10am):  Installation of Officers (Saturday morning)

·      December 8 (1pm):  Secrets of the Chair (Saturday afternoon, time approximate)

·      December 15 (5pm):  2008 Officers planning dinner

·      December 16 (meet 8am):  Operation Kid Smile at Fort Lewis (meet at Brockway’s)

·      December 19 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated

·      December ____:  Christmas Families gift distribution

·      January 5 (7pm):  Thunderbirds hockey game at Key Arena (District 5 LOMA event)

·      January 10:  Fellowcraft Degree

·      January 11-13:  Principle Officers and Trustees retreat

GOOD OF THE ORDER

Bro. David Flood has returned from visiting St. John's Lodge No. 1 of New York City and suggests that a letter of congratulations be offered from our lodge as they mark their 250^th anniversary celebration.  The lodge was chartered by the Grand Lodge of England on December 7, 1757.  In the 250 years since, the brethren of St. John's Lodge No. 1 have helped shape the American Revolution and the foundation of the Republic, assisted in the inauguration of five U.S. Presidents, and safeguarded the George Washington Inaugural Bible, one of our nation's most precious historical artifacts.  The Secretary was instructed to draft a letter congratulating this historic lodge.

WBros. Frank Pascoe and Fred Turner of the Masonic Park (Granite Falls) approached the East, where they read a citation expressing deep appreciation to the brothers of St. John's Lodge No. 9 for our financial support following the flooding disaster at the Park.  WBro. Pascoe, treasurer of the Masonic Park Board, announced that this lodge has been granted the rights for one free summer outing with dry camping each year for the next twenty years, site to be negotiated.  The brethren stood and applauded to express appreciation of the offer.

WBro. Vinny DiGiulio announced that services will be held for VWBro. Richard D. Rice,
former DDGM in District 7, who passed away November 13, 2007.   Richard was renowned for his graceful and lifelike hand-made wood carvings and he delighted in teaching others the craft. 

Services will be held at the Lake City Christian Church on Sunday, November 25, 2007.  Masons are invited to wear white aprons and gloves.  Light refreshments to follow.

WBro. Joseph Lund said that the Masonic Service Bureau is at a crossroads regarding its future – if any – and all Masters and Secretaries will be invited to a dinner in January to discuss its possible demise.  There are substantial assets which, as a 501 (c)(3) corporation cannot be distributed to the member lodges.  Current President Ray Zimmerman will be moving out of the area next spring.

Bro. Jim Wold expressed his appreciation to the brothers for coming out on an evening before Thanksgiving, supporting the Past Masters and approving the budget.

RWBro. Gale Kenney expressed his appreciation to retiring Master WBro. Charles Tupper for helping to design a new 50-year pin, and presented one of the pins to the Master.

WBro. L. Ramani (The Mount Lodge No. 14, Madras, India) requested an opportunity to approach the East, where he brought greetings from his lodge and expressed his appreciation for the warm reception he received this evening.  He said that he has had the opportunity to visit a number of lodges on his travels in the United States, and this has been a rare and pleasant experience.  He presented copies of a book published by his lodge, “Light from The Mount” to members of the lodge (Master, SW, Secretary and “the youngest member of the lodge who performs outstanding ritual” – WBro. Ken Lane, Jr.)  He concluded with a genuine Kowtow to MWBro. Richard Mecartea.  (Kowtow from the Chinese Kòu tóu  is the act of deep respect shown by kneeling and bowing so low as to touch the head to the ground.) term  The Worshipful Master in turn presented WBro. Ramani a St. John’s lapel pin and copies of Volumes I and II of the St. John’s histories.

Note:

CLOSING OF LODGE