Committees

2024 – 2025

Credentials
Committee on Credentials shall register members, elected representatives and guests of the Grand Council, as well as other Cryptic Masons, and validate their credentials. It shall report to the Grand Council: first that the Constitutional number of representatives are present to constitute a quorum to conduct business of the Grand Council; and subsequently, the numbers registered and the Councils which are not represented, and shall provide therewith the list of all those registered.

Mark A. Nielsen, Chairman (58)
Robert K. Geiger (35, 53)
David P. Glass (13)

Cryptic Jurisprudence
Committee on Jurisprudence shall report to the Grand Council its recommendations as to the legality of decisions and dispensations issued by the Grand Master, and other matters referred to said Committee; and whether proposed amendments to the Constitution of Grand Council will accomplish the purpose of the proponents and the legal effect of the proposed amendments. When appropriate it shall prepare legislation supplementary thereto, and shall prepare any legislation to accomplish the recommendations or decisions of the Grand Master, officers or Committees of Grand Council, and shall report to Grand Council thereon with its recommendations

David L. Chesebro, Chairman (38)
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Awards
Committee on Awards shall annually obtain nominations for the General Grand Council Cryptic Mason of the Year Award, the General Grand Council Youth Leadership Award, and the Grand Council Ish Sodi Awards from the Subordinate Councils and, in connection therewith, draft its own procedures, maintain absolute secrecy and certify its nominees for such awards to the Grand Master at the time specified by him.

Eduardo Estrada, Chairman (11)
Christian G. Marano (38)
Thomas A. Krummell (13, 53)
Christopher Radcliffe, Chairman (58)

Policy & Purposes
Committee on Policy and Purposes shall consider and report upon such matters as may be referred to it, which may include such matters not referable by express provision of existing law to some other committee or may properly be termed mere matters of policy, and as to which it is deemed that reference to such committee is advisable. Upon referral it shall report whether any action taken or proposed is consistent with the general purposes, policies, aims, and ideals of Grand Council or any Constituent Council.

Christian G. Marano, Chairman (38)
Christopher Radcliffe, Chairman (58)
Robert A. L. Whitfield (12)
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Reports of Grand Officers
Committee on Reports of Grand Officers shall review the reports of the Grand Officers and Committees and make proper distribution to the appropriate Committees on Jurisprudence, Policy and Purposes, Finance, and/or Ritual of any recommendations or acts for proper action at the Grand Assembly.

Carl J. Brickner, Jr., Chairman (12)
Robert K. Geiger (35, 53)
Jeffrey A. White (37)

Executive
Michael T. Sherman, Chairman (58)
David L. Chesebro, Chairman/South (38)
Thomas A. Krummell (13, 53)
Andrew B. Pippin, ex-officio member (15)

Necrology
Committee on Necrology shall embody in a report to Grand Council the names of distinguished Companions who have died during the Cryptic year, together with such account of their lives, characters and services to the Order as may be fitting.

Richard A. Fonseca (46)
David P. Glass (13)
Thomas A. Krummell (13)

Communications & Website
Douglas J. Smith, Editor Sword & Trowel (58)
Jon G. Rick, Web (58)
David P. Glass, Email (13)
Marty M. Cusing, Functionality (2, 65)
Thomas A. Krummell, Functionality (13, 53)

Finance, Budget & Investments
Committee on Finance shall consider and report on all matters of a financial character coming before Grand Council, before action thereon, prepare and submit to Grand Council the Annual Budget, covering Annual Assembly expense, salaries and expenses of Grand Officers, salaries and expenses of the Grand Recorder’s office, expenses of the Ritual Committee and Inspectors and all other incidental expenses.

Committee on Investments shall invest and reinvest the funds of Grand Council, as provided in Article X, and may purchase, exchange and sell securities belonging to or controlled by Grand Council. The investment of such funds and the disposition thereof shall be approved by at least a majority of members of this committee.

Robert A. L. Whitfield, Chairman (12)
Richard A. Fonseca (46)
Thomas A. Krummell (13)
Christian G. Marano (38)
Michael T. Sherman (58)

Time & Place
Committee on Time and Place, meeting with the like committees of Grand Chapter and Grand Commandery, shall report in writing at each Annual Assembly, its recommendations regarding the Time and Place of the next three (3) Annual Assemblies, pursuant to the adoption of the Guidelines and Outlines as approved by the Grand York Rite Coordinating Committee. It shall also report the Companion appointed to be the General Chairman of the Local Annual Grand Sessions Committee, one for each of the next three Annual Assemblies, each such appointment to be for a period of three years.

Michael J. Sekera, Chairman (58)
Richard A. Fonseca (46)
Christian G. Marano (38)

Charters & Consolidations
Committee on Charters and Consolidations shall conduct an investigation, including examination, of the records and proceedings of organizations seeking Council status, and report its findings and recommendations to the Grand Master. During the period Councils are under dispensation, the committee shall counsel with said Councils and examine the records and proceedings of said Councils. Prior to the close of the next Annual Assembly the committee shall examine the records and proceedings of said Councils, reporting its findings and recommendations to the Grand Council. It shall also perform such similar functions for chartered Councils which shall have been placed in Temporary Consolidation under Trusteeship by the Grand Master.

Jeffrey A. White, Chairman/North (37)
David L. Chesebro, Chairman/South (38)
Robert K. Geiger (35, 53)

Appeals & Grievances
Committee on Appeals and Grievances shall examine all cases of appeal and grievance submitted to it and report its conclusions and recommendations thereon.

Christopher Radcliffe, Chairman (58)
Eduardo Estrada (11)
Philip A. Hardiman (1)
TBA

Ritual
The Grand Committee on Ritual shall have the custody of the Rituals, work, installations, and ceremonies of this jurisdiction, and be charged with the determination of all matters relating to their interpretation, rendition, amplification or revision.

K. Mark Harris (12)
Miguel A. Vazquez-Moreno (64)

Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation
Committee on Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation shall properly promote the philanthropic project adopted by the General Grand Council and by the Grand Council of California, solicit bequests and contributions, and make proper recognition of those making such donations.

Richard A. Fonseca, Chairman (46)
Jeffrey A. White (37)
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Leadership Development
Andrew B. Pippin, Chairman (15)
Christian G. Marano (38)
Michael T. Sherman (58)

Membership
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Audit & Revue
TBA