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
- Closed Session
- 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.
- GHP – 1 day class for Chapter in June
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.
- June 12, 2021
- 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.
Northeast
- Ambassador’s Meeting next week.
- Conference – to be planned –
- September 10-11, 2021
- The Desmond, Albany, NY – Newly renovated.
CMMRF
- $50,000 matching drive yielded $75,000 in the funds.
General Grand Council
- Grand Recorders and Treasurers Conference at Session 1 on August 13, 2021.
- Schedules for General Grand Representatives for Summer/Fall – May communicated.
- Youth Advocate Award
- Triennial Session 1
- August 13-14, 2021
- Rui de Silva, PRDGGM passed away. April 4, 2021