The Sword and Trowel is a monthly Newsletter published by the Grand Council Cryptic Masons of California and provides

information to all Companions of Grand York Rite of California.

Sword & Trowel March 2020 Volume 7 No. 10 Page 2 of 27

Table of Contents ..... 2 Vision Statement ..... 3 Civility or the Lack Thereof … ..... 4 Secretary/Recorder Essentials ..... 5 Department Grand Officers ..... 6 Assistant Director of Ritual ..... 8 Inspector ..... 10 Editor’s Ramblings ..... 12 ScholarShips ..... 15 Contacts ..... 16

Illustrious Grand Master Cryptic Masons: 16 Grand Secretary/Recorder: ..................... 16 Assistant Secretary/Recorder: ................. 16 Website: ........ ......................................... 16 Officers: Grand Council Cryptic Masons California 17

Happenings in our State & in a Galaxy far, far, away 18 Grand Sessions ....................................... 18 Grand York Rite Sessions Reservation Form 20 Sessions Ad Order Form ......................... 22 General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International 24 United Grand Lodge of England .............. 27

Table of Contents

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Vision Statement

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Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of California Eduardo Estrada, Grand Master of Cryptic Masons-California

Dear Companions All,

As I start my journey into the month of March, I realize that I am entering the last quarter mile of my term as your Most Illustrious Grand Master and my penultimate Sword and Trowel article in this capacity. I am reserving the May article to my glorious successor RIC Robert Morrison, who is chomping-at-the-bit to share his initiatives with you. We are all very proud of him and I am looking forward to my next article, wherein I will provide you with the highlights of his illustrious career in Masonry

The month of March is named for the Roman god of war, Mars. This was the time of the year to

resume military campaigns that had been interrupted by winter. Although this was important back in a day, I prefer to focus on the vernal equinox which is when the light begins to defeat the dark. Our ancestors were more connected to the Sun than we are today. They observed its pathway across the sky; they tracked how the sunrise, sunset, and day length changed, using the Sun (and Moon) as a clock and calendar.

There are many ancient sites that mark the equinoxes (and solstices). One of the most famous ancient spring equinox celebrations was at Chichen Itza in Mexico. The Mayans built a huge pyramid around the year A.D. 1000. The play of the Sun’s light on it signals the beginning of the seasons. On the spring equinox, the reflection of the Sun’s light resembles a huge snake slithering down the steps of the pyramid. Mayans called this day “the return of the Sun serpent.” Other reasons to look forward to March: St. Patrick’s Day, the harvesting of maple syrup, and the first day of Spring.

On a more somber note, I would like to share my some of my thoughts about civility, or the lack thereof. Civility is defined as “polite, reasonable, and respectful behavior” (Merriam-Webster). President Washington, in his publication Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation, offered an instruction that included “every action done in company ought to be with some sign of respect, to those that are present.” Sadly, we seem to be living in an increasingly uncivil community. From presidential politics to random internet comments, there seems to be more and more rude, demeaning, insulting, and aggressive language and behavior in our society. Although we as Masons are held to the highest standards, we are a microcosm of society and are not immune to its influences.

Research on the topic of incivility has found that mental and physical health, membership engagement and retention, and membership relations and so forth all greatly suffer when we cannot best work and best agree. When unchecked, a form of social contagion occurs. It tends to be more readily repeated and spreads to others. We can all surly agree that when leaders and those held in high esteem in our fraternity behave in uncivil ways their behavior is modeled and repeated by others.

In translation, we must be very cognizant about how we regard one another. Offensive, insulting, demeaning, disrespectful, discriminatory, divisive, rude, and dismissive behaviors towards any of our members has a chilling and destructive effect upon our fraternity and must not be tolerated.

The more our members feel needed and valued, the more likely they will show up and participate. As we endeavor to shed the negative and superfluous parts of ourselves, we should engage in self-auditing reflections and not wait for someone else to whisper good counsel in our ears.

On lighter note:

• The pursuit of happiness seems to be the chase of a lifetime • Character is what a person is in the dark. • Exchange of ideas & intelligence is a discussion, but an exchange of ignorance is an argument. • It is our responsibilities, not ourselves, that we should take seriously.

Sincerely and Fraternally,

Eduardo Estrada Grand Master Cryptic Masons of California

estrada.exe@gmail.com

Civility or the Lack Thereof …

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Secretary/Recorder Essentials

Forms and Documents, you will need are located at the Grand York Rite website: Grand York Rite of California.

Scroll down and click on "York Rite Forms and Documents. “Then click on the appropriate logo. A window

opens where you enter the userid, which is "cagyr" and the password, which is "brio"

Scroll down to Officers Manual, which has information for the Secretary, and print that out. Many concepts in the

Grand Chapter manual are relevant to the Councils and Commanderies. Priorities are as follows:

1. Dues Collection: You should send out dues notices no later than October, with payments from members due

by December 31st.

2. Membership control: Especially important is the very last item, “Royal Arch Monthly Report.” This is relevant

to you as a Secretary/Recorder if you do not yet have a userid for access to MMS – Masonic Membership

Solutions. If you fill the paper report out each month, whenever you encounter changes to the membership, you will find it much easier at the end of the year to produce the year-end report, which is used to compute the

amount of per capita the Chapter needs to pay. That payment is due by Jan 15th each year. Important changes to

your membership include new members, demits, remits and deaths. Maintain e-mail addresses for members and

you can easily then forward the monthly newsletter, The WORKMAN & Sword and Trowel, to them.

3. Do not cavalierly suspend members for non-payment of dues. There is a Constitutional process that should be

followed rigorously in order that members, who may have moved and not received your dues notice, are treated

fairly. See the following sections of the relevant Constitution in order to learn about this process:

Chapter: Section 201 in the Constitution at

http://www.yorkriteusa.org/cagyr/forms/Chapter/ROYAL%20ARCH%20Constitution%202018%20Rev1.pdf

Council: See Section 30-10 in the Constitution at

http://www.yorkriteusa.org/cagyr/forms/Council/Grand%20Council%20Constitution%202018%20Rev1.pdf

Commandery: See Section 347 in the Constitution at

http://www.yorkriteusa.org/cagyr/forms/Commandery/GRAND%20COMMANDERY%20Constitution%202018%2

0Rev1.pdf

4. Per Capita: Per Capita payment, due each Jan 15th, does not require action by the Chapter to be paid. You will

need good, up-to-date membership data in order to compute the end-of-year number of active members that is

crucial to computing your per capita payment. Without good data you will most likely overpay your per capita requirement. It is sensible to begin your process near the end of the CY, as soon as possible. It is also sensible, if

you have access to the Grand Lodge database, to check each member to see if they are still alive. But most

important is getting a userid to utilize MMS.

5. Insurance: Insurance payment, due each July 15th, does not require action by the Chapter, Council or

Commandery to be paid. You will be billed for the payment by the Grand Secretary-Recorder.

6. Lodge Book of Marks: Maintain this up-to-date, or perhaps arrange for a PHP to take on the responsibility of

maintaining.

7. Minutes: Take good minutes, but don’t over-do it by trying to capture everything that is said. Focus on having a

clear representation of motions made and the vote count by which they passed or failed. In addition to keeping

petitions in a separate file, it is good practice to replicate the basic petitioner information in the minutes. It is also

a good practice to keep the names of attendees at each meeting in the minutes. If conferring a degree, keep a copy

of the cast members and the candidate(s).

8. Grand Sessions: Before April meeting, remind Dais officers they are responsible to attend, and arrange a

stipend if your Chapter, Council or Commandery can afford it. Remind members who expect to attend to be sure

to take their dues cards. If Dais Officers of Chapter and Council cannot attend, they may issue a proxy, or they

may elect a representative. This is true also for Commanderies, whose members cannot issue proxies. Appropriate

forms can be obtained on Grand York Rite website: Scroll to "Elected Representative and Proxy Credentials."

9. Order of High Priesthood: Be sure the current High Priest and Past High Priests’ know they are eligible to

receive this Order. In fact, it is a Constitutional requirement! Share the petition with them and send to the Grand

Secretary. This requirement does not appear to be true for the Thrice Illustrious Master Degree or the Past

Commander’s Association. Petitions for all three bodies are available at the website.

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Department Grand Officers

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Assistant Director of Ritual

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Inspector

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********************************************Bold is current*************************************************

I found a book (on-line Google) by Charles W. Moore, editor of the Freemasons’ Monthly Magazine, 1868. Skipping around the book, I came across the questions which are asked of every (Thrice) Illustrious Master.

Recorder reads the names of the elected and appointed officers Council must confirm Obligation

“I (Name) do solemnly promise, that I will faithfully, and to the best of my ability, discharge the duties of the office to which I have been elected; and that I will strictly conform to the requirements of the Bylaws of this Council, and the Regulations of the Grand Council, under which the same is holden so far as they may come to my knowledge.”

Marshal present Thrice Illustrious Master for installation

I feel great satisfaction in receiving you as the Thrice Illustrious Master of this Council. It is a station highly honorable to him who diligently and faithfully performs the duties it devolves upon him. But, previously to investing you with the appropriate jewel of your office, I must require your unequivocal assent to the following interrogatories

Illustrious Companion, I feel much

satisfaction in performing my duty on the

present occasion, by installing you into the office of Illustrious Master of this Council.

It is an office highly honorable to all those who diligently perform the important duties

which belong to it. By a frequent referral to

the Constitution and General Regulations and a zealous study of our sublime science,

you will be able to fulfill the duties incumbent upon you, and I am confident

that the Companions who are chosen to

assist you will give you strength to you endeavors and support to your exertions. I

shall now propose certain questions to you relative to the duties of your office, to

which I request your unequivocal answer.

Do you solemnly promise that you will use your upmost endeavors to correct the vices and purify the morals of your Brethren; and to promote the peace, happiness, and prosperity of your Council?

Do you solemnly promise that you will redouble your endeavors to correct the

vices, purify the morals, and promote the happiness of those of your Companions who

have attained this Select Degree?

That you will not suffer your Select Council to be opened, when there are less than nine, or more than Twenty-seven Select Master Present?

That you will never suffer your Council to

be opened unless there be present nine

regular Select Masters?

That you will not suffer any person to pass the Circle of Perfection in your Council, in whose integrity, fervency, and zeal you have not entire confidence?

That you will not suffer any one to pass the Circle of Perfection in your Council, in

whose integrity, fervency and zeal you have

not entire confidence.

That you will not acknowledge or hold intercourse with any Council that does not work under some regular and constitutional authority

That you will not acknowledge or have fraternal relations with any Council that

does not work under a constitutional

charter or dispensation

That you will not admit any visitor into your Council, who has not been regularly and lawfully invested with the Degrees conferred therein, without his having previously been formally healed.

That you will not admit any visitor into your Council who has not been regularly

greeted in a Council legally constituted,

without his being fir formally healed

Editor’s Ramblings

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That you will faithfully observe and support such By-Laws as may be made by your Council, in conformity with the Constitution and General Regulation of the Grand Council under whose authority it works

That you will observe and support such by-

laws as may be made by your Council, in conformity with the Constitution and

General Regulations of the Grand Council of

this State

That you will pay due respect and obedience in the Grand Officers, when duly installed, and sustain them in the discharge of their lawful duties

That you will pay due respect and obedience to the instructions of the State

Grand Officers, particularly relating to the

several lectures and charges, and will resign the chair to them, severally, when

they may visit your Council officially

That you will support and observe the

Constitution and General Regulations of the

Grand Council, under whose authority you

act

That you will bid you successor in office to the observance of the same rules to which

you are now about to give assent

Do you submit to all those requirements and promise to observe and practice them faithfully

Do you submit to all these requirements and

promise to observe and practice them

faithfully?

Response “I do” Response “I do”

Illustrious Companion Marshal conducts

Illustrious Master to Altar

Illustrious Companion Chaplain Prayer Obligation

Illustrious Companion, in consequence of your cheerful acquiescence to the charges

which you have heard recited, you are

qualified for installation as the Illustrious Master of this Council of Cryptic Masons;

and it is incumbent upon me, on this occasion, to point out some of the

particulars appertaining to your office,

duty and dignity. The Illustrious Master of every Council has it in special charge to

see that the by-laws of this Council, as well as the Constitution and General

Regulations of the Grand Council of his

State, are duly observed; that all the Officers of his Council perform the duties

of their respective offices faithfully, and are examples of diligence and industry to

their Companions; that true and accurate

records of all the proceedings of the Council are kept by the Recorder; that the

Treasurer keeps and renders exact and just accounts of all money and other

property belonging to the Council; that the

regular returns be made annually to the Grand Council; and that the annual dues

to the Grand Council be regularly and punctually paid. He has the right and

authority to call his Council together at

pleasure, upon any emergency or occurrence which, in his judgement, may

require their meeting. It is his privilege and duty, together with the Deputy Master

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and Principle Conductor of the Work to attend the meetings of the Grand Council,

either in person or by proxy; and the well being of the Council requires that this

duty should on no occasion be omitted.

As the representative of the Wise King of Israel; it will be your duty to recite the

secret traditions and illustrate the moral principles of the Order, to cherish the

worthy, and hold the due veneration the

ancient landmarks.

You will now be invested with the Jewel of

your office.

I deliver into your hands the Charter

under which you are to work. You will

receive it as a sacred deposit, and never permit it to be used for any other purposes

then those expressed therein, and safely transmit it to you successor in office. And

my He, without whose approving smile our

labors are all in vain, give strength to you

endeavors and support to your exertions.

And now, Thrice Illustrious, with entire confidence in the rectitude of your intentions and in the integrity of you character as a Select Mason, I invest you with this jewel, the appropriate badge of your office.

Having been honored with the free suffrages of your Companions, and elevated to the highest office within their gift, it becomes your duty to set them an example of diligence, industry, and fidelity, to see that the officers associated with you faithfully perform their respective duties, and that the interests and reputation of your Council are not endangered by imprudence or neglect

The important trust committed to your charge will call forth your best exertions, and the exercise of your best faculties. As the representative of the wise King of Israel, it will be your duty to recite the secret traditions, to illustrate the moral principles of the Order, to cherish the worthy, and hold in due veneration the ancient landmarks.

By frequent recurrence to the By-laws of your Council and the general regulations of the Fraternity and a consistent observance of the great principles inculcated in the lecture and charges, you will be enabled to fulfil the important obligations resting upon you, with honor to yourself and with credit to the Craft. And may He, without whose approving smiles our labors are all in vain, give strength to your endeavors and support to your exertions.

Conducts Illustrious Master to station

Obligation to elected and appointed

Charge to Right Illustrious Master: Companion: Having been elected to the second office in this Council, it is with pleasure that I invest you with this jewel, the badge of your office.

The duties of the importation office to which you Companions have elevated you, will require your constant and earnest attention. You are to occupy the second seat in the Council, and it will

Charge to Deputy Master: Companion, the

important station to which you are elected in this Council requires from you

exemplary conduct: its duties demand you

most diligent attention; you are to second and support your chief in all requirements

at his office, and, should casualties at any time prevent his attendance, you are to

succeed him in the performance of his

Sword & Trowel March 2020 Volume 7 No. 10 Page 15 of 27

be your duty of aid and support your chief in all the requirements of his office. In his absence, you will be called upon to preside in Council, and to discharge his duties.

Although the representative of a King, and elevated in rank above your Companions, may you never forget that, in all the duties you owe to God, your Neighbor, and yourself, you and they stand upon the same level of equality. Let the bright example of your illustrious predecessor in the Council at Jerusalem stimulate you to the faithful performance of every duty, and when the King of Kings shall summon you to his immediate presence, from his hand may you receive a crown of glory which shall never fade away

duties. You will now be invested with the Jewel of you office which should remind

you, that although the representative of a King, and exalted by office above your

Companions, yet that you remain upon a

level with them, as respects your duty to God, our neighbor and yourself; that you

are equally bound with them to be obedient to the laws and ordinances of the

institution, to be charitable, humane, and

just, and to seek every occasion of doing good. You are entitled to the second seat

in the Council of your Companions. Let the bright example of your illustrious

predecessor in the Grand Council at

Jerusalem stimulate you to the faithful discharge of your duties; and when the

King of Kings shall summon you into His immediate presence, from his hand may

you receive a crown of glory which shall

never fade away.

This was included in our Newsletter to remind all about the Grand Master’s York Rite Reception on Sunday, April 19th. I have not received any information about this reception to post on our website. I also copied information from Oakland

Companions, your children, grandchildren, & for some, great-grandchildren may receive financial help

for attending school. After opening up Scholarship Center website, have them go to bottom of page &

find the Scholarship Manual in (PDF format – 450KB) to download.

There they will find instructions for filling out the forms.

This is the link which will take you to the public Grand Lodge web page on scholarships. All the

information you need should be right there. This is a complete manual that you can download that talk about all of the scholarships available from the California Masonic Foundation as well as the

Scottish Rite, York Rite, Eastern Star, High Twelve, DeMolay, Job’s Daughters, & Rainbow for Girls.

ScholarShips

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Illustrious Grand Master Cryptic Masons: Most Illustrious Companion,

Eduardo Estrada, KYGCH Lady Natasha

Grand Master Grand Council Cryptic Masons Omega Council No. 11

Grand Secretary/Recorder: Philip Hardiman, OSV, KYGCH, PGHP Grand Secretary Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons California, Grand Recorder, Grand Council Cryptic Masons California, & Grand Recorder, Grand Commandery Knights Templar California 1123 J Street Sacramento, CA 95814 E-mail: sec-rec@yorkriteofcalifornia.org

Assistant Secretary/Recorder: Thomas Krummell, KCT, KYCH 1123 J Street Sacramento, CA 95814 e-mail: assistant-sec-rec@yorkriteofcalifornia.org

Website:

Grand York Rite of California

Note: Hyperlinks or links to other pages or web sites are prevalent throughout the document.

Contacts

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Officers: Grand Council Cryptic Masons California

Most Illustrious Companion

Eduardo Estrada, KYGCH

Lady Natasha

Grand Master Grand Council Cryptic Masons Omega Council No. 11

Right Illustrious Companion Robert A. Morrison, KYCH, & Lady Pauline

Deputy Grand Master Grand Council Cryptic Masons

Butte Council No. 50

Right Illustrious Companion Peter G. Champion, KYCH, & Lady Janice Grand Principle Conductor of the Work Grand Council Cryptic Masons San Luis Obispo Council No. 38

Most Illustrious Companion Robert Whitfield, KCT, KYGCH, MIPGM, Columbian Medal & Lady Genie

Grand Treasurer Grand Council Cryptic Masons

Oakland Council No. 12

Right Illustrious Companion Philip Hardiman, KYGCH, PGHP, & Lady Nancy Grand Recorder Grand Council Cryptic Masons Sacramento Council No. 1

Right Illustrious Companion K. Mark Harris, KYCH

Grand Director of Ritual Grand Council Cryptic Masons

Oakland Council No. 12

Right Illustrious Companion Thomas A. Krummell KCT, KYCH, & Lady Marcia Assistant Grand Recorder Grand Council Cryptic Masons Gateway Council No. 13

Right Illustrious Companion Jonathan H. Prestage KYCH & Lady Hanna K

Grand Chaplain (North) Grand Council Cryptic Masons

Sword and Trowel Council No. 65

Right Illustrious Companion Eric Bertolli Grand Chaplain (South) Grand Council Cryptic Masons Omega Council No. 11

Right Illustrious Companion Guy M. Chalmers, KYCH, & Lady Jeanne

Grand Captain of the Guard Grand Council Cryptic Masons

Redwood Empire Council No. 46

Right Illustrious Companion Michael T. Sherman, KYCH Grand Conductor of the Council Grand Council Cryptic Masons Helix Council No. 58

Right Illustrious Companion Jeffrey A. White, KYCH & Lady Lisa

Grand Steward Grand Council Cryptic Masons

Pacific Council No. 37

Right Illustrious Companion Andrew B. Pippin, KYCH, & Lady Juli Grand Sentinel Grand Council Cryptic Masons Pacific Council No. 37

Right Illustrious Companion James M. Sunseri, KYCH

Grand Orator Grand Council Cryptic Masons Orange County Council No. 14

Right Illustrious Companion William J. Miklos III, KYCH & Lady Angelica

Grand Marshal (North) Grand Council Cryptic Masons

Amador Council No. 31

Right Illustrious Companion Michael Miller, & Lady Martha Grand Marshal (South) Grand Council Cryptic Masons Alpha Council No. 39

Right Illustrious Companion K. Mark Harris, KYCH

Grand Soloist Grand Council Cryptic Masons

Oakland Council No. 12

Right Illustrious Companion Ron Presser, & Lady Kathleen T (Kate) Grand Bible Bearer Grand Council Cryptic Masons Omega Council No. 11

Right Illustrious Companion Bruce Ewald, KYCH, & Lady Ruth

Grand Standard Bearer Grand Council Cryptic Masons

Omega Council No. 11

Right Illustrious Companion Merrick R. Hamer Grand Organist Grand Council Cryptic Masons Alpha Council No. 39

Sword & Trowel March 2020 Volume 7 No. 10 Page 18 of 27

Grand Sessions

A reminder of the deadlines. Please remember that the Sessions are earlier this year: May 2nd to May 6th. Which brings our deadlines earlier: For your hotel room, the block of rooms is locked when the reservations are full or March 25 – whichever comes first! We still have the special room rate of $95 plus taxes ($29 less than their regular room rate). The next deadline is April 1st for the Souvenir Program Ads. The program is a vital source of income to help pay for costs of the Sessions: like your name tags, audio rental, some snacks for the Hospitality Room, etc. Without this income, your annual assessment would need to be raised. The final deadline date is April 20th for your meal reservations. We have to provide the hotel with our final guarantee to allow them to procure and prepare the meals.

Our website, www.ca-gyrs.org has the link for the online reservations to the hotel. We have already had to make an adjustment to available rooms. If you run into an issue of booking your room before the March 25th deadline, please send the details to reservations@ca-gyrs.org or call Dave Glass at (916) 616-3283. He will work with the hotel to resolve or explain why you could not book your room (i.e. we have filled our block).

You will also find all of the forms needed for the sessions:

• Event Reservations

• Proxy and Elected Representative

• Applications for the Order of High Priesthood, Thrice Illustrious Master and Past Commanders Association

• The Souvenir Program Ad Request

We have a limited number of vendor tables available for the sessions. If you are interested in selling items in our Vendor / Registration Room, please fill out the form at http://ca-gyrs.org/vendors. Also that page has the list of the Vendors who are confirmed and a brief explanation to their business/product.

We still need some help at the sessions itself:

• The Registration table – open to the Companions / Sir Knights and the Ladies. This committee is responsible for checking in the attendees and issuing their registration packet. We need people there every day. This is separate from the Credentials Committee that is assigned by the M.E. Grand High Priest, the M.I. Grand Master and the R.E. Grand Commander.

• We need a few volunteers to be part of the Set Up Committee. They are responsible for setting up the paraphernalia for each Grand Session.

• Also, a couple of volunteers to check people in for each breakfast and lunch.

To sign up for a committee, please visit the volunteer page at www.ca-gyrs.org or contact GYRS Executive Director Randy Downey at executivedirector@ca-gyrs.org or calling him at (408) 674-8341

Happenings in our State & in a Galaxy far, far, away

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GRAND SESSIONS 2020

Dates for the 2020 California Grand York Rite

Monday, May 4, 2020 – Grand Commandery

Tuesday, May 5, 2020 – Grand Chapter

Wednesday, May 6, 2020 – Grand Council

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Grand York Rite Sessions Reservation Form

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For your convenience attached is the PDF format of the Reservation Form

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Sessions Ad Order Form

For your convenience attached is the PDF format of the Ad Order Form

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We are three months away from the Grand York Rite Sessions and less than TWO months away from the registration deadlines. At the time this article is written, there are less than 10 registration forms submitted and NO Ad Request forms. This is quite a concern for your Executive Committee.

Please remember that the Sessions are earlier this year: May 2nd to May 6th. Which brings our deadlines earlier: For your hotel room, the block of rooms is locked when the reservations are full or March 25 – whichever comes first! We still have the special room rate of $95 plus taxes ($29 less than their regular room rate). The next deadline is April 1st for the Souvenir Program Ads. The program is a vital source of income to help pay for costs of the Sessions: like your name tags, audio rental, some snacks for the Hospitality Room, etc. Without this income, your annual assessment would need to be raised. The final deadline date is April 20th for your meal reservations. We have to provide the hotel with our final guarantee to allow them to procure and prepare the meals. Therefore, is it most imperative to prepare early! You will see the forms elsewhere in this publication or on www.ca-gyrs.org

Activities at the Sessions:

• The Grand York Rite of CA Corporation Meeting

• The Battalion and Belles Brunch

• The Drill Team Competition (I will be bringing my Black & Decker, Makita and DeWalt –

oops, not that kind of Drill)

• The Vespers Service

• The Grand Banquet where representatives of our Masonic Youth Orders will speak and

the Most Worshipful Grand Master of Masons in California is the keynote speaker.

• Conducting the business of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar in CA, the Grand

Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in CA, Most Illustrious Grand Council of Cryptic Masons in

CA and their respective Installation of Officers.

• The Golden State Research Chapter meeting.

• The Past Commanders Association, Order of High Priesthood Degree and the Thrice

Illustrious Master Degree for current and past Presiding Officers

• We are offering some workshops this year: “How to do Ritual”, “Leadership”,

“Membership” and for the Ladies “All the mysteries of the York Rite Titles”. We also have

a couple of the Secretary/Recorder MMS Workshops for any new Sec/Rec’s or just if you

need a refresher course. Details of these Workshops are on the back of the Reservation

Form.

• We are bringing back the “Royal Arch Widows” Degree. This is a “Fun” Degree for our

Ladies which will be after the Grand Banquet.

We must include the immeasurable fellowship and hospitality that is part of these sessions.

Finally, we need some help at the sessions itself:

• The Registration table – open to the Companions / Sir Knights and the Ladies. This

committee is responsible for checking in the attendees and issuing their registration

packet. We need people there every day. This is separate from the Credentials Committee

that is assigned by the M.E. Grand High Priest, the M.I. Grand Master and the Grand

Commander.

• We need a few volunteers to be part of the Set Up Committee. They are responsible for

setting up the paraphernalia for each Grand Session.

• Also, a couple of volunteers to check people in for each breakfast and lunch.

To sign up for a committee, please visit the volunteer page at www.ca-gyrs.org or contact GYRS Executive Director Randy Downey at executivedirector@ca-gyrs.org or calling him at (408) 674-8341

All of the forms for the Grand York Rite Sessions are found at our website: www.ca-gyrs.org

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General Grand Council Cryptic Masons International

The Decryption - News from Cryptic Masons International

February 18, 2020 Vol 4, Issue 5

General Grand Council and General Grand Chapter Triennial September 24-29, 2020: Louisville, Kentucky Tentative Schedule and Hotel Reservations Online: https://yrtriennial2020.com/

Deputy General Grand Master: Our Awards Read More...

CMMRF: Milestone Achieved in 2019 Read More...

From the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International Education Committee Read More...

NE North Happening Read More...

Just a LATTE a Month

$5 per Month Works Miracles!

Our Goal: 1000 Participants

Give up a coffee a month or more to help medical research through the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation.

You can make a step to support our Masonic Charity by setting up recurring giving here:

https://www.crypticmasons.org/cmmrf/donate-now

CALENDARS

We have remodeled and are updating our calendaring system. Check it out!

NATIONAL CALENDAR

Rather see a listing by category (and including local events that are reported to us):

CMMRF EVENTS

CONFERENCE EVENTS

GRAND YORK RITE EVENTS

GRAND LODGE EVENTS

FESTIVAL EVENTS

Don't see your event here?

Please let us know!

(You must have an account on the website. All events will be reviewed and verified before publishing.)

SUBMIT EVENTS

Sword & Trowel March 2020 Volume 7 No. 10 Page 25 of 27

The Decryption - News from Cryptic Masons International February 25, 2020 Vol 4, Issue 6

General Grand Council and General Grand Chapter Triennial September 24-29, 2020: Louisville, Kentucky

Tentative Schedule and Hotel Reservations Online: https://yrtriennial2020.com/

From General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International Education Committee Read More...

Southwest Region Happenings Read More...

Good Things Come in Threes: Part One Read More...

Call for Articles: Awards Presentations Read More...

Stephen J. Ponzillo III, PMIGM in Maryland, 1947-2020 Read More...

Just a LATTE a Month

$5 per Month Works Miracles! Our Goal: 1000 Participants

Give up a coffee a month or more to help medical research through the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation.

You can make a step to support our Masonic Charity by setting up recurring giving here:

https://www.crypticmasons.org/cmmrf/donate-now

AWARDS

The following individuals have been recognized with Cryptic Awards recently. Articles regarding the presentation are linked

to each name. • Keith Henry, NM, FRA • Lloyd Johnson, NC, FRA • Landon Jones, OK, FRA • Brian Ragain, OK, FRA

All Recognition News Articles

CALENDARS

We have remodeled and are updating our calendaring system. Check it out!

NATIONAL CALENDAR

Rather see a listing by category (and including local events that are reported to us):

CMMRF EVENTS

CONFERENCE EVENTS

GRAND YORK RITE EVENTS

GRAND LODGE EVENTS

FESTIVAL EVENTS

Don't see your event here?

Please let us know!

(You must have an account on the website. All events will be reviewed and verified before publishing.)

SUBMIT EVENTS

Sword & Trowel March 2020 Volume 7 No. 10 Page 26 of 27

The Decryption - News from Cryptic Masons International

General Grand Council and General Grand Chapter Triennial September 24-29, 2020: Louisville, Kentucky Tentative Schedule and Hotel Reservations Online: https://yrtriennial2020.com/ See the Right Sidebar for articles on recent award recipients.

March 3, 2020 Vol 4, Issue 7

Steady on - Mid Year - General Grand Recorder Read More...

Geometria, What Is It? - General Grand Council Education Committee Read More...

Vaccine - Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms - Current Work of CMMRF. Read More...

God's Presence Read More...

Just a LATTE a Month

$5 per Month Works Miracles! Our Goal: 1000 Participants

Give up a coffee a month or more to help medical research through the Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation.

You can make a step to support our Masonic Charity by setting up recurring giving here: https://www.crypticmasons.org/cmmrf/donat

e-now

AWARDS

The following individuals have been recognized with Cryptic Awards recently. Articles regarding the presentation are linked to each name. Please send information on any presentations to wd@ggccmi.org Brett Turner, NC, FRA All Recognition News Articles

CALENDARS

We have remodeled and are updating our calendaring system. Check it out!

NATIONAL CALENDAR

Rather see a listing by category (and including local events that are reported to us):

CMMRF EVENTS

CONFERENCE EVENTS

GRAND YORK RITE EVENTS

GRAND LODGE EVENTS

FESTIVAL EVENTS

Don't see your event here?

Please let us know!

(You must have an account on the website. All events will be reviewed and verified before publishing.)

SUBMIT EVENTS

Sword & Trowel March 2020 Volume 7 No. 10 Page 27 of 27

United Grand Lodge of England If you're feeling unwell, please stay away from Lodge and Chapter meetings until you feel better.

This is for the benefit of all our members as well as the individual concerned.