Southeast Regional Recorder's Meeting - March 10, 2021
Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International

General Grand Council Collar
Cryptic Masons International Collar
Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom
 

On March 10, a conference call was held with the Southeast Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below.

Alabama

  • CMMRF - Fundraising focus with meetings with Councils.
  • Open for meetings - Social Distancing and masks - no issue if people are uncomfortable.
  • Festivals are ongoing and trying to catch up.
    • Whoever produces the most Candidates - Council gets a $300 bonus gift to charity.
    • Kroger gifts - seeing if can facilitate direct contributions as well 
  • Sessions went well - planned for February 2021.

Florida

  • Annual Sessions
    • May 16-19 - In-person - FLA YORK RITE MASONS ONLY.
  • Festivals ongoing - in-person.
    • 33 new Companions
    • Commandery next weekend 42 new Sir Knights/33 new Sir Knights (2 Conclaves)
  • Meetings are ongoing and in person. Masks and social distancing are enforced - food up to the individual body.

Georgia

  • Recently opened Commanderies to Phase I
  • Chapter/Council - recommending social distancing
  • MWGM - no degree work.
    • Waiting on the Governor of Georgia to relax the laws for COVID.
  • Festival April 17, 2021, Postponed (Marietta).
  • Session
    • Macon, GA; Grand Chapter Building
    • All three
    • May 3, 2021 - Business Session - GA YORK RITE MASONS ONLY
    • May 15, 2021 - Memorial, Awards and Officer Installation
    • No Side/Chair degrees.
  • Actively adopted Zoom - meetings 4-5 times a week across bodies.
  • New website - revamped for UI and friendliness - Blue Lodge centric

Mississippi

  • Annual Sessions -
    • Zoom - 
    • May 22, 2021
    • Registration etc. forthcoming
  • Meetings ongoing
    • Social distancing and masks - up to local leadership.
  • Ronald L. Thomas Ritual Award Form
  • Working into regular Festivals - some very active, some coming on board.

North Carolina

  • Annual Sessions
    • Virtual Session Zoom
    • Monday, March 22, 2021
    • In-person - 2022 - Clemmons, NC; Village Inn Events Center 
      • March 20-22, 2022
  • As of Monday - 
    • Commandery - Phase 1B - In-person meetings
    • Chapter and Council are active.
  • Festivals
    • April 17th - Salisbury, NC (All three bodies)
    • Festivals are going on for Council.
  • Summer Assembly - TBD, likely not to happen due to timing & venues.
  • 2022 - Time Capsule 
    • Will be opened.
    • Send in small memories for the time capsule.

CMMRF

  • 50,000.00 Matching until April 1, 2021
  • Working to inform the Craft.

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.