NOTE: The DEO Officer’s Manual is an excellent, albeit exhaustive, reference. Read ‘Minimum Goals for Lodge Officers’
GENERAL – ALL OFFICERS: Devotion to Duty, Plan & Attend, Train Your Protégé’, Catechism Coach & Mentor, Visit Other Lodges, Notify WM and Line of Absence
QUOTE: “Old Ways Will NOT Open New Doors”
WM: References: Methodical Digest (MD) SEC 2.48 – 2.51; Constitutions of Masonry (CM) SEC V; Worshipful Master’s Primer; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members; A Guide for Planning Your Year as Worshipful Master
- ‘Senior Officer of the Lodge’ – overall responsible and accountable for the Lodge
- Election of officers
- Observe the Constitutions of Masonry, Laws of Grand Lodge, and By Laws of Mt. Vernon Lodge
- Direct and control the order of business and work
- Ensure Lodge officers faithfully execute their duties
- Pursue James Noah Hillman Award
- Ensure candidates are well recommended and qualified to receive the degrees in Masonry, and progress through degrees accordingly
- Call, plan and preside over Lodge communications – both stated and called – ensuring proper order and decorum
- Attend Grand Lodge communication with the Wardens and represent Mount Vernon Lodge, and report to Brethren Grand Lodge proceedings
- Attend the Division Leadership Conference, area and state schools, and the Grand Master official visit to the area. Ensure line officers attend as well.
- In case of a tie vote, the WM has 2 votes to break tie
- Ensure officers are continuing to progress in their masonic education and ritual
- Lead Strategic Planning Committee
- Provide inputs to and assist in the assembly and distribution of the Trestle Board
- Notify the Lodge and visit the family of a fallen brother. Ensure Masonic Funeral is conducted properly and well attended by others in the Lodge.
- Set the example in all things – protocol, courtesies, ritual, order, etc – LEAD BY EXAMPLE
SW: References: MD SEC 2.52 – 2.53; CM SEC VI; Warden’s Primer; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members;
- Presides in the absence of the WM
- Set cast for MM degrees, ensure Lodge paraphernalia is in place/setup & schedule practices
- Lead audit & finance committee
- Plan year in the East (theme, schedule, programs, officer & committee assignments, etc)
- Plan installation of officers in December
- Oversight of FCs – check on progress, invite to dinners and social events
- Coordinate catechism instructors
- Coordinate fraternal visits to other district lodges (front Load with DDGM OV)
- Springfield Lodge No. 217
- Elmer Timberman Lodge No. 54
- Occoquan Lodge No. 310
- John A. Lejeune Lodge No. 350
- Fort Hunt Skidmore Lodge No. 353
- Dale City Lodge No. 319
- Provide a short paragraph “From the West” for the Trestle Board
- Attend Grand Annual Communication, DLC, area and state schools
- Wardens Certificate – if not completed as JW, must complete as SW
- Learn a Lecture
JW: References: MD SEC 2.52 – 2.53; CM SEC VI; Warden’s Primer; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members; A Lodge Officer’s Training Tool; Meeting Management; For the Investigating Committee
- Presides in the absence of the WM and SW
- Set cast for FC degrees, ensure Lodge paraphernalia is in place/setup & schedule practices
- Audit committee member
- Conduct Masonic trial – if needed
- Oversight of EAs – check on progress, invite to dinners and social events
- Coordinate and serve on investigating committees
- Provide inputs to Trestle Board – upcoming Lodge events & some comments on recent events
- Schedule social events
- Ladies Night
- Lodge Picnics – plan w/ District for District picnic
- Fellowship Nights – generally 1st Monday of the month after ritual practice–other times?
- Shooting at the range events
- MAHOVA Open House trip – delegate to MAHOVA Ambassador
- Bring a Friend Night – see pamphlet on GL site, and delegate to steward
- Read Masonic Birthdays at stated communications (Secretary has these, and they are in the TB)
- Send birthday cards and other cards as appropriate to Lodge brethren and widows
- Complete Wardens Certificate
- Attend Grand Annual Communication, DLC, area and state schools
SD: References: MD SEC 2.65; CM SEC IX; Deacon’s Primer; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members; Master Masons and Prospective Lodge Officers;, Masonic Etiquette, Protocol, and Decorum; complete all of the lessons of the Leadership Correspondence Courses (LCC); Wardens Primer; A Handbook for Masonic Trials; Planning Your Year in the East
- ‘1SG of the Lodge’
- Set cast for EA degrees, ensure Lodge paraphernalia is in place/setup & schedule practices
- Meet and greet all visitors, fill out visitor’s cards for WM – examine visitors if necessary (visitor not known)
- Assist JD setting up and putting away the Lodge after all communications
- Check Bible/Great Lights, Lesser Lights, kneeling pad placement prior to Lodge opening
- Keep a record of all candidates and progress on catechism and degree advancements
- Audit committee member
- Plan and execute Lodge fund raisers
- Flea Markets
- Lodge yard sale – in conjunction with flea market – request donations, etc
- 50/50 raffles at stated meeting dinners – proceeds to go to MAHOVA
- Remind Brethren to donate at dinners, breakfasts, picnic’s, etc..
- Lodge shirts, hats, etc???
- Other???
- Complete Past Master’s degree
- Wardens Certificate – make significant progress – complete if possible
- Attend Grand Annual Communication
JD: References: MD SEC 2.65; CM SEC IX; Deacon’s Primer; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members; Master Masons and Prospective Lodge Officers;, Masonic Etiquette, Protocol, and Decorum; complete all of the lessons of the Leadership Correspondence Courses (LCC); Wardens Primer; A Handbook for Masonic Trials; Planning Your Year in the East
- ‘Junior NCO of the Lodge’
- Set up Lodge for all communications, including setting thermostat
- Put away Lodge after all meetings, adjust thermostat, turn out lights, and take apparel home for laundry
- Meet and greet all visitors, fill out visitor’s cards for WM
- Make sure pen, attendee and visitor logs are out for each communication
- Recommended – complete MM catechism return
- Chair/Lead the Community Builders Award – goal of 2 awards
- Attend Grand Annual Communication
SS: References: MD SEC 2.68; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members
- Provide for and attend to the accommodation of the Brethren at refreshment
- Lead Stewards Committee – coordinating and assisting with Lodge setup and cleanup after refreshment (dinner), picnics, other events at Lodge
- Prepare all candidates for degrees
- Estimate attendance for Lodge and communicate to WM and Secretary prior to a meeting – coordinate with other Lodges when necessary to estimate (GM Official Visit!)
JS: References: MD SEC 2.68; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members
- Provide for and attend to the accommodation of the Brethren at refreshment
- Member Stewards Committee – setup and clean up after Lodge refreshment (dinner), picnics, other events at Lodge
- Prepare all candidates for degrees
SECRETARY: References: MD SEC 2.59 – 2.63; CM SEC VII; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members
- CSM of the Lodge
- Keep the minutes of all proceedings
- Keep an accurate list of all members of the Lodge, with the dates of initiation, advancement, and admission to membership
- Collect all dues and petition fees, and keep status of dues for all members
- Custodian of the records, archives and Seal of the Lodge
- Forward monthly and annual reports of the Lodge to Grand Lodge
- Notify members of the Lodge by memos as the Lodge and the Worshipful Master may specify
- Keep record for Noah J. Hillman Award
- Monthly Breakfast (Stewards clean up with assistance of Brethren)
- Lodge Dinners (Stewards clean up with assistance of Brethren)
TREASURER: References: MD SEC 2.54 – 2.58; CM SEC VIII; Lodge Financial Manual; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members
- Receive from the Secretary all monies due the Lodge; keep a fair and just account of the same, and pay them out as he may be ordered by the WM
- Keep books setting out in detail Lodge accounts & ensure they are always ready for inspection
- Prepare inputs to IRS returns for the Trustees (the Trustees prepare and file tax returns)
- Has the charge and custody of the jewels and furniture of the Lodge
- Prepare annual Lodge budget & report Lodge finances at each stated communication
- Assist WM with preparation of a 5-year strategic plan
TILER: References: MD SEC 2.66; CM SEC X; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members
- Verify the qualifications of visitors while the Lodge is in session – know how to examine a stranger, and look up their Lodge to ensure they are not a member of a clandestine lodge
- Keeper of the ledger, to assure that visitors and members sign in and to see that all are furnished with an apron
Chaplain: References: MD SEC 2.64; Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members
- Lead the devotions during Lodge meetings and when the Lodge is at refreshment, he shall ask the blessings of God at the table
Marshall: References: Responsibilities and Guidelines for Officer’s and Lodge Members
- When in Lodge, present the Flag at the Altar for the Pledge of Allegiance
- Coordinate all actions needed for Masonic Funerals, to include assignments, ritual paraphernalia, and PRACTICE!!!!!!
