Southwest Regional Recorder's Meeting - March 24, 2021
Submitted by Stephen Balke, General Grand Recorder, Cryptic Masons International

Cryptic Masons International Collar
Photo Credit; MIC John Bridegroom
On March 24, a conference call was held with the Southwest Regional Recorders. A summary of the call is below.
Arizona:
- Government/COVID
- Opening up overall in Arizona
- Each County is operating independently.
- Meetings
- The majority are working in person - very little is limited to Zoom.
- Some members are being cautious.
- 90% Open
- Festivals
- Phoenix - Festival -
- May 1, 2021 - Royal Arch
- June 26, 2021 - Council, RM, SM, SEM, Ish Sodi
- Commandery TBA
- Sierra Vista
- April 24, 2021 - Chapter and Council Degrees
- May 15, 2021 - Commandery Orders
- Phoenix - Festival -
- Grand Sessions/Mid Year
- Mid Year - Went well
- 45 in attendance (in person)
- Preliminary information and 1st contact after Covid for many
- Grand Sessions
- August 19-21, 2021
- Council, Commandery, Chapter
- Phoenix, AZ TBD
- Mid Year - Went well
- Membership Hit from COVID (so far) 3-4%
- Grand Council/York Rite Per Capita
- RAM 21.00, RSM 13.50, KT 25.00 (plus GG PC)
- Salary Expenses - Not on hand.
- Newsletter/E-Journal going out from the Secretary/Recorder’s Office
California:
- Government/COVID
- Still closed - May open this Summer (sooner than previous estimates).
- Restaurants permitting indoor seating/shopping open.
- Still social distancing in place.
- Meetings
- Zoom meetings are the current venue.
- Festivals
- Hopeful about the Annual Royal Arch Festival in June.
- May need Dispensation.
- Grand Sessions/Mid Year
- May 8, 2021 - Virtual - Registration site:
- A business meeting is at 10:00 AM PDT
- Installation afternoon.
- Grand Council/York Rite Per Capita
- RAM 21.00, RSM 18.00, KT 29.00 (Include GG, add ons for other items)
- Salary Expenses - Not on hand.
- Numbers are down about 200/year in membership.
- Peter Deputy Grand Master - Will stand for election, but is still in rehab. Strokes after vaccination (unknown if related); the son was also affected by the vaccine.
- Data Review on Membership
- The decline in 2020 - same as 2019 (%) - roughly 9% (better but not much in 2020)
- Commandery - 5 years - if keeps trend - 50% drop. (50% is 70 yo or above).
Hawaii:
- Government/COVID
- Varies by County (Island - Mayor)
- Honolulu - Tier 3 - 10 or more - restaurants open to 10 - wear mask - outdoor activities are ok, just teams.
- Travel to Hawaii - requires valid negative Covid test.
- Inter-island travel restrictions may be lifted in April. (Maui holding back)
- Vaccination rollout - 25000/day - should be caught up by EOM April with everyone that wants one.
- Meetings
- Meeting virtually - at most hybrid.
- Regular meetings in Maui and Kalakaua
- Fun programs going on with education and fraternity.
- Festivals
- None Planned
- Lots of anticipation for one or more, but waiting for fewer restrictions.
- Grand Sessions/Mid Year
- February 2021
- Next month - first executives meeting.
- Grand Council/York Rite Per Capita
- RAM 12, RSM 12.50, KT 19.00 (inclusive)
- Salary Expenses
- None
- MIGM Chris Williams - Welcome.
- Food bank Maui going to Church.
- Picking up dual memberships due to the Zoom environment.
Nevada:
- Government/COVID
- 15th of March - 50% at gatherings
- 1 April - County controlled restrictions.
- Shots are being given - anyone 18 or over can get a shot.
- Meetings
- MWGM opened for meetings
- All but Las Vegas have met, Vegas Lodge is opening the building. TBA April meeting.
- Rotating meeting - all Grand Heads +24 Companions
- Meeting in morning/body, then after lunch.
- Elections in May.
- Festivals
- None on the schedule -
- Northern Nevada is discussing putting on degrees. Looking for Ritualist replacements.
- Colorado River Fall Festival - Planned but cautiously. October 17-19, 2021
- Grand Sessions/Mid Year
- Registration - Forthcoming
- August 22-24, 2021
- 22 August - Memorial, Banquet, Silver Trowel
- 23 August - Morning - Council/Afternoon - Commandery
- 24 August - Morning - Chapter (done by Noon)
- Single price: $175 (includes banquet, buffet Monday, CMMRF Dinner Monday)
- Visiting Grand Head - $125
- Ladies’ Tea - No Cost.
- Santa Fe Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
- Open to all.
- 75 Masks with YorkRite emblems
- Grand Council/York Rite Per Capita
- RAM 10.00; RSM 10.00; KT 6.00 (all plus GG?, KT plus PC & KTEF $1)
- Salary Expenses
- $1000.00
- Craig isn’t available next month - plan for Mike.
New Mexico:
- Grand Lodge last weekend
- MWGM sent edict - open according to State criteria. Responsibility of the Master.
- Government/COVID
- Governor-controlled County-based restrictions.
- https://cvprovider.nmhealth.org/public-dashboard.html
- Quarantine enforced for 14 days after leaving the state.
- Meetings
- Most active organizations
- Max 10 people on-premises.
- Using Zoom to hold meetings
- Not allowed to open Lodge AND have Zoom meeting simultaneously
- “Green” Counties - some are ready to open - awaiting York Rite Heads
- Most active organizations
- Festivals
- Lots of rules regarding degree & ritual work.
- None scheduled.
- Grand Sessions/Mid Year
- Virtual - April 17, 2021
- Council 9:00, Commandery 11:00, Chapter 13:00 - MDT
- https://sessions.nmyorkrite.org
- No business planned. Budget, elections, and installation only.
- Grand Council/York Rite Per Capita
- (inclusive) RAM 14.00, RSM 15.00, KT 28.00
- Salary Expenses - Not available.
- Not heavily impacted on membership - NPDs were avoided. Few deaths.
Utah:
- Government/COVID
- Dropping mask mandate April 10
- Worried about water shortage
- Meetings
- No in-person meetings until May
- Virtual meetings for most bodies.
- Dark June and July
- TBD - Likely open after Summer Break
- Festivals
- September 17-18, 2021
- Promoting
- 4 Corner’s Royal Arch Festival (Grand Junction, CO)
- Colorado River Fall Festival (Laughlin, NV)
- Grand Sessions/Mid Year
- Virtual
- May 8, 2021
- CSK TJ Robertson representing Council in California.
- Grand Council/York Rite Percapita
- RAM 3.00; RSM 3.00; KT 6.00 (+GG)
- Legislation to 7.00 each at Sessions.
- Salary Expenses
- Not available.
- Two Utah Education Series next Month
- April 7, 2021 - Joe Martinez - The Vaults of Enoch and the Secret Knowledge Within
- April 26, 2021 - Jason Richards - The Influence of the Noachide Flood Myth on the Masonic Third Degree.
Southwest:
- Southwest Conference News
- Contracting in progress (Jason visiting to make sure acceptable)
- October 29-30, 2021
- Golden Nugget, Fremont Street, Las Vegas, NV
CMMRF
- 50K Matching April 1, 2021
- Current Efforts
General Grand Council:
- GG Recorders
- Please take a look at the tie - let us know if you would like one.
- Please get your awards, etc. in asap - USPS is having issues.