Home - Archive Index - 2010 Archives - February Stated Communication February Stated Communication Edited Secretary's minutes, Photographs by WB Darrel Womack
OPENING OF LODGE The Lodge opened on the first degree at 7:35pm, twenty-five members and fifteen visitors in attendance as per Tyler's Register. The above officers were in their stations and places, except that Bro. George Rine presided in the East and MWBro. Al Jorgensen sat in the West for the formal opening ceremonies.
The ladies of our brothers were holding a special program in the dining room, led by Ms Nancy Jorgensen, wife of our Worshipful Master. Joining in the festivities with Nancy Jorgensen were Jan Alexander, Sherla Brockway, Aundie Collison, [Arthur friend] Pat Johnson, Beatriz Koteles, [daughter] Kelli Louderback, Mrs. Neil Quinn, Sharon Wehl, Billie Russell, Karen Tupper, Mary Winter, Judy Womack, and [Hawley nieces] Jessica & Alana. 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. WELCOME BY THE MASTER The Master welcomed all brothers to this evening’s stated communication with a special welcome to our Entered Apprentices Bros. John Louderback and Eric Koteles for their participation. MWBro. Jorgensen, alluding to this 150th year of St. John's charter, reasoned that a good deal of Masonic education was undoubtedly undertaken in our earlier years. With this in mind, he is encouraging his officers to open Lodge presiding in the East. He thanked Bro. Rine for his excellent opening work and announced to Bro. Joe Oates, sitting in the South, that he will be given the opportunity to open next month. Bro. David Flood will have the opportunity in May. 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 ten visiting brothers, WBro. George Loftus (Occidental Lodge No. 72), WBro. Jim Lumsden and Bro. Steve Lowe (Greenwood Lodge No. 253), WBro. Neil Quinn (Rainier Lodge No. 189), Bro. Carl Cook (University Lodge No. 141), and Bros. and WBros. David Eddy, Don Downing, Steve Linn, John Redmond, and David Colbeth (King Solomon’s Lodge No. 60). Also present were Chaplain Bro. Alex LaBarba (Doric Lodge No. 92), and Musician Bro. Adam Creighton (Greenwood Lodge No. 253). The Junior Warden introduced his counterpart, Bro. Tom Crawford, Junior Warden of King Solomon Lodge No. 60. The Senior Warden introduced WBro. Errol Scott (Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281). All guests were accorded a warm St. John's welcome.
The Master then instructed the Senior Deacon to escort the Grand Lodge officers and committeemen East of the Altar and extended a hand to each as he announced their names. In attendance were WBro. Charles Tupper (technology), WBro. Hans Wehl (public schools outreach), WBro. Darrel Womack (photography chair), VWBro. Charles Brockway (membership development), VWBro. Jim Maher (finance, MRC Trustee, long range planning), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP chair, charity), VWBro. Marvin Pearson (Deputy of the Grand Master District No. 4), VWBro. Mike Cuadra (Deputy of the Grand Master District No. 5), VWBro. Jim Russell (Junior Grand Steward), and MWBro. Al Jorgensen (Masonic Retirement Center Trustee, jurisprudence), 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 is healthy. In general, our portfolio does better than the market when the market is up, and does better than the market when the market is down. Our holdings increased 30% in 2009. EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY The bills, having been reviewed by three members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, WBro. Hans Wehl, and WBro. Bill Collison), were submitted to the Lodge for approval. After the acting chairman, VWBro. Brockway, 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: We have received a letter of thanks from the SSS Propeller Ship 62, the Sea Scouts who we have supported for the last nine years (2001-2010). The Phinney Neighborhood Association will be holding a fund raising party and auction Saturday, May 1. The Masonic Service Bureau gratefully acknowledges receipt of our 2010 contribution. Lynden Lodge No. 56 invites all brothers to a dinner and stated communication on Thursday, March 4, to honor the Deputy Grand Masters of Washington and British Columbia & Yukon. Occidental Lodge invites all brothers to share in the celebration of 50 years of Masonry for MWBro. Ken Robinson, Thursday, March 18, in Ballard. Brothers of King Solomon Lodge No. 60 invite brothers to participate in their scholarship fund raising golf tournament, July 25. Registration forms are available from the secretary. The Grand Lodge of Washington announces that the Grand Lodge of Haiti is requesting assistance on behalf of the people of Haiti following the 7.0 earthquake that killed over 150,000 Haitians and left millions without homes. Rite Care and the Seattle Valley of the Scottish Rite invites Masons and friends to attend the open house for their new facilities on Sunday, February 28. Newsletters and Trestleboards have been received from the Phinney Neighborhood Association, Heirloom Bible Publishing, and Lafayette Lodge No. 241. COMMITTEE REPORTS Board ofTrustee's VWBro. Charles Brockway reported that the Board of Trustees met the previous evening with our financial advisors from Oppenheimer. It was agreed to transfer funds from Oppenheimer to our Bank of America account by wire. The Tyler will be asked to keep the officer apron cabinet in the Tyler’s locker for security purposes. It was agreed to recommend that we provide $15,000 to replace the roof of Garfield Lodge No. 41 with the understanding that certain conditions be satisfied. We will hold a ceremony to re-constitute the Lodge at 2pm September 11 at Greenwood; members and invited guests will attend a dinner with entertainment at the Columbia Tower Club that evening. Several brothers were recommended to complete a new scholarship committee. A review of our bylaws will be conducted at the August Trustees meeting. WBro. Wehl will attend meetings of the Greenwood Temple Board as an observer representing St. John's. The next scheduled meeting will be held Wednesday, May 12, at 6pm. At our November quarterly Trustees meeting, three brothers representing Garfield Lodge No. 41 presented a request for financial assistance to replace the roof of their building. A bid was received of $44,000, plus $2,300 for gutters, which are also needed. WBros. Bill Collison and Hans Wehl visited the Lodge this week, inspected the building, and met with six members of the Lodge. WBro. Wehl said that the six brothers who met with them appeared enthusiastic and love their Lodge. Garfield Lodge purchased the building from the Odd Fellows in 1890. The Lodge owns a couple of vacant maintained lots adjacent to the building. Accelerated Reader Report In the absence of chairman WBro. Joseph Lund, the Master reported that the check for $6,000 has been presented to Bailey Gatzert Elementary School as a start-up for their Accelerated Reader program. Gatzert is a K-5 school located at 1301 E. Yesler in Seattle. Scholarship Committee The Master announced that he will be looking for volunteers to serve on the scholarship committee. (Appointed at the conclusion of the communication were WBro. Paul Winter, chair, and Bros. Karl Tokarek, Simon Letarte, and Eric Koteles.) BALLOTING ON PETITION A favorable ballot was spread on WBro. James A. Lumsden for plural affiliation. WBro. Lumsden had received unanimous favorable recommendations by his investigating committee. WBro. Lumsden signed the bylaws and paid his 2010 dues. DeMOLAY BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS The Master announced that a breakfast will be held to raise money for the DeMolay Foundation on Saturday, February 25, at the Nile. Mr. Ray Roberts will be the principal speaker. Mr. Roberts is a former professional football player with the Seattle Seahawks and Detroit Lions and currently is the head football coach at Lake Washington High School. He encouraged brothers to attend the breakfast, with contributions expected for the DeMolay Foundation. The Foundation furnishes funding to the Washington State Chapter Order of DeMolay and is currently the main source of money for the State DeMolay insurance program. The Master called upon VWBro. Charles Brockway to distribute admission tickets to those interested in attending. MEMORIAL SCROLL A memorial scroll was read for Bro. Orrin Niles, followed by remembrances from four brothers of the lodge and a memorial service by the Chaplain. Bro. Adam Creighton offered an appropriate dirge on the piano. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS
WBro. Hans Wehl and a brother from King Solomon Lodge No. 60 were honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in their journey through life. MASONIC EDUCATION The Master related a little history about the birth of the George Washington Masonic National Memorial Association. The idea of erecting a National Masonic Memorial to George Washington was formulated by several members of Alexandria–Washington Lodge No. 22, in Alexandria, Virginia. The Lodge had lost several invaluable artifacts and relics of Washington in a series of fires. The Lodge, under the leadership of Past Master Charles H. Callahan, decided to erect a fire-proof building to house the Washington relics entrusted to their care by the Washington family. The original idea soon grew to erect a National Masonic Memorial to America's most distinguished Mason, George Washington. They solicited the aid of the Grand Master of Virginia, who in turn asked the Grand Masters throughout the United States to help in this endeavor. He called together the Grand Masters and this was the birth of the Conference of Grand Masters of North America. On February 22, 1910, George Washington’s 178th birthday, Masonic leaders from across the nation met in Alexandria, Virginia and formed an association for the purpose of building this great memorial to honor America’s foremost Freemason. In honor of the occasion, the Conference of Grand Masters of North America, hosted by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, will be held on February 22, 2010, in nearby Arlington. Delegates will attend the Association’s Annual Meeting and celebrate the 100th Anniversary and Washington’s 278th birthday at the Memorial. The George Washington building houses the collection of Alexandria-Washington Lodge No. 22, which contains most of the fraternal artifacts of George Washington, including the Watson-Cassoul apron, sash, Past Master portrait, working tools and trowel used to lay the cornerstone at the United States Capitol. NEW BUSINESS Garfield Lodge Roof Resolution The Master re-introduced the issue to assist in funding the roofing for Garfield Lodge No. 41 and directed the Secretary to read the following resolution: Whereas: as Masons we have promised to hasten to the relief of a Mason in distress and never hesitate to go out of our way to aid and serve a needy brother, and Whereas: we have heard the call from our Garfield Lodge No. 41 brothers of LaConner, Washington, that the life of their meeting place for 120 years is threatened by the elements of Mother Nature, and Whereas: estimates of $44,000 have been received for a very necessary replacement of an aging roof, and Whereas: our Lodge is in a position to aid and assist our needy brothers, Therefore be it resolved: 1. That we grant $15,000 to re-roof Garfield Masonic Center, provided two other lodges or entities contribute the balance, and 2. That the brothers of Garfield contract for a first-rate roof (roughly $44,000), and 3. Should the building be sold within fifteen years that this money be returned to St. John’s. This resolution will be included in the next issue of the Trestleboard for action at the March stated communication. Terror in America Tour VWBro. David Campbell invited the brethren to join members of Eureka Lodge No. 20 at 5pm on Thursday, March 4, for a provocative exhibit from the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, The Enemy Within: Terror in America -1776 to Today. Opening February 20 at the Museum of History & Industry (MOHAI), the tour is free on the first Thursday of the month. From the Revolutionary War to the War on Terrorism, The Enemy Within: Terror in America -1776 to Today provides unprecedented perspective into terror on American soil. The exhibition uncovers the forgotten stories of domestic terrorists and foreign agents, militant radicals and saboteurs, who have threatened America’s sense of security over the past 200 years. It also explores the questions: how do we identify who the enemy is? And how do we keep the country safe without compromising the civil liberties upon which it was founded?
Family Appreciation Brunch
Bro. George Rine reported that cost estimates for two possible venues for the Family Appreciation Brunch are running higher than expected. Prices quoted for 125 persons are exceeding previous year’s expenses. Prices at Ivar’s Salmon House fall into the $4,100 range; prices at Salty’s for 125 persons have been quoted at nearly $5,700. Bros. Eric Koteles and Adam Creighton will work with Bro. Rine to find alternative venues.
WBro. Serco Tokatlian proposed that we increase the line item budget to reflect the higher rates and introduced a resolution to be acted upon at the next stated communication: That the budget for the Family Appreciation Brunch be increased from $4,000 to $6,000. ANNOUNCEMENTS The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
The Master invited the Trustees to attend and participate in the officers meeting on the 25th. There will be a meeting of the 150th anniversary committee immediately following the officers meeting. GOOD OF THE ORDER WBro. Terry Grove encouraged the brothers to participate in the golf tournament to be held on June 9 leading into the annual Grand Lodge communication in June. WBro. Grove is chairman of the event. The Riverside Golf Club (I-5 Exit 79) is situated 15-20 minutes south of Great Wolf Lodge. There will be an 11am shotgun start – with a maximum of 124 players. Projected cost per player is $65 which includes green fees, range balls and power cart (shared). The Master invited the brethren to attend the King Solomon Lodge No. 60 strawberry feed Monday following the annual Grand Lodge communication. He reminded the brethren of the history of St. John's relationship with King Solomon Lodge and the beginning of the strawberry feed tradition. WBro. Hans Wehl announced that any brothers who wish to purchase items from the company store should see him following the meeting. We still have some excellent St. John's items, including jackets, polo shirts, and metal coffee carafes. VWBro. Mike Cuadra thanked those from the Lodge who participated in the recent District 5 workshop, with special thanks accorded MWBro. Jorgensen for leading one of the workshop programs. He announced also that there will be a Senior Warden District 5 ritual competition near the end of March. 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 Worshipful Master at 9:27pm, peace and harmony prevailing.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Website © 2002 - 2009 - St. John's Lodge No. 9 F&AM of Washington - All Rights Reserved |