Benefits of Membership
in General Grand Council
What does General Grand Council do for my Council or Grand Council? It is a fair and important question. The answer is found in the many ways General Grand Council supports, promotes, recognizes, and strengthens Cryptic Masonry while always keeping the individual Cryptic Mason in mind.
Everything General Grand Council does is intended to make membership more valuable by improving the status, visibility, education, and strength of Cryptic Masons throughout the world. It promotes cooperation, coordination, and unity while respecting the sovereignty of every Grand Council.
Sovereignty, Unity, and Cooperation
Membership in the General Grand Council is strictly voluntary by the Grand Councils in each jurisdiction. In Cryptic Masonry, each Grand Council is sovereign unto itself. The General Grand Council poses no threat to that sovereignty and imposes no requirements related to constitutions, bylaws, ritual, charity, or local activities.
Its role is not to govern local Councils, but to unite, support, and strengthen the Cryptic Rite through cooperation, shared resources, recognition, education, and international fellowship.
What General Grand Council Supports
General Grand Council supports and maintains the Cryptic Room at the George Washington Masonic Memorial in Alexandria, Virginia. This room serves as a showcase of the Cryptic world for Masons and non-Masons alike, giving the Rite visibility and stature among other Masonic organizations.
General Grand Council sponsors ten Regional Conferences each year in conjunction with the other York Rite Bodies. These conferences present the entire York Rite for review, discussion, education, leadership development, and renewed enthusiasm.
The Decryption newsletter is emailed with timely Masonic information, educational material, Cryptic events, and related resources for members throughout the jurisdiction.
General Grand Council provides educational material unique to the Cryptic Rite and serves as a center for collecting and preserving outstanding published material that may not be easily obtained elsewhere.
Recognition and Awards
General Grand Council maintains an extensive awards program. Recognition from an international officer carries a special dignity and gives added honor to Companions, leaders, ladies, and Grand Councils who have served the Craft with distinction.
- Medal of Honor Award: Presented to one outstanding individual each year.
- Mordhurst Medal: Presented to a Grand Recorder who has served fifteen years or longer.
- Columbian Medal: Presented to an outstanding Companion in each of the ten Regions, plus three at-large awards per Triennial.
- Adult Leadership Award: Presented one per jurisdiction each year.
- Cryptic Mason of the Year Award: Presented annually in each jurisdiction to an outstanding member.
- Lady of the Council Award: Recognizes ladies for their support and involvement in Cryptic Masonry.
- Most Illustrious Grand Master’s Award: Presented each year to a retiring Grand Master of the Council, including a plaque, certificate, lapel pin, and Permanent Membership Card in General Grand Council.
Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation
The Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation is one of the finest charitable programs of any Masonic organization. Its work supports research in vascular biology and medicine through internationally recognized programs at the Indiana University School of Medicine.
The Companions have donated and invested millions of dollars to assist researchers, while special programs and specially designed commemorative coins have generated additional interest and enthusiasm throughout the Grand Councils.
Preservation, Library, and History
A new Cryptic Library has been initiated for Cryptic Masons and is housed at the General Grand Recorder’s office.
The history of Cryptic Masonry from 1931 to the present is being compiled and preserved so that generations of Companions may understand the growth and work of the Rite.
The story of Jeremy Cross, a Cryptic prophet of the eighteenth century, remains an important part of the historical work and identity of the Cryptic Rite.
General Grand Council continues efforts to preserve and protect the Cryptic Degrees, including the Super Excellent Master Degree.
Membership, Leadership, and Growth
Membership in General Grand Council promotes the fraternal cause of spreading the light of Masonry worldwide. The world is growing smaller, and Cryptic Masons benefit from a cohesive international body speaking with one mind while respecting the sovereignty of each Grand Council.
General Grand Council encourages leadership, administrative candidates, sound membership programs, Cryptic markers, love of country, patriotism, and the development of new educational material for the membership.
A prepaid Life Membership Program allows members or jurisdictions to provide for future General Grand Council per capita obligations.
The General Grand Recorder’s Office continues to modernize through electronic records, improved filing systems, and updated web resources.
General Grand Council is working to establish a sound financial base and generate additional funds through outreach programs.
Your membership contributes to the growth of the Cryptic Rite and the advancement of Freemasonry throughout the world.
