The Oriental Chair Ascending to the East RW David Tucker 23 rd Masonic District
Worshipful Master What is a Worshipful Master?
Worshipful Master What is a Worshipful Master? What is his role in Lodge?
Worshipful Master What is a Worshipful Master? What is his role in Lodge? What is he supposed to do?
Worshipful Master What is a Worshipful Master? What is his role in Lodge? What is he supposed to do? How is he supposed to do it?
Worshipful Master s Powers The Worshipful Master is charged to lead the lodge and spread light and instruction to the brethren of the Lodge. The Constitution and Laws of the Grand Lodge of New Jersey enumerate the following powers and duties. The ancient regulation requiring the Master to have served as a Warden shall be strictly enforced in this jurisdiction. No Master-elect shall enter upon the duties of his office previous to his having been duly qualified and installed in his own lodge. The power of summoning the lodge is vested solely in the Master. The Master cannot be required to give his reasons for the exercise of his discretion. Master has the right to place either of his Wardens, or a brother from the floor, in the East, and permit him to confer any of the degrees. The Master has the power to postpone action on any motion made before the lodge, but if he uses this power improperly he is amenable to the Grand Lodge for misrule.
Authority of the Worshipful Master All the authority of the fraternity within the State of New Jersey is derived from the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge. All authority granted to a lodge results from the issuance of the warrant by the Grand Lodge. The conveyance of authority under a lodge s warrant is vested solely in the Worshipful Master. The net effect of this transmittal of authority is that a lodge may not limit the powers of the Worshipful Master, either by rule, regulation, motion, vote, or by the lodge s by-laws. This principle is also expressly set forth in the Grand Lodge Bylaws: A lodge may not prescribe the duties of its Master or Wardens. As such, a lodge, through its by-laws, cannot take authority away from the Worshipful Master and give it to any other person or officer. Conversely, a lodge cannot grant authority to subordinate officers which avoid the control of the Worshipful Master.
Worshipful Master s Responsibilities Preside over and conduct all meetings. Know all Ritualistic Work and Lectures. Prepare all programs and activities. To the Lodge: Preserve peace and harmony. Rule with a fair hand. Write an interesting Trestleboard. Confirm times, dates and places of events with Lodge Committee Chairmen and the District Deputy Grand Master. Read all Lodge correspondence, petitions and bills presented for payment prior to the Communication. Prepare a list of Committees well in advance of assignment. Learn Lodge and Grand Lodge Constitutions, By-Laws and Rules of Order. Study the Lodge financial position and seek ways to improve it.
Worshipful Master s Responsibilities To the Membership: Open on time, present an interesting program, close early. Give members the opportunity to gather, enjoy light refreshments and enjoyable company. Friendliness begets friendliness. Greet and shake hands with every Officer and member before the meeting begins. Conduct Degrees with dignity and proficiency. All ceremonies require rehearsal. Schedule and conduct those rehearsals. The Worshipful Master is responsible for all Ritual performed in the Lodge. Visit the ill, indisposed, aged and those upon whom misfortune has fallen. Secure a roster of members of the Lodge to contact absentee members who have not been in attendance for some time. Contact every Brother who is delinquent in payment of dues. Seek out, confirm, and act upon charity cases. Commit the Funeral Oration to memory.
Worshipful Master s Responsibilities To the District: Attend all District functions including Visitations by the Grand Master, District Lodge of Instruction, Grand Lodge of Instruction and Official Visits to other Lodges. Support Worshipful Masters of other Lodges, in the same District, in their yearly endeavors. Support your Grand Master, the Grand Staff and the District Deputy Grand Master. Work with them for the betterment of the Craft. Attend the Annual and Emergent Communications of the Grand Lodge. It is a privilege and an obligation. Participate in the deliberations. Exercise the right to vote.
Worshipful Master s Responsibilities Using Committees: A Lodge is a complex operation. Its responsibilities and duties cannot be accomplished solely by the Master and its Officers. The Worshipful Master identifies specific functions and requirements within the Lodge and solicits Brethren, by way of an associated Committee, to assist in managing these areas.
Worshipful Master s Responsibilities Using Committees: The Worshipful Master establishes visions and goals. He must then make them a reality. To bring a project to fruition, the Worshipful Master must select the best team possible.
Audit and Finance Reviews and verifies the financial reports and transactions of the Lodge. Prepares budget estimates for the ensuing year and periodically, reports to the Lodge. By-Laws Worshipful Master s Responsibilities Using Committees: Reviews and recommends changes to the Lodge By-Laws.
Worshipful Master s Responsibilities Using Committees: Candidate Investigation, Instruction, Mentoring Investigates Lodge applicants according to Grand Lodge requirements. Instruct Candidates in their proficiency for each Degree. Mentor Candidates to ensure a smooth transition into the Lodge and Freemasonry.
Worshipful Master s Responsibilities Using Committees: When setting up committees the Worshipful Master should: Clearly identify the task or project to be done. Prepare a mission statement or charge for the person(s) who will undertake the task. Communicate specific actions to be taken. Establish a start and finish timeline for the task. Identify quality measures wherever possible. Upon completion, take appropriate time to recognize the work done on behalf of the Lodge.
Worshipful Master s Leadership Lodge Meetings: Start on time. Follow an agenda. Move at a timely pace. Conclude at a reasonable hour. Ensure Masonic etiquette is observed. Usual business is well dispatched. Have a component for Masonic light. Adjourn for refreshments and fellowship.
Worshipful Master s Leadership Lodge Agenda: 1. Opening 2. Recognition of visitors 3. Previous minutes 4. Communications 5. Petitions 8. Committee Reports 9. Program 10. Sickness and Distress 11. Announcements 12. Closing 6. Balloting 7. Bills
Worshipful Master s Leadership Inform Officers and Past Masters of key issues. Plan ahead to garner support. Handling Business: Select cooperative Officers and/or Past Masters to introduce controversial subjects. Focus Lodge discussions to the subject at hand. All Brethren should be allowed to contribute to the discussion.
A Masonic Lodge Communication Masonic Lodge meetings are called Communications. These Communications are held at the time and place as stated in the By-Laws of the Lodge. All Communications of a Lodge, either Regular or Emergent must be opened in Due Form. The Communications must be closed either in Due Form, by Dispensation, or if closed by the Grand Master or Deputy Grand Master, in Ample Form.
A Masonic Lodge Communication An Emergent Communication is a meeting called by the Worshipful Master for a specific purpose. An Emergent Communication may be called for the conferral of a Degree, Exam, Funeral Service or Installation of Officers. An Emergent Communication cannot be used to present Petitions for Initiation or Affiliation.
A Masonic Lodge Communication The business of all Communications is conducted by the Worshipful Master. The Worshipful Master is the sole arbiter of what business can be brought before the Lodge. The Worshipful Master will determine how many members may speak on either side of an issue and limit the amount of time for comments. The Worshipful Master must ask for votes on both sides of any question put before the Lodge. The Worshipful Master is responsible for providing an agenda for the Regular Communication. The Communication s agenda should include: Introductions, Communications, the Reading of the Minutes, the Reading of the Bills, the Report of Sickness and Distress, Petitions, Reports of Committees such as Investigation, Standing and Special and Old Business and New Business.
A Masonic Lodge Communication The Brethren of the Lodge should have an understanding of the proper way to debate a motion and how to manage amendments. In order to conduct proper Lodge business, a valid motion must be made and seconded. This motion is read by the Secretary to ensure that the motion is correctly noted in the minutes. All debate must be pertinent to the motion on the floor. Once again, the Worshipful Master is the sole adjudicator of what is relevant. If an amendment is made, it must also be proposed and seconded. At that point, any debate must be on the amendment. If the amendment passes, then debate on the original motion would recommence. The Worshipful Master should ensure that debate stays focused.
A Masonic Lodge Election On the night of the Annual Election, after all business has been completed, the Worshipful Master will announce that he is about to place the Lodge on a Tyled Refreshment. During that time, anyone wishing to place a name in nomination may do so by writing the name on a piece of paper and placing it in the box (or hat) on the Secretary s desk. The following are the elected Offices of the Lodge: Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Treasurer, Secretary, Proxy to Grand Lodge and Trustee.
A Masonic Lodge Calendar Plan the Work then Work the Plan The Grand Lodge sets calendar dates in April, October and December. No Lodge will schedule activities on those dates. All Officers and Brethren, especially the Worshipful Master, Senior Warden and Junior Warden of each Lodge are required or requested to attend. Those Annual Grand Lodge Events are: Grand Lodge Annual Communication April Grand Masters Reception April Junior Grand Wardens Reception October Feast of St. John December
A Masonic Lodge Calendar Plan the Work then Work the Plan Masonic District or State Events to be included in the Lodge calendar are: District Official Visit of the Grand Master and Reception District Grand Lodge of Instruction Lodge Officers Training - May Wheelchair Track and Field June Square and Compass Day October Masonic Leadership Conference October
A Masonic Lodge Trestleboard The primary purpose of the Trestleboard is to contact the Brethren and provide information, keeping them apprised and hopefully interested in their Lodge. Key points derived from the Trestleboards are: the number of Candidates in waiting and their status, the corresponding Degrees scheduled, other activities especially those which are community oriented, and the Master's Message. Reasons for the content of the Message might include: To make the Brother proud of the Fraternity and the Lodge to which he belongs. To communicate the Master s vision of Freemasonry and to connect the Brother to it. To encourage the Brother to participate and become involved in the Lodge and the Fraternity.
Requesting a Dispensation The Grand Lodge of New Jersey may, through the Grand Master, grant Dispensations for various events that a Lodge may wish to perform. Protocol to submit a request and receive approval is as follows: Present all requests to the District Deputy Grand Master of your District. If time is of the essence on an application for Dispensation, the District Deputy Grand Master may request a Fax or Email of the appeal to the Grand Lodge office. The Grand Master may then grant a Dispensation. The District Deputy Grand Master must, at this time, submit a hard copy of the request to the Grand Lodge. Grand Lodge is required to keep all requests on record for future reference. District Deputy Grand Masters have no authority to issue Dispensations.
Requesting a Dispensation The following are reasons for Dispensations: a) Conferring a Degree on more than five (5) Candidates. b) Temporary change of a meeting night. c) Wine distribution for a Table Lodge. d) Conferring a Degree at a site other than a Lodge s permanent location. e) Temporary relocation of a Lodge s Warrant for any reason. A Lodge event that is not a part of the normal course of business may require Dispensation. The District Deputy Grand Master must be consulted.
Keep Organized Make a timeline of dates and events. Plan your Work. Share the Plan. Name of Event 1 Name of Event 2 Name of Event 3 Name of Event 4 Name of Event 5 Name of Event 6 Name of Event 7 Name of Event 8 1 st Date 2 nd Date 3 rd Date 4 th Date 5 th Date 6 th Date 7 th Date 8 th Date Description of Event Description of Event Description of Event Description of Event Description of Event Description of Event Description of Event Description of Event
The Oriental Chair Ascending to the East RW David Tucker 23 rd Masonic District davidtuckerpm@comcast.net