“For the Good of the Order “ was originally developed by Bruce H “For the Good of the Order “ was originally developed by Bruce H. Hunt, Past General Grand Recorder from 1966-1995, for the purpose of providing a guideline and informational tool for the membership of the General Grand Council. The book was updated for a second printing in 2008 by Right Puissant Companion George C. Sellars, then the Deputy General Grand Master. Following is a brief overview of the work.

A Brief History General Grand Council organized 1880 for sole purpose of watching over and protecting the interest of Cryptic Masonry. General Grand Council works in York Rite unity with General Grand Chapter and Grand Encampment of Knights Templar General Grand Council is a long-established organization started in 1880 in Detroit MI, to watch over & protect Cryptic Masonry in the jurisdictions that recognize their authority. Along with our partners – the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, International, and the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States,--General Grand Council works for the betterment of Cryptic Masonry and the Fraternity in general.

What it Does Represents Cryptic Rite at national and international Masonic meetings Gives advice and instruction to advance and protect Cryptic Masonry Sponsors Regional Conferences with it’s partners = 7 annually in the USA, 2 per triennium in Europe, and 1 per triennium in Latin America Makes available Cryptic rituals and other publications on Cryptic Masonry General Grand Council does a variety of things for its membership: It reaffirms its allegiance to the Grand Lodges and Masonic codes of the various jurisdictions, and offers advice and instruction as needed. It represents the Cryptic Rite at various levels of meetings and conferences including the Regional Conferences--7 annually in the U.S., 2 per triennium in Europe, and 1 per triennium in Latin America. *The responsibilities taken on by a set structure of officers including Regional Deputies, Ambassadors and Aides-de-Camp are critical to organizing and planning these conferences General Grand Council also makes available a wide array of publications including Cryptic rituals, the Manual for Cryptic Masons; pamphlets on Conference Leadership, 21st Century Master Tool Kit, and the Masonic Triangle; Cryptic Freemason Newsletters, and the newest books on Jeremy Ladd Cross and As It Was in the Beginning (the series of 12 lectures).

Aims and Purposes To copyright, protect and preserve the Cryptic Degrees, including the degree of Super Excellent Master To encourage leadership and membership seminars To further the welfare of York Rite and Cryptic Masonry To support Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation To establish a sound financial base for posterity General Grand Council’s goal is to provide for the lifelong development of its membership and to aid in the advancement, protection, and preservation of the Cryptic Degrees. The Vision of the organization is to “establish a renaissance in Cryptic Masonry in value and respect for its members and allied Masonic bodies by promoting: high moral standards, Council growth, educational leadership development, philanthropic achievements, and team development based on friendship, administrative effectiveness, and dedication among the membership.”

Our Philanthropy Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation, Inc. (CMMRF) Research takes place at the Indiana University Medical School Center for Vascular Biology & Medicine Stem cell studies & development Umbilical cord stem cell investigations Obesity Inflammatory diseases Arteriosclerosis Obesity Physical exercises & healing Clotting Cardiovascular diseases During the 1978 Triennial Assembly in Denver CO, the General Grand Council approved the formation of a philanthropy to sponsor research in the prevention and cure of Arteriosclerosis. Following the death of Dr. Owen Shanteau (pronounced Shan-tee-o, ) its founder/Executive Secretary, and Past General Grand Master, the foundation was reorganized in 1985 and placed directly under the officers of the General Grand Council, and was renamed Cryptic Masons Medical Research Foundation, Inc. CMMRF research has expanded since that time to include a wide variety of disciplines. As of December 1, 2015, investments total 3.3 million dollars, with donations in excess of 5.2 million dollars.

Growing Strong Cryptic Freemasons Encourage and improve York Rite Cooperation with other bodies at the local, state, and international levels Encourage inter-visitation between Councils and Grand Councils; share your ideas with your General Grand Council officers Encourage memorized proficiency in the Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master degrees Support and encourage your Youth Groups Help members grow in the craft by holding educational seminars, including Table Councils General Grand Council depends on each Grand Council to help build a strong Cryptic Freemason Fraternity. A few of the ways you can do this are: Encourage and improve York Rite Cooperation with Chapters and Commanderies on all levels. We are all connected. Do visit other councils and Grand Councils. See what they are doing to encourage growth in the fraternity, and do share your ideas for betterment with them and with the General Grand Council. General Grand Council can assist you better if they know what is needed in your councils. Do encourage memorized proficiency of the degrees. A special Ritual Award Jewel is available for those that show proficiency in memorized work. It will be available for all three degrees. Do support, encourage, and build a positive relationship with your local youth groups. They are the future of Masonry and the Cryptic Rite. Remember….If you ‘build’ it, they will come! Finally, everyone likes to come away feeling that they’ve really learned something new. Holding table councils and educational seminars are great ways to instruct.

Leadership and Effective Management A successful leader inspires people to do more and do better. Know yourself and seek self-improvement Be enthusiastic Be technically and tactically proficient Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions Make sound and timely decisions Set the best example Know your organization Know your Officers and look out for their wellbeing Keep your Officers informed A good leader must be practical and effective and “Strive to do small things with great love.” Through solid, enthusiastic goals and plans, a good leader seeks the highest bar of proficiency for himself and others. To help you be a successful leader, consider the qualities listed: Know yourself, your Officers, and your organization. Seek self-improvement Be enthusiastic, proficient, and responsible Make sound and timely decisions Set the best example Keep your Officers informed

Leadership, Cont’d. Develop responsibility in the Officers Let everyone know you are there for them Build the team Keep learning and educating every day End boring meetings You don’t learn unless you have rapport with new people Develop good ideas; money will follow Create value in all your endeavors Build leadership on merit, ability, and enthusiasm Develop responsibility in the Officers Let everyone know you are there for them Build the team Keep learning and educating every day Create value in all your endeavors Build leadership on merit, ability, and enthusiasm Leadership and management skills may be inherent in you. They can be developed and practiced by everyone. “Nothing is more important than the effective management team if we are to grow and prosper.”

Membership Development Ask Master Masons to join the York Rite Perform good degree work—it tells our story Prepare an incentive program – it pays off Schedule interesting programs, not just a business meeting A talk on history Film Dinner Table Council Educational materials for perusal For any organization to survive, it must be concerned about its membership. We must consider solutions for: Poor Attendance Demits Suspensions Loss in Membership Securing New Members Activity and growth don’t just happen. They must be planned for. With good ideas and programs, you will see great results. Ask other Masons to join the York Rite Perform good degree work Utilize incentive programs Make your programs interesting

Awards Awards presented by the Grand Council to honor and encourage the membership to continue in their good works in Cryptic Masonry might include: Cryptic Mason of the Year Illustrious Master of the Year Recorder of the Year Traveling trowel Traveling Bible Certificates Plaques Dinner Recognition There are many ways for Councils and Grand Council to encourage its membership and show appreciation for all the hard work that has been done. Honoring companions with pins, certificates, plaques, trowels, Bibles, etc. at a banquet or other special occasion show them that their efforts have value and merit within the Fraternity and Community.

The Final Words “There is much work to be done, Companions. We are the Cryptic Masons, the organization of preservation. Every effort must be taken to pass those precepts to the future generations of Master Masons.” Remember, it’s all “For the Good of the Order.” General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons, International There IS much to be done, Companions, but with everyone’s help and dedication, we will see renewed growth in the Cryptic Rite and Freemasonry throughout our country and around the world. Thank you.