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
• 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