DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LODGE OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN PREFACE Freemasonry is a system of It is true these guidelines are morality, veiled in allegory, and the result of years of experience but illustrated by symbols. These are the times and circumstances change. These surest ways by which the moral and guidelines can be changed as the need ethical truths may be taught. The arises. Suggestions are always purpose of Freemasonry is likened to a welcomed and will be seriously journey on the paths of charitable, considered. It is best if they are benevolent, educational and spiritual submitted in writing. It is most growth. Effective ritual fosters that important all officers understand what journey, and is the thread which binds the Lodge and Masonry are trying to us to those who immediately preceded achieve. If you have any questions you us, as their ritual bound them to their can talk to any of the officers higher in fathers and grandfathers. We should line including the Master or a Past always keep in mind our direction and Master for information. not be distracted by petty quarrels, but It is extremely important that maintaining the proper course to better there be a spirit of cooperation between serve our Lodge, our families, our all of the officers. But remember, the communities and ourselves. Master makes the ultimate decision and These guidelines are intended to has total responsibility. It is hoped that be a comprehensive set of what are this will be a valuable reference tool for generally accepted as regulations or you and that you may find it an rules for the various stations, and to indispensable part of your Masonic serve as a guide as to what should library. However, we caution you not result in the best functioning of the to leave it on the shelf to collect dust. lodge. It should make for the most Otherwise our labors and efforts will effective presentation of our ritual have been in vain and you will not thereby better educating our candidates learn what is expected of you. and brethren. 1 OVERVIEW progression are: Inside Sentinel, Junior INTRODUCTION Steward, Senior Steward, Junior Deacon, Senior Deacon, Junior Warden, Senior Warden and Master. In The purpose of this guide is to a normal progression, this would take clearly specify the duties of a Masonic eight years to complete. In addition, Lodge officer. First, duties in general with most lodges the outgoing Master for all officers and secondly, the traditionally fills the position of specific duties and responsibilities for Marshal for the following year. This is each officer. The Installation ritual also to provide an officer who is familiar lists specific duties, particularly for the with both ritual and floor work, thus a Master. The Constitutions and total of a nine-year commitment. Regulations of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Although it is normally Accepted Masons of the expected that any member appointed in Commonwealth of Massachusetts also line will progress up through the line have requirements relative to the duties to Master and then serve a year as of each officer, particularly for the Marshal, advancement is not Master and Wardens. All officers automatic. One must demonstrate a should read and become familiar with certain level of proficiency in the the Grand Constitutions and current office in order to be considered Regulations and should also be familiar for advancement to the succeeding with the By-laws of their lodge. office. This includes not only proficiency in the ritual, but attendance at district meetings as required, OBJECTIVE including LOI's and Exemplification, as well as the performance in the duties This guide is written for the and responsibilities of his current office purpose of helping to develop and as outlined herein. In most lodges all maintain a long tradition in your lodge line officers up to and including Senior of excellence in the functioning of its Deacon are appointed annually by the officers, particularly the line officers Master and serve at his will and who move through the various offices pleasure. In some lodges though, the over a period of years. It is the desire of Senior Deacon is also an elected officer. the lodge to continue to maintain this There are no permanent line positions tradition. The objective is to define the in a Masonic Lodge. The Wardens are duties so that ALL officers will be able elected and it is assumed they will to clearly understand the importance of progress normally to the office of each officer's performance and how it is Master and then to Marshal if that is vital to maintaining this tradition. the local lodge tradition. It is fully recognized that we are, by any definition, a “volunteer CONTINUATION IN LINE organization” and with it come the other demands and responsibilities that The line officers in order of require our attention. Those being the 2 demands of our families and employers and for cleanup. All officers from which should take precedence over Senior Deacon down should help the participation in lodge affairs. But it is Junior Warden during the meal and desired that once an officer makes a during cleanup. See specific duties for commitment to the lodge, it will be each officer. The Electrician, Tyler, kept to the best of his ability for the Organist, Chaplain and Marshal are duration of his term, whether it be for responsible to the Master. the year or up to and including Master. In matters of ritual and floor Given that participation in lodge is work, all officers should pay strict supposed to be “recreation,” it is also attention to the ritualist or ritualists desirable that, if married, the officer who are responsible only to the Master has the support of his wife and family. who appoints them. This makes for better relations in both the family and the lodge. The Treasurer and Secretary are also elected officers of the lodge, but If at any time an officer finds he are governed by the Constitutions and cannot continue the commitment for Regulations of Grand Lodge and the the time being, he should discuss the By-laws of the respective lodge. matter with the Master. It is preferable to resolve the matter as soon as Committee Chairmen, although possible, even if it means dropping out not officers of the lodge, are expected of line temporarily. This would mean to perform their duties with diligence that he could be considered in the and enthusiasm. Their work is very future if or when he is able to make the important to the overall effectiveness of commitment. Being forced out could the lodge. Trustees should also perform prejudice future involvement when their duties with care and diligence in circumstances change. order to keep the lodge as fiscally healthy as possible. Our fraternity is based on RELATIONSHIP OF OFFICERS certain standards. By adhering to these simple rules our organization will All officers are responsible to flourish. If shortcuts are taken and the Master as the top officer of the rules ignored, then in time, our lodge. However, the Senior Deacon has generation will be responsible for the the responsibility for the junior officers downfall of Masonry from the position of the line. Also, the Junior and Senior it occupies today. Stewards work under the direction of the Junior Warden during meal times 3 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR ALL OFFICERS Funerals and Visiting Hours for all ATTENDANCE members. REQUIRED Visits to our sick brethren, as requested by the Master, Wardens or Service Committee Chairman. The following events REQUIRE the attendance of all officers, except as When an officer becomes aware of the noted. It is understood that there will sickness or illness of a brother or a be times when an officer cannot attend member of his family, he should report one of the required events. It is simple it to the lodge Secretary or Master and courtesy to inform the Master in to the Service Committee Chairman. advance, or secondarily as in the case He should also plan to visit said of the junior officers, the Senior brother. Deacon, if one of these events will be missed. In cases where degree work in LODGE OF INSTRUCTION involved, this notice should be AT LEAST three full days in advance if at Published monthly in the lodge all possible in order to provide for notice is a directive that all officers are substitutes. required to attend the monthly Lodge of Instruction. This is a regulation set Monthly Communication. by Grand Lodge. It is part of the duties assigned to, and accepted by, each Special Communications. lodge officer. It is the responsibility of Rehearsals, as scheduled by the each officer to contact the Master Master (Treasurer and Secretary personally in advance to give the excepted), (see next page). reason why they will miss a Lodge of Instruction. If it is a last minute Special Rehearsals, as called. emergency, common courtesy dictates Lodge of Instruction (LOI), as the Master be contacted as soon as scheduled by the Master of the LOI possible for that purpose. If the Master (see below). is not available, the Secretary should then be notified. The telephone Exemplification of degree work, numbers for both appear in the once yearly. monthly lodge notice. A Masonic Funeral to be done by the Lodge, as requested by a Brother. REHEARSALS REQUESTED Although the Master has overall responsibility for the operation and the Attendance at the following is conducting of all lodge functions and requested of all officers. activities, the responsibility of conducting the monthly rehearsals is 4 usually delegated to the ritualist(s).