Announcement of Candidacy

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Good morning Companions. What a beautiful Saturday it is, I have to say a pleasure to have been able to speak with you today. I am, as you heard, Companion Brian Dimatteo, General Grand Steward of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International, and a Past Grand Master of Royal and Select Masters of Minnesota.

On Sunday night, about a week ago now, I was having dinner with my wife at PF Chang's. Of course you get to the end and you have a little fortune cookie that they bring, and we know everyone likes reading those. I opened mine and the fortune was “A new opportunity will enter an opening door.” Little did I know how true that would be, as on Monday, I faced a reorganization and a new position. As I got ready this week to present the Cherubim presentation that I just finished, I thought what a great opportunity that was to speak with all of you about something I am passionate about – our Ritual!

When I look at our York Rite, we are faced with the same issues that our Lodges, our Scottish Rite Valleys face. We have the same issues that our Youth Organizations, Jobies, DeMolay and Rainbow face. Even our more social orders like Grotto face the same issues. Membership. Financial Strain. Division and in-fighting. No matter where we turn, we have, as my friend who is a Naval Chief always refers to it “an extreme excess of opportunities for greatness.”

You may have seen me the past four years as I traveled around, seeking election to the office of Grand Captain General of the Grand Encampment, and I tell you, I have had the opportunity to speak to and get to know not only our Sir Knights, but also my Companions in the rest of the York Rite. Some of you may have even heard me talk about faith, relevance, integrity and chivalry as I traveled and visited your bodies. I must say it is great to be back in Fort Wayne under far better times than three years ago.

Specifically in our Cryptic Rite at all levels – from the local Councils to the General Grand Council, we have the same problems, and some that are more unique. As the body that sits “between” Royal Arch Chapters and Commanderies, we struggle with the very real question of value. What value do we, as Cryptic Masons present to our York Rite Brethren, besides being the gatekeeper to the next body? I have heard that question over and over on my travels. As I sat in Council and Chapter sessions, much like this one, around dinner tables, having a cigar after the lights have all dimmed, and in late night conversations. I have even faced those same questions as elements tried to get our Grand Council of Minnesota to drop the requirement as a prerequisite for membership in Commandery.

Abraham Lincoln said famously, “A house divided against itself cannot stand”. Sadly, we see infighting not just between our York Rite bodies, but even within the crypts of our beloved Rite. Officers getting into arguments amongst themselves, or thinking that they are better than the other Companions. We see those squabbles across every body, but shouldn’t we keep in mind the admonition that we learn in the Master Mason degree about the judicious use of the trowel? These issues leak out, no matter how much you think that you are being quiet, or how secure the door is. My companions, it is time to stop this and become, as our General Grand East in all bodies are trying to espouse, a truly united York Rite of Freemasonry.

The growth of our Rite is … well, in some states we have it, but in many, we are facing declines year over year. We all know the reasons, we all look at Covid, the narrowing of the base to draw from, the business of our younger members, and the deaths of our older members. As we face these declines, you see the very real possibility that in less than a generation, we will not be able to have enough members to open, to perform our rituals. Part of it is due to those items, but also, we face the real issue that our jurisdictions in many cases are not taking a deliberate approach to planning, thinking and acting. This isn’t just our local Councils and Chapters, but it is our states and our international bodies as well.

Visibility and accountability are critical. Most Puissant Monty Glover did a great job of being open, honest and transparent. The fireside chats that he had in place to help lead us through Covid were one of the reasons we didn’t tip over and flounder. Our current Grand Master has also worked to be open and honest, spreading the word of the United York Rite and trying to further our reach and cement some areas that were troubled. However, as we all know, the past is prologue.

If you think that I am here to stump for Grand Encampment, you better hold on to your seats. Today I come before you to offer myself as a candidate for the office of General Grand Master of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International.

“Brian, you have got to be kidding! Why are you going straight for the top?”

Let me tell you a story from my own state that illustrates my reasoning. Early in my career for Grand Commandery, we had severe issues with our Officers. It was viewed in much the same way as kings of olden days – a divine mandate that you moved through the chairs, no matter what. Our officers were fighting, we were losing money each year, we were losing, more importantly our members each year. Our Sir Knights saw the issues, and they were losing confidence. As I looked at the situation, I remembered the words of my first mentor when he told me that if you see a problem, and do nothing to try and fix it, you ARE the problem. I tried working, along with other officers, to try and fix things from the inside, doing things the “right” way. It didn’t work, and we had more and more dissatisfied members and junior officers. I faced the decision point of saying or voting with my feet. I love Commandery, you see, much as I love our Cryptic Rite and indeed all of the York Rite.

I was approached by a number of Past Grand Commanders and Sir Knights who had seen my leadership in other organizations, and knew my philosophies. They knew that I had a vision of something more for the state, and our Orders, and they asked me to accept the nomination for Deputy Grand Commander. As I listened, and thought and prayed, I decided to accept the nomination if given. In that election – I was elected to the position of Deputy Grand Master … from Sword Bearer. From that one election, and through hard work and dedication of me and our officers, we grew from the least stable Grand Line to the most over the course of my time. We saw growth in membership, in engagement and a confidence in our Line and Officers. In short, we turned the ship around, to quote an author David Marqueet. It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it!

My companions, I have a vision of a truly united York Rite – one bound by not mere words but by our actions. We need to stop the fighting – disagreeing is ok, but disrespectful infighting and behind the back comments need to stop. This is not just for the Cryptic Council, but among all of our York Rite bodies. As you can imagine, I have formed an exceptionally good and strong relationship with both our General Grand King and our Deputy Grandmaster. I can work with them, they can work with me, and together we will make our unified York Rite the model for others to follow.

I have had the experience as a leader of a Global Organization in my work life. As a Director of Software Engineering for a Fortune Five company, as a Vice President in the data organization for Wells Fargo Bank, and any other number of positions I have held, I have led groups in turn arounds – bringing a tested and successful process to strategic planning, communications and accountability. My time with the Grand Encampment as the Chief of Staff, even though it’s only been a short while, has brought more organization and a sense of continuity to help our officers in the performance of their duties. In short, while not perfect, I have the capabilities and ability to lead a large, global organization.

This doesn’t mean it is going to be easy, and that there won’t be stumbles. I can promise you my transparency, and that of our officers, should I get elected. We will ask for your help and ideas, and we will evaluate them all with the eye towards making that vision a reality. We will ask you to join us as we work together within the arches to make our Cryptic Rite something of beauty as is talked about in the scriptures. We will have the best intention, and we will be successful together. For in those words of Lincoln again, A house divide against itself cannot stand. 

When it comes time to cast your votes in Washington DC in 2026, I hope that you will cast yours for me as your next General Grand Master of the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International.