re: Annual Communication 2020
Brethren,
It is becoming increasingly unlikely that we will be able to hold our Annual Communication scheduled for July 15-16, 2020 at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel. While the decision to cancel it and whether we will incur charges from the hotel hinge on government announcements, we suspect that resumption of ‘normal’ activity will be gradual and gatherings of large numbers of individuals in confined spaces will not likely be possible in July.
Even if we can hold a meeting in July, we do not feel that there will be adequate opportunity for you to meet the candidates or debate any constitutional amendments.
Therefore, regardless of whether we hold an annual communication or not:
Grand Lodge Officers:
Elected and Appointed:
All Grand Lodge Officers, both elected and appointed, will remain in their positions for an extra year. This includes the elected positions of District Deputy Grand Masters, Grand Wardens, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Registrar and members of the Board of General Purposes. It also includes the appointed Grand Lodge officers such as the Grand Director of Ceremonies, Assistant Grand Director of Ceremonies, Grand Sword Bearer, Grand Stewards, etc..
As a result, there will be no elections for District Deputy Grand Masters in July 2020. There will be no elections for any other Grand Lodge officers in July 2020. Only Grand Lodge appointments required to fill vacancies will be considered. Anyone not wishing to remain for the extra year may tender his resignation to the Grand Secretary.
Constitutional Amendments:
All amendments submitted by the deadline will be held over for one year. New amendments can still be submitted up to Jan. 1, 2021.
If we are unable to hold the annual communication in July, we will be arranging for a virtual meeting of only those officers of Grand Lodge necessary to complete the legal requirements of our corporation.
Further details will be communicated to you by the Grand Secretary as they are confirmed.
Fraternally,
David J. Cameron, Grand Master