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February Stated Communication
Written by aid of the official Minutes - Photographs by WB Darrel Womack

At 6:15 on the third Wednesday of February the members, visitors, and guests met, once again, at the Greenwood Masonic Center for the monthly Stated Communication of St. John's Lodge No. 9.  The Master was absent this month as he was preparing for a long awaited trip to Italy which would commence the next morning.  Taking his place for the meeting was the Senior Warden, Nick Mitchell.

PROGRAM OF EDUCATION

Following dinner and prior to opening of Lodge, Oppenheimer representatives Darrel Lynch and Lance Rounds spoke to the assembled brothers and guests.  They addressed the strategy process used by our investment team to manage our financial assets.  They first define the goals and investment style with the guidance of the St. John's Trustees, establish an asset allocation strategy, determine investment selection,  monitor its progress, and routinely rebalance the portfolio as values shift.

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

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 six visiting brothers, WBro. Marv Pearson (Greenwood Lodge No. 253), Bro. David Sheldon (Occidental Lodge No. 72), WBro. Altay Birand (Tolerans [Tolerance] Lodge No. 76, Ankara, Turkey), Bro. John Higgins (Rainier Lodge No. 189), Bro. Carl Cook (University Lodge No. 141), and Bro. Sam Pearson (Everett Lodge No. 137).   Also present was Musician Bro. Adam Creighton (Greenwood Lodge No. 253).

The Master introduced VWBro. Mike Davis (Queen Anne Lodge No. 242), WBro. Greg Brown (Everett Lodge No. 137), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281) and WBro. Joseph Lund (Esoterika Lodge No. 316), Masters of their respective lodges, from the East.  They were accorded a warm St. John's welcome.

The Senior Warden introduced Bro. Bret Sandstrom, Senior Warden of Sedro-Woolley Lodge No. 93 who was raised in and is a member of St. John's.  He was accorded a warm welcome by his brothers.

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 (photographer), VWBro. Mike Davis (Chmn. CHIP Foundation), MWBro. Sat Tashiro (CHIP Foundation & jurisprudence), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), and WBro. Sam Roberts (Grand Orator), all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington.  They were accorded the public Grand Honors.

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer reported that our financial portfolio has fallen 8.2% since the previous month.  We continue to follow the market trends.  Any brother who desires further detailed information may see the Treasurer following this stated communication.  

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY

The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (Bros. Nick Mitchell, Rick Heston and WBro. Jeff Lane), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.  After the acting chairman, Bro. Heston, 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 brethren, the bills were approved for payment. 

COMMUNICATIONS

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

Chinatown Discovery Tours has reminded us to experience the culture and sites of Chinatown.  Circulating is a walking tour brochure of our Seattle Asian community and the newly furnished Wing Luke Museum.

We have received a nice letter from one of our student scholars, Chris Kaminski.  He has an internship with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network.

The Phinney Neighborhood Association is looking for donations to its May 2009 auction fund raiser.  The Greenwood Food bank acknowledges our contributions for 2008.  The Blue Nile Children’s Organization reminds us of our 2008 commitment to sponsor three children and seeks similar support for 2009.  Also, they will be holding a dinner/auction this coming Saturday, February 21.

Districts 2, 4, and 5 will be conducting a Secrets of the Chair ceremony for all newly installed Masters on Monday, March 2^nd, at Doric Masonic Center.

We have received newsletters and trestleboards from the HOPE Heart Institute, the Phinney Neighborhood Association, Heirloom Bible Publishing, Northwest Little League, Eureka Lodge No. 20, University Lodge No. 141, and Lafayette Lodge No. 241.  Please take home an extra copy of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

WBro. Joseph Lund reported that the Masonic Service Bureau overcame its quorum difficulties of recent months and was able to elect a slate of officers for this year.  Bro. Bill Werner of Myrtle Lodge No. 108 is chairing a committee to re-write the bylaws for consideration.  The MSB has no outstanding loans; is available for funeral services, and has enough money to spend to be beneficial to needy persons in the community.  WBro. Bud Robinson is the new Corporate Secretary and should be of valuable service to the Bureau.  Plans are underway to generate a series of workshops to train those who are willing to assist in Masonic funeral services.

WBro. Jeff Lane reported that the Board of Trustees met Monday of this week.  Our financial portfolio has generally followed the market trend.  We have received a check from Grand Lodge for our Life Membership participation.  It was agreed to pay the Secretary and Treasurer an additional month of compensation to bring their pay into the current month period and to provide an explanatory footnote for the 2009 audit committee.  The Master presented a summary of his opinion that brothers of this lodge, including members of the Board of Trustees, are breeching the Masonic Code and our established code of conduct, with instructions to establish a formal written control policy.  As our first fiduciary responsibility is to the lodge, we must remember charity to other organizations is a secondary responsibility.  Options to celebrate our 150^th anniversary will be considered at our next meeting.  The next scheduled meeting will be held at the Greenwood Masonic Center library, Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 6pm.

Bro. Nick Mitchell reported that the FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch will likely again be at the Ivar’s Salmon House, however our usual 1^st Sunday of May date has already been taken.  We will probably be celebrating this event with our families on Sunday, May 17 or possibly sometime in April.

The Master requested the Secretary to check on the status of our request (through the Grand Lodge of Washington) that an investigation be made on a brother who desires to be re-instated.  Bro. Donald Joseph Zuck, previously dropped NPD by Ionic Lodge No. 90, desires to become current and affiliate with a lodge in California.  He cannot do this without being a member in good standing with St. John’s.  This requires that a formal balloting for re-instatement, complete with the necessary investigations, be completed.

MEMORIAL SCROLL

A memorial scroll was read for Bro. Earl Isril Cashar, followed by a memorial service by  Bro. Brian Downie. 

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS 

WBro. Hans Wehl (2/17/38) and Bro. Matt LaCroix (2/25/84) were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life.

MASONIC INSTRUCTION

WBro. Alan Pinch was called upon by the Master to introduce the topic of proper Masonic conduct.  He said that the officers of the lodge have agreed to remind a brother of his fault, to endeavor to aid his reformation, and to defend his character – all admonitions in the Master’s closing charge.

Bro. Nick Mitchell followed this with a reminder that we have an obligation to perfect our minds and consciences in the manner in which we deal with every human being, but more especially with a brother Mason.  We are to be good men and true and to regulate our conduct.  We are to shed our biases and prejudices; to spread brotherly love and friendship; to act as Masons in and out of the lodge.  We must talk with one another to work out our differences in a friendly manner.  If two brothers cannot work out their differences, each officer of the lodge has agreed to hold them to disagree agreeably.  If a brother continues to speak derisively of another brother, the Master will call him out in open lodge and may go so far as to ask him to withdraw from participation in the lodge.  Finally, as a matter of last resort, a brother may be brought up on charges of unmasonic conduct, as outlined in the Masonic Code.

Bro. Mitchell concluded by passing on the word of the day for next meeting, our annual table lodge:  “Carnival.”

NEW BUSINESS

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 2009 tax preparation software for this purpose.  VWBro. Charles Brockway recommended checking the good price at Costco.

Table Lodge Expenses

Next month’s stated communication will be in the form of our annual table lodge.  It was m/s/p to authorize the customary expenses associated with holding the annual St. John's table lodge in March.

INTRODUCTION OF VISITOR FROM TURKEY

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

·          February 25 (7pm):  District 5 LOMA meeting

·          February 28 (8:30am): Washington DeMolay Foundation breakfast at Greenwood

·          March 9 (7-9pm):  Ritual instruction classes at Greenwood Masonic Center

·          March 10 (7pm):  Officers Meeting

·          March 12 (6pm):  Board of Trustees

·          March 13-15:  16^th Annual Warden’s Conference (Yakima)

·          March 18 (6:15pm):  St. John’s 9 (Table Lodge) Stated

·          March 25 (7pm):  District 5 LOMA meeting

VWBro. Charles Brockway announced that the Washington DeMolay Foundation breakfast has been delayed until April 4 and will be held at the Landmark on the Sound.

GOOD OF THE ORDER

The Senior Warden announced that he would be distributing St. John's decals as “wages” following the close of the meeting.

WBro. Bill Collison thanked the brethren on behalf of the University Lion’s Foundation for our contribution to that organization’s services to the blind and visually impaired.

WBro. Sam Roberts invited the brethren to participate in the Grand Lodge Workshop to be held at 8am, Saturday, March 28, at Delta-White Center.  Pre-registration will be $10, $12 at the door.  Classes will include the new lodge proficiency program.  Ladies are invited.

VWBro. David Campbell invited the brethren to attend Eureka Lodge No. 20 for a Master Mason degree, Monday, February 23.  WBro. Marv Pearson invited the brethren to Greenwood Lodge No. 253, Tuesday, February 24, for an Entered Apprentice degree and Wednesday, February 25, for a Fellowcraft degree.  MWBro. Richard Mecartea invited all to attend the stated communication of Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281 on Thursday, February 26.

VWBro. Mike Davis thanked VWBro. Jim Russell and WBro. Charles Tupper for their assistance with Queen Anne Lodge No.  242 Fellowcraft degrees and invited the brethren to two more FC degrees scheduled for March 12.

CLOSING OF LODGE

The minutes of this communication were read and approved in short form.  There being no further business to come before this lodge of Entered Apprentice Masons, the flag was retired and the lodge closed in due and ancient form by the acting Worshipful Master at 9:02pm, peace and harmony prevailing.