AN OFFICER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO HIS LODGE AND TO HIS OFFICE

W.A. Milligan - P.G.M.

I have been asked to speak to you on the subject of "An Officer's
Responsibility to his Lodge and his Office".

Each of us, when placed in a chair of office, thinks he knows all
about the office and an explanation of his duties to the office
is just a waste of time.  Then, as the first meeting is about to
get underway and the W.M. asks if you have done this or that, or
asks if you are prepared to perform a certain duty, you look at
him in absolute disbelief and ask "since when is that my
responsibility?" and he advises that it has always been the duty
of the person in your office.  Your first concern is why someone
hadn't told you about this particular responsibility.  Well,
everyone assumed you had been observant enough to know what your
duties are.  But you hadn't, and now you are embarrassed and
angry.  You have no one to blame but yourself; it is up to you to
learn your duties and responsibilities.  If you are in doubt,
speak to your predecessor in office, or enquire of the Director
of Ceremonies.  Don't bother the W.M. as he has all he can do to
carry out what is expected of him.
          
Let's have a look at the various offices in a lodge and consider
the responsibilities of each. I know I won't cover all of the
duties of each office as expected of the person in your lodge as
each lodge assigns different duties to an office and tradition
requires that the officer involved perform that duty.

The installation book gives an outline of the specific  duties 
of each office, but who reads that book between installations? 
Some lodges prepare a list of duties as expected to be performed
by each officer and immediately after the installation the
officer is given the list.  This system is good, but be sure you
don't miss some point as it will become the responsibility of the
W.M. or the Director of Ceremonies to pick up the missed point
and both of these officers have enough responsibilities without
any additional load.

Tyler

Your duty is to ensure that all who seek to enter the Lodge are
Masons properly vouched for or candidates properly prepared.  You
are also to see that all brethern and visitors have properly
registered their names before entering the lodge.  These are his
official duties, but in some lodges he has to put on the coffee,
heat up the chili con carne, put away all of the lodge property,
put out the tables, cups, plates and so on.  But seriously, the
Tyler must know how the candidate in each degree is prepared
without looking at the ritual in the presence of the candidate
and be ever mindful of the degree the lodge is working in.


The Inner Guard - Cdn.  Rite only

His duty is to admit Masons on proof, receive candidates in due
form, report all alarms and obey the commands of the Junior
Warden.  He, too, must be constantly mindful of the degree the
lodge is working in, as it is disconcerting to hear the knocks as
given being different to those which should be given, it shows a
lack of attention.

Registrar

His duties are to assist the Secretary as required and to record
all important events of the Lodge in the Historical Register. 
One problem a lot of Lodges have is making the registrar aware of
how important the Historical Register really is in the affairs of
the Lodge.  It is not so important for today, but it is most
worthwhile 50 years from now when the officers of the year 2030,
2055 or 2080 want to celebrate a 75th or 100th anniversary.  Even
your name could show up prominently providing the registrar does
his job today.

Organist
 
He is to conduct and preside over the musical part of our
ceremonies.  We all know how important an organist is to a lodge
and he can turn a dry evening into a joyous occasion with just a
little imagination.  The organist may also be asked to assist the
Junior Warden at the refreshment period.

Director of Ceremonies and Stewards

The duties of these officers include the introduction of all
visitors and seeing to it that they are properly accommodated. 
Make sure all visitors meet the W.M. and especially the Senior
Warden and, if necessary, see to it that a Board of Trial is
arranged.  Stay with visitors and introduce them to as many
members as possible, arranging that someone takes the visitor in
tow and stays with him the entire evening.  Make him feel welcome
and his presence appreciated.  Make him want to come back to your
lodge again and possibly affiliate.  Keep our members active and
don't let them get lost in our cities.

The stewards, in most lodges, are asked to prepare and to serve
the refreshments under the direction of the Jr. Warden.  They are
also required to prepare the candidates and the lodge.  Learn to
do both efficiently and please practise preparing the lodge
before the lodge is in session so you know what is required. 
When preparing the candidates, don't be smart and off-handed. 
Put him at ease and explain as best you can why he is being
divested of his clothing and rings, etc.  Make him realize the
seriousness of the ceremony and prepare him to be observant of
all that is said and done so he will better understand why we do
the things we do and be the better enabled to memorize the work.

The Director of Ceremonies is the officer responsible for the
actions of each officer while performing his duties during each
degree.  He must be firm at all practices and see that each
officer does his floor work well, with dispatch and in accordance
with the ritual and the rulings of the Committee on the Work.  He
is the Sargent-Major of the Lodge.
     
I stated earlier that the Stewards, in most lodges, assist during
the refreshment period.  Before appointing Stewards to office, it
might be fitting to pose 'the following questions of each
candidate for this office and be sure he responds with the proper
answer,-

Question 1 - How were you first prepared to be made a Steward?

Ans. - My coat sleeves, shirt sleeves and vest sleeves were
rolled up and a corkscrew was placed in my hands.

Question  2 - What is a corkscrew?

Ans. - An instrument fashioned like a winding staircase
which our ancient Brethern descended to receive their beer.

Question  3 - Where did they receive it?

Ans. - In a convivial room below the chamber.

Question 4 - How did they receive it?

Ans. - In half tankards and tankards.

Question 5 - Why in this peculiar manner?

Ans. - If half tankards well knowing the same could be
replenished, or in tankards in the great reliance they placed in
the mildness of the brew in those days.

Question 6 - Name the two advertisements that hung at the door or
entrance of the chamber?

Ans. - That on the left "Bridge" that on the right "Molsons".

Question 7 -  What are their separate and conjoint meanings?

Ans.-  The fomer denotes No. 1, the latter "Blue" and when taken
together, Instability.

Question  8 - What is beer?

Ans. - A peculiar product of chemistry veiled in mystery and
illustrated by labels.

Question 9 - How is it depicted?

Ans. - By a-couple of hops near to a barrel of water.

So much for the selection of Stewards.

Deacons

The Deacons are the "messengers" of the Lodge.  As such they are
to attend the Worshipful Master and assist the Wardens as
required.  As well as the duties set down in the ritual, it is
the duties of the Deacons to escort the Worshipful Master on all
of his visitations.  In the Canadian Rite especially it is the
Deacons who make or break a degree.  Their floor work, their
voice, their knowledge of the progression of the degree, their
handling of the Candidates is most important.  Don't think you
can learn the duties of this office by just learning the words. 
There is much more to it.  The Director of Ceremonies must work
very closely with the Deacons to be sure that the floor work is
performed with dispatch and smartness.

The Chaplain 

The Chaplain is responsible for the devotional portions of our
ceremonies and this includes the blessing at the refreshment
table.  One word of advice to Chaplains - Masonry is not just a
Christian organization - we include all faiths therefore refrain
from finishing a blessing with the words - "In Jesus name we ask
it, Amen".  Instead, say - "in the name of the "Most High", or,
the "Great Architect of the Universe", or whatever you wish but
remember our Brethern from all other faiths.

A lot of our Brethern seem to be of the opinion that the office
of Chaplain is not important within the Lodge structure and
requies very little in the way of responsibility.  I do not agree
with this opinion whatsoever.  The first real piece of work the
Candidate hears is the prayer, if this is badly done, his opinion
of our Order begins to wane right from the start.  It must also
be remembered that upon the death of a Brother, it is proper for
the Worshipful Master to visit the family of the deceased to
express our regrets and condolences.  He should be accompanied on
this visit by the Chaplain and if it is opportune he should offer
up a prayer suitable for the occasion.  How may Chaplains are
prepared for this possibility? How many Chaplains ever consider
this possibility as one of their duties? This is an important and
serious office, prepare for it.

Treasurer and Secretary or Secretary-Treasurer

In general, the Treasurer handles the financial transactions of
the Lodge and keeps simple but complete records of them.  The
Secretary records the minutes, collects all monies, issues dues
cards and notices and corresponds with the Grand Secretary as
required.  A Sec.-Treasurer does all of these things himself.  It
should be pointed out at this time that the Grand Lodge has a
publication available entitled the Secretary's Hand Book.  Each
Lodge should have a copy as it gives a secretary guidance with
regards to his duties and responsibilities and when to submit the
various reports required by our Constitution.  I have never been
a Secretary of a Lodge so I cannot provide much in the way of
advice, but I do know that all secretaries are the backbone of a
Lodge.

Junior Warden

This officer is expected to become familiar with the duties and
responsibilities of the Worshipful Master and the Senior Warden
as well as those of his present office.  He is also in charge of
the refreshment periods and has a great opportunity to show his
metal as a Mason to introduce some new, constructive ideas into
this important function of the Lodge.  Help your membership get
to know other Brethern, devote some time to visitors, introduce
some instructional programmes.  Have a purpose and expand upon it
at each meeting.  Learn protocol and be prepared to deal severely
with those Brethern who seem to think that the refreshment period
is the place to show their ability to tell off-color stories. 
There is no room in Masonry for vulgarisms.

Senior Warden

In the absence of the Worshipful Master you will rule the Lodge
from the chair North of the W.M.'s chair.  You are expected to
prepare for the event of being elected as Worshipful Master by
becoming familiar with the Constitution and the By-Laws of the
Lodge.  You are also expected to know the ritual backwards and
forwards.  It is your specific duty as Senior Warden to satisfy
yourself that all attending each meeting are, in fact, Masons in
good standing and determine their rank as E.A., F.C. or M.M.'s.
You are also expected to introduce all visitors to the W.M. and
the Lodge.

As a principal officer of your Lodge you are obligated to attend
the Annual Communication of Grand Lodge as well as the Annual
District Meeting.  You are the Vice-President of the Lodge and
you must communicate with the Worshipful Master, the Junior
Warden and the Secretary at all times and keep yourself informed
as to what is going on at all times.  During this year you should
be developing a plan for next year and be ready to act at a
moments notice should a situation develop where you must step
into the shoes of the W.M. because of sickness or some other
unforeseen problem which keeps the Worshipful Master from
attending Lodge.


The Worshipful Master

If you haven't got it all together by now, well , you and the
Lodge are both in trouble.  Your specific duty is to see that the
affairs of your Lodge are conducted in strict conformity with the
most current Laws, Regulations and Edicts of Grand Lodge.  It is
your duty to ensure that your lodge is represented at the Annual
Communication of Grand Lodge and the Annual District Meeting.

As a Worshipful Master, you are expected to be able to:

(1) Open and close your Lodge
(2) Confer the three degrees
(3) Conduct the business of your Lodge in conformity with
standard practice, i.e. motions, amendments, elections,
balloting, etc.
(4) Arrange for regular programs of Masonic Education.
(5) Receive visitors and Grand Lodge Officers graciously and with
proper form.
(6) Understand and practise Masonic protocol.
(7) Rule your lodge firmly but with understanding and start each
meeting on time.
(8) Have back-up people for each office in case of a last minute
problem.  This goes for regular meetings as well as for emergent
meetings.  Make it clear who sets up the lodge and who puts
everything away.

The Immediate Past Master

Your duty is to keep quiet but be constantly ready to prompt the
Worshipful Master during the opening and closing of the Lodge. 
Learn how to open and close the V.O.T.S.L. and do all of the
floor work you may have to do with decorum and dispatch.

In general, the Duties and Responsibilities of all officers
require that you do everything in the best interest of the Lodge. 
Arrange your public and private affairs insofar as is possible to
permit your punctual and regular attendance at all meetings and
degree rehearsals.  If your absence is unavoidable, it is your
duty to notify the W.M. as soon as possible.  If ci@cumstances
are such that you will not be able to attend for an extended
period of time, it would be better that you step down rather than
disrupt the efficiency of Lodge affairs by your inactivity.

Each officer must be familiar with the Constitution, the By-Laws
of his Lodge and the Ritual.  Not only the spoken words of the
ritual but the rubrics as well.  He must, of course, be able to
execute with confidence those portions of the ritual pertaining
to his office.

And, finally, it is the responsibility of each officer to learn
the specific duties of the office to which he has been elected or
appointed and to carry out those duties to the best of his
abilities.

To be an officer of a lodge is an honour, respect the confidence
of your Brethern.
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