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Mark 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 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 Non-Progressive Officers
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 - DC
The 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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