Northeast: Mixed Regulations Across the Region

Northeast Regional Recorder’s Meeting – April 8, 2021
Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International

Cryptic Masons International Collar
Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom

On April 8, a conference call was held with the Northeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below.

Connecticut

Allowed to meet
- Up to 25 with social distancing
- Council is doing degree work.
- Chapter all but Royal Arch
Restrictions
- Food needs to be plated or served.
- 50% capacity of a building.
Grand Sessions –
- In-person/Hybrid TBA
- June 5, 2021
- Chapter and Council
- Commandery is Saturday, April 17, 2021
Grand Lodge Annual Communication Saturday, April 11, 2021
- Meetings rules may be augmented.

New Hampshire

Grand Business Meeting
- Virtual
- April 10, 2021
- Hybrid Meeting May 8, 2021
  - Tom Taylor representing
  - Email to Register with the Grand Recorder to be invited.
- Grand banquet on July 31, 2021
  - Presenting awards.
- https://nhyorkrite.org – Register for banquet
Meetings
- No degree work, no OT in Commandery
- Meeting regularly
- Lodges are doing degree work.
Grand Lodge
- May 15, 2021
- Limited for social distancing.
- Dennis Sheridan, Personal Secretary for the Grand Master.

New York

Opening up more
- Lodges are open
- Doing degree work.
- 50-60% of Brethren in attendance are vaccinated.
- Projecting more activity – gradual progression through April and May.
Meetings
- Full form
- Official Visits
- Commandery is closed – Grand Commander – using virtual platforms for communications.
Schools of Instruction
- Second Tuesdays
Grand Sessions
- Grand Commandery – September 3rd Weekend – Hybrid or Virtual TBD.
- Grand Chapter Convocation was in March – went well – Hybrid.
- Grand Council Assembly – Friday, August 20-21, 2021
  - Dinner banquet with ladies – Friday night.
  - Opening and normal business on Saturday.
Grand Lodge
- Closed Session
  - Officers
  - Invitation by Grand Master – Lodges to meet Constitutional requirement.
  - Written reports, budget.
  - Elections in the second session – to be announced.
  - West Chester, NY
  - May 3, 2021, 09:00
- Leadership Series is going online
Grand Chapter Education Committee
- Piers Vaughn
- Coming soon.
Tri-State
- October 9, 2021
- Thrice Illustrious is tentatively scheduled for the Tri-State.

Maine

Health
- Infection rates have jumped 20%
Allowed to meet –
- 50% capacity or 50 people
- MWGM – open cautiously
- York Rite following Lodge’s recommendations and restrictions.
- As many want to meet as do not want to meet.
Grand Sessions
- April 23-24, 2021
- Grand Council – 23rd at 1:00 PM EDT
- Grand Chapter – 24th 9:00 AM EDT
- Grand Commandery – 24th 1:00 PM EDT
- Notices going out today.
- Need the Grand Recorder’s List.
- Grand Commandery – Hybrid – officers present.
Degree work is approved with restrictions and social distancing.

Massachusetts

Meetings
- Governor has moved to “Stage 4”
- 19th of April – Over 16 – receive shots.
- Grand Commandery still meeting virtually
Semi-Annual
- April 17, 2021
- Grand Chapter 9:00 AM
- Grand Council 11:00 AM
Annual
- Plans to meet in person in October
New Grand Recorder and Grand Secretary
- Jacob Yanovich – Website for contact information.

Rhode Island

Annual for Chapter and Council
- March 27, 2021
- Issues with wifi connection.
- Grand Officers remained in place
Meetings
- Lodges are meeting with social distancing and restrictions.
- Change ritual to accommodate.
- Chapter and Council following the same restrictions.
- Commandery is meeting in person – but have to have hybrid opportunity.
Degree work
- GHP – 1 day class for Chapter in June
  - Will be condensed and having the lectures delivered at the Chapter.
- MIGM – Future plan for 1 day with all three degrees – full degrees.

Vermont

Health
- A rise in cases, deaths, etc.
Grand Sessions
- June 12, 2021
  - Commandery 9:00 AM
  - Chapter 10:00 AM
  - Council 11:00 AM
- Hybrid
  - In-Person – Masks, Vaccination, Contact Tracing, social distancing.
  - Berry, VT
  - No guests in person.
- No meal/banquet.
Meetings
- MWGM has allowed meetings.
- Virtual – for Council/York Rite
Degrees – Planning in the future.
- May going to plan for Chapter degrees, which will lead to Council.
- Subject to health/restrictions.
Morris Tucker – Passed away Good Friday – MIPGM.