The Supreme Council
MOTHER COUNCIL OF THE WORLD
OF THE THIRTY-THIRD AND LAST DEGREE
Michael L. Wiggins, 33
Sovereign Grand Inspector General In Texas
ORIENT OF TEXAS
Emergency Directives For Distribution
UPDATED – 24 April 2020
Over the last six weeks, much has changed regarding health recommendations concerning COVID- 19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), directives from the State of Texas, various counties across the State, and the Grand Master of Masons in Texas. As the State and the Nation begin to consider re-opening, I am issuing the following directives effective immediately. These directives may be extended or amended as appropriate.
Spring Reunions Postponed or Canceled: All Reunions and reunion-related activities to be held in the Orient of Texas are postponed or canceled through June 30, 2020. This includes group recruitment activities, degree practices, and degree conferrals.
Scottish Rite Stated Meetings: I have decided it is in the best interest of our Fraternity to extend the prior directive to cancel all in-person Scottish Rite meetings of any kind through May 31, 2020. This directive applies to all Scottish Rite activities including Clubs, Degree Teams, Committees, Social Groups, etc. This information should be communicated to your membership immediately.
Scottish Rite Buildings: Our Scottish Rite Buildings may remain open subject to any local, county, state, or federal emergency declarations regarding COVID-19 public gatherings or activities; however, our buildings are to remain closed to the general public in response to recommendations of the CDC for public gatherings through May 31, 2020. Each Valley should closely monitor local directives from the State and County in which you operate as the governmental orders are varied with different expiration dates across the State.
Social Media – Virtual Meetings: While web-based platforms like Zoom, Skype, MS Teams, WebEx, and other such virtual meeting programs are useful for social gatherings, they are not appropriate for holding stated meetings, conducting business activities, or discussing esoteric topics due to the difficulty in providing internet security and preventing the rebroadcasting, recording, or posting of such meetings. Therefore, all “virtual” gatherings hosted by your Valley, committees, Clubs, or groups are prohibited except for social gatherings or educational programs where no esoteric work is used or discussed consistent with Grand Master’s Decision No. 2 that limits esoteric discussions. Further, educational meetings should be limited to verified active Texas Freemasons with participation through restricted access that must be monitored by a moderator with no recording of the proceedings. Such meetings, if held, must have the written permission of the Valley’s Personal Representative.
