April 2010 Stated Communication

At 6:15 our Chaplain, Bro. Alex LaBarba, offered a prayer for an excellent evening for all present and a watch over our troops. Everyone then sat down to an excellent chicken breast dinner. Dinner this month was served by the Occidental DeMolay Chapter and they will serve at the next two meetings as well.

past support for the Richard Oslund Medical Clinic, which offers basic services for maternal and newborn care, infectious diseases, well-child visits and prevention techniques, St. John's also sponsors three orphans through the BNCO. Through the concern and urging of our late VWBro. Richard Oslund, we have provided continued support since 2002.

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.

The Master welcomed all brothers to this evening’s stated communication, with special acknowledgement given to our newly passed Fellowcraft, Bro. Eric Koteles

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 five visiting brothers, Bros. Jim McQuinn (William Jett Lodge No. 285), Shawn Losich (Wilson-Joppa Lodge No. 714, Dravosburg, PA), Jeff Wilson (Aurora Lodge No. 15, Anchorage, AK), Steve Lowe (Greenwood Lodge No. 253), and Carl Cook (University Lodge No. 141). Also present were Chaplain Bro. Alex LaBarba (Doric Lodge No. 92), 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 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. Larry Blake (credentials), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP chair, charity), VWBro. Jim Russell (Junior Grand Steward), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Grand Historian), 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.

The minutes of the previous communication were read in short form and were available in full as posted at the Tyler’s door. The minutes reflected the following

Following a Table Lodge of Instruction, the Lodge opened on the first degree at 8:25pm, twenty-four members and thirteen visitors in attendance. The minutes were read in short form and accepted as posted. The Treasurer reported that the Lodge finances were in order. Expenditures were approved. Communications were read; committee reports were received. A petition for the degrees was received from Mr. Ronald Allan Woodall, Jr. Memorial scrolls were read for Bro. Samuel Howe and WBro. John Mead. Resolutions to grant matching funds of $15,000 to re-roof Garfield Masonic Center and to increase the budget for the Family Appreciation Brunch were approved unanimously. Arrangements were made to hang a signboard honoring our Lodge at the Granite Falls Masonic Park. Announcements were made. The Lodge was closed at 9:56pm, peace and harmony prevailing.

The Treasurer reported that our portfolio has increased 5.3% from February to March, 2010.

The bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, WBro. Hans Wehl, and WBro. Terry Grove), 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.

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

We have received a letter from the Grand Master that reproaches a brother for soliciting support for a specific candidate for Junior Grand Warden. We have also received a letter from the offending brother withdrawing his solicitation.

Pre-registrations and ticket orders are now being accepted for the 153^rd annual communication of Grand Lodge to be held at Grand Mound, Washington, June 10, 11, 12. Eight proposed resolutions and two carry-over resolutions will be acted upon, as well as elections for 2010-2011 Grand Officers.

We have received a note from Lafayette Lodge No. 241 inviting the brethren to several of their events during the coming months. Thornton F. McElroy Lodge No. 302 of Federal Way invites the brethren to attend a “Wednesday Night Lodges Meeting” next Wednesday, April 28, with dinner at 6:30.

We have received newsletters and trestleboards from the HOPE Heart Institute, the Phinney Neighborhood Association, Volunteers of America (Greenwood Food Bank), the Heirloom Bible Publishers, the Teen Feed Times, the City of Hope, University Lodge No. 141, and Lafayette Lodge No. 241. Please take home an extra copy of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading.

WBro. Paul Winter reported that the scholarship committee (Carl Tokarek, Simon Letarte, Eric Koteles, chair Paul Winter) has set a deadline of April 30 for student scholarship applications. In early May, the committee will review applications and hold interviews. Those chosen to receive scholarships will be invited to our June stated communication dinner. To date, eleven applications have been received, with 6-7 more expected. All appear to be highly motivated students.

VWBro. Chuck Brockway reminded the brothers that our Lodge 150^th anniversary will be officially recognized later this year. Currently he is working on getting the Governor’s proclamation to recognize the Lodge. Ill. Bro. Jim Tresner will be the featured speaker at our dinner on September 11. Ill. Bro. Tresner is a well-known speaker in Masonic circles out of Oklahoma, and was a keynote speaker at our annual communication of Grand Lodge in 1994.

A favorable ballot was spread on Mr. Ronald Allan Woodall, Jr. for the degrees. Mr. Woodall received unanimous favorable recommendation by his investigating committee. The Master requested the Senior Deacon to establish a date for the Entered Apprentice degree and to assemble the degree team.

A memorial scroll was read for Bro. Michael Menashe Israel, followed by remembrances from two brothers of the Lodge and a memorial service by the Chaplain. Bro. Adam Creighton offered an appropriate dirge on the piano.

finally be able to establish a permanent residency in the Seattle area and to make St. John's Lodge No. 9 his home.

The Master opened a discussion on proposed resolutions which will be considered by delegates to the 153^rd annual communication of Grand Lodge at Grand Mound, WA, this June. Grand Mound is the site of one of the four original lodges in this jurisdiction when we split off from the Grand Lodge of Oregon in 1858. The Master indicated that he wants the brothers of the Lodge to participate in an open dialogue in respect to the resolutions to be presented. He then gave a brief summation of each proposed resolution.

There are two carry-over resolutions which will require a simple majority to pass: 2009-1 would amend the code to require that all candidates in a one-day conferral must first be Entered Apprentice Masons who have proven their proficiency. 2009-4 amends the code to provide years-of-recognition pins to brothers who have been Masons for 10 and 25 years and for each 5 year period after 25.

Resolution 2010-1 reduces the number of members on an investigating committee from three to two. Resolution 2010-2 provides for a member-at-large delegate to the annual communication of Grand Lodge, voted upon by members of his Lodge. He is not to be a Past Master, Worshipful Master or Warden, who presently each have a vote.

Resolutions 2010-3 and 2010-4 address the election of officers within a Lodge and have been ruled by the Committee on Jurisprudence to be ambiguous and not enforceable and therefore out of order.

Additional resolutions come from recommendations by the Grand Master: Resolution 2010-5 requires that all first-time Masters have passed an examination in Proficiency in Lodge Management before they are eligible to be elected. Resolution 2010-6 would add elected Grand Lodge officers to the list of those who may possess the Standard Work, including the esoteric work, in plain English. Resolution 2010-7 would allow the Master or Wardens of an historic Lodge to be an officer of another Lodge. (Masters or Wardens of a Lodge are not permitted to be one of those three officers in a second Lodge. This would remain the same except for those serving the historic Lodge of Grand Mound No. 4) Resolution 2010-8 would identify the Masonic Outreach Services as a program of Grand Lodge and allocate funding from the Masonic Home Fund (MRC).

Our annual family brunch will be held Sunday, May 2. A limit of 120 adults and children over five has been set. To date, 87 reservations have been made. It was m/s/p to authorize the Treasurer to write a check to Ivar’s Salmon House to pay the May 2 brunch bill upon receipt.

On Saturday, May 22, District 4 and District 5 will be hosting our Grand Master MWBro. Gale Kenney for his last and final visitation to the Districts of this Grand Jurisdiction. A short meeting of all Masons will open at 6pm, with dinner for brothers and ladies served at 6:30. Entertainment and awards will follow in the Lodge room. This all takes place at University Lodge. Tickets for the dinner are $20 each and will be limited in number. The entertainment and awards will be open to all at no charge. It was m/s/p to spend $500 for 25 tickets to the District 4&5 Grand Master’s Reception. The value of any un-distributed tickets shall be donated to the Grand Master’s favorite charity.

The Grand Lodge annual communication will be June 10-12 in Grand Mound this year. The Lodge has budgeted $4,000 toward expenses for delegates, and attendees of the Fellowship dinner. It was m/s/p to purchase 20 tickets to the Grand Lodge Fellowship dinner (and 6 lunch tickets).

WBro. Hans Wehl said that the company store merchandise is not selling like it used to and that it is time to “clean house and move a new direction.” He is looking for suggestions. Bro. Simon Letarte has volunteered to assist WBro. Hans with taking photos of our merchandise and with the assistance of WBro. Charles Tupper, put them in the form of a catalogue on our website. VWBro. Jim Russell has suggested that we carry a few Masonic book titles worthy of a personal home library. WBro. Tupper suggested several titles. It was m/s/p to authorize up to $500 to restock the company store.

A couple of weeks ago the Secretary’s back-up hard drive crashed and needed to be replaced. As this is the Lodge’s computer, WBro. Charles Tupper m/s/p that the Secretary be re-imbursed $160.95 to replace and install the Lodge computer damaged hard drive.

Our Lodge brother MWBro. Gale Kenney will be completing his year as Grand Master in June at the 153^rd annual communication of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington. Our Lodge has anticipated staffing and supplying a hospitality suite to accommodate distinguished out-of-state guests as well as delegates from around the jurisdiction. MWBro. Al Jorgensen called for a committee of volunteers to assist in the staffing of the suite. It was suggested that brothers from Daylight and University Lodges may want to participate.

Bro. Ken Wehl invited the brethren to consider a weekend camp-out at Granite Falls Masonic Park this summer. He and WBro. Boe Lindgren will make arrangements and choose a date for the weekend event. He invited those who might not wish to camp to enjoy a picnic on the day of the camping weekend. WBro. Wehl will follow with further details.

RiteCare of Washington provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to children, aged two through seven, whose primary disorder is a severe delay in language or speech development. It also offers a program for their parents. The Scottish Rite Valley of Tacoma RiteCare clinic is experiencing a financial shortfall, while the Seattle clinic, which we have supported for nearly 20 years, is in relatively good shape. The Tacoma clinic is about to cancel a scheduled series of classes because of this money shortage. The Master requested that our budgeted $1,000 go this year to the Tacoma RiteCare, which partners with the Good Samaritan Hospital of Puyallup. VWBro. Carl Alexander, Secretary of the Seattle Scottish Rite, supported the recommendation. It was m/s/p to contribute $1,000 to the Tacoma Valley RiteCare.

Bro. Alex LaBarba cautioned that the May 12 meetings would coincide with a major event at the Greenwood Masonic Center – the District 4 Scholarship Night. This event includes a 6:30 dinner and 7:30 awards ceremony with a speaker from the Seattle Community Colleges, as well as our Grand Master MWBro. Gale Kenney in attendance.

WBro. Charlie Tupper announced that Sulton-Monroe Lodge No. 160 will be holding a Grand Master’s Roast at 6pm, Saturday, May 1^st. He encouraged everyone to attend, especially members of the Grand Lodge team.

WBro. Bill Collison extended appreciation from the Lions Eye Foundation for our long support, and displayed an auction program to raise money for the Foundation which dedicated a page thanking St. John's for our contributions.

The Master presented VWBro. Mike Cuadra a St. John's pen and letter opener set as a gift from the Lodge. He then turned the gavel over to the Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, inviting him to share his words and to close Lodge. VWBro. Cuadra thanked the Master and brothers for their hospitality, bringing greetings from the Grand Master who on this day was visiting lodges in Manila.

VWBro. Cuadra reported that there are eight lodges in this district, with 2,200 members. We have raised over thirty Master Masons the past twelve months and have lost fifty to the Celestial Lodge. Every Lodge has a few new members, each creating their own new identity – specializing – attracting new brothers as well as plural members.

“We’ll become greater than the sum of our parts; what part will St. John's play in that?”, he asked. Young members want to be inspired and instructed. We will be mentors and we will inspire them. It is our opportunity and our obligation. He added that he has observed MWBro. Jorgensen lead by example. This Lodge has come through a difficult year in better shape than it entered it. He expects this Lodge to not only survive, but to thrive. He encouraged the brothers to be involved in our community.

Finally, he said that he was told to “Enjoy the Ride” when he took this job as Deputy of the Grand Master. He has enjoyed it immensely. He announced that WBro. Charlie Tupper of St. John's will be the next Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5, and told him to “enjoy the ride.”

VWBro. Cuadra presented the Grand Master’s coins to two of our recently raised Master Masons, Bros. Carl Tokarek and Simon Letarte.

VWBro. Cuadra encouraged the brethren to use the Masonic Park. The Park needs the money and it’s a beautiful part of our Masonic community. He added a request that we keep VWBro. Marvin Pearson’s mother in our prayers, who recently passed away. VWBro. Pearson is the DDGM for District No. 4.

The minutes of this communication were read and approved in short form. There being no further business to come before this Lodge of Fellowcraft Masons, the flag was retired and the Lodge closed in due and ancient form by the Deputy of the Grand Master at 9:55pm, peace and harmony prevailing.