Southwest Regional Recorder’s Meeting – February 24, 2021

Southwest Regional Recorder’s Meeting – February 24, 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 February 24, a conference call was held with the Southwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below.

Invocation: Craig Phillips

Arizona:

  • Mid-year meeting March 20, 2021, 8:00 AM AZ Time.
  • April 24, 2021, 10:00AM Ish Sodi and Super Excellent Master
  • May 24, 2021, 8:30 AM – Pioneer Cemetary, Phoenix – Memorial Day Ceremony

California

  • Still shutdown.
  • May 8, 2021, ca-gyrs.org – register for the Grand Sessions.
  • Deputy Grand Master had three strokes, recovering and doing well, maybe available to serve, but keeping Peter Champion in thoughts and prayers.
  • Annual officers conference happened, Grand Council is prepared for May.

Hawaii

  • All meetings are virtual.
  • Advertisement – CMMRF – Preliminary Proceedings.
  • Grand Sessions
  • Life Membership Program underway.

Nevada

  • Governor is loosening restrictions (15th February) – anticipated by May that individual cities will be self-governing.
  • Looking forward to meetings in person starting for Lodges.
  • Grand Sessions – August 22-24, 2021 – in Person – (Firming up Sunday, Feb 28)
    • Sunday Banquet
    • End Tuesday around Noon.
    • May offer virtual as well (GEKT regulations)

New Mexico

  • Edict No. 8 – Governor’s tier scheme – Red, Yellow, Green, Turquoise.
  • In accordance with the NM DOH criterion – we are “Mass Gatherings” (max 5) MWGM is encouraging virtual meetings. Lodges will have authority to conduct meetings.
  • Grand Lodge Annual Communication March 17, 2021 – Virtual.
  • Grand Sessions – Virtual
  • Awards – Aren’t giving awards – GGM will allow duplicate awards next year.

Utah

  • Grand Sessions
  • MWGM has allowed going back to work.
  • YR Heads – not working – Traditions prevailing leaders – planned to open.
  • September 17-18, 2021 – Festival

Southwest 

  • Conference
    • Halloween Weekend 
    • Las Vegas, NV
    • Hotel TBD (working on contracts now).
  • Colorado River Fall Festival
    • Tentatively planned – may not go.

CMMRF

  • 50,000.00 Matching until April 1, 2021
  • March 6, 2021, is CMMRF Day
  • Working to inform the Craft.
  • Suggest working with the Eastern Star.

General Grand Council

  • Rolling out a convergence platform on OneNote.
  • Working with getting communication up with all Grand Councils and Subordinate Councils.
  • Dates for the 1st Triennial Meeting
    • August 13-14, 2021 – Minneapolis, MN
    • First Day – Education, Training, CMMRF, etc.
    • GG Assembly – Constitution & Bylaws Changes, Grand and Subordinate Charters
    • GEKT has been the epitome of York Rite Cooperation. Essentially hosting us.
      • Registrations will be one – the GEKT will have a registration, ours will be a part of it.
      • Registrations should be available in early March.
      • Education speaker for GEKT on Sunday.
  • Mid-Term Session – August of 2022 – Budget – Virtual.
  • August/September 2023 – General Grand Assembly
    • Kevin Sample, Chair.
    • Awaiting books being closed for 2020 Triennial from General Grand Chapter.
  • International Work – Focus of the GG Officers
    • Italy – 
      • Charter suspended 1 year ago – reinstated last week.
      • Challenges with the GHP – York Rite in Italy is only Chapter and Commandery, not Council.
    • Brazil – 
      • Charter suspended 1 year ago – reconstituting a new Grand Council currently.
      • Grand Chapter lost authorization by several Grand Lodges 
      • GHP/GS structured a no-election based system for leadership. Also are under investigation for moneys issues.
      • GHP was installed without being a member of a recognized Grand Lodge.
      • General Grand Chapter unresponsive to issues.
      • GM Sao Paolo, 1st Grand Principle – Royal Arch of Jerusalem setup a new Grand Chapter.
        • GEKT recognized new Grand Chapter (not the old)
        • GG Council now recognizes only the new Grand Chapter
        • Stated to follow the American York Rite

Benediction: Robert Peterson

Other News