General Grand Council

---

 One medal awarded each Triennial to an outstanding Cryptic Mason for service to Masonry and who is well known in the Arts, Science, Business, Religion or Government. Nominations shall be made to the General Grand Masters and selection approved by the elective officers. 

 A medal awarded to an outstanding Cryptic Mason for service to Masonry. One medal for each of the ten Regions, and not more than three medals at-large per Triennium. Nominations are made to the Regional Deputies on the form and selection by the elective officers. These nominations must be sent to the General Grand Recorder by Dec 31st of 2019. 

 A medal awarded to the Grand Recorder of a Grand Council who has served 10 years or more,

and not to be awarded prior to the date of qualification.

The General Grand Recorder monitors this and selects the recipients.  He will have the name of the recipient and jurisdiction engraved on the medal.

 One medal each year presented to a Cryptic Mason by the General Grand Council to a man selected by each Grand Council for outstanding service to Cryptic Masonry. Each Grand Council and each subordinate Council will select its own Cryptic Mason of the Year according to the following rules and regulations:

• Only one medal may be awarded annually to a Cryptic Mason in each affiliated Grand Council.
• Only one medal may be awarded triennially to a Cryptic Mason in each Subordinate council of the General Grand Council.
• Each Grand Council and each subordinate Council shall determine its own method of selecting the Cryptic Mason of the Year in its jurisdiction.
• No posthumous awards shall be made.
• The award shall be made only for exceptional and meritorious service to Cryptic Masonry above and beyond the call of duty. No Past or Present Grand Master, or any advancing line officer of a Grand Council shall be eligible for this award; however, this restriction shall apply only to the Cryptic Mason of the Year Award, and not to the Adult Leadership Award.
• The General Grand Recorder shall be given the name of the selected Cryptic Mason to be engraved upon the medal at least thirty days prior to the date it is to be awarded. Subordinate Councils shall give the name of the selected Cryptic Mason to be engraved upon the medal at least six months prior to the next Triennial Assembly.
• The General Grand Recorder shall cause the name of the honoree to be engraved upon the medal and forwarded to the Grand Recorder or Recorder, if to a subordinate Council, at the earliest time following receipt of the name.

 One medal presented annually in each Jurisdiction affiliated with General Grand Council to a nominee who shall be a leader in one of the youth organizations recognized by the General Grand Council, namely: Order of DeMolay, Order of Rainbow for Girls, Order of Job's Daughters, or other Masonic Associated Youth Group.       

• Only one medal may be awarded annually in each Grand Council.     
•  Only one medal may be awarded triennially in each Subordinate council of the General Grand Council.
• Each Grand Council and each subordinate Council shall determine its own method of selecting the Nominee in its jurisdiction.
• No posthumous awards shall be made.
• The award shall be made only for exceptional and meritorious service above and beyond the call of duty.

The General Grand Recorder shall be given the name of the selected Nominee to be engraved upon the medal at least thirty days prior to the date it is to be awarded. Subordinate Councils shall give the name of the selected Nominee to be engraved upon the medal at least six months prior to the next Triennial Assembly.

The General Grand Recorder shall cause the name of the honoree to be engraved upon the medal and forwarded to the Grand Recorder or Recorder, if to a subordinate Council, at the earliest time following receipt of the name.

 Each retiring Grand Master shall be presented a Lapel Pin, and Permanent Membership Card which designates him as a permanent member of the General Grand Council. 

 On Saturday, February 27, 2016, the Grand Council of Alabama approved the request of the General Grand Council to assume the responsibility of administering a Ritualist Award for the Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master Degrees.  This award will be given for work from February 27, 2016, forward.  The requirements can be be at the link below. The best way to track accomplishments is to keep a diary of sorts that can be verified by the Illustrious Master and Recorder of the Council where the work is performed.  When the requirements are met, the final verification is accomplished by the Grand Recorder, the nomination form can be found below, and then sent to the General Grand Recorder for the issuance of the Jewel. 

All Cryptic Masons know and appreciate the help and support of their ladies.  The General Grand council has developed an Award to recognize and honor these Ladies for outstanding dedication and support to Cryptic Masons.

The Award is a beautiful gold and purple pin with the Cryptic Mason's emblem surrounded by a gold wreath.  Each pin will be accompanied with a numbered certificate, which will be recorded by the General Grand Council Recorder.  These names and numbers will also be published in the Triennial Proceedings.  We will try to present these awards at your Grand Sessions, or at the Regional Conferences.  Or where you would like to have them presented.

To make arrangements for the presentation and for more details and pricing information call:

Bryan D. Bechler

PO Box 532

Granite Falls WA 98252-0532

Phone: (360) 631-4187

You may also contact any General Grand Council Officer (SEE ABOVE) or fill out the order form below and return the order form, with your check for $125.00.

 The General Grand Council has started a new organization under its auspices.  The organization is called the College Of Preservation.  It consists of the General Grand Officers and select individuals as College Deans.  These College Deans will form the core of the selection committee for Companions to be invited to join.

Yes, this is an invitation only organization.  If you have been nominated and accepted for membership, an invitation letter will be sent explaining the procedures for becoming a member.  As of January 1, 2018, there are 414 members

The College of Preservation confers the Order of the Secret Vault on the invited Companions that have accepted.  These Companions of the Secret Vault are charged to preserve the degrees of the Council and preserve the General Grand Council.  The honorarium is deposited in the Corporate Foundation in an effort to build the Corporate Foundation and delay or eliminate future per capita increases.  Now a portion of the earnings may be used to support the General Grand Council Budget.

College of Preservation Members

Corporate Foundation Value

 For a Council gaining 10% or more in membership in one year. A request should be sent to the General Grand Recorder, and will be mailed to each state before their Annual Assembly. A General Grand Officer may be asked to make the presentation. 

The General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International recognizes a need to honor Veterans and their service on behalf of their country. Service above self is one of the most laudable characteristics a Companion can embody, and the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International have developed the Cryptic Mason Veterans Medal to distinguish those among us who have answered that call.

The Cryptic Mason Veterans Award is rich in symbolism and honors a Veteran's Service while simultaneously displaying the character of Cryptic Masonry.

• In its center, it has the title “Veteran”, along with the Broken Triangle emblem from the seal of the General Grand Council. This not only refers to the Cryptic Degrees, but also alludes to the concept that “All gave some, but some gave all”.
• Surrounding this is a Golden ring with 27 stars, representing the 27 who were chosen to work on the secret vault, and symbolizing the idea of service for the benefit of all mankind.
• Enclosing this ring is a 9 pointed star, composed of 9 silver trowels. This references the 9 arches of Cryptic Masonry, as well as the spreading of that mystic cement which unites us as a band of brothers.
• Behind these are the laurel leaves, which signify this award comes from the General Grand Council, but also represents the laurel leaves of victory that are continuously sought by those who serve.

It is our honor to make this award available to all Cryptic Masons who have served, and we hope that all Veterans who are Cryptic Masons will wear it with such pride and honor that it may distinguish you as a Select Master whose dedication to service has been tried, tested and proven.