This Conference is open to ALL York Rite Masons. Indeed, our newer members are encouraged to come! We promise good speakers, educational opportunities, and especially the chance to meet like-minded Companions and Sir Knights from around the North East.
Friday, September 8 – Saturday, September 9, 2023
Desmond Hotel,
Albany, NY
Hotel Accommodations
To book by phone, call the hotel at (518) 869-8100 and ask for Northeast York Rite block code JRQ. Reservations must be made before August 24 to get the discounted rate. If there is an issue, our contact is Jack Roddy, Director of Sales, at (518) 640-6077.
REGISTRATION CLOSES at 6:00PM EST on SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3
Friday, September 8th
08:15 Welcome – RE Piers Vaughan & RP Paul Smith – Prayer & Pledge
08:30 Presentation – RI Michael Sabia – “The 27 Select Masters (and one more)”
09:30 Essentials Break
09:45 Presentation – RE Piers A. Vaughan – “The Holy Royal Ark”
10:40 Work Session – SWOT Analysis
11:45 RARA Update – RE Chadwick Burks
12:00 Lunch – King Street Courtyard
1:15 CMMRF Update – MI Gary Wyne
1:25 CMMRF “Championship” – RP Paul Smith
1:30 Presentation – RW Oscar Alleyne – “The Lion and the Eagle”
2:25 Essentials Break
2:40 General Grand Chapter – ME Teko Foly & RE Chadwick Burks
3:00 General Grand Council – MP Bill Snyder & RP Tom Taylor
3:20 Work Session – SWOT Reimagined
4:00 Close
4:30 Hospitality Suite Open – Room 120
6:30 Dinner (Casual dress) – King Street 2/4
8:30 Hospitality Suite Open – Room 120
Saturday, September 9th
Schedule Pending
On Saturday, Grand Encampment will hold its excellent Leadership Training courses which are open to all Masons and senior members of the Youth Groups as well. These courses are FREE and held at several levels, so make use of this wonderful resource by signing up at YorkRiteLeadership.org. You can obtain further information on the training at that site. Note that those attending the Grand Encampment Training MUST register for the Conference!
Piers Vaughan
“The Holy Royal Ark”
This talk explores why the Arch is actually mentioned so little in the Degree bearing its name. It traces five alliances between God and Man, before revealing the Arch to be the ultimate synthesis of all symbolism, and why it is perhaps the greatest symbol in all of Masonry.
Oscar Alleyne
“The Lion and the Eagle”
A discussion of symbolism across the American York Rite using the example of the Lion and the Eagle and the art of personification to examine and teach philosophical and moral lessons.
Chad Burks
"Updates on RARA and General Grand Chapter"
Michael Sabia
"The 27 Select Masters (and one more)"
Join the Grand PCW of Connecticut as he traverses the mystic symbolism of the Cryptic degrees.
Ladies of the York Rite ~ Two Great Events!
Contact Cyndi Barnes with questions or RSVPs at clbjdb@gmail.com
Friday, September 8:
Ladies Tea and Talk
All Ladies are invited to a fun afternoon of Tea and Talk in the Hospitality Room
immediately following lunch on Friday, September 8.
- We will have tasty teas and delicious desserts to sample and perhaps a few surprises.
- Wear a fancy hat and your tea party finery if you like or come as casual as you please for an afternoon of fun and friendship.
- Do you have or want to start a tea cup collection? Bring an old or mismatched teacup you no longer want for our swap session. Or bring a favorite teacup to enjoy using yourself so we can all admire it.
- If you have a favorite tea or tea party treat you’d like to bring to contribute to the afternoon it would be most welcome.
There is no charge to attend this event. But letting us know you plan to be with us would be appreciated. We are looking forward to seeing you there.
Saturday, September 9:
Field Trip
Shaker Harvest Craft Fair
25 Meeting Road, Albany
Less than 2 miles from the Desmond
Join us for a fun afternoon at the Shaker Heritage Harvest Craft Fair. We will meet in the hotel lobby at 1 o’clock and make our way to the craft fair.
The hotel shuttle will be available and can hold up to 8 but anyone willing to drive and take some of us would also be appreciated. We will return to the hotel by 4.
It would be helpful if you let Cyndi Barnes know if you plan to join us beforehand but any Lady who is in the lobby for the trip at 1 o’clock will be welcome to join us.
Milford Commandery will have a small “travel” store onsite. If you have specific items that you are looking for, please contact Milford Commandery via their website and they can have your order ready for pick-up at the conference. A limited number of shirts will be available for sale at the conference, and order forms will also be available for “display-only” items.
MilfordCommanderyStore.Com
Author Piers Vaughan of Rose Circle Publications will be available for book sales and signing.