Mount Vernon Lodge No. 219 officer duties

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”

Worshipful Master:  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

Senior Warden:  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

Junior Warden:  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

Senior Deacon:  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 or Job’s Daughters
    • 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

Junior Deacon:  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

Senior Steward:  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!)

Junior Steward:  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!!!!!!