Home - Archive Index - 2012 Archives - May Stated Communication. May Stated Communication OPENING OF LODGE The Lodge opened on the first degree at 5:45pm, twenty-eight members and eight visitors in attendance. The above officers were in their stations and places, except that WBro. Jim Lumsden took the place of the Chaplain and MWBro. Al Jorgensen took that of the Junior Deacon. WBro. Mark Campbell filled the place of the Marshal as Bro. Ron Woodall (Marshal) assisted with the women’s program. CALL TO REFRESHMENT The Master immediately called the Lodge from labor to refreshment that the brethren might enjoy a meal prepared by our caterer and the program to follow. PROGRAM OF EDUCATION During dinner, Bro. Paul Bernal introduced two teachers, Mike Waller and Jon Jancola, and a student from Crestwood Elementary of the Kent School District. They thanked the Lodge for its financial assistance making it possible for 65 students to participate in an educational opportunity at Junior Achievement’s BizTown. Before visiting BizTown, students complete a pre-visit curriculum program where they learn basic economic principles such as how to manage their personal bank account. They also participate in job interviews and learn about their new workplace and the job they will perform. Following dinner and prior to opening of Lodge, WBro. Mark Campbell introduced members of the Kent Rainbow Assembly, Renton Job’s Daughters, and Bellevue DeMolay. They entertained the brethren and guests with examples of their ritual work. Sixty-five adults and 24 youngsters enjoyed the entertainment. CALL TO LABOR The Master excused the guests and called the brethren to labor again on the first degree. The ladies and three brothers worked on a project to construct “weighted blankets” for handicapped children while the men were tiled. WELCOME BY THE MASTER The Master welcomed all brothers to this evening’s stated communication and thanked the brothers who filled stations and places of those who were absent. 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 six visiting brothers, Bro. Bob Sluder (Occidental Lodge No. 72), Bros. Steve Lowe and Scott Barbour (Greenwood Lodge No. 253), Bro. Paul Doak (Temple Lodge No. 6, Albuquerque, NM), WBro. Jim Taylor (Lakeside Lodge No. 258) and WBro. Fred Eastman (Eureka Lodge No. 20) The Senior Warden introduced his counterparts WBro. Al Gustafson (Lafayette Lodge No. 241) and Bro. Tom Bolson (Greenwood Lodge No. 253). Also present was Musician Bro. Adam Creighton, Junior Warden of Greenwood Lodge No. 253. All guests were accorded a warm St. John's welcome. The Past Masters of St. John’s Lodge No. 9 were asked to stand and be recognized and were graciously thanked for their dedication to the Lodge. Present were VWBro. Charles Brockway, VWBro. David Campbell, WBro. Mark Campbell, WBro. Terry Grove, WBro. Rich Hawley, WBro. Ian Hyde, MWBro. Al Jorgensen, VWBro. Jim Russell, VWBro. Charles Tupper and WBro. Hans Wehl. They were accorded the public Grand Honors. WBro. Bill Collison was assisting the ladies with their project. 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. Terry Grove (CHIP chair), VWBro. Michael Davis (CHIP Foundation president), VWBro Jim Russell (Chmn. Masonic Home Endowment), Bro. Adam Creighton (Music Research), VWBro. Jim Maher (Finance), VWBro. Darrel Womack (Photography), VWBro. Charles Tupper (DDGM 5), VWBro. Ashley Brinkley (Senior Grand Deacon, Code Commission), MWBro. Al Jorgensen (PGM), and MWBro. Gale Kenney (PGM, Jurisprudence), all of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington. They were accorded the public Grand Honors. WBro. Vincent DiGiulio (CHIP), was assisting the ladies. 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 considering the present market conditions, the “good news” is that our portfolio “only” declined 1.3% last month. EXPENSES FOR THE MONTH OF MAY
COMMUNICATIONS Trestleboards and letters of communication were distributed. Concerning each, the Secretary reported the following: Teen Feed is making an emergency request for assistance. A scheduled meal team canceled for Sunday, May 27th. They’re looking for a team to fill the spot! Usually hosted at the UW Hillel, due to a religious holiday this will be at ROOTS (their usual Saturday night location). We have received a thank you letter from RiteCare of Washington for our recent contribution to the Scottish Rite speech and language center. The Volunteers of America have sent a letter of thanks for our contribution benefitting the Greenwood Food Bank. The Principal and Reading Specialist at Sacajawea Elementary School send their appreciation for our support of their Accelerated Reader program. Richmond Highlands, Bothell, and Laurel (Kent) Rainbow Assemblies send appreciation and greeting cards signed by the girls of those Masonic youth organizations. We have received a letter of appreciation from the special events coordinator of the Angelman Syndrome Foundation for our contribution to their Walk event. The Secretary of the District 5 Association has sent the Minutes of the April 25 meeting. The Masonic Service Bureau has sent its financial statement for 2011. The Seattle Youth Symphony announces their Verdi’s Requiem program this coming Sunday. We have received newsletters and Trestleboards from the Heirloom Bible Publishers, Eureka Lodge No. 20, Garfield Lodge No. 41, Doric Lodge No. 92, University Lodge No. 141, Daylight Lodge No. 232, Lafayette Lodge No. 241, and Walter F. Meier Lodge of Research No. 281. COMMITTEE REPORTS VWBro. Ashley Brinkley volunteered to assemble a team to cover the May 27 opening for Teen Feed. Bro. Felix Ngoussou volunteered to assist. Bro. David Flood reported that a practice will be held Friday for the Master Mason degree. The degree will be held next Tuesday, May 22, opening at 7pm. WBro. Jim Lumsden volunteered to serve as 2nd Craftsman. WBro. Hans Wehl reported that the Board of Trustees met last Wednesday. Mr. Darrel Lynch discussed our investment portfolio. David Flood will research our private fund investments, purchased years ago to see which, if any, retain value. It was agreed that any member who fails to show for an event in which he made a reservation should be invoiced at our cost. For delegates to the annual communication of Grand Lodge, we will re-imburse expenses up to the amount budgeted. Nineteen members of the Lodge remain delinquent in their 2012 dues. Our Federal 990 tax return has been filed, and a copy sent to Grand Lodge. Bro. Flood has reserved the 1st Sunday of May in 2013 for our FABulous Family Appreciation Brunch and has locked in this year’s pricing. We listened to the Grand Lodge Membership Development Committee chairman’s vision for next year. The next scheduled meeting will be held Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at 6pm. In the absence of chairman Bro. Hector Ramos, who is home nursing a bad back, Bro. Eric Koteles reported that the scholarship committee recommends ten students[i] for scholarships. $20,000 will be awarded. It was m/s/p to accept the scholarship committee recommendations. VWBro. David Campbell asked that the social outing chairman Ron Woodall consider both a weekday and a weekend excursion to the Skagit Tour this summer. He said that Bro. Woodall, a park ranger, did an outstanding job as our tour guide last August. VWBro. Ashley Brinkley has organized a return visit to Portfolio Restaurant this coming Friday. Everyone is to be seated by 5:30. He said that the menu seems to be even more outstanding than our visit previously. VWBro. Charles Tupper reported that St. John’s has booked the Chehalis/Centralia Dinner Train for Saturday, July 14. There is seating for 60 in the dining car and about 190 throughout the rest of the train. We have the entire train and will be inviting members of Centralia Lodge No. 63 and Chehalis Lodge No. 28 to join us in the non-dining sections of the train. A charter bus (capacity 59) will be leaving the Northgate Park & Ride at 4:30 with a stop at Federal Way at 5:15. The dinner train pulls out of the station at 7pm. We should be back at Northgate around 11pm. Dining car reservations will be limited to a St. John’s member or widow and one guest. Others will need to make their own transportation arrangements. VWBro. Chuck Brockway reported that the Angelman’s walk for the Angelman Syndrome Foundation will be Saturday in Puyallup. The goal is to raise money for the foundation and awareness of the neurogenic disorder. His grandson, Luke, 14, has Angelman syndrome. It’s characterized by developmental delays, lack of speech, seizures and walking and balance disorders. People who have it need lifelong care, according to the foundation’s website, www.angelman.org. “They’re also very, very happy individuals,” More than 200 people already have signed up for the Puyallup walk in the park. St. John’s has contributed. So far, $9,400 has been raised for the foundation. The Master thanked the Lodge for its support of children needing care and reminded the brethren that the ladies and a few of our members were at this moment working downstairs on another project to aid and assist handicapped children. MEMORIAL SCROLL A memorial scroll was read for Bro. Jack Bennie Sorge followed by a memorial service by the Chaplain. Bro. Adam Creighton offered an appropriate dirge on the piano. MASONIC EDUCATION The Master invited Bro. Seann Maria, one of our newer Entered Apprentices, to tell the brethren about himself, where he grew up and what brought him to seek out Freemasonry. Bro. Maria was well-spoken and the brothers were pleased with his presentation. The Master invited MWBro. Gale Kenney to present the resolutions that will be acted upon at the annual communication of Grand Lodge. MWBro. Kenney, a member of the Grand Lodge Jurisprudence committee, presented the following:
The carryover resolutions will require a simple majority to pass. Resolution 2012-4 is a constitutional amendment and will require a 90% approval to pass; all others are bylaw changes and will require 75% approval for passage. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Chehalis/Centralia Dinner Train VWBro. Charles Tupper encouraged the brethren to take advantage of the July 14 dinner train. We will charter a bus leaving the Northgate P&R at 4:30pm, with a stop on the way to Chehalis at the Federal Way P&R to pick up our south end riders. We have made an initial deposit to reserve the bus. It was m/s/p to issue a check for the balance of the fare. NEW BUSINESS Contribution to Greenwood Temple Association The Master requested the Senior Deacon to escort members of Greenwood Lodge No. 253 to the East, representing the Greenwood Temple Association, where he presented them a check as our contribution to assist with any improvements to the building. Accepting the check with appreciation were Bro. Tom Bolson (Senior Warden and Temple Secretary), Bro. Adam Creighton (Junior Warden), and WBro. Jim Lumsden, Treasurer of the Temple Association. Company Store Jackets WBro. Hans Wehl showed the brethren a sample of the lightweight jackets with the Lodge logo on the left breast. They are the latest addition to the company store inventory, available at $35 each. It was m/s/p to issue a check to Larry’s Screen Printing for 26 jackets. Out-of-Pocket Expenses The Secretary m/s/p that WBro. Mark Campbell be reimbursed for pizza and beverages served to the Masonic Youth at the evening’s dinner. It was m/s/p that Bro. Simon Letarte be reimbursed for refreshments following the meeting. It was also m/s/p that Bro. Ron Woodall be reimbursed for refreshments following Tuesday evening’s Master Mason degree. ANNOUNCEMENTS The brethren were reminded of the following dates of interest:
GOOD OF THE ORDER VWBro. Charles Tupper rose to thank the brethren for their support while he has been serving as Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 5. He said that our support has greatly aided him in his ability to serve the Grand Master. The brethren stood and extended their appreciation for his work on behalf of the District. This stated meeting will be his last as our District Deputy. WBro. Tom Eastman of Eureka Lodge No. 20 will be installed as DDGM 5 at the annual communication of Grand Lodge next month. The Senior Warden paid wages to WBro. Mark Campbell and Bro. Paul Bernal; for the programs they presented earlier this evening and for reaching out to the youth communities on behalf of our Lodge. The Junior Warden announced that there would be refreshments following the close of Lodge. 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 Bro. Eric Koteles, assisted by WBro. Joe Oates as Senior Deacon and Bro. Russ Johnson as Junior Deacon, at 10:05pm, peace and harmony prevailing.
| ||||||||||||||
|
Website © - St. John's Lodge No. 9 F&AM of Washington - All Rights Reserved |