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

OPENING OF LODGE

The Lodge opened on the Third Degree at 5:30 p.m. and was immediately called to Refreshment to convene a Table Lodge.  Thirty-six members and five visitors were in attendance.  All officers were in their stations and places, except that WBro. Joseph Lund took the place of the absent Senior Deacon, Bro. Phillip See took the place of the absent Senior Steward, and that of the absent Musician was left unfilled. TABLE LODGE Following the invocation by the Chaplain, the Master called for the Senior and Junior Wardens  to invite our brethren on the columns of the North and South to assist in opening the “Royal Court of King Solomon.”  The Marshal led the brethren in pledging allegiance to the flag and the Chaplain opened with prayer.

THE CEREMONY OF THE TOASTS

Throughout dinner, several toasts were proposed and acknowledged.  They included toasts

1. to the President of the United States of America

2. to the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of England

3. to Douglas E. Tucker, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Washington

4. to the Arts and Sciences

5. to our visiting Brethren

6. to the ill and distressed brethren who cannot be with us, and regular Freemasons the world over, wherever so dispersed

7. to the memory of our departed Brethren

8. to the U.S. Military Forces

9. to all poor and distressed Freemasons

Throughout the course of the toasts, some business was addressed.

INTRODUCTIONS

Visiting brothers were introduced and accorded a warm welcome.

The Master introduced VWBro. Michael Cuadra, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, and Deputy Grand Master RWBro. Gale Kenney, each of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Washington.  They were accorded a hearty welcome.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COMMUNICATION

The Master informed the brethren that the Minutes of the previous communication were available in full as posted at the Tyler’s door.  The minutes reflected the following:

The Lodge opened on the first degree at 7:49pm, thirty-one members and nine visitors in attendance.  The minutes were read in short form and approved as posted; the Treasurer reported that our financial portfolio fell 8.2% in January.  Expenses of $6,803.35 were approved.  Communications were read; committee reports were received.  A memorial scroll was read for Bro. Earl Isril Cashar.  Masonic instruction was provided by Bros. Allan Pinch and Nick Mitchell.  It was agreed to purchase 2009 tax preparation software and to authorize customary expenses associated with holding table lodge in March.    Announcements were made.  The Lodge was closed at 9:02pm, peace and harmony prevailing.

COMMUNICATIONS

We have received a thank you for additional information which we provided in his research from the grandson of one of our Past Masters.  Captain JFT Mitchell was a Master of St. John's Lodge No. 9 for two years, 1878 and 1879.

Further information for  share holders has been received from speech conversation technology corporation Conversay, one of our private securities.

We have received the Minutes of the annual meeting for the Masonic Service Bureau.  Joseph Warren Lodge No. 235 invites brothers to attend its table lodge festivities on a 4^th Wednesday, April 22^nd.  Lynden Lodge No. 56 held a dinner honoring our Deputy Grand Master Gale Kenney and Deputy Grand Master Brian Tucker of British Columbia & Yukon.  Bremerton Lodge No. 117 held a Shamrock Dinner last Saturday.  The Washington DeMolay Foundation will hold a breakfast Saturday, April 4, with former Mariner pitcher Bill Kruger as keynote speaker.

Grand Lodge of Washington will conduct a regional workshop for all Masons, Saturday, March 28, at Delta-White Center Masonic Center.  The workshop will include Long Range Planning, Mentoring the Mason, Ritual and Protocol and other interesting topics of instruction and sharing.  The Grand Lodge also announces a new VISA credit card program.

Grand Master MWBro. Doug Tucker has clarified and granted permission for veterans and members of the armed services to offer the military salute when our country’s flag is presented at Masonic meetings and proceedings.

We have received a request to support one of the Rainbow Girls in her Rainbow Walk for a Child walk-a-thon.  We have received a thank you from the Richmond Highland Rainbow Girls who also invite us to a special Masonic Honor Night on Tuesday, April 14^th.   

We have received newsletters and trestleboards from the HOPE Heart Institute, the Phinney Neighborhood Association, the Seattle Youth Symphony (our lodge emblem appears on page 7), the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce, Eureka Lodge No. 20, University Lodge No. 141, Daylight Lodge No. 232, Lafayette Lodge No. 24, and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281.  Please take home an extra copy of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading.

MASONIC EDUCATION

Worshipful Master Chris Carney recently returned from Italy, and there in Florence at the Uffizi museum, he found himself admiring Botticelli’s masterpiece The Calumny of Apelles. The definition of Calumny is:  A misrepresentation intended to harm another's reputation; or the act of uttering false charges or misrepresentations maliciously calculated to harm another's reputation.

Apelles is the name of a Greek artist who is described as having painted a similar painting in retaliation for being brought up on false charges by a rival before his king, in the writings of Lucian of Samosata; the original painting has unfortunately been lost to time, however it was this description that Botticelli used as the basis for his masterpiece. It is important to understand that his purpose was not simply to copy this work, but to use its historical reference and distinct similarity as a disguise for a much more daring and dangerous statement; a statement that goes straight to the heart of our esoteric work as Masons.  The most obvious point, given the antiquity of this painting and its inspiration, is simply to note that acts of calumny and slander are obviously nothing new.

The Master displayed this and other work to illustrate the theme.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Bros. Nick Mitchell, George Rine, and Joseph Oates reported on their attendance at the annual Wardens Conference in Yakima.  The brothers expressed their appreciation to the lodge for our sponsorship of this experience.

Bro. Brian Downie announced that the scholarship committee will be meeting at 6pm on Tuesday, March 31, at the home of Ken Lane, Sr.  He invited any brother who wished to become involved in the work of the committee to please attend.

WBro. Mark Campbell reported that representatives from the Masonic youth groups will be demonstrating their talents at next month’s stated communication.

WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. showed examples of the sweatshirts and baseball caps that are available to show our support of the Northwest Little League team sponsored by St. John's.  He noted that this year the sponsors of the teams are invited to throw out the first pitch leading into the games, Saturday, March 28.

VWBro. Carl Alexander affirmed that the Scottish Rite Spring Reunion will be held at the Bellevue Masonic Center, opening at 7pm, this Friday, March 20.  This two-day program will feature four brothers from our lodge entering the Scottish Rite.

Bro. Matt LaCroix reported that the media relations kit is moving along well in its development and that he hopes to have samples available at our next communication. 

CALL TO LABOR

Following the close of Table Lodge, the brethren re-assembled in the lodge room at 8:45pm, where the lodge was called from Refreshment to Labor on the third degree.  The Tyler was invited to tile the outer door and to join his brethren at the inner door.

EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­MARCH

The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (Bro. Bro. Nick Mitchell, VWBro. Charles Brockway, and WBro. Hans Wehl), were submitted to the Lodge for approval.   After the chairman, Bro. Mitchell, 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. 

TREASURER’S REPORT

The Treasurer reported that our portfolio has decreased by 9% since January.

REPORT OF THE TRUSTEES

Bro. Nick Mitchell stated that the Board of trustees met March 12, 2009, and reported the following:

  The meeting opened in the Greenwood Masonic library at 6pm.  Mr. Lance Rounds and Mr. Darrel Lynch were available to discuss our investment portfolio.  Our portfolio has underperformed the Russell 2000 and outperformed the S&P 500.   Bro. David Flood presented the 2007 audit report to the Trustees with recommendations. We have received a copy of a letter from Santa Monica Lodge No. 307 of California to one of our brothers requesting that he discontinue soliciting their members.  Trustees dis-approved a request to solicit walk-a-thon contributions for a charity not sponsored by the lodge.  We will try to avoid re-acting to financial lows as well as highs in any given market year.  It was agreed to maintain the 2009 budget level of $20,000 for student scholarships.  It was requested that members of the Board of Trustees receive copies of prepared remarks given by Bro. Mitchell at the February stated communication.  Bro. George Rine is arranging programs for our education and entertainment preceding the April and May stated communications.  There being no further business to come before the Trustees, the meeting closed at 8:30pm.  The next scheduled meeting will be held at the Greenwood Masonic library, Wednesday, May 13, 2009 at 6pm.

READING OF PETITIONS

A petition for the degrees was received from Mr. James Pierce Taber.  Mr. Taber, who prefers to be called “Pierce,” was born November 7, 1981, in Great Falls, Montana.  He works as a writer for the Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce.  He is single and has lived in Washington for 15 months.  He initially contacted us through our webpage and states that he seeks a sense of community and personal development.  He is sponsored by Charles Tupper, George Rine, and Hans Wehl.

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

BALLOTING ON PETITIONS

Favorable ballots were spread on Mr. Simon Letarte for the degrees and Bro. Donald Joseph Zuck for re-instatement.  Action on Bro. Zuck’s request began with the reading of his petition at our October 2008 stated communication.  Both petitioners had received unanimous favorable recommendations by their investigating committees.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:

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

·         March 28 (8/9am):  Grand Lodge Regional Workshop (Tukwila)

·         March 31 (6pm):  Scholarship Committee Meeting

·         April 4 (8:30am): Washington DeMolay Foundation breakfast at Landmark on the Sound

·         April 7 (7pm):  Officers Meeting

·         April 13 (7-9pm):  Ritual instruction classes at Greenwood Masonic Center

·         April 15 (6:15pm) 7:30pm:  St. John’s 9 (dinner) Stated Masonic Youth Night

·         April 20 (7pm): Greenwood Lodge Fellowship Night – dinner & games

·         May 16/17:  University District Street Fair

·         May 17 (10am):  FABulous Family Brunch – Ivar’s Salmon House

Bro. Nick Mitchell encouraged all brothers and their families to attend the FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch which will be held again this year at Ivar’s Salmon House.  The date is Sunday, May 17, and will open at 10am.  Reservations will be required.

GOOD OF THE ORDER VWBro. Michael Cuadra, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, presented certificates in Lodge Management to WBros. Ken Lane, Jr., Chris Carney, and Jim Wold.  They were congratulated by the brethren of the lodge.

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 Master Masons, the Lodge closed in due and ancient form by the Worshipful Master at 9:23pm, peace and harmony prevailing.