North Central Regional Recorder’s Meeting – March 25, 2021
Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International

Cryptic Masons International Collar
Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom
On March 25, a conference call was held with the North Central Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below.
Iowa
- Government/Covid
- No understood restrictions – Bars, stores, and restaurants are self-regulated.
- Lodge restrictions are recommendations for social distancing.
- Meetings
- Open and running in person
- Lodges – some use Zoom, some don’t
- York Rite – been on rest, didn’t adopt electronic communications.
- Festivals
- Last Saturday – 14 Chapter / 16 Council / 29 Commandery
- Grand Session
- Council & Chapter
- August 6-7, 2021
- 513 Park, Des Moines, IA – Scottish Rite Center
- Arrangements TBA
- Commandery
- June TBA
- 513 Park, Des Moines, IA
- Arrangements TBA
- Council & Chapter
Minnesota
- Government/Covid
- Starting to loosen up, but still very restricted.
- Meetings
- Mostly on Zoom, some Councils are opening with 50% capacity with social distancing.
- Festivals
- Chapter Festivals scheduled – Council TBD
- February 26, 2022 – Council Festival – One Day (Including SEM)
- Grand Master Hiram Council – Virtual – Another Educational Session
- Super Excellent Master Degree
- Part II – from the Q&A
- June 19, 2021 – Next Meeting
- Grand Sessions
- June 24-26 – Alexandria, MN
- Council – Friday Afternoon
- Banquet – Friday Night
- The website is being revised
- Monthly Zoom meetings with Grand Officers
Nebraska
- 100% Open
- MWGM is restricting Blue Lodge, Appendant Bodies are under their leadership.
- Grand Session
- April 15-17, 2021
- In-person Karney, NB
- No Hospitality – Plated dinners
- William Snyder in attendance
- Festivals – March 27, 2021
- Council and Commandery Festival
- Full form with social distancing
North Dakota
- Festivals
- 7-8 New Members – Recent Festivals. Working on Commandery
- Grand Session
- July 8-10
- Bismark, ND
South Dakota
- Grand Sessions
- September 16-18, 2021
- Mitchell, SD in person.
- Room Rate 79.99 ++ (NO ELEVATOR – Request 1st Floor)
- Meetings
- Most using virtual meetings.
- Some meeting in person, others are planning to meet in person.
- Festivals
- Council 3 – March 31, 2021 – Conferring R&SM
Wisconsin
- Government/Covid
- Locally administered social distancing.
- Easing up to allow up to 50 in a building./ 75% Capacity in Milwaukee
- Youth Groups allowed to meet.
- Meetings
- Social distancing in Masonic organizations – self-governed.
- Opening and meeting on the EA degree.
- 1st meeting in Lodge in person since October
- Zoom is used to take care of business.
- York Rite – meeting on Zoom during the interim.
- Grand Officers meeting on Zoom.
- Festivals
- Under discussion and planning.
- Chapter conferring 1st 3 Degrees
- Council and Commandery Shut down.
- May 2, 2021 – Anticipate change in restrictions.
- Grand Lodge Annual Communication
- June 4-5, 2021
- Madison, WI – Madison Masonic Center – close to Capital Building
- Registration: https://members.wisc-freemasonry.org/
- Grand Sessions
- Virtual
- Chapter and Council – May 1, 2021
- Chapter Morning
- Council Afternoon
- Commandery – May 19, 2021
- Registration: https://yorkritewis.org
Clerk
- Awards – ASAP – delays with the USPS, UPS, and FedEx
- Please let Michele know when you receive mail/packages, emails will go out.
- Ties – $25.00 + shipping.
CMMRF
- $50K Matching expiring on April 1, 2021
- Leadership is working to improve communications and establish tools for State Chairs and Members.
General Grand Council
- Working on projects in-house.
- New programs on the horizon
- Review of tools established.
- Welcome Tim Anderson