Southwest Regional Recorder\’s Meeting – February 24, 2021
Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International

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
  • February 27, 2021
  • Registration at http://www.yorkritehi.org/ 
  • Council starts at 11:00 AM HST
• 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
  • April 17, 2021 – Council 9:00, Commandery 11:00 Chapter 1:00 
  • https://sessions.nmyorkrite.org – Registration starts March 1, 2021
• Awards – Aren’t giving awards – GGM will allow duplicate awards next year.

Utah

• Grand Sessions
  • May 8, 2021 – Start 1:00 PM Mountain – Virtual
  • https://utahyorkrite.org 
• 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