Northeast Regional Recorder’s Meeting – May 13, 2021

Northeast Regional Recorder’s Meeting – May 13, 2021
Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International

General Grand Council Collar
Cryptic Masons International Collar
Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom

 

On May 13, a conference call was held with the Northeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below.

Connecticut

  • No report.

Maine

  • Grand Lodge – 1 Day – In person
  • Virtual York Rite Session –
  • 50% Capacity – moving toward 75%
  • Degrees in Blue Lodge being done.
  • Heads of Body Reception/Celebration
    • June 5

Massachusetts

  • Opening up – Governor is expanding by week.
    • Social Distancing to 3 ft
  • Lodge 
    • Doing degrees
  • Chapter and Council
    • In process of opening up for meetings.
    • Festivals in planning process for Summer
  • Grand Sessions
    • In Person planned
    • October 3rd Weekend
    • Location TBA
  • Invited the new Grand Recorder/Assistant for future meetings.

New Hampshire

  • Same COVID guidelines as Massachusetts
  • Grand Lodge
    • Meets on May 15, 2021
  • Grand Sessions
    • Just Held
    • Successful
    • In State Only – virtual attendees
  • Degree work is being done in Blue Lodge
  • Degree work is starting up in York Rite
    • OT target for October 22-23, 2021
    • New GHP – statewide RAM in November/December

New York

  • Opening up slowly – social distancing
  • Lodge, Chapter, Council, Commandery – Meeting
    • Working under guidelines
    • No Templar Order for guidelines
  • Grand Lodge – 1st Week of May – 1 hour session – to recess
    • Looking for better guidelines for in person
    • All can hold elections and install officers
  • Grand Assembly
    • August 20-21, 2021
    • Crowne Plaza (The Desmond)
    • Hybrid Session

Rhode Island

  • Grand Lodge May 17, 2021
  • Mask and Social Distancing mandate
  • Update forthcoming for guidelines from Grand Lodge
  • Chapters
    • Doing degrees
      • Grand Chapter Festival
      • June 5, 2021
      • Combined play – finish work at home Chapter with Lectures
  • Councils
    • No Degrees – Awaiting RAMs
  • Commandery
    • Local determined – hybrid meetings for inclusion

Vermont

  • Blue Lodges are starting to work.
  • Grand Session
    • Several Awards presented – would like certificate at least
    • June 12, 2021 – Hybrid
    • 1 hour each body 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    • Installations may be later.
    • Using tech to provide succinct session.
  • Meetings – Spotty throughout the state (some in person, some virtual)
  • Festivals
    • Chapter and COuncil looking at later this month or two.
  • A lot of double booking in Fall!
  • 50% Capacity – Governor is excited about opening things up.

CMMRF

  • 50,000 Challenge for CMMRF Day – $75,000 by March 31, 2021
  • April 20, 103,000
  • Annual goal: $500,000 – 20% to GOAL!
  • If there is a new State Chairman, please communicate contact information
    • Dick Fowler – Area Coordinator, Gary Wyne – General Secretary
    • Tom Taylor – VP CMMRF Board, Stephen Balke – GGR
  • Northeast shined for the first ⅓ Year.
  • Negotiating with Indiana University for a fundraiser:
    • Cytometer Lab – 1.2MM
    • IU Match $:$
    • CMMRF 600K – 6 Year Commitment
    • OVER AND ABOVE NORMAL DONATIONS
    • YOU DON’T NEED TO WEAR PURPLE TO DONATE!
  • New commercials from IU

Mid-Atlantic

  • Virginia is Chapter Only – 
    • Commandery is meeting this weekend
    • Chapter meets in November in Williamsburg, VA
  • Delaware is meeting in person
  • District of Columbia Meeting in Person
  • Maryland is meeting in person partially – Grand Sessions in person in October 22-23, 2021
  • New Jersey
  • Multi-state Festival September 18, 2021 TBD – Chapter Only, local Council and Commanderies to do the work
    • Masonic Temple – Newport, DE

Northeast

  • First meeting to plan the Northeast Conference next week.
    • September 10-11, 2021
    • Planning for Crowne Plaza  – The Desmond, Albany, New York

General Grand Council

  • Please use ggcrec@gmail.com and ggclrk1@gmail.com – not personal.
  • Engraver is working hard due to the opening of businesses – please give time for awards and requests. (45-60 days in advance optimal)
  • Regional Meetings: If you have awards that will be given please let us know.
  • Triennial Assembly Session 1
    • August 13-14, 2201
  • Ties – ggclrk1@gmail.com – necktie (regular or long); bowtie (pretied or self tie)
  • Aloha Shirt – also order through Michele

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