What does General Grand Council do for my Council or Grand Council? This is a question that is sometimes not answered directly or properly, we will attempt to answer that question and clarity the many aspects of the accolades of General Grand Council. Everything that it does, has the individual Cryptic Mason in mind. It surely makes his membership more valuable by improving the status of all Cryptic masons anywhere in the world.

There are presently over 1,100 Councils in the continental United States, Europe, Central and South America, and in the Pacific Theatre, who are members of the General Grand Council. One important concept it lives by is; the Grand Council’s would not permit the General Grand Council to exercise any authority over their Council’s. This would be an infringement of their sovereign right to govern the Councils in their jurisdictions.

First and foremost, Freemasonry needs: cooperation, coordination, and unity on all levels. We do not believe there has ever been a time in our history when this meant so much as they do today! Although the tangible reasons may appear small, we believe collectively they mean a great deal.

We operate the General Grand Council on a Per Capita assessment of $2.00 and $2.50 for International Counties, which is small indeed when you look at the fees charged by other National and International Masonic Bodies. But the Per Capita enables us to do so many things. Look at what is being accomplished:

We support and maintain the Cryptic Room at the George Washington Masonic Memo­ rial in Alexandria, Virginia. It is a showcase of the Cryptic World for all to witness, including non-Masonic This is a worthwhile program to support. All of us gain notoriety and stature from our presence with other Masonic organizations of the world.

General Grand Council has an extensive Awards program:

1. 1. Medal of Honor Award given to one outstanding individual per year.
   2. The Mordhurst Medal given to any Grand Recorder who has served fifteen years or longer.
   3. A Columbian Medal given to an outstanding Companion in each of the ten (10) Regions, plus three (3) given at large per Triennial.
   4. An Adult Leadership Award, given one per jurisdiction per year.
   5. The Cryptic Mason of the Year Award, given one each year, per jurisdiction, for an outstanding member.
   6. A Lady of the Council Award, to recognize our ladies for their support and involvement in Cryptic Masonry.
   7. The Most Illustrious Grand Masters Award, given each year to a retiring Grand Master of the Council. This includes a plaque, certificate, lapel pin and Permanent Membership Card in General Grand Council. Also, a Representa­tive of General Grand Council is always in attendance at each Annual Assem­bly to assist in presenting the awards and make suitable remarks.

General Grand Council sponsors ten (10) Regional Conferences each year in conjunc­tion with the other York Rite Bodies, so that the entire Rite may be presented for all to review. These conferences present interesting programs and appear to be growing in interest and enthusiasm. These Regional meetings have many advantages, both for the membership and for General Grand Council.

The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation is one of the best charitable pro­grams of any Masonic Organization. Research into Vascular Biology and Medicine. This is an internationally recognized program at the Indiana University School of Medicine, working to combat a wide range of diseases. As of this date the Compan­ions have donated and invested principal of over $2.5 million dollars to assist Re­searches at the University of Just a note, a special program in excess of $68,000. This program has many coin collectors requesting the specially designed coin. This has provided interest and enthusiasm from the Grand Councils.

The Decryption Newsletter. The newsletter is emailed with timely Masonic information to members to provide education, Cryptic events, and related material for all its members.

The Awards presented by the General Grand Council takes a greater presence over that of a local award. It generates a good feeling to be recognized and receive the award from the International officer.

The General Grand Council poses no threat to the Sovereignty of any Grand Council. We impose no requirements related to the: Constitution, By-laws, Ritual, Charity or other activities.

General Grand Council promotes spreading Masonry globally: Membership in General Grand Council promotes the fraternal cause of spreading the light of Masonry world­ wide. A stronger effort will cover North America and the International Masonic mar­kets, which are not members of the General Grand Council. The world is growing smaller and we need to be a cohesive group, speaking one mind. Your membership contributes to the growth of the Cryptic Rite, and contributes to the growth of Freema­sonry worldwide.

We provide educational material, which is unique to the Cryptic Rite. We act as a “Center” in collecting outstanding publicized material that can’t be obtained from oth­er sources.

A new Cryptic Library has been initiated for Cryptic Masons. It is housed at the Gen­eral Grand Recorder’s office.

A Life Membership Program. A pre-paid program so that the membership would not have to pay Per Capita to the General Grand Council in the future. It can be applied for individually or collectively by jurisdiction.

Additional Programs:

1. 1. “The Cryptic History”, from 193I to present. Eighty (92) years of history needs to be compiled and made available in the near future.
   2. The Historical Committee is in the formative stages on this project.
   3. The “Jeremy Cross” story. A Cryptic Prophet of the eighteenth century.
   4. To copyright all the Cryptic Degrees for preservation and protection, including the SEM.
   5. The General Grand Recorder Office is in constant progress to modernize; from electronic and manual filing, to creating new and vibrant Web material.
   6. Encourage leadership and administrative candidates for General Grand Council.
   7. Establish a sound Membership Program.
   8. Encourage jurisdictions to build a Cryptic Marker.
   9. Promote the love of Country and support patriotism.
   10. We are in the process of establishing a sound financial base.
   11. We are generating additional funds through outreach programs to assist in bring up dated educational material to the membership.

 We hope this information helps to answer the question of “What are the Benefits of General Grand Council”.