| Los Altos Lodge No. 712: | Last Updated on November 17, 2003 |
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During the September Stated Meeting a motion was made and seconded to increase the limit in our By-Laws which the Charity Committee can draw upon the Treasurer for the relief of a distressed worthy Brother, his wife, widow, or orphan. The current amount in the By-Laws is $200.00. The motion is to increase the amount to $500.00. This was a recommendation resulting from the Charity discussion held at the Lodge on August 11th, 2003. A vote will be taken at the October 6th, 2003 Stated Meeting.
Brother Howard Kahn, a Retired Public Accountant and Certified Financial Planner, provided a workshop prior to our Stated Meeting. He reviewed the following: PROBATE: "How can I avoid it?" and "The Myths and Truths about Long Term Care." Howard is offering his services to us as part of a program sponsored by Grand Lodge.
September was our U.S. Constitution observance month. Los Altos Lodge, in combination with Mountain View-De Anza and Palo Alto-Roller Lodges, attended a program on Thursday, September 11th, which was sponsored by four other Lodges in our district. The event was well attended and the program included an update on the status of California Community Colleges as presented by Martha Kanter, Ph.D., Chancellor of Foothill-De Anza district, a Barbershop Quartet, a Soprano Soloist, and building the U.S. Flag. Worshipful John Runcie, PM and Member of our Lodge assisted in organizing yet another fine Lodge program. Thank you John. I was quite inspired and moved by the program.
On Saturday, September 13th, the M.W. William F. Stoval, Past Grand Master of California Masons, presented Worshipful W. Bruce Pruitt with the Golden Veteran's Award. We were treated to a Prime Rib dinner and an excellent walk-about regarding Bruce's life history. We had 67 people in attendance.
We will have our 3rd annual Roll-Call / Coming-Home night on Monday, September 29th. Dinner will be provided at 6:30 PM with further Fraternalism upstairs in the Lodge Room following dinner. Please wear your Lambskin apron. If you have not already done so, please call the Lodge Information line by Friday, September 26th if you plan to attend the dinner (650-569-6276).
October is the Annual Grand Lodge Communication month. If you are interested in the proposed Legislation, please attend the October Stated Meeting on the 6th where we will be reviewing the proposed Legislation. A listing of titles of the Legislation is provided within this Trestleboard.
I have discussed a visitation with either/both Mountain View-De Anza or Palo Alto-Roller Lodges to confer a second degree. Details are being finalized for either Monday, October 20th or Tuesday October 21st.
Come to Lodge and have some fun with your Brethren!
Fraternally Feeling Good,
Richard Weyers,
Master
In less than two months we shall be holding elections and looking for new LAMTA members and a Trustee. A few words about our organization might be in order to assist some of our members in deciding to help out with our Lodge's obligations.
LAMTA is the group that administers the building. It is a volunteer group that decides very important issues pertaining to our Lodge Building and how it is administered and maintained. Serving on LAMTA is a non paying position and we meet once a month. Next year's meetings should be taking place on the second Wednesday of each month. As a member you will be called on to serve on committees and inspect or oversee things that take place in the building. Usually a repair or an inspection of some work already done.
Our 50 year book relates the purchase of the Lodge building and how the brethren of Los Altos Lodge labored long hours in bringing the building to what it is today. In compiling our 50 year book I found many references to the fellowship and devotion in this effort. It was obvious that all volunteers donated their time and much of the materials used. It was the dedication and perspiration of these brothers that unified our Lodge and it's current moral fiber. We still need such men and I am asking for a few of you to attend our November meeting and offer to join the Temple Association.
The members of LAMTA are attempting to continue in the spirit of the earlier Brethren. We donate our time and effort to keeping the building a valuable member of the Los Altos Community. It is no longer possible for us to administer it by ourselves. With over twenty offices rented we now contract a professional building manager and administrator. We are also finding the accounting requirements for a corporation are complex and very detailed. We will soon be purchasing this service on a contract basis. The decisions of what to do and what to spend are still made by the members of LAMTA. Soon we plan on embarking on installing an elevator that will service the dining room, main floor, and rear upper offices. This will be a major effort and the members of LAMTA will be responsible to see that this is properly contracted and installed. Next year all four elected LAMTA officers will be replaced and I am putting out this request to our experience Brethren to lend us a hand.
LAMTA members serve for a 3 year term and serve no more than two consecutive terms. The Master and Senior Warden are automatically members. We will be needing at least 3 volunteers for next years board. Let me know if you can commit to serving on the board.
I am also looking for someone to be Tiler next year. We have had some developments and it looks like we have one important position to fill next year. We may be in need of a Senior Deacon. I would like to get someone interested in going through the line. Until I do, I may call on a few of our Past Masters to fill in and qualify for that position. Are there any volunteers?
As the sun sets,
Ernest Castillo, P. M.,
Senior Warden
G.M. Holsinger's Decision No. 1 & 2: Advertising and Public Relations by Lodges
G.M. Holsinger's Recommendation No. 2003-01: One Day Conferrals
G.M. Holsinger's Recommendation No. 2003-02: Flexible Dates for Annual Communiction
G.M. Holsinger's Recommendation No. 2003-03: Finance Committee Duties
G.M. Holsinger's Recommendation No. 2003-04: California Masonic Memorial Temple (CMMT) Restructure
Carry-Over Legislation From 2002
G.M. Whitaker's Recommendation No. 1: Safeguards for Lodge Finances and Investments
G.M. Whitaker's Recommendation No. 4: Changing Name of California Masonic Memorial Temple to California Masonic Memorial Center
Resolution No. 02-01: Alternative Dues Structure
Resolution No. 02-06: Changes Name of Grand Lodge Temple Properties and Taxation Committee to Masonic Properties Committee.
Resolution No. 02-07: Requires Temple Associations for Real Property
Resolutions For 2003
Resolution No. 03-01: Allows Lodges and Masonic Organizations to Participate in Gambling Activities Permitted Under California State Law
Resolution No. 03-02: Reduces Stated Meeting Quorum From Seven To Five
Resolution No. 03-03: Allows Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts To Withdraw and Modifies The Procedure For Them To Transfer To Another Lodge.
Resolution No. 03-04: Allows Lodge Members To Nominate Candidates For Membership
Resolution No. 03-05: Makes Affiliated Past Masters From Other Jurisdictions Members Of Grand Lodge
Resolution No. 03-06: Changes Ballot On Affiliations To A Simple Majority Voice Vote
Resolution No. 03-07: Changes Instruction Before The Obligations To "Your Full Name"
Resolution No. 03-08: Adds An Instruction To The Newly Obligated Brother On His Return To The Lodge In The Entered Apprentice and Fellow Craft Degrees
Resolution No. 03-09: Authorizes One Day Classes [One Day Conferral Of Degrees]
Resolution No. 03-10: Establishes A Masonic Apron For 50 and 75 Year Members
Resolution No. 03-11: Allows California Masons To Belong To The Tall Cedars Of Lebanon
Resolution No. 03-12: Limits Admission To The Masonic Home For Children At Covina To The Sons And Daughters Of Master Masons
Graveside Service for Jack Huston
On Wednesday August 28, the members of Los Altos Lodge held a graveside service for our departed Brother Jack Huston. His wife Bobbie, daughters and grandchildren besides many friends were in attendance. The Reverend Malcolm C. Young celebrated the ceremony at Christ Episcopal Church in Los Altos. The Masonic service was performed by Brother Bill Malmstrom as Master and Sterling Bailey as Chaplain. Many in attendance were his close friends and Masonic brothers. Brother Ernest Hawks coordinated the affair for the family. Those wishing to honor Jack may make a donation to the Los Altos Community Foundation - Festival of Lights, 183 Hillview Ave. Los Altos, CA 94022.
John W. (Jack) Huston, 1/126 - 8/15/03
Proposed Amendment To The Bylaws of Los Altos Lodge No. 712
The vote will be taken at the October 6th, 2003 Stated Meeting
Currently Reads:
ARTICLE X – COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Master and Wardens shall be a Charity Committee, and shall have the power to draw upon the Treasurer for any sum, not exceeding $200.00 at any one time, for the relief of a distressed worthy Brother, his wife, widow, or orphan.
Proposed Change:
ARTICLE X – COMMITTEES
Section 1. The Master and Wardens shall be a Charity Committee, and shall have the power to draw upon the Treasurer for any sum, not exceeding $500.00 at any one time, for the relief of a distressed worthy Brother, his wife, widow, or orphan.
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