the assembled brothers and guests in a pledge of allegiance to the flag.  The Worshipful Master presented the scouts with a check as a gift from the lodge.

OPENING OF LODGE

 The Lodge opened on the First Degree at 7:33 p.m., thirty-nine members and six visitors in attendance as per Tyler's Register.  The above officers were in their stations and places, except that Bro. Matt LaCroix filled the place of the absent Chaplain.

INTRODUCTIONS

Following the tiled opening of the lodge and 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, Grand Lodge officers and committeemen and the Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5.  In attendance and receiving a warm St. John’s welcome were two visiting brothers, Bros. Sam Ali (Daylight No. 232) and Adam Creighton (Greenwood No. 253).

The Senior Warden introduced his counterpart, WBro. Joseph Lund, Senior Warden of Esoterika Lodge No. 316.  The Master introduced WBros. Anthony Monaco (Daylight No. 232) and Ken Lane, Jr. (Esoterika Lodge No. 316).  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 WBro. Darrel Womack (public relations), WBro. Terry Grove (charity & CHIP), WBro. Charles Tupper (technology), VWBro. Charles Brockway (Special Deputy), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Assistant Grand Secretary Emeritus), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), MWBro. Sat Tashiro (jurisprudence), MWBro. Al Jorgensen (jurisprudence), and RWBro. Gale Kenney (Senior Grand Warden), all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.  They were accorded the public Grand Honors.

PRESENTATION  OF THE DEPUTY OF THE GRAND MASTER

The Master instructed the Senior Deacon to present the Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5 at the altar.  VWBro. Maher was greeted at the altar and escorted to the East by the Worshipful Master.  He was accorded the public Grand Honors and offered the gavel  He sat the brethren and graciously asked the Master to continue to preside.

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 finances were in order.

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY

The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (Bro. Chris Carney, VWBro. Charles Brockway, WBro. Charles Tupper), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the chairman, Bro. Carney, 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:

We  have received a note from Mr. Bill Feldner, who expresses his appreciation for an invitation to join us for dinner.  He will be submitting a petition for the degrees this evening.  Bro. George Atterson sends a note from Prescott, AZ, where he is now undergoing treatment for cancer.  Bro. Mark Koenig has written to report that he has changed jobs and is now Director of Prospect Research and Management at George Washington University (formerly Georgetown University).  MWBro. Charles McQuery has sent a thank you message for the flowers he received following a heart attack late last month.  He is up and around and doing better.

Included in the correspondence is a copy of our latest full page ad in the DeMolay state convention program.

We have received a notice of the 1^st Annual Prostate Cancer Symposium sponsored by Gilda’s Club Seattle, date of March 29.  The Blue Nile Children’s Organization will be hosting a major fund raising event at St. Mark’s Cathedral, Saturday, March 8.  They hope to raise $30,000 to complete their project to build the medical clinic in Addis Ababa.  The Phinney Neighborhood Association is also holding a fund raising annual auction on May 3.

We have received thank you’s from the Cascade Symphony Orchestra of Edmonds, and St. John Catholic School.  We contributed a small amount to St. John Catholic School as our thank you to them for allowing us to use their parking facilities during our stated communications.

The Grand lodge of Washington has sent us a check as our share of the earnings (4.732%) generated through the life Membership Endowment Fund.  The Grand Lodge also announces the annual Lodge Officers competition, One Day Conferrals, and the availability of a training program on introductions conducted by the Grand Lecturer.

With sorrow we announce the passing on January 24, 2008 of  MWBro. Toby Johnson, Grand Master of Masons for the year 1979-1980.

Newsletters and Trestleboards have been received from the Phinney Neighborhood Association, The HOPE Heart Institute, Eureka Lodge No. 20, Diamond Lodge No. 83, Doric Lodge No. 92, University Lodge No. 141, and Edmonds Lodge No. 165.   Please take home an extra copy of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

WBro. Hans Wehl reported on the recent meeting of the Board of Trustees.  We met with our financial advisors to discuss our investment portfolio.  It was agreed to move our small Cap funds into our Mutual funds portfolio and research other options for investing.  It will be recommended that three deceased brothers be added to the Tree of Life.  It was agreed to recommend that the lodge purchase a heart defibulator; to donate the budgeted amount to the Greenwood Temple Association; and to recommend that the lodge contribute to the Guaranteed Education Tuition fund for the son of a military man killed in action in Iraq.   It was generally agreed to not recommend additional funding for Blue Nile and Phinney Neighborhood Association beyond that already budgeted.  We will work with the Masonic Youth committee toward possible sponsorship of a DeMolay Chapter.

Bro. Chris Carney reported that the Family Brunch will be held Sunday, May 4, at 10am this year at Ivar’s Salmon House.  New construction at Ivar’s enables us to have a room (cap. 150) of our own upstairs with a wonderful view.  Reservations will be required for those wishing to attend with their families. 

WBro. Joseph Lund reported that he has been recently elected president of the Masonic Service Bureau, and because of that we are searching for a replacement Trustee (representative) to the Bureau.  The Bureau will continue to provide funeral teams and will be holding classes to train new team volunteers.   The Bureau is looking leaner, having cut many unnecessary expenses.  Services once offered but now rarely used have been eliminated.  It is hoped to get a user-friendly web site that would enable the Bureau to discontinue renting space for an office.  Before these cuts, it was it was costing the Bureau $8 to give away $1.  WBro. Serco Tokatlian volunteered to serve as our Trustee to the Bureau. 

WBro. Lund also reported that he and three others from St. John’s (WBros. Jim Wold, Darrel Womack, and VWBro. Jim Russell) attended a school assembly at Sacajawea Elementary to present four bicycles to students who participated in the Accelerated Reader program at that school.  We are looking for a 3^rd school to add to our Accelerated Reader program.  Cedar Way Elementary is no longer participating.  John Rogers continues to participate with enthusiasm.

The Master announced that he has distributed the Master’s charity fund for January and will be glad to speak privately regarding this contribution with anyone following the meeting. 

WBro. Charles Tupper reported that reservations have already been coming in for this fall’s trip to the Leavenworth Oktoberfest.  The bus has been chartered and will hold 59.  The brethren of  Zarthan Lodge No. 148 (Leavenworth) will be preparing a meal.  The cost of the trip will be $10 per person, limited to a brother and his lady.  Reservations will be opened up later if space is available.  It is expected that the bus will be leaving the Seattle area October 4 about 8:30 and will return that evening. 

READING OF PETITION 

A petition for the degrees was received from Mr. William Feldner.  Mr. Feldner was born in Minot, North Dakota.  He is married and practices as a dentist in Mill Creek.  He was recommended to us by VWBro. Carl Alexander.  Both VWBro. Alexander and Mr. Feldner joined us for dinner this evening, where three brothers from this lodge signed his petition:   WBro. Jeff Lane, Bro. Rick Heston, and WBro. Skip Albertson.

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

BALLOTING ON PETITIONS

A favorable ballot was spread on WBro. Roger Barnstead for plural affiliation.  An unfavorable ballot was spread on another petition for plural affiliation.  Both petitioners had received unanimous favorable recommendations by their investigating committees.

MEMORIAL SCROLLS

Memorial scrolls were read for Bros. Jorvard Thorgeny Smith and Cdr.  Max J. Roushman, Jr.,  followed by a memorial service by Bro. Brian Downie.

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS

WBros. Daryl Anguish, Hans Wehl, Bro. Matt LaCroix  were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Money unspent

The Secretary announced that funds authorized and issued at last month’s stated communication will not be spent.  WBro. Charles Tupper has repaired the Secretary’s group email system and therefore there will be no need (knock on wood) to call in the Geek Squad.  Grand lodge has returned the $350 we issued to send our Junior Deacon and his wife to the annual Wardens Conference, announcing that they do not wish to include officers beyond the two Wardens and Senior Deacon. 

NEW BUSINESS

Company Store

WBro. Hans Wehl reminded the brethren that we have new firing glasses available in the company store, as well as jackets, vests, and other nice items with the St. John’s Lodge No. 9 logo.  What remains at this time is the need to fill in a few of the items that have been sold.  It was m/s/p to repay WBro. Hans Wehl for three jackets purchased for the company store.

Table Lodge

VWBro. Charles Brockway reported that he has purchased wine, beer and juices for our table lodge next month.  WBro. Charles Tupper will be printing the script once it is formulated and approved by the Worshipful Master.  It was m/s/p to repay Charles Brockway for beverages which will be available at table lodge.

Guaranteed Education Tuition

VWBro. Charles Brockway proposed that the lodge contribute to a Guaranteed Education Tuition Program (GET) for the 3-year old daughter of WBro. Richard Hawley’s nephew, Sean Gaul, who was killed in action in Iraq.  The Guaranteed Education Tuition Program is a prepaid college tuition plan.  With GET, you prepay for your child’s college tuition today.  Your account is guaranteed to keep pace with college tuition and you can use it at nearly any public or private college in the country.  It was m/s/p to contribute to a Guaranteed Education Tuition fund for Alana Gaul, grand-niece of WBro. Richard Hawley.

Blue Nile Children’s Organization

Bro. Matt LaCroix reported that the committee entrusted to select three orphans from a list provided by the Blue Nile Children’s Organization has done its work, and it was m/s/p to send the required funds to the Blue Nile Children’s Organization to support three orphans for one year.

Tax Preparation Software

The Treasurer has offered to prepare the tax returns for this lodge again this year.  It was m/s/p to authorize WBro. Ken Lane to purchase tax preparation software for this purpose.

Summer Picnic Expenses

Bro. Joe Oates, Jr. will be chairing our summer picnic this year.  The picnic is scheduled for Sunday, August 10 (11am – 4pm) at the Nile Shrine picnic grounds.  It was m/s/p to authorize Bro. Joe Oates spend lodge funds for the lodge summer picnic.

Masonic Service Bureau

The funeral team of the Masonic Service Bureau was called upon to represent our lodge at the graveside service for Bro. Cmdr. Max Roushman last week-end.  As is our custom, it was m/s/p to send a donation to the Masonic Service Bureau as our appreciation for the funeral team service of Bro. Cmdr. Max Roushman.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

•  February 27 (7pm):  Officers meeting/practice/degree
•  February 27 (7pm):  District 5 LOMA meeting
• March 4 (7:30):  Youth Committee Meeting
• March 8 (6pm):  Districts 4&5 Celebration of Masonry (Ballard Masonic Center)
• March 10 (7-9pm):  Ritual instruction classes at Greenwood Masonic Center
• March 18 (6pm):  Long Range Planning meeting @ Lane, Sr.
• March 19 (6:15pm):  St. John’s 9 Stated Table Lodge – Eric Vogt – speaker
• March 26 (7pm):  Officers meeting/practice/degree
• March 26 (7pm):  District 5 LOMA meeting
• April 9 (7pm):  degree
• April 11-13:  Warden’s Seminar (Yakima)

DEPUTY OF THE GRAND MASTER MESSAGE

The Master turned the gavel over to VWBro. Jim Maher, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, who said that he was proud of the brothers of St. John’s who have demonstrated they know how to “step up” to the plate when they see a need in our community.  He gave three examples:  We provided a motel room for the  wife of a brother  from another