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