1. Benefits of Membership
General Grand Council
Benefits of Membership

2. Value Added
What does General Grand Council do for my Council or Grand Council
Every endeavor has the individual Cryptic Mason in mind.
Membership more valuable by improving the status of Cryptic Masons in the world.

3. Cooperation Fostered
Over 1,100 Councils, who are members of the General Grand Council.
Seek to further the welfare of York Rite Masonry in general and Cryptic Masonry in particular.
Encourage cooperation with all branches of the Fraternity.

4. Low Assessment Fees As of October 1, 2015, Per Capita is $2.00
Programs can only be maintained and supported with the help of all member Councils and Grand Councils.
Cost small compared to the advantages and results received from a united membership.

5. Awards Program General Grand Council Awards Program:
The Medal of Honor
Mordhurst Medal
Grand Recorder for 10 years of service
The Columbian Medal
One per Region per Triennium
Adult Leadership Award for work with Masonic Youth.
Cryptic Mason of the Year Award
One outstanding Cryptic Mason per year per Grand Council
Excluding Dais or Past Grand Officers

6. Awards Con’t Lady of the Council Jewel
The Most Illustrious Grand Masters Award
Ronald L. Thomas Ritualist Award

7. Regional Conferences Seven Conferences in the United States each year
Two Conferences in Europe and Latin America in non-Triennial years

8. CMMRF Charity Cryptic Mason Medical Research Foundation
Banner charitable program
Extensive research in Vascular Biology and Medicine
Endowed chair at Indiana University School of Medicine
Saves lives & limbs through innovative procedures
To date, over $2.5 million has been donated
Consider including this Foundation in your will or bequest

9. Information The Cryptic Freemason Magazine Published quarterly
includes timely Masonic information
free on the General Grand Council Website
The General Grand Council Website
keeps members up-to-date
Current information available the Resources and Events links

10. Unilateral Support The General Grand Council
Encourages and supports the Grand Lodges in all jurisdictions
Continued cooperation with the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, Int’l and the Grand Encampment Knights Templar
Membership in General Grand Council, Int., contributes to the growth of the Cryptic Rite and contributes to the growth of Freemasonry worldwide

11. Resource Materials Provide Educational material
Unique to the Cryptic Rite
“Center” for collecting outstanding publications
Disseminate material that can’t be obtained from other sources
Examples provided as pamphlets at Regional Conferences
Cryptic Library
Library at the General Grand Recorder’s office
For list of books available and instructions for borrowing them, contact the General Grand Council office

12. Life Membership General Grand Council’s Life Membership
Pre-paid program
Grand Councils receive Per Capita credit after one year.
Membership is per Council
Most current application is on the Website
Applied for individually or collectively as a jurisdiction

13. College of Preservation
The General Grand Council has started a new organization under its auspices called the College Of Preservation. 
Consisting of General Grand Officers and select individuals as College Deans. 
The College Deans form the core of the selection committee for invited Companions ... by invitation-only organization. 
If nominated and accepted for membership, an invitation letter will be sent
There are currently 250 members.
Companions of the Secret Vault are charged to preserve the degrees of the Council and preserve the General Grand Council with its sacred treasures, ours through Masonic heritage. 
The honorarium is deposited in the Corporate Foundation in an effort to build it and delay or eliminate future per capita increases.

14. Corporate Foundation
Presently the Corporate Foundation has accumulated ~$80K
Funded by programs and sales
2015 Goal - reach$100K funding
Triennial Goal - reach $300K level by August 2017
Your participation and support provides funding
Lady of the Council
Order of the Secret Vault
Jeremy L. Cross Story
As It Was in the Beginning
Alpha & Omega Coin
History of the Cryptic Rite

15. Emergent Leadership Training
Initiated by the Grand Encampment and in conjunction with the General Grand Chapter
Sponsors candidates from constituent councils
Conducted during Regional Conferences
Provides effective organizational management skills
Culminates in developing projects

16. Additional Programs and Goals
“The History of the Cryptic Rite”, 1931
A two volume set of the origin of the Cryptic Rite to the year 1931
“The Cryptic History”, 1931 to present. Eighty (80) years of history needs to be compiled and made available in the near future
The project Historical Committee is in the formative stages and will be coordinating with constituent Councils and their Historians for data collection
The “Jeremy L. Cross” story
A Cryptic Prophet of the eighteenth century - a pamphlet has been printed and is available for purchase
“As It Was in the Beginning”
Compilation of the fifteen original lectures for the Entered Apprentice, Fellowcraft, and Master Mason and available for purchase

17. Additional Programs and Goals Con’t
General Grand Council holds the copyright
Super Excellent Master Ritual
Cryptic Rite Table Council ritual
Exploring future copyrights of other degrees and Masonic material sought for preservation and protection.
Support the George Washington National Masonic Memorial in Washington, DC.
Encourage leadership and administrative candidates for General Grand Council.
Encourage jurisdictions to build a Cryptic Marker
Generating additional funds through outreach programs to assist in providing updated educational material to the membership
One such program is the sale of the Alpha/Omega coins, available for purchase.

18. George C. Sellar’s Preservation Council No. 1880
Chartered on 30 September 2014
Established for Companions of non-Affiliated Grand Councils
Provides a say in the General Grand Council
Provides voting rights to qualified Companions
To join
Be a member of a non-Affiliated Grand Council
Submit a petition to affiliate
Purchase a Life Membership in General Grand Council for George C. Sellar’s Preservation Council No

19. Service Oriented Service Organization - sovereign unto itself.
We cannot demand that any Grand Council surrender their sovereignty to the General Grand Council
We can neither tell you what types of programs you must offer to your Grand Council
Nor do we dictate customs and usage within our constituent jurisdictions

20. Constituent Initiative Encouraged
Take the initiative
Decide for yourself what type of program your Grand Council would benefit from
Identify an event or curriculum that you feel would be beneficial to all Grand Councils
General Grand Council will assist in designing and implementing the program for your Grand Council
The General Grand Council listens to its constituents
We encourage constructive recommendations for improvement and conservation of your organization.
Please tell us how we can help you by sending your ideas to the General Grand Council office

21. We hope this information helps to answer the question of “What are the Benefits of General Grand Council membership”

22. Questions
General Grand Officers are accessible and may also be contacted by or phone as noted on the GGC-CMI website
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