The meeting of Northwest Grotto Association was called to order at 1:00 PM by 3rd Vice President PM Bill Spencer at Chelminar Grotto's Lodge Hall with 18 members present from 4 Grottos, Tacobat and Hassan were not represented
PP Jack Staples escorted Acting President PM David Ferguson to the east who was greeted by 3rd Vice President Bill Spencer who presented him with the gavel.
The colors having already been posted were saluted after the International pledge of allegiance led by PP Ed Taychuk
Acting Chaplain PP Art Putman gave the invocation.
Roll Call of the Northwest Grotto officers was called for and absence of the President and 4 Vice-presidents and two trustees were noted.
The president requested the roll call of the living Past Presidents of Northwest Grotto with the absentees noted.
The president called for the reading of the minutes from our previous meetings. The secretary read the minutes of the Public Opening, first business session on Friday and the second business session on Saturday of the Northwest Grotto convention in Yakima, Washington last July 20-21 2007. Moved by PP Bill Mallory and seconded by PP Jack Staples to accept the three sets of minutes as read. Passed
Acting President David Ferguson called for the following financial report. Northwest Grotto Association started the year with $68.15 in the checking account. Since the first of the year all of the Grottoes have paid their dues except Hassan raising the total in US funds to $324.15. The Trustees made a decision in December to authorize the starting of a CD account of $1,400.00 which comes due on June 17, 2008. It was their opinion since we did not need the money for expenses we should receive some interest on the balance.
The dues received from Tacobat 22 members for $36.00, Chelminar 38 members for $44.00 and Gul Reazee 46 members for $47.00, Sadir Kahn 97 members for $73.50 and Van Zor 61 members for $55.50. This year 4 of the Grottoes paid their dues before the February 15th deadline. Van Zor paid before Pre-convention and only Hassan not paying their dues as of yet. Correspondence was read and ordered to be filed. A short note from Hassan Grotto stating that Monarch Roger Cathel has replaced PM Tim Ryan and they are going to discuss payment of this years dues to NWGA.
A short discussion was held on the motion from last 2007 convention to terminate the $75.00 fee from all the Grottos for the host hospitality room. PP Art Putnam brought up that the fee is a standing resolution but is not included in the current set of bylaws and could be found in old minutes. The only problem with the old minutes is they do not exist. When the current Executive Secretary received NWGA papers and documents from the previous secretary there were no old minutes and very little from yesteryear. It was put aside because no action could be taken until the July Convention.
PP Ed Taychuk thanked Chelminar for hosting the Pre-convention and invited all present to attend the NWGA convention July 17,18,&19 in Richmond B C. being hosted by Van Zor Grotto. This year will see a large number of our Supreme officers, current and past visit the left coast.
PP Ed reminded all if they have not received convention information contact him, President Robert Black or the Executive Secretary for forms and hotel information.
VP Dave Ferguson reminded all the Secretaries and Monarchs to report any deaths of Prophets and Prophet Wives to the Secretary before July 10th so they may be included in the Necrology program on Thursday night.
There was an extensive discussion of discontinuing the pre-convention meeting completely, changing it to coincide with the Presidents Monarch Ball or leave it the way it is, to be decided at convention. It was suggested that the pre-convention meeting was in the By-laws, but after reading the By-laws Article 7 that suggestion was suspended. It was stated that once you loose a function it is next to impossible to reinstate it i.e. Pre-convention.
PP Ed Taychuk made the following motion: Let it be moved that future Pre-Convention meetings be held in conjunction with the President of NWGA Monarch's Ball, either the day before or the day of the Ball. PM Charles Rigsby 2nd the motion
This motion will be distributed to all Monarchs and Secretaries to discuss in their Grottoes and be ready to vote on it at convention.
Good of the Order was called for: PP Ed Taychuk reported on President Robert Blacks absence from pre-convention was because Lady Betty was rushed to the hospital in severe medical condition. Bob did the right choice to stay with his wife at such a compromised health situation. All of our thoughts and prayers are with both of them. Monarch Carl Justice just received word that his brother was called to that land not made with hands but eternal in the heavens. Our support, thoughts and prayers are with Prophet Carl and his family.
Acting President Dave introduced the Monarchs present - Monarch Carl Justice from Sadir Kahn, Monarch Lester Kralicek from Gul Reazee and Monarch Louis Tutino.
Acting President Dave Ferguson called on Chaplain PP Art Putnam for the Benediction. The Pre-Convention meeting was close at 2:30PM.

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