The Board of Trustees of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International (GGCMI) have conducted a review of the history and procedures that have been involved in the chartering of the Cryptic Rite outside of the United States of America.
From that review, it is clear that proper foundations were not made for the purposes of the Cryptic Rite in several jurisdictions and that proper foundations will strengthen and promote the best interests of the Cryptic Rite as well as the member jurisdictions of the GGCCMI and its partners in the expansion and maintenance of the degrees and principles of the American York Rite.
Accordingly, the Board has determined the need for an advisory commission to serve within the discretion and authority of the Board of Trustees for consideration of policies and procedures as well as recommendations as to appropriate conditions and requirements for the chartering and maintenance of the Cryptic Rite in any jurisdiction outside of the United States of America. This may include recommendations concerning issues arising within existing Grand Councils and subordinate councils in regard to fraternal and masonic issues within any jurisdiction outside the United States of America.
Therefore, it is hereby determined, ordered and decreed that the Commission on International Cryptic Masonry (CICM) shall be forthwith established on this 1st day of July, 2026, to serve within the discretion of the GGCCMI Board of Trustees on such issues as may arise in the course of chartering or maintaining the Cryptic Rite outside of the United States of America,
The charter members and co-chairmen of the Commission on International Cryptic Masonry shall be Very Puissant Companion Barry Newell of Idaho and Right Puissant Companion Russell Bridges of North Carolina, with further appointments to the Commission to be made by the General Grand Master with the advice and consent of the Board of Trustees.
The Commission is authorized by the Board of Trustees to interact and confer with the appropriate bodies of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International and its Bureau of International Masonic Affairs (BIMA) and the Foreign Relations Committee of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States of America or such successor entities as may be established for similar purposes with the prior written consent of the General Grand Master.
The Commission shall provide recommendations to the Board of Trustees on such issues and charter applications or requests as may be referred to it by the General Grand Master or the Board of Trustees with a focus on such conditions and requirements necessary for the proper institution and maintenance of the Cryptic Rite within the traditional American York Rite model or adjustments to alternate recognized forms of the Royal Arch or Masonic Templary prevalent in the jurisdiction under review.
The Commission shall make recommendations for compliance with the principles and policies set forth in the Preamble, Landmarks, and Maxims of the GGCCMI Constitution.
The Commission shall also make recommendations as requested upon measures to prevent the abuse of the Cryptic Rite within a jurisdiction or derogation of the Solomonic Rule of Three by any entity within a jurisdiction.
Signed, Attested:
William G. Snyder Mark E. Irwin
General Grand Master General Grand Recorder
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
