Home - Archive Index - 2010 Archives - October Stated Communication October Stated Communication Written by aid of the Secretary's Minutes --- Photographs by WB Darrel Womack
OPENING OF LODGE The Lodge opened on the third degree at 7:35pm, twenty-five members and thirteen visitors in attendance as per Tyler's Register. It being step-up night, many who are expected to be officers for 2011 filled the stations and places:
Bros. Alex LaBarba and David Long have agreed to serve as Chaplain and Junior Steward next year, but were not present. 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 and thanked the above brothers for their opening work. PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION The Worshipful Master called upon Bro. Eric Koteles to demonstrate his proficiency on the Master Mason degree. Bro. Koteles was examined by his coach Bro. George Rine. The brethren of the lodge expressed their full acceptance of the work, which included the full posting lecture. As a minimum, a candidate must be able to demonstrate knowledge of the obligation, signs, words, and grips and all modes of recognition of each Degree. CALL DOWN TO FELLOWCRAFT DEGREE The Master suspended labor on the third degree and opened a Lodge of Fellowcraft Masons for the purpose of conducting business on that degree. Bro. Hector Ramos was admitted and took his place among the brethren. 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 five visiting brothers, Bros. John Higgins (Rainier No. 189), Daniel Done (Queen Anne No. 242), Skott Young (Jacques DeMolay No. 1390, Houston, TX), Steve Lowe (Greenwood Lodge No. 253), and Ralph Weathers (Doric No. 92). Also present was Musician Bro. Adam Creighton (Greenwood Lodge No. 253). The Junior Warden introduced his counterparts, Bro. Richard Birkland (Steilacoom No. 2) and Al Gustafson (Lafayette No. 241. The Master introduced WBros. Jeff Harden (Doric No. 92) and Ken Cavallon (Queen Anne No. 242), Masters of their respective lodges. They were accorded the public Grand Honors.
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, WBro. Hans Wehl (Public Schools), WBro. Richard Birkland (Research & Education), WBro. Darrel Womack (Chmn. Photography), VWBro. Chuck Brockway (Military Recognition), VWBro. Jim Maher (Finance, Long Range Planning), WBro. Terry Grove (Chmn. CHIP Committee, Charity), VWBro. Michael Davis (Chmn. CHIP Foundation), WBro. Vinny DiGulio (CHIP), VWBro. Charles Tupper (DDGM 5), VWBro. Coe Tug Morgan (Asst. Grand Secretary Emeritus), WBro. Don Campbell (Asst. Grand Secretary), MWBro. Al Jorgensen (PGM, Jurisprudence, Masonic Retirement Center Trustee), MWBro. Gale Kenney (PGM, Jurisprudence), and RWBro. Jerry Lingle (Junior Grand Warden), all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington. They were accorded the public Grand Honors. 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 portfolio reflects the market improvement and increased 8.4% in value August to September. EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF OCTOBER The following bills, having been reviewed by three members of the finance committee (VWBro. Charles Brockway, WBro. Hans Wehl, and WBro. 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, they were approved for payment. COMMUNICATIONS Trestleboards and letters of communication were distributed. Concerning each, the Secretary reported the following: We have received a card from VWBro. Ted Shrum and wife thanking the Lodge for the “outstanding evening” in honor of our 150th anniversary. The Rainbow for Girls Foundation sends a letter thanking us for our financial contribution to the State Rainbow Assembly. Likewise, the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras extend warm greetings and a thank you for our contribution to their cause. The Richmond Highlands Rainbow Girls will be holding a Silent Auction and Dinner Saturday, November 13. Make your reservations by November 9. $10 tickets may be purchased at the door. The Grand Lodge of Washington has sent copies of the revisions of the Masonic Code as changed at the last annual communication. A reminder has been issued that all lodges need to have competed their 990 form for the year, both to remain viable as a corporation and to remain in harmony with the Washington Masonic Code. Five Brothers have filed for the office of Junior Grand Warden (David McCuistion, Jim Mendoza, Coe Tug Morgan, John Sleeth, Bruce Vesper) and one for Grand Secretary (David Owen). The first regional communication of districts was held October 2 at the Wenatchee Masonic Center. Alki Lodge No. 152 invites all lodges which meet on Wednesday evenings to an evening of social entertainment and to claim a traveling trowel on Wednesday, October 27. Lynden Lodge No. 56 will be honoring the Grand Masters of Washington and British Columbia this Friday, October 22, beginning at 6pm. Lafayette Lodge No. 241 encourages a fine turnout of all Masons to their annual International Night, which this year will feature a “gala ball” at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park on Saturday evening, November 13. Neighborcare Health asks for contributions from friends of this low-income and seniors care provider. We have received newsletters and trestleboards from the HOPE Heart Institute, Eureka Lodge No. 20, Garfield Lodge No. 41, University Lodge No. 141, Daylight Lodge No. 232, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281. Please take home the extra copies of the HOPE Heart newsletter for healthy reading. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Secretary reported that WBro. Thomas Rutledge, in good standing with the Lodge, has requested a dimit. The Master granted the request as directed by the Washington Masonic Code. The Master reported that he has granted $500 from the Master’s charity account for the month of October to a brother (not of this Lodge) to prevent his eviction from his apartment. MEMORIAL SCROLL A memorial scroll was read for WBro. Norman Rosenzweig followed by a memorial service by the Chaplain. Bro. Adam Creighton offered an appropriate dirge on the piano. BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Bros. David Flood, Al Jorgensen, Charlie Tupper , and Jim Lumsden 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 directed the Secretary to read the proposed changes to the by-laws. The proposed changes to Article VI were read and separate action taken:
Section 1. There shall be a
Arguments for: Having the Junior Past Master as a Trustee can be awkward. New programs are tried from time to time, but not all are successful. A presiding Master may find it difficult to institute his own program without offending the Immediate Past Master who sits on the Board of Trustees. Including the Immediate Past Master on the Board is a recent innovation found to be unsatisfactory. By also dropping one elected Trustee, the Board remains at an odd number, thereby avoiding ties in the voting process. It is best to avoid several members of the same family serving on the Board of Trustees in order to avoid appearances of undue influence by one family and to gain the wisdom from a wider pool of the brotherhood. WBro. Helmuth Svoboda, asserting that “significant other” is an undefined term, m/s/p to insert “or” before marriage and strike “or related to a significant other,”. (25-0) It was m/s/p to adopt the amended section 1. (25-0)
Section 2.
At each annual election of officers of the Lodge there shall be elected one
Trustee who shall serve a term of
Section 3.
Unless a Trustee is appointed by the Worshipful Master, the Worshipful Master
shall serve as the ex-officio Chairman of the Trustees. The Secretary
ex-officio shall serve as the Secretary of the Board. Section 4. The duties of the Board shall be as follows: a) (insert new) To advise the Master and the Lodge regarding policy considerations. Argument for: The Trustees are in a position, by virtue of their experience, to give sound and careful counsel to the Master and the Lodge. Argument against: The Trustees should not be given special consideration above any member or appointed officer to advise the Master and the Lodge regarding policy considerations. It was m/s/failed to adopt the amended section 4a. (12-13) b) To review the annual budget as prepared by the Senior Warden with assistance of the Treasurer and Secretary and submit the budget to the Lodge with its recommendation for approval; Argument for: The Secretary is in a position to contribute significantly to the budget building process. Until a couple years ago, the Secretary was a part of the process. WBro. Helmuth Svoboda proposed a change to the section and m/s/p “To prepare the annual budget as presented by ...” (25-0) It was m/s/p to adopt the amended section 4b. (25-0) NEW BUSINESS Thanksgiving Family Charity WBro. Charles Tupper has again volunteered to find families who can use our assistance through the holidays. It was m/s/p to issue a check for Thanksgiving charity. The check was issued to WBro. Tupper, who will be assisted by Bros. George Rine, Simon Letarte, Ron Woodall, Joe Oates, John Louderback, Ken Wehl, and Eric Koteles. Christmas Thank-you Mr. Pab Pelonia, Greenwood Temple custodian, has regularly cleaned the dishes and cleared and straightened up after our use of the kitchen, dining and Lodge rooms following our several events throughout the year. The Secretary m/s/p that St. John's express our grateful acknowledgement of Mr. Pelonia’s service with a check this Christmas season. The check will be issued at our December 15 stated communication. 2011 Budget Distributed The 2011 proposed budget was distributed to the brethren. This year’s budget and expenditures to date (through September) were shown against the 2011 proposal. The total budget reflects just under 5% of our portfolio on July 31, per our policy of recent years. Time was allowed for questions and answers, although no action was taken at this meeting. The budget will be acted upon at the November stated communication. Masonic Park Resolution The Master presented the following resolution: Resolved: To allocate up to $10,000 of the 150th Anniversary Celebration Budget as a donation to the Masonic Park in Granite Falls, Washington, to construct a Gazebo/Bandstand to commemorate St. John's Lodge 150 years as a regular Lodge in the Jurisdiction of Washington. (The designated donation is subject to the approval of the Masonic Park Board of Directors. The structure is to be approximately 20 to 25 feet in diameter, with electrical power and water, and to include a fireplace in the center.) This resolution will be distributed in the next Trestleboard and action taken at the November stated communication. ANNOUNCEMENTS The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
The Master encouraged all brothers to bring their ladies out to our November communication, which will feature elections of officers and will pay tribute to our Past Masters. Lady Nancy Jorgensen has a special evening planned for the ladies. Items from the company store will be on display for sale and Christmas-gift inspiration. GOOD OF THE ORDER The Junior Warden invited the members and guests to join in refreshments following the close of Lodge. Bro. Al Gustafson invited the brethren to attend Lafayette Lodge No. 241’s annual International Night, which this year will feature a “gala ball” at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center in Discovery Park on Saturday evening, November 13. There will be live music, libations, and food. To date there are seven Grand Masters from other jurisdictions who will be in attendance. Bro. Gustafson has tickets available for $50 each. VWBro. Charles Tupper brought greetings from the Grand Master and reminded everyone that there will be a special regional communication of Grand Lodge on Saturday, November 20, opening at 11am and concluding with 6:30pm dinner in the evening. This will be at the Seattle Scottish Rite. District 5 lodges will meet with the Grand Master at 4pm. Tickets for the dinner were distributed to nineteen brothers in attendance; some will be bringing their ladies. Bro. David Flood encouraged all brothers, who are able, to participate in the Operation Kid Smile Christmas treat on Fort Lewis again this year. VWBro. Brockway again has made arrangements with the 555 (“Triple Nickel”) Emergency Brigade to distribute food, clothing and toys to several family members of those who are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. WBro. Ken Cavallon invited the brethren to attend the open installation of officers at Queen Anne Lodge No. 242 tomorrow evening. Refreshments will be served at 6:30, with the installation ceremony opening at 7pm. Our Grand Master MWBro. G. Santy Lascano will be the Installing Officer; VWBro. Charles Tupper will deliver the Charge to the officers. WBro. Jeff Harden invited the brethren to the installation of officers for Doric Lodge No. 72 at noon on Saturday, October 30. RWBro. Jerry Lingle congratulated the brothers for being a positive force in our community, adding that he was pleased to witness this evening a well-run Lodge filled with Brotherly Love. He finished with a well-received story with an appropriate moral conclusion. CLOSING OF FELLOWCRAFT LODGE Following the dismissal of our Fellowcraft Mason, this Lodge of Fellowcraft Masons was closed, and a Lodge of Master Masons re-opened. 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 flag was retired and the Lodge closed at 9:44pm in due and ancient form by Bro. George Rine and those who opened; peace and harmony prevailing.
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