By RPC Corey Curtiss, General Grand Conductor of the Council

General Conference of Grand Councils of Royal and Select Masters, PHA, of USA and the Bahamas Inc holds their annual meeting and installs new officers!

On May 2-3, 2025 the General Conference of Royal and Select Masters PHA held their Annual Meeting in Charlotte, NC, presided over by Joel Mends, General Conference Grand Thrice Illustrious Grand Master. Representing M.P. General Grand Master Bill Snyder, Corey Curtiss, GGCoC and Chief of Staff, who has served as General Grand Representative to the General Conference since 2021, brought warm greetings of friendship and partnership to the GC Grand Thrice and the assembled General Conference.

G.C. Grand Thrice Mends presided over a very efficient, informative, and busy General Conference with ease and great decorum. He set the General Conference to work following his installation in 2023 and much has been accomplished. They added several new jurisdictions including Alaska and Michigan and welcomed Washington back into the fold. The General Conference instituted online payments with Zelle and Paypal, published prefiled reports securely online, streamlined the business of the GC in and out of session, and increased transparency of accounting and engagement of members. The GC also introduced products to bring income and show Cryptic pride including ball caps, lapel pins, and new ritual books. There were speakers educating the gathered members about the dangers of prostate and colorectal cancer. It was an impressive term and impressive session as they completed all the work, and pomp, education, award presentations, election, installation, and group photo in less than four hours.

The previous evening the GC Grand Thrice hosted a marvelous banquet where Ladies of the Circle of Perfection from member jurisdictions from across the General Conference were honored for their charitable fundraising. The food was delicious, company exquisite, and much fun was had by all who attended.

GC Grand Thrice Mends, a recipient of the Star of Solomon from the GGC, honored our General Grand Master with the rank of Honorary Past General Conference Grand Thrice Illustrious Grand Master and a purple crown was blessed by the Grand Chaplain Jerry Springer for the GGM’s use. M.P. Snyder is the first GGM honored in this manner. GC Grand Thrice Mends spoke of his appreciation for the warm welcome and hospitality at our 2023 Triennial in Missouri and the special relationship between the General Conference, and General Grand Council and the promise that the relationship would continue to flourish for the betterment of all Cryptic Masons in both Jurisdictions.

The General Grand Council congratulates Companion Joel Mends on his term as GC Grand Thrice. The GC honored him unanimously with the rare and prestigious status of General Conference Grand Thrice Illustrious Grand Master Emeritus. Additionally, the congratulations and best wishes are in order for the success of the newly installed General Conference Grand Thrice Illustrious Grand Master Hubert A. Braxton of Pennsylvania and his officers. The General Grand Council deeply appreciates the warm welcome and hospitality of the Companions of the General Conference and looks forward to welcoming the delegation to our Triennial in 2026.