North Central Region Happenings

North Central Region Happenings
Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International

Anthony T. Johnson
North Central Regional Deputy General Grand Master

 

On July 6, a regional conference call was held wih the Southwest Region Region Grand Recorders. These calls will be mentioned in the Decryption as a way to nofify every Companion of what is happening with each Region. The Jurisdictional Highlights of the call are below. Other Regional Calls will be covered in the upcoming weeks.

1. Triennial
   1. Triennial in person is still being considered by the leadership of the General Grand Chapter and General Grand Council.
   2. Voting for General Grand Council will be electronically managed, cast and tabulated.
   3. Specifics on the process will be forthcoming (planned for 15 July).
2. Electronic Meetings
   1. General Grand is working on alternatives and recommendations for how to navigate electronic meetings.
      1. The Triennial alternative plans.
      2. Providing platforms for electronic means.
      3. If electronic, Special GG Assembly at earliest opportunity (where many members will also be).
3. General Grand Resources
   1. Electronic Conferencing
      1. Zoom – Used for the last two years, no malware apparent.
         1. Upgraded to 500 users
   2. Voting
      1. Attachment prepared by Companion Len Roughgarden for New Mexico
      2. Review by measures.
      3. Avoid chat discussion on votes.
4. GGR Office
   1. Annual Returns and per capita are on your normal timeline.
   2. Awards are intended to get there on the same/usual timeline.
5. CMMRF
   1. Feedback – Dr. Murphy – All the research is on hold for now except for actual ongoing trials – still doing some research for non-human contact projects.
      1. Specific stem cells designated for a project so they were retasked to do COVID research – preliminary success for threating systems.
   2. Seeking people who are interested in running for the Board of Trustees for the At-Large positions – deadline for submission 15 July. Ensure people are ready to be a part of an active working Board.
      1. We have a 4th board space open to those who are outside the United States, specifically put in place to encourage participation outside the USA.
   3. We had our first electronic board meeting, another one is scheduled for 15 July.
6. North Central Conference
   1. Meetings in Negotiation – Holding in person is still the plan.
   2. In Sioux Falls – October 23-24, 2020 Ramkota – Contract for 21, 22
      1. Backup is on Zoom (but not being planned)
   3. Think that the hotel is contracted for 3 years.
7. York Rite Leadership Program
   1. Friday at Conferences 201
   2. Saturday at Conferences 101
   3. Very few exceptions: Attendees are from that Region.
   4. On Zoom.
8. Updates
   1. Nebraska
      1. Chapter and Council can meet 1 July – maintain social distancing.
         1. Masks, separation, hand sanitizer – take it seriously.
      2. Stations are distanced appropriately.
      3. No personal contact, food ok, but full precautions.
   2. Minnesota
      1. Successful Sessions – Zoom and Custom Voting
         1. Voting especially, but sessions went extremely well.
         2. Used Microsoft Forms – ballot on the fly was possible.
      2. Grand Officers meeting – Saturday 7/4
         1. Start a Virtual Council – meeting face to face 1/year.
         2. Monthly Educational online meeting.
         3. Dual members only, no degree work, minimal dues.
         4. Not Tyled.
      3. Grand Officers meetings every month.
      4. Started a Recorders meeting every month. (Propagating to the Dais)
   3. Iowa
      1. Limited to 10 people and lots of restrictions until 7/25.
      2. Grand Commandery – 6/6 – Zoom
      3. Grand Council – In Person Meeting planned 8/15
         1. Hilton behind the Scottish Rite.
      4. Grand Chapter – 8/1 – Zoom
   4. North Dakota
      1. Zoom – 7/11 (may adopt for future)
         1. Attachment of invitation to Sessions.
         2. Looking into July for future Sessions.
      2. Wednesday planning meeting. TBD
      3. Bismarck, ND – 2021 Sessions
   5. South Dakota
      1. Caught up on Annual Returns, and updated database.
      2. Zoom Sessions – ~Tending toward no registration: budget & same officers. Date TBD (September 18/19) May be earlier.
      3. Rapid City Masonic Temple closed until 1 September at least.
   6. Wisconsin
      1. Grand Chapter is extending offer to recombine sessions with Grand Council. Grand Council presenting legislation to recombine to 1st Saturday in May.
      2. 6/13 – Grand Commandery Meeting – Successful. Lessons learned – balloting and  
      3. September 12, 2020 – Virtual. Registration will be available online.
      4. Awards forthcoming.
      5. Grand Masters are holding a tight reign on social interaction – no food, coffee, contact, unwiped surfaces after meeting. First face to face meeting on Thursday, July 9, 2020. Two days of empty buildings in between meetings.