CONSTITUTICN
of the
GRAND COUNCIL OF CRYPTIC MASONS
OF THE
STATE OF
************************
Article 1. NAME
This Grand Council shall be known as the GRAND COUNCIL OF CRYPTIC MASONS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE. (1982)
Article 2. SEAL
The Grand Council shall have a suitable seal, which shall be affixed to all instruments issued by or under its authority.
Article 3. OFFICERS
The officers of the Grand Council shall be:
Most Illustrious Grand Master
Right Illustrious Deputy Grand Master
Right Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work
Right Illustrious Grand Treasurer
Right Illustrious Grand Recorder
Right Illustrious Grand Chaplain
Illustrious Grand Captain of the Guard
Illustrious Grand Conductor of Council
Illustrious Grand Marshal
Illustrious Grand Steward
Illustrious Grand Sentinel
the first five of whom shall be elected by ballot at the Annual Assembly, and the last six shall be appointed by the Grand Master. The officers shall be installed during the Annual Assembly at which they are elected or appointed, or as soon thereafter as possible (1968)
Article 4 ELIGIBILITY
No Companion shall be eligible to either of the first five offices of the Grand Council unless he has been elected and installed as Illustrious Master of one of its Councils, IM which necessary qualification is hereby declared to be a fundamental, unchangeable law of this Jurisdiction.
ARTICLE 5.MEMBERS
The Grand Council shall consist of its officers, Past Grand Masters, Past Deputy Grand Masters, Past Grand Principal Conductors of the Work Past Grand Treasurers, Past Grand Recorders, Past Illustrious Masters, and the first three Officers of each warranted Council working under the authority of this Grand Council, or the proxies of such Councils, duly appointed.
Article 6. ASSEMBLIES
The Grand Council shall hold its Annual Assembly at 9:00
A.M. on the second Saturday in March at the
Article 7 QUORUM
The Representatives of two Councils shall constitute a quorum.
Article 8. POWER OF OFFICERS
The Grand Master shall have and exercise all the powers usually given to Grand Masters, and the other Officers shall have the usual powers given to Grand officers, respectively, and all officers shall perform the duties required by the usages of Cryptic Masonry and the laws of the Grand Council - The Grand Recorder and the Grand Treasurer shall establish a fiscal year ending February 15th for their annual financial reports (1978)
Article 9. POWERS OF THE GRAND COUNCIL
The Grand Council shall have the sole government and control of its several Councils, with power to grant Charters to new Councils, and shall have and exercise all powers usually exercised by Grand Councils, not inconsistent with the Constitution, Edicts, and General Regulations of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International (1968)
Article 10 COMMITTEES
The Grand Master shall appoint the following Standing Committees: Credentials, Finance and Returns, Jurisprudence as well as such other Committees as may be deemed necessary or expedient (1973) Amended (1999)
Article 11. FEES AND DUES
The fee for a Dispensation to open and maintain a Council of Cryptic Masons shall be Twenty-five Dollars ($25.0O), and for a Charter Five Dollars ($5.00), making a total of Thirty Dollars ($30.00) for Dispensation and Charter Each Council shall pay the Grand Council Three Dollars ($3.00) for each Companion Greeted therein and Two Dollars ($3.00) plus General Grand Council Fees and Assessments for each member in good standing (whose dues have not been remitted) except those Greeted during the year ended, for each year ending December 31st, together with any assessments levied by this Grand Council. (1958,1967,1972,1978,1984,1986)
Article 12. RETURNS OF COUNCILS
The Recorder of each Council in
Article 13. ANNUAL ASSEMBLIES
Each Council shall provide in their By-Laws for the Annual Assembly, for the reports of the Recorder and Treasurer, which shall be entered in the records, and the Election of Officers. The Officers of each Constituent Council shall be installed prior to the Annual Assembly of the Grand Council. The Thrice Illustrious Master's Degree shall be conferred upon all elected Illustrious Masters, and the Past Illustrious Masters who have not previously received the Degree. Time and place for the conferral of the Degree shall be fixed by the Most Illustrious Grand Master through the Thrice Illustrious Master Degree Committee. (1968)
Article 14. FEES FOR THE DEGREES
No Council shall charge less then Ten Dollars ($10.00) for the Degrees, Five Dollars ($5.00) of which must accompany the petition for the same.
Article 15. RITUAL
The Ritual used shall be the one authorized and adopted by the General Grand Council, provided however, that the use of the prologue to the Royal Master Degree and the Charge at the Closing of the Council, as contained in the 1960 Ritual, be mandatory.(1984)
Article 16 PRESIDING OFFICER
In case of the absence of the first three Officers of this Grand Council at any Annual Assembly, the Junior Past Most Illustrious Grand Master present shall preside. (1973)
Article 17, GENERAL REGULATIONS
The General Regulations for the government of Councils shall be the same, so far as applicable, as those for the Councils under the immediate jurisdiction of the General Grand Council,
Article 18. AMENDMENTS
This Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present at an Annual Assembly, the proposed amendment having been presented in writing and referred to and favorably reported on, by the Committee on Jurisprudence.
REVISED, CORRECTED, AND COLLATED this 20th day of January, 1973 UPDATED~July 31, 1985
C.Ray Scarborough, PIGM
Charles W. Barkins, PIGM
THE GRAND COUNCIL
OF
CRYPTIC MASONS
OF THE
STATE OF
STANDING RESOLUTIONS
2. MEMBERSHIP CARDS (1927)
A standard membership card shall be adopted by this Grand Council showing on the one side the facsimile of the Seal of the Grand Council and the signature of the Grand Recorder, and on the other side the Companion to whom issued, the name of the subordinate Council, and the signature of the Recorder of said Council, together with the date of expiration each Subordinate Council shall pay the cost of their membership cards.
4 - GRAND INSTRUCTOR (1940)
The Grand Master shall appoint from the three Councils a Grand Lecturer and two (2) Deputy Grand Lecturers, and assign each of the three to a particular Council, as inspector. The Companions selected and appointed shall:
a)Work with their respective home Councils on general Ritual proficiency, and effective conferral of the Cryptic Degrees.
b)Prior to the Annual Election in the Council to which is assigned as Inspector, examine for their proficiency in Opening and in Closing Council those who are to serve as Thrice Illustrious Master, Deputy Master, Principal Conductor of the Work and Captain of the Guard in the ensuing year.
c)Promptly certify to the Most Illustrious Grand Master the Companions found proficient in the duties of those respective offices in these Ceremonies. (Revised 1988)
7. GOVERNOR ALBERT T HANBY TRUST (1949)
Resolved, the Governor of the Trust created under the Last Will and Testament of Albert T. Hanby, deceased, shall be a member of the Grand Council of Delaware, whose duty it shall be to represent the interest of the Grand Council, Cryptic Masons Masters of Delaware, in matters of policies and administration of the Trust He shall be appointed annually by the Most Illustrious Grand Master and report to this Grand Council at each Grand Assembly concerning this Trust.
9. SALARY OF GRAND RECORDER (1958)
The salary of the Grand recorder shall be Seventy-five Dollars ($75.OO) a year.
10. PRESENTATION OF JEWELS (1982)
This Grand Council shall present the outgoing Grand Master with a silver trowel jewel suspended from a purple ribbon Each Master elect upon receiving the Thrice Illustrious Master Degree, receive a silver trowel jewel suspended from a white ribbon, the cost to be borne by the Master elect.
11. SYNOPSIS OF ANNUAL ASSEMBLY (1982)
The Grand Recorder shall furnish a synopsis of the approved recommendations to the Recorder of each Constituent Council before April 30th following each Annual Assembly to be read at the May Assembly.
12. RITUAL CHANGES (1986)
When using the General Grand Council 1979 edition Ritual
A) In the OPENING Ceremony:
1. DELETE the exchange of raps between the Steward and the Sentinel, (that are shown) on page 13, in lines 5,6,7 and 8)
2 ADD (after the Steward reports to the C.G.in lines 14 and 15)-- C.G.-- I.M. your order has been obeyed
I.M.-- one rap
B)In the CLOSING, Ceremony:
Use as printed through line 20 on page 47 (I.M.'s order to C.G.),then -
1. ADD the directive of THAT officer to read:
C.G.--Companions, it is the order of the I.M. that ________ Council No. ____, be now closed Take due notice thereof, and govern yourselves accordingly.
(Now follow with the Signs, and
the
2. DELETE the 3 lines on
page 47 that remain after the
3. ADD as page 48 of the New Ritual, all of page 67 of the old Ritual
13. VACANCY IN OFFICER LINE (1939)
In the event of a vacancy in the Elected Officers, the Most Illustrious Grand Master shall have the power to advance the remaining progressive Officers and to fill the vacancy in the station of Captain of the Guard thus created. Preference for appointment to the station of Captain of the Guard shall be given to an Illustrious Companion from the same Council which filled the original vacancy. Such advancement and appointment shall not affect the future rotational appointment preference previously established by this Grand Council This resolution to be effective at the close of the 1989 Annual Assembly.
14.
Grand
Resolved: that the Grand Council in conjunction with the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery create a Standing Committee to be known as the Grand York Rite Annual Meeting Committee. The duties of said Committee to be:
* Make all necessary arrangements for the facilities for the annual York Rite Meetings, for the lodging of the Guests of the Grand Bodies, for the Annual Banquet and for the Ladies and Mens lunches, for the negotiation of costs and the execution of any contracts to accomplish these objectives.
* Plan and conduct all operations for the Meetings including publicity, solicitation of attendees, receipt and management of all funds, payment of all obligations, Banquet seating arrangements, and rendering a just and true account of the same to the Finance Committees of the several Grand Bodies for Audit within four weeks of the meetings.
* Assist the Grand Presiding Officers in obtaining Entertainment for the Annual Banquet: and for providing amenities, such as Hospitality rooms, Ladies programs, decorations etc. that the Presiding officers wish to sponsor.
* Manage the Annual Meeting with a Revenue Neutral objective with the Grand Bodies paying for, or causing to be paid for, the out-of- pocket cost for the food and lodging for their invited guests. Further, that any excess revenue or cost shall be the responsibility of the Grand Bodies on a pro-rata basis of the invited guests attending.
*The committee shall be composed of three members, one from each of the three Grand Bodies. Their term of service shall be for three years except for the initial appointments, where the member from Grand Chapter shall be for one year, Grand Council for two years and Grand Commandery for three years. The chairmanship shall rotate annually through Grand Chapter, Grand Council, and Grand Commandery so that the longest service member is the Chair. The Grand Presiding officers are ex-officio members of the committee. The committee may, and is encouraged to, recruit additional support to accomplish the objectives of the committee.
15. Grand Council of
1. This Fund shall be known as the Grand Council of Delaware Permanent Fund.
2. The purpose of this Fund is to assist in offsetting the expenses of the Annual Assembly and the Most Illustrious Grand Master during his term of office.
3. The principal of this fund may not be spent and must remain for growth. The investment income may be used only in accordance with No.4 below.
4. When the Fund reaches the amount of five thousand dollars ($5000.00), 50% of the annual investment income may be spent; 25% annually and 25% accumulated for three years to assist in offsetting the cost of attending the Triennial Sessions of the General Grand Council International by the Most Illustrious Grand Master or his designated Proxy. When the Fund accumulates to ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00), 75% of the annual investment income may be spent; 50% annually and 25% accumulated for three years to assist in offsetting the cost of attending the Triennial Sessions of the General Grand Chapter International by the Grand High Priest or his designated Proxy. At no time, regardless of how large the fund grows, can more than 75% of the annual investment income be spent. There must always be 25% of the annual investment income rolled over into the fund for growth.
5. This Fund shall be managed by a committee of three (3) Companions, from the Constituent Councils, to serve staggered terms of three years each. The Grand Treasurer shall be ex-officio member of this committee responsible for the accountability of the Fund and the disbursement of any monies from the Fund.
6. The incoming Most Illustrious Grand Master shall appoint one (1) Companion, to serve a three year term on this Committee.
7. The Committee members shall select a Chairman from its members.
8. The Committee's duties shall be:
A. Devise, and see implemented, ways to raise money for the Fund.
B. Prudently invest the proceeds of the Fund in the best interest of the Grand Chapter of Delaware.
C. Prepare an annual report of the progress of the Fund to be presented at the Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Delaware.
9. There is no requirement that investment income be spent each year. Further, it may only be used for the purposes designated herein.
10. Expenditures from this Fund can only be made following written request for same which clearly identifies the basis and reason for the disbursement. These disbursements cannot exceed the fair and reasonable expense for the purposes so designated.
11. Each incoming Grand High Priest is encouraged to have his own program to assist in raising money for the Fund.
16. Protocol for the reception of the Most Illustrious Grand Master on Official Visits to Constituent Councils (1998)
OFFICIAL VISITATION & RECEPTION
OF THE M.I. GRAND MASTER
The following ceremony is proposed to be used on the occasion of the Official Visit of the M.I. Grand Master to a subordinate council and shall be modified where necessary for use on the occasion of other visits by the M.I. Grand Master to a subordinate council.
The M.I. Grand Master is the ranking Cryptic Mason within the state. His visit to a Council, and especially an Official Visit with the Grand Staff, is an important occasion for the Council and does the Council great honor. Therefore the Council should be properly prepared to receive the M.I. Grand Master in accordance with the respect due his office.
At any meeting of Cryptic Masons within this jurisdiction, the M.I. Grand Master has the prerogative to preside over the companions. After he has been officially received, at a meeting, no companion shall be received without his consent. After the M.I. Grand Master has been officially received at a meeting, he is entitled to make the first address and no companion shall be permitted to precede him without his consent.
The M.I. Grand Master=s visit to a council begins outside the tiled door of the council. When he is ready to be received, the M.I. Grand Master will have his Grand Marshal (or acting Grand Marshal) instruct the sentinel to make an alarm by giving 9 distinct raps. The Steward opens the door.
STEWARD – (Asks Sentinel) Who comes here?
GRAND MARSHAL – (Informs Sentinel) The Grand Marshal of the Most Illustrious Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Delaware desires admittance.
SENTINEL - (Holds door and announces) The Grand Marshal of the Most Illustrious Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Delaware desires admittance.
STEWARD - (Closes door, gives D.G. & P.S. and announces) Companion Captain of the Guard, the Grand Marshal of the Most Illustrious Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Delaware desires admittance.
CAPTAIN OF THE GUARD - Admit him.
STEWARD - Enter
GRAND MARSHAL - (Enters council, goes to altar, changing baton to left hand, salutes Illustrious Master, giving D.G. & P.S.) Most Illustrious Name Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of Delaware and his staff are waiting to pay Name Council Number # An official visit (Returns to door, opens and leads in Grand Staff in following sequence:)
1. Grand Sentinel
2. Grand Steward
3. Grand Conductor of Council
4. Grand Chaplain
5. Grand Captain of the Guard
6. Grand Recorder
7. Grand Treasurer
8. Grand Principal Conductor of the Work
9. Deputy Grand Master
(At the altar, Grand Staff, taking cue from Grand Marshal, gives D.G. & P.S.)
GRAND MARSHAL - Illustrious Master, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you and through you to the officers, member and visitors of Name Council Number # The members of the Most Illustrious Grand Master=s staff, starting on your left:
Right Illustrious Name Deputy Grand Master
Right Illustrious Name Grand Principal Conductor of the Work
Most or Right Illustrious Name Grand Treasurer
Most or Right Illustrious Name Grand Recorder
Most Reverend or Illustrious Name Grand Chaplain
Illustrious Name Grand Captain of the Guard
Illustrious Name Grand Conductor of Council
Illustrious Name Grand Steward
Illustrious Name Grand Sentinel
and yours truly Illustrious Name Grand Marshal
(Each officer, as introduced gives sign of fidelity and bows.)
Grand Marshal returns to door. Grand Staff take seats on either side of lodge room, with the Deputy Grand Master moving to the seat on the Illustrious Master’s left side. (Principal Conductor of the Work’s station)
The Steward and Conductor of Council move with the Grand Marshal to the door to escort the M.I. Grand Master. (Steward on the left of the M.I. Grand Master and the Conductor of Council on the right with Grand Marshal leading procession.)
Illustrious Master - (raps up Council as M.I. Grand Master enters threshold.)
The Most Illustrious Grand Master proceeds with escort West of Altar preceded by the Grand Marshal who leads the procession then proceeds to a point on the left of the altar and one step in front.
Grand Marshal - Illustrious Master, it is an added pleasure for me to introduce to you and through you to the officers, members and visitors of Name Council, Number # , Most Illustrious Name Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of Delaware.
(M.I. Grand Master gives sign of fidelity and bows)
Illustrious Master - Most Illustrious Grand Master Name It is a distinct pleasure to receive you (or other appropriate words of welcome) in Name Council Number # . Continue under your present escort to the East.
(The M.I. Grand Master and his escort proceed to the East by way of the North. As the M.I. Grand Master ascends the rostrum, the Grand Marshal proceeds to the East by way of the South. The Grand Marshal positions himself to lead in Grand Honors.)
Illustrious Master - Most Illustrious Grand Master, behold your Companions. Companions, behold your Most Illustrious Grand Master. We will salute him with Grand Honors, taking time from the Grand Marshal.
Grand Marshal - Grand Honors - Together companions. (Gives D.G. & P.S. and battery of three claps with right over left, gives signs again and then claps three times left over right, and gives signs again with three claps right over left
Illustrious Master - (Hands gavel to Most Illustrious Grand Master who makes appropriate remarks, gives one rap to seat companions and returns gavel to Illustrious Master. The M.I. Grand Master is seated on the right hand of the Illustrious Master. Arrangements should be made to provide a stand or podium on each side for the respective speakers.)
The Illustrious Master should carefully plan his meeting for the reception of the M.I. Grand Master utilizing his officers, and members extensively in arranging the various details. A sample order of business.
1.
2. Treasurer’s Report
3. Most Illustrious Grand Master’s address.
4. Introduction of 50 year members - presentation of 50 year pins or Birthday recipients
5. Second speaker’s address.
6. Introduction of Council officers
7. Third speaker’s address
8. Introduction of Past Illustrious Grand Masters, Past Illustrious Masters and visiting Illustrious Masters.
(If additional business must be transacted such as balloting, reading of petitions, the Illustrious Master should declare a short recess to permit the Most Illustrious Grand Master and his staff to retire. If there is no other business to come before the Council, the Illustrious Master may request the Most Illustrious Grand Master to close the Council in ample form in which case he hands the gavel to the Most Illustrious Grand Master who proceeds as follows:)
M.I. Grand Master - Companion Grand Marshal conduct the Most Reverend Grand Chaplain to the altar for closing prayer. (Gives 3 raps)
M.R. Grand Chaplain - (Offers prayer concluding with Amen.)
Council Companions - So mote it be. (Grand Marshal returns Grand Chaplain to his station.)
M.I. Grand Master - By virtue of the power conferred on me as Most Illustrious Grand Master of Cryptic Masons of Delaware, I declare Name Council Number # Closed in ample form. Companion Conductor of Council attend at the altar.
Conductor of Council - (Goes to altar, gives D.G. & P.S., proceeds to disarrange the three great lights, returns to station.)
M.I. Grand Master - Companion Steward inform the Sentinel.
Steward - (Opens the door and informs the Sentinel, closes door) - The Sentinel is informed Most Illustrious Grand Master.
M.I. Grand Master - (Gives 1 rap) It is closed.
17.
GRAND
Resolved: that the Grand Council in conjunction with the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery create a Standing Committee to be known as the Grand York Rite Leadership and Education Committee. The duties of said Committee to be:
1. Conceive, prepare, schedule and conduct Seminars for the Officers of the Grand and Constituent bodies of the York Rite on subjects that will improve their ability to lead and educate the members of their respective bodies. At least two (2) Seminars shall be conducted each year in locations accessible to all members of the Rite. Multiple sessions may be considered to satisfy this requirement.
2. Develop, prepare, publish, and provide to the Officers and members of the York Rite materials which will enhance the ability of the Officers to lead, and permit all to better understand the principles of Freemasonry.
3. The committee shall be composed of three members, one from each of the three Grand Bodies. Their term of service shall be for three years except for the initial appointments, where the member from Grand Chapter shall be for one year, Grand Council for two years and Grand Commandery for three years. The chairmanship shall rotate annually through Grand Chapter, Grand Council, and Grand Commandery so that the longest service member is the Chair. The Grand Presiding officers are ex-officio members of the committee. The committee may, and is encouraged to, recruit additional support to accomplish the objectives of the committee.
18.
GRAND
Resolved: that the Grand Council in conjunction with the Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery create a Standing Committee to be known as the Grand York Rite Youth Committee. The duties of said Committee to be:
1. To maintain a continuing liaison with the Order of DeMolay and Job's Daughters. They shall advise the York Rite bodies of youth activities and elicit support from our membership. They shall advise the Grand Bodies of specific needs of the youth groups and recommend appropriate action.
2. The committee shall be composed of three members, one from each of the three Grand Bodies. Their term of service shall be for three years except for the initial appointments, where the member from Grand Chapter shall be for one year, Grand Council for two years and Grand Commandery for three years. The chairmanship shall rotate annually through Grand Chapter, Grand Council, and Grand Commandery so that the longest service member is the Chair. The Grand Presiding officers are ex-officio members of the committee. The committee may, and is encouraged to, recruit additional support to accomplish the objectives of the committee.
3. Specific Duties:
.
Following each annual session of the York Rite Bodies, provide to the Executive
Officer for DeMolay for
. By January 1 of each year, provide to the Grand Secretary the names and addresses of each Delaware DeMolay Chapter, each Delaware Bethel, International Order of Job’s Daughters together with the names, addresses and telephone numbers of the presiding officers.
.
By December 1 of each year, provide to the Grand King a recommended visitation
schedule to selected Delaware DeMolay Chapters and
Delaware Job’s Daughters Bethels for his year.
This schedule to be developed in conjunction with Grand Council and Grand Commandery and should insure that each DeMolay
Chapter and each Job’s Daughters Bethel is visited at least once every three
years. This visitation to be conducted in conjunction with
the Constituent Body nearest the Chapter or
19. Joint
The following joint committees be created upon similar resolutions in Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery: Grand York Rite Leadership and Education, Grand York Rite Youth, and Grand York Rite Annual Meeting.
STANDING RESOLUTIONS NUMBERED AND CROSS-REFERENCES ADDED-1973
UPDATE - MARCH 13, 1989
C. Ray Scarborough, PIGM
Charles W. Barkins, PIGM
Reinput Feb. 2000
Updated March 10, 2009
6