|
RAM 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 Commander However, each office is subject to the choice of the Commander 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 Guardian
The
Guardian 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 Commander 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 Commander in running the Lodge.
The Worshipful Commander
The
Commander is elected by the Lodge members every year and is then
installed in to his office. He is usually Commander 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 Commander 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 Commander annually, except the Treasurer and Tyler, who are
elected. The Immediate Past Commander is normally the preceding year's WC.
Immediate Past Commander (IPC)
Although
not actually an office (as the position is his by right) the IPC is
normally the previous Commander and acts as a guide and support to
the Commander when needed. He sits on the immediate left of the Worshipful Commander.
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.
Warder
The
Warder 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.
|
|
|
