Southwest Regional Recorder's Meeting - March 24, 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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.