What Are “Officers”?

You can think of Officers as Managers. We are responsible for all aspects of Lodge operations, from organizing and managing charitable events, to ensuring we keep detailed accounts of what we do. A Lodge has about a dozen Officers, typically, and any number of Members. We have well over 100 Members currently, and they depend on the Officers to keep their Lodge alive and well, and serving the needy in it’s community.

Many of the Lodge’s Officers have served in other capacities, and put that knowledge and experience to good use. To be the Worshipful Master (our CEO, as it were), one must have served in many Officer’s chairs. This ensures that they are well aware of how the Lodge works, and what it takes to keep it in harmony. There are elections each year where certain Officers are elected, and those elected Officers appoint the rest of their staff.

Briefly, the Lodge Officers’ jobs are:

Worshipful Master – The CEO. He is responsible for keeping the Lodge running, and running well. This job requires a tremendous amount of patience, charisma, and negotiating skills. The Worshipful Master is elected.

Senior Warden – Also an elected position, this chair is responsible for all official activities of the Lodge, such as our business meetings, funerals, and seeing that all committees are properly staffed.

Junior Warden – Just as the Senior Warden is responsible for the goings on when we’re in session, this elected position is responsible for all Masonic activities outside of official business. This includes all charitable activities, public relations, and outreach committees, among others.

Senior and Junior Deacons – These important positions are appointed, and they are directly involved with all ceremonies and rituals, including new members. They help new members practice & study for their degrees, and are a large part of business and other official meetings.

Senior and Junior Stewards – These chairs are also appointed, and are responsible for accommodations and refreshments, as well as cooking any meals for charitable or Lodge occasions. This is a very demanding and appreciated role in the Lodge.

Marshall – This chair is tasked with escorting officials and dignitaries about the Lodge, and can be thought of as an inner guard. The Marshall plays a key role in representing the Lodge, it’s Officers and Members (usually called Brothers). Keeping the protool and Function as it was centuries ago is vitial in maintaining and preserving tradition.

Tyler – As the Marshall is an inner guard, the Tyler can be thought of as the outer guard. The Tyler is the person any visitor must get by if they want to be in a Lodge meeting. The Tyler ensures that only those that should be somewhere are. If, say, you were not a Mason and wanted to sneak into a meeting, you would be challenged by the Tyler and asked to prove you were a Mason! Centuries ago, when the Church thought Masonry was a threat, spies would be checked by the Tyler. Interestingly, this is where that term eavesdropper comes from-but that’s another story!

Treasurer – This elected position has the keys to the Lodge’s bank account. Most Lodges operate with razor thin margins, so ensuring we don’t run out of money is important. In addition, the Treasurer is the one who cuts the checks to pay the bills.

Secretary – This elected position documents the goings on, or minutes, of what the Lodge does, and collects dues. He will also be a part of the publications going out to Members, and keeping track of all Members’ contact info.

These positions have been filled non-stop since 1867 here at our Lodge, and for centuries all over the world. To becme an Officer in a Lodge is a rare privelege, as you are taking part in an ancient chain of volunteers doing the exact same tasks throughout history. Your deeds, work, and even reputation will be researched in centuries to come by future Brothers doing the exact same thing that you do. Hopefully they will be suitably impressed with the work you did to make the world a better place.

Orator – In some jurisdictions there is a strong tradition of Masonic research and education, and the presentation of papers by members is as common as degree ceremonies or other business. In such cases the ‘Orator’ may present papers, or be responsible for their presentation by others. The Orator may also be called upon to present a paper to celebrate milestones in the life of the lodge.

The term Grand Orator refers to a similar office within Grand Lodges.

Historian – Most lodges have a senior member who holds a particular interest in the lodge’s history. In some jurisdictions, this interest may lead to appointment to formal office as the lodge’s ‘Historian’. The office involves the archiving of documents and artifacts, and the publishing and updating of historical information. In some jurisdictions a ‘Librarian’ procures Masonic reading material for Members of the Lodge and maintains a small Library where books and magazines may be borrowed.