ST. JOHN'S LODGE
Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS


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JUNIOR WARDEN

 OVERVIEW

           The Junior Warden is the third senior officer in the line of progression. This is a station that offers an opportunity to demonstrate his administrative talents to the lodge. The Junior Warden is in a position to affect the direction the lodge will take over the next few years. 

          The emblem for his station is the Plumb. The collar may have the emblem encircled or not. The emblem will also be on the Lodge Apron which will be worn during lodge in place of the usual blue-bordered white members’ apron. The Traveling Apron will also have this emblem on it along with the name of the lodge. This apron is to be worn while visiting other lodges. Additionally, the truncheon will be carried by the Junior Warden in the performance of his duties while in the lodge room.

           When in lodge it is the ritualistic duty of the Junior Warden to communicate to the Brethren any orders transmitted from the Master through the Senior Warden. Additionally, he is to duly examine the candidate (s) when they are presented in all three degrees. He has one lecture to present to the candidates; the second section of the First Degree. There is a limited amount of ritual in the second sections of the Second and Third Degrees. The Official Cipher should be reviewed for specifics.

          It is the duty and responsibility of the Junior Warden to make all necessary arrangement and preparations for all dinners, including the cooking, serving or catering as needed. He is also to do the same for all collations and other social activities of the lodge. He shall plan any menus needed and, at the direction of the Master, any entertainment. The exception is the annual Childrens’ Holiday Party, if traditionally held in his lodge, and which may be the responsibility of the Entertainment Committee. For any of these functions, helpers are under his direction. It is his duty to see that these people perform their work properly to meet the objectives of the event. As Junior Warden, he is a voting member of the Lodge of Instruction. Below are the specific duties and responsibilities of the Junior Warden.

 SPECIFIC DUTIES 

  1. He shall be prepared to open the lodge on at least one degree, preferably the Third Degree, in the absence of both the Master and the Senior Warden.
  2. He shall, in the absence of both the Master AND Senior Warden, automatically assume the East and conduct the lodge for the evening. He may enlist the assistance of a Past Master for degree work but he must open, conduct the business meeting, and close the lodge. He does NOT automatically assume the West in the absence of the Senior Warden.
  3. During his term he should be making plans and preparing for his term as Master. This should include any special date reservations needed or third party commitments required.
  4. His attendance is required at the Annual Meeting of Grand Lodge in December (Second Wednesday) and at the quarterly convocations in March, June and September (always second Wednesday of the month unless otherwise notified by Grand Lodge. Eighty-eight percent of the voting power of Grand Lodge is held by Masters and Wardens of the individual lodges. If it is impossible for him or either Warden to be present, he shall ensure that a proxy with proper credentials is appointed and is there to represent his Lodge. The proxy has the power to vote only if all three officers are not in attendance. The Senior Warden is also requested to attend the stated convocation Feast of St. John.
  5. His attendance is required on the suite of the District Deputy Grand Master of his District at all Official and Fraternal Visits.
  6. He should visit ailing brethren at the hospital or at home and determine if any assistance by the lodge is needed.
  7. He shall be prepared to read a portion of the Grand Constitutions of the Grand Lodge at a monthly meeting specified by the Master.
  8. His attendance is required at the annual “Master’s Path Workshop” held every spring for the training of incoming masters within 30 months of his installation as Master of his lodge.
  9. He should have a final schedule of the meals for the year, ready prior to his installation, to the satisfaction of the incoming Master for his year as Junior Warden.
  10. He will collect monies received from the Stewards collected for meals and/or other events, total all income and expenses, and deliver to the secretary together with his accounting.
  11. He is to serve on the lodge’s Finance Committee. This involves approving payment of bills and advising the Master on matters involving lodge finance.
  12. He is to serve the lodge’s Service Committee. This usually involves working with the Master and the committee chairman in interviewing applications by members of the lodge for admission to the Masonic Home in Charlton.
  13. He is to serve on the lodge’s Pre-Application Committee. He is to sit in on all meetings with perspective candidates and to help conduct the pre-application interview. He will serve the lodge by being the first line of contact in determining if a man is qualified to become a member of our fraternity.
  14. He should plan on representing the lodge at the annual Grand Master’s Country Fair held on the grounds of the Masonic Home in Charlton. This is usually held the Sunday before Father’s Day. There are upwards of 20,000 visitors to the Masonic Home that day and many hands make for light work.
  15. He is responsible for arranging for a parking space for the District Deputy Grand Master as close to the lodge entrance as possible whenever he visits the lodge. In cases of inclement weather, he should station a Brother, with an umbrella, near the door to assist the District Deputy and his suite participants. If there is no on-site parking, the Junior Warden is to arrange for valet parking for the District Deputy Grand Master.
  16. He should have a copy of the Grand Constitutions and be familiar with their requirements by the time he is installed as Master of the lodge; otherwise he may make serious mistakes due to ignorance.
  17. He will ensure there is ample assistance each month for the collating, stuffing and sorting of the monthly lodge notices as necessary.