Home - Archive Index - 2009 Archives - June Stated Communication
June Stated Communication At 6:15 PM on June 17th the Brethren, Scholarship recipients, their families, and other friends and guests sat down to the monthly St. John's Lodge No. 9 Stated Communication night dinner.
PROGRAM OF EDUCATION Following dinner and prior to opening of Lodge, Bro. Brian Downie presented several student scholarships recipients and their families. Each student introduced himself and told the assembled brothers and guests which schools they will be attending and their academic interests.
After opening Lodge, the Master thanked Bro. Downie for his fine work with the scholarship committee. Bro. Downie, in turn, thanked members of his committee for their work: Bros. Aren Hakobyan and Ben Giddens and WBro. Ken Lane, Jr.
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 standing invitation to tile the outer door and join his brethren at the inner door, 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 four visiting brothers, WBro. Albert Gustafson (Lafayette No. 241), WBro. David Powell (West University No. 1292, Houston, TX), WBro. Jerry Berger (Greenwood No. 253), and WBro. Jim Lumsden (Greenwood No. 253). Also present but not introduced were WBro. Ken Callihan (Richmond-Haller Lake No. 246), Bros. Mark Goldberg and Joachim Mueller (Esoterika Lodge No. 316) and Musician Bro. Adam Creighton (Greenwood Lodge No. 253).
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. Charles Tupper (technology), WBro. Hans Wehl (public schools), WBro. Larry Blake (public relations), WBro. Darrel Womack (photography chairman), VWBro. Charles Brockway (membership development), Bro. Fred Corbett (credentials), WBro. Vinny DiGiulio (CHIP committee), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP chairman), VWBro. Mike Davis (Pres. CHIP Foundation), VWBro. Marvin Pearson (Deputy of the Grand Master District No. 4), VWBro. Michael Cuadra (Deputy of the Grand Master District No. 5), VWBro. Jim Russell (Junior Grand Steward), VWBro. Jerald Lingle (Grand Marshal), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Grand Historian), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), MWBro. Al Jorgensen (jurisprudence), all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington. They were accorded the public Grand Honors.
The Senior Deacon conducted VWBro. Steve Pennington to the East, where he was introduced by the Master as a Special Deputy of the Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington. VWBro. Pennington was accorded the public Grand Honors and invited to remain in the East. RECEPTION OF THE GRAND MASTER
The Master instructed the Senior Deacon to seek out the Grand Master of Washington, MWBro. Gale Kenney, who was presented at the Altar. The Master then escorted MWBro. Kenney to the East, where he was accorded the public Grand Honors and invited to preside over the lodge. The Grand Master thanked the Master for his offer to preside and indicated that he would be pleased for Bro. Mitchell to continue with the business at hand. 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 in value for the third consecutive month. It increased 8.39% in May. EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (MWBro. Richard Mecartea, VWBro. David Campbell, WBro. Bill Collison), were submitted to the Lodge for approval. After the acting chairman, VWBro. Campbell, 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: The annual Square and Compass Outdoor Jamboree will be held July 10th, 11th, and 12th at Wenatchee River County Park. Reservations for breakfast, dinner and golf should be made. Information is with the correspondence circulating. The annual open air degree at the Masonic Park has been announced for Saturday, August 1. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police Masons will be conferring the Master Mason degree. A “unity march” with members of Prince Hall Masons will be held Sunday, August 2nd in DuPont, Washington. Masons will be recognized at a special Masonic Lodge Night at the Tacoma Rainiers, Sunday, August 16. Tickets are infield Reserved Seats behind home plate. Newsletters and Trestleboards have been received from the Phinney Neighborhood Association, the HOPE Heart Institute, Eureka Lodge No. 72, Daylight Lodge No. 232, and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Master reported on actions taken at the 151st annual communication of Grand Lodge in Spokane. MWBro. Gale Kenney was elected Grand Master. RWBro. G. Santy Lascano was elected Deputy Grand Master; RWBro. Michael Sanders was elected Senior Grand Warden; RWBro. Dean Heineman was elected Junior Grand Warden; and RWBro. David Owen was re-elected Grand Secretary. The Master also reported on the passage, carry-overs, and defeats of legislation at the annual communication. The Master also announced that the St. John's website was named the best website for the third year in a row. VWBro. Jim Russell added that WBro. Charles Tupper was awarded the “Traveling Man of the Year,” and WBro. Darrel Womack was named “Mason of the Year.” Both brothers are members of St. John's. The brethren accorded each a warm congratulations. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS VWBro. David Campbell (6/1/26), WBro. Helmuth Svoboda (6/9/39), WBro. Ken Lane, Jr. (6/10/60), VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (6/26/52), and Bro. Brian Downie (6/24/84) were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Lodge By-Laws The Master called for the revised by-laws and new Exhibit A to be considered for adoption. WBro. Bill Collison m/s/f that we table action on the by-laws changes until such time as "harmony" is restored within the Lodge (9-13). Following discussion, VWBro. Jim Russell m/s/p that proposed revisions to Article III, section 2 be stricken ($100 for plural affiliation). Following further discussion, WBro. Charles Tupper m/s/p that proposed revisions to Article III, section 3 be stricken (increase of dues to $40 a year plus any Grand Lodge assessment except for those brothers over the age of 65 or Past Masters who would continue to pay $1 plus any Grand Lodge assessment). It was m/s/p to replace new language “in accordance with approved accounting methods” to “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” MWBro. Al Jorgensen m/s/p that Article VII new section 11 be amended to delete “the secretary or” (effectively requires the Treasurer’s signature to be on all checks. Bro. David Flood m/s/p that the proposed by-laws as amended and new exhibit A be approved. The Master will prepare the amended version for the secretary to submit to the Grand Master for approval. NEW BUSINESS No new business was presented. ANNOUNCEMENTS The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
GOOD OF THE ORDER WBro. Terry Grove remarked that the Children Identification Program (CHIP) has acquired new video equipment which will speed up the processing of children’s identification and will reduce the expenses associated with video discs. VWBro. Michael Cuadra announced that a food handler class will be held at 2pm this Sunday at University Lodge. Bro. Albert Gustafson said that he has been sojourning for several years in Japan, and as a life member of Lafayette Lodge No, 241, it is good to be “back home.” VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan invited the brethren to attend the Installation of Officers for Daylight Lodge No. 232, Saturday, July 11. MWBro. Gale Kenney will be the Installing Officer. REMARKS FROM THE GRAND MASTER MWBro. Gale Kenney received the gavel from the Master and said that he was proud to be a member of St. John's No. 9. He acknowledged that we were going through a rough period, but encouraged the brethren to reach out and work together; to agree to disagree. The Grand Master said that his theme as Grand Master this year is to inform, inspire, and involve. He wants to respectfully inform the greater community about Freemasonry; to inspire our brothers to do good work in the community; and to involve all brothers in our work. The proceeds from the sales of his lapel pins, which will be available for purchase by mid-July, will go to our three Masonic youth organizations. There will be a Grand Master’s medallion designed to generate money for the CHIP program. Additional money will be raised to go to the Starlight Foundation of Washington. The Starlight Foundation is dedicated to lifting the spirits of seriously ill children and their families. 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, the flag was retired and the Lodge closed in Ample form by the Grand Master at 9:26pm, peace and harmony prevailing. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Website © 2002 - 2009 - St. John's Lodge No. 9 F&AM of Washington - All Rights Reserved |