Officers
The Progressive Officers
Usually each year a Brother would progress through these offices on a
path from Steward, via Deacons and Wardens, to the highest honour
within a Lodge -the Worshipful Master. However, each office is subject
to the choice of the Master of the year.
Steward
This is the first office held in a Lodge. The Stewards´ main function
is to assist at the dinner following the Lodge meeting (the Festive
Board)
The Inner Guard
The Inner Guard sits just inside the door of the Lodge. He is
responsible for checking that all those who enter the Lodge are
qualified to do so.
Junior and Senior Deacons
The Deacons accompany the
candidate during the ceremonies of the Three Degrees in the Lodge. The
collar jewel for both Deacons is identical. They carry a wand as a
badge of their office.
Junior and Senior Wardens
The Senior Warden sits
opposite the Master at the West end of the Lodge and is usually the
next Master. The Junior Warden sits in the South of the Lodge and will
normally progress to Senior Warden. It is the role of the Junior Warden
to ensure that no unqualified person enters the Lodge. Although their
roles are different, they work together by assisting the Master in
running the Lodge.
The Master (Worshipful Master)
The Master is elected
by the Lodge members every year and is then installed in to his office.
He is usually Master for one year. He is in charge of the Lodge during
his tenure of office and acts as its chairman. He also normally
conducts the ceremonies in the Lodge. Being elected and installed as
Master is the highest honour a Lodge can bestow on any of
its members..
The Progressive Offices
These offices are usually occupied by
members who are Past Masters of the Lodge and tend to be occupied by
the same person for a number of years, to provide continuity and
experience. They are also appointed by the Master annually, except
the Treasurer and Tyler, who are elected. The Immediate Past Master
is normally the preceding year's WM. Some Lodges formally appoint a
Mentor to look after new members.
Immediate Past Master (IPM)
Although
not actually an office (as the position is his by right) the IPM is
normally the previous Master and acts as a guide and support to the
Master when needed. He sits on the immediate left of the Worshipful
Master.
Chaplain
All meetings begin and end with prayer and it is the
role of the Lodge Chaplain to lead the members in this part of the
meeting.
Treasurer
The Treasurer is responsible for Lodge finances. He
produces annual accounts which are audited before being approved by
the Lodge. Subscriptions are decided in Lodge on the Treasurers
recommendation
Secretary
The Secretary has responsibility for the
smooth administration of the Lodge. He is the main conduit for
communication from Grand Lodge and his Provincial Grand Lodge (if the
Lodge is out of London) or from the Metropolitan Grand Lodge of
London. He is also responsible for organising and distributing the
summons notifying the members of the agenda for the next
meeting.
Director of Ceremonies - DCThe role of the DC is to organise
and oversee the ceremonies held in the Lodge and to ensure all other
officers concerned in any ritual are aware of their roles. This is
usually achieved by meticulous rehearsals. It is also part of his
responsibilities to see that the ceremonies are conducted with
dignity and decorum.
Almoner
The Almoner is the Lodge welfare officer.
He maintains contact with widows of members and with those who are
ill or indisposed. He is also trained to assist those who are in
financial need. He therefore has a knowledge of the variety of needs.
Charity Steward
The role of the Charity
Steward is to organise the charity collections in the Lodge and to
suggest to the Lodge to which charities (Masonic and non-Masonic) the
members may wish to subscribe.
Assistant Director of Ceremonies -
ADC
The role of the ADC is to assist and to understudy the Director of
Ceremonies in his office.
Assistant Secretary
The role of the Assistant
Secretary is to help and understudy the Secretary. In some Lodges he
has responsibility for the dining arrangements.
Tyler
The Tyler guards
the outside of the door to the entrance to the Lodge. It is usually
undertaken by an experienced member of the Lodge and is an elected
office. He has responsibility for preparing the candidates prior to
their entering the Lodge.
Organist
The Organist's role is to provide
the music for the meetings and ceremonies. Most Lodges do not have a
member with the necessary skills to play the organ and so rely on
professional Masonic organists.
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