Home - Archive Index - 2010 Archives - June Stated Communication June Stated Communication Written by aid of the Secretary's Minutes --- Photographs by WB Darrel Womack
PROGRAM OF EDUCATION
Following dinner and prior to opening of Lodge, ten of the twelve recipients of St. John's 2010-2011 scholarships and their families were recognized and honored for their achievements. WBro. Paul Winter masterfully briefed our guests on Freemasonry, St. John's Lodge, and how education has been highly regarded by the fraternity. The students were presented certificates of merit and St. John's pens by scholarship chairman Winter, assisted by two members of the committee Bros. Eric Koteles and Simon Letarte. OPENING OF LODGE The Lodge opened on the second degree at 7:32pm, twenty-two members and two visitors in attendance as per Tyler's Register. The above officers were in their stations and places, except that VWBro. David Campbell filled the place of the absent Senior Steward and Bro. David Flood presided in the East and MWBro. Al Jorgensen acted as Senior Deacon for the formal opening ceremonies. 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 On assuming his rightful station in the Oriental Chair, WBro. Jorgensen welcomed all brothers to this evening’s stated communication and thanked Bro. David Flood for his opening work in the East. He extended a special thanks to WBro. Winter and his committee for selecting an excellent class of students. 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 was Bro. Jeff Glass, Bushnell Lodge No. 30, Bushnell, Florida. Also present was Chaplain Bro. Alex LaBarba (Doric Lodge No. 92). There were no visiting Masters or Wardens.
The Master then instructed the Senior Deacon to escort the Grand Lodge officers and committeemen East of the Altar and extended a hand of friendship to each as he announced their names. In attendance were, Bro. Vince Kodikal (technology), WBro. Hans Wehl (public schools outreach), WBro. Darrel Womack (photography chair), VWBro. Charles Brockway (military recognition), VWBro. Jim Maher (finance, MRC Trustee, long range planning), WBro. Vinny DiGiulio (CHIP), WBro. Terry Grove (CHIP chair, charity), VWBro. Charles Tupper (technology, photography, Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Past Grand Master), MWBro. Satoru Tashiro (CHIP Foundation, jurisprudence), MWBro. Al Jorgensen (Masonic Retirement Center Trustee, jurisprudence), and MWBro. Gale Kenney (Past Grand Master), 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 dropped over 6% last month, but still performed better than the market as a whole. EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE The following bills, having been reviewed by three acting members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, VWBro. Charles Tupper, and VWBro. David Campbell), 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 note from Bro. John Louderback: “Dear Brother's, I will be in the great free state of Kentucky for ten days with Lady Mary! My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Thank you again for sharing such a wonderful experience with me – in those of heart and mind – for all that attended my initiation into the brother hood of fellow craft.” Greenwood Chapter #196 Order of the Eastern Star will be providing a Pancake Breakfast this Sunday, Father’s Day, June 20th, from 9am to 1pm at the Greenwood Masonic Center. The young ladies of Alderwood Rainbow Assembly #55 ask that we consider them in our annual charitable giving. Garment bags are available for purchase through the young ladies of Edmonds Job’s Daughters Bethel #5. The money raised will be contributed to the Grand Bethel Scholarship Fund. Mercy Corps reminds us that they are an expert emergency responder when natural disasters strike and ask that they be remembered in our charitable giving, as well. We have received thank-you letters from the Secondary Academy for Success of the Northshore School District and the Blue Nile Children’s Organization for our support of their respective programs. The Greenwood Car Show is Saturday, June 26th. Greenwood Lodge will again be selling hot dogs and beverages and donating the proceeds to charity. “Come and enjoy helping for an hour or two.” The Lodge will hold a second degree, Wednesday, June 30th. We have received newsletters and trestleboards from the HOPE Heart Institute, Heirloom Bible Publishers, and Eureka Lodge No. 20. Please take home an extra copy of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading. COMMITTEE REPORTS Bro. George Rine reported that 27 brothers who are members and/or officers of St. John's attended the 153rd annual communication of Grand lodge. Not all 27 were representing St. John's, but it speaks well for our involvement and enthusiasm in the fraternity. Our own brother MWBro. Gale Kenney completed an excellent year as Grand Master and presided at the annual convention. RWBro. Jerry Lingle was elected Junior Grand Warden. With RWBro. Lingle on the team, MWBro. G. Santy Lascano should continue to lead our Grand Lodge in the able fashion of MWBro. Kenney. Bro. Rine congratulated VWBro. Charlie Tupper who takes the reigns as our newly appointed Deputy of the Grand Master for District No. 5. He and many of our brothers will continue to serve on the Grand Lodge team as committee chairs and members. Two members of the Lodge were newly appointed as Grand Lodge Representatives to foreign Jurisdictions: VWBro. Chuck Brockway (Denmark), and VWBro. Tupper (Nevada), joining MWBro. Gale Kenney(Finland), MWBro. Richard Mecartea (Sierra Brazil), MWBro. Jorgensen (Maine), WBro. Bruno Zittlau (Poland), and MWBro. Sat Tashiro (Japan). Bro. Rine noted that St. John's brothers were responsible for hosting the Grand Lodge hospitality suite, with VWBro. Chuck Brockway and WBro. Terry Grove doing most of the work. The Master added his congratulations to WBro. Grove for his fine leadership in running the golf tournament associated with the annual communication. Two carry-over pieces of legislation passed, three new proposals passed and three new proposals failed, including a requirement that first-time Worshipful Masters be proficient in Lodge Management. Bro. David Flood said that picnic area B of the Nile Shrine has been reserved for our Michael Rust Memorial Picnic, Sunday, August 8. He has made the necessary arrangements to reserve rental items from Miller Rentals. Brothers will be needed to staff the BBQ grills for hamburgers and hot dogs. VWBro. Chuck Brockway said that the 150th Anniversary committee will be meeting again next month to continue arrangements for our 150th celebration on September 11. Invitations have gone out to all members of the Lodge, with RSVPs due back no later than June 30. Following that date, further invitations will be extended to selected guests from outside the Lodge. He continues to negotiate with the Columbia Tower Club for final details on the food. A contract has been extended to the band for music. WBro. Hans Wehl is handling the arrangements for gifts for those attending the dinner. With brothers John Louderback and Ron Woodall passed as Fellowcraft Masons on June 7, they join Bro. Eric Koteles as those who will soon be ready to be raised Master Masons. The Master requested that the Senior Warden arrange for a Master Mason degree on the 28th or 29th of June. Bro. Simon Letarte distributed a few printed copies of the company store catalogue now available on our website. Twenty-four items are pictured. Purchased orders will be delivered within a couple of weeks to “anywhere in the world.” BALLOTING ON PETITION A favorable ballot was spread on Mr. Hector Frederick Ramos for the degrees. Mr. Ramos had received unanimous favorable recommendations by all three members of the investigating committee. The Master instructed the Senior Deacon to establish a date for the Entered Apprentice degree and to assemble the degree team. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS VWBro. David Campbell was honored with a rendition of “Happy Birthday” to celebrate achieving one more year in his journey through life. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Fremont Fair Masonic Education Booth The Master called upon the Secretary to read the resolution presented at the previous communication: RESOLVED, that St. John's Lodge No. 9 contribute $1,000 toward the expenses of the Fremont Fair Masonic Information Booth. Masons of Seattle will again be staffing a booth at the Fremont Solstice Fair Saturday and Sunday, June 19 and 20. This is an opportunity to spread the word on our fraternity and enjoy the good fellowship among brothers from other lodges in the area. This annual event financially supports Solid Ground, one of King County’s largest non-profit social services organizations for those in need. Solid Ground was founded in 1974 by community leaders and concerned citizens of one of Seattle's then most economically devastated neighborhoods, Fremont. Originally called the Fremont Public Association, its services — emergency food bank, clothing bank, and employment program — reflected the desperate needs and the determined response of a mobilized and committed neighborhood. They spend more than 85 cents of every dollar on client services. They provide shelter, food, home care, transportation and other basic services to more than 38,000 families and individuals in need throughout King County. The resolution passed overwhelmingly.
150th Anniversary WBro. Hans Wehl presented an invoice for personally designed pens and gift boxes to be distributed as gifts in recognition of our 150th anniversary. It was m/s/p to pay $563.00 to Amsterdam of New York for 263 pens and gift boxes. NEW BUSINESS Refreshment Expenses It was m/s/p to pay VWBro. David Campbell $45.44 for pies purchased for refreshments following the May 26 Entered Apprentice degree and this evening’s stated communication. PayPal Previously, WBro. Charlie Tupper volunteered to explore the possibility of using PayPal as a means to purchase our company store merchandise online. PayPal performs payment processing for online vendors, auction sites, and other commercial users, for which it charges a fee – in our case it would be between 1.9% and 2.9%. Although PayPal itself isn't an FDIC-insured bank, it does keep your funds in various FDIC-insured banks across the country. To protect ourselves, we should make a declaration on our website that some items may not be available. WBro. Paul Winter added that he has been pleased in all his transactions with PayPal. This matter will be referred to the Board of Trustees for their recommendation. MASONIC EDUCATION The Master briefly explained how legislation is proposed for consideration at each annual communication of Grand Lodge. A Lodge, by majority vote, may propose a code or bylaw change by Resolution. All Resolutions must be delivered to the Grand Secretary not later than December 1 preceding each annual communication. The Grand Secretary shall forward all Resolutions to appropriate standing committees after the Code Commission has reviewed and approved the composition and format of the Resolutions. Recommendations of the presiding Grand Master shall be received by the Grand Secretary not later than March 1 preceding each annual communication and, like those Resolutions submitted by lodges, shall be printed and circulated to the constituent lodges for study prior to April 1. Recommendations of the Grand Master presented at the annual communication, and not previously circulated, shall be presented as Resolutions by the appropriate committee prior to the following annual communication in the prescribed manner unless declared emergent. Any Resolution submitted after December 1 and prior to twelve o'clock noon of the second day's session of any annual communication shall be forwarded to the Grand Master. If he believes that any such proposal is urgent and that it should, for the good of Masonry, be considered by Grand Lodge at the ensuing annual communication, he may, at his discretion, order the same to be processed and circulated in such manner as time will permit. Any brother may propose a Resolution to his Lodge for consideration. In this sense, every Mason in Washington has the opportunity to introduce a change to the Washington Masonic Code, whether or not he be a Past Master, Master or Warden. Those brothers who wish to place their name in consideration for Junior Grand Warden must do so by September 1. ANNOUNCEMENTS The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
The Master reminded the brethren that our July stated communication will be casual dress and encouraged everyone to wear a Hawaiian aloha shirt or muumuu for the ladies. (No shorts or sandals, please!) There will be entertainment for our ladies, organized by Lady Nancy Jorgensen. GOOD OF THE ORDER
The Senior Warden thanked Bros. Simon Letarte and Eric Koteles for their work on the Scholarship committee and WBro. Paul Winter for his excellent presentation earlier this evening. The Junior Warden invited the brethren to share refreshments following the close of Lodge. WBro. Bill Collison encouraged the brothers to visit other lodges throughout the area, recalling that it once was a regular practice for St. John's to select another Lodge to visit each month. WBro. Vinny DiGiulio brought greetings and expressions of appreciation for our support from the staff of the Secondary Academy for Success.
CLOSING OF LODGE
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