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

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
- Doing degrees
- 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