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


HOMEHISTORYCONTACTOFFICERSPAST MASTERSCALENDAR
LINKSPHOTOSMASONIC EBOOKSFAMOUS MASONSBLOOD DRIVEMASONIC NEWS
 
 

WORSHIPFUL MASTER

OVERVIEW

          The Worshipful Master is the top officer in the line of progression. This is a station that offers an opportunity to further demonstrate the administrative and managerial talents to the lodge. The Master is in a position to affect the direction the lodge will take over the next few years.

          The emblem for this station is the Square. 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.

          The Master has complete and overall responsibility for all aspects of the lodge. This includes ritual, floor work, candidate instruction, dinners and other functions, Masonic Funerals, relations with Grand Lodge, the service committee, blood program, relations with the building association, if any, the Masonic Awareness program, charitable funds, the music for the lodge, visiting sick brethren, public relations, and anything else that effects the lodge. This is a large job. Fortunately, much of the work is delegated to others, either to officers or to committee chairmen. However, he is responsible to see that each performs their task to his satisfaction and reflects the welfare of the lodge. As Master, he is a voting member of the district’s Lodge of Instruction and Grand Lodge. Below are specific duties and responsibilities of the Master.

 SPECIFIC DUTIES 

  1. He shall see that the officers and candidates are proficient in their work, and they carry out their duties in a proper manner.
  2. Immediately upon notification of sickness or death of a brother, he shall make, or see to it a Warden makes, a personal visit if possible or a telephone call to the family to offer any assistance that is within the power of the lodge to perform, and which may be needed. He shall follow up any action which will may result and see that it is completed.
  3. He shall conduct any Masonic funerals that may be requested with the assistance of the officers of the lodge. In unusual circumstances, such as the service being out of state, he shall make the necessary arrangements to have another lodge conduct the service through the Grand Lodge Service Department.
  4. He will ensure that visits to the sick are made, whether in a hospital, nursing home, or at home. He will work closely with the Service Committee chairman as this is a very important function of the lodge.
  5. He will keep the Wardens well informed of the activities of the lodge, remembering that either Warden may need to take on the responsibilities to his office at any time in order to have a smooth continuous operation of the lodge. This is particularly true of the Senior Warden, as he will succeed him in office the following year. He shall inform the Senior Warden of any business that will be carried over to his year.
  6. He will act immediately upon any matters pertaining to the Masonic Home in Charlton, MA.
  7. 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. He is also strongly requested to attend the stated convocation (Feast of St. John) in December.
  8. His attendance is required, along with the Wardens, on the suites of the District Deputy Grand Master of his Masonic District at all Official and Fraternal Visits.
  9. He will learn the parts of the District Deputy Senior Grand Warden (DDSGW), District Deputy Junior Grand Warden (DDJGW), and the District Deputy Grand Treasurer (DDGT) for all Official Visits.
  10. He shall ensure that all line officers attend the visitations of the District Deputy Grand Master as required. Attendance by the Marshal, Secretary, Treasurer, Ritualists, Electrician, Tyler and Chaplains are requested if available. The Senior Deacon will keep attendance records for him. He should encourage other members to attend.
  11. He will appoint a Nominating Committee no later than April of his term as Master.
  12. He should never hesitate to seek advice from the Secretary, Treasurer, a Past Master or his officer line if he feels it is needed, remembering always that any action is his ultimate responsibility. The Treasurer and Secretary are particularly good sources of information, as they are usually well seasoned Past Masters, and have usually been in that office for several years. This also provides continuity for leadership.
  13. He will, to the best of his ability, strictly adhere to the approved budget he presented to the Nominating Committee. He should always consider the fiscal health of the lodge and should inform the Finance Committee of any major deviations from the approved budget prior to implementation.
  14. He will make periodic reports to the lodge updating the membership on the status of his program plans for the year.
  15. He shall review these duties annually, revise as needed, and reissue these duties to all officers prior to their meeting with the Nominating Committee, most likely in May.
  16. He shall issue a call-down list for the purpose of getting information, calling special meetings informing members of funerals etc. as quickly as possible to all concerned. The call-down list will show the order of calling and give instructions for use. It shall be issued to all officers before their installation.
  17. Although the Secretary usually produces the monthly notice as he has a great deal of input to it, the format and makeup of the notice is the responsibility to the Master. This includes his monthly message, which should be substantive and prepared with forethought. This is the Master’s way of communicating with all the Lodge’s members.
  18. Normally, the lodge will be set up with the regalia laid out in the proper positions in the lodge. At the request of the Master, it may be laid out in an ancillary room so that the officers may march in to open lodge. If the Master decides to open in station without marching in, it is the responsibility of each individual officer to see to it that he has all the necessary regalia respective to his particular station.
  19. He will ensure there is ample assistance each month for the collating, stuffing and sorting of the monthly lodge notices as necessary.
  20. 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.
  21. He shall have attended a Masters Path workshop within 30 months prior to his installation as Master.