Lombard Lodge No. 1098 A.F. & A.M.  

 David Jones

  

Worshipful Master: He is the overall administrator of all acts in and for the Lodge. The Lodge at all times belongs to the Master, and is to be at his Will and Pleasure. He can not be contested or questioned; or placed on trial. He answers only to the Grand Master/Grand Lodge, and his conscience.

It is his duty to deal fairly with every infraction of Masonic Law in his domain. This includes visitors and unaffiliated Masons. He is to maintain peace and harmony in his Lodge, and be a good example to the craft. He should establish a process of learning for his craft and demand that each member participates. He should demand that his officers become proficient, and he himself be proficient.

He must be a moral and good man. He must be a law-abiding man. He must be temperate and meek; he must be cautious, courteous, faithful and self-governing. He must possess a love for genuine Masonry.

The Worshipful Master has been elected by his brethren to fulfill the highest honor which can be bestowed upon a Master Mason. No Mason should begin climbing the flight of stairs to the Master's Chair in the East without first pledging to himself that he will dedicate and devote all his energy and zeal to fulfill his duties to the best of his ability. The trust placed upon him by the brethren should never be violated.

A successful Master will:

1. Comply with all elements of the charge given when installed
2. Call the lodge to order in stated meetings at the time and place set in the by-laws
3. Call the lodge in special meetings for degree work, emergency meetings, or social functions
4. Preside at the meetings of the lodge
5. Control all debate and preserve good order, as well as harmony, within the lodge
6. Pass upon the proficiency of candidates for advancement
7. Control the voting within the lodge and see that each mamber present casts a vote or is excused from voting
8. Prohibit the discussion of political matters in the lodge room
9. Know the Ancient Landmarks, the Masonic Code, the Book of Constitutions and By-Laws, and the By-Laws of his lodge
10. See that communications are answered and degree work exemplified with dignity consistent with the requirements of the Grand Lodge
11. Carefully select all appropriate officers and committees of the lodge
12. Sign or approve all orders or vouchers drawn on the treasury after lodge approval
13. Fill temporarily all vacant stations and places with the proficient members
14. read and discuss in lodge the proceedings of the Grand Lodge
15. Preside at the Masonic burial or memorial service of a deceased member if requested
16. Make immediate personal contact with the family and offer assistance upon notice of the passing of a brother or a member of his family
17. Represent the lodge at all Grand Lodge Annual Communications including area meetings, Schools of Instruction, educational meetings, etc.

There are several prerogatives of a Master of a Masonic Lodge which were first introduced by Mackey in his "Masonic Jurisprudence." These incude:

1. Parliamentary law should not be followed if it, in any way, interferes with the landmarks or customs of Masonry
2. No lodge may be resolved into a committee of the whole. Lodges may do business only as a lodge with the Master or, in his absence, a Warden presiding
3. On rulings by the Master, there can be no appeal to the lodge
4. The Master alone has the right to regulate debate over questions within his lodge
5. The Master decidies when to close his lodge; to call it to labor or refreshment. A motion for adjournment cannot be made from the membership
6. The Master only has the right to choose the members of a committee

 Brad Gerace

 

Senior Warden:  In the presence of the Master, he is the second ranking officer or member of the craft. While the Master is about the business of the Lodge, the Sr. Warden generally is authorized to superintend the behavior of the craft.

A responsible and concerned Sr. Warden will attempt to involve himself in all aspects of Lodge movement, and stay abreast of lodge activities. He, like the Secretary, should be in contact with the Master almost daily in order that he might stay informed, and the Master should welcome this type of concern and support.

In the absence of the Master, the Sr. Warden is to faithfully represent the Master, and govern the Lodge as such. At the earliest time following his tour representation, he should contact and inform the Master of the proceedings during his absence.

It shall be the duty of the Senior Warden to look well to the West and serve as an assistant to the Worshipful Master in the government of the lodge. It should be for him a year of planning, keeping in mind that a primary duty upon reaching the Master's Chair is "to set the craft to work and give them proper instruction."

The obligations of the Senior Warden are:

1. To comply with all elements of the charge given when installed
2. Be able to open, close and confer all degrees
3. Know the business of the lodge and have a knowledge of all committee work, candidates in process, and coming events
4. Help secure instructions for the candidates
5. Have a knowledge of the finances of the lodge
6. Have a reasonable knowledge of the codes, which relate to proper discussions, lodge procedure, lodge jurisdictions, Masonic conduct, authority of the Master, etc.
7. Observe the various brethren who would best fulfill the duties of a line officer, as next year he must appoint new officers. He should consider if:
   • The selected brother has the time to devote eight years of sincere application to the lodge?
   • Will the appointment conflict with his vocation?
   • Does his family support him in his endeavor to become a devoted worker and lodge officer?
   • Has he initiative and good personality?
   • Is he capable of memorizing and presenting the work and lectures?
   • Will he develop into a leader?

Junior Warden: His duties are second only to the W.M. in quantity: manager of entertainment; counselor and advisor; supervisor of morals; admonisher to erring members; prosecutor during trials. He is to conduct personal investigation into all charges against a member. Should the charges prove factual, he is to prepare written charges for presentation to the Lodge, in a regular meeting.

Secretary:  Like other organizations, someone must take care of the paperwork and handle the "business" of the Lodge. The secretary is also charged to observe and record all Lodge proceedings proper to be written.

Treasurer: Fourth in line of Lodge Officers, the Treasurer is responsible for the proper management of the Lodge finances.  

Chaplain: His duty is to perform those priestly duties delegated by the Master. Through ritualistic usages of the Order, the Master possesses all priestly rights necessary to be exercised in the ceremonies of our institution.  A Lodge Chaplain should memorize the following: Psalm; Amos; Ecclesiastics; Opening and Closing prayers from the ritual.

Some people argue that if we are not a religion, why do we have a chaplain. We have a Chaplain in our officer core because we open and close each of our meetings with a secular prayer. The Chaplain is in charge of that duty. We believe that a religious belief is important for a man. We do not care what religion a man believes in. Most every religion is represented somewhere in the Masonic Fraternity.

 James Pankiewicz

 

Senior Deacon: Elder members of a craft most usually recognize this officer as The second most important in the Lodge because of the requirements of the office, duties performed and relation to the W.M. His every act on the floor is representative of the desires of the W.M. and must be accepted by all as such. The W.M. seldom appears on the floor. He is the drawing personality during degree work and is directly assisted by the Stewards. He must master certain Masonic dialogue, never being satisfied with the knowledge already digested.

 Robert Meyer

 

 Senior Steward:

 Junior Steward:

 Michael Henry

 

Junior Steward: As the word Steward means servant, they are in fact servants of the Lodge. Since the year 926, Stewards have been directed to provide refreshment and good cheer to the craft during the hours of refreshment. They are to assist other Lodge officers in the performance of their duties in the Lodge.

Of the Jr Wardens duty to provide entertainment and refreshment, he is merely to establish and provide the means. The physical portion of that duty is to be carried out by the Stewards. They are to assist the Tyler in the preparation of the Lodge and aid in the care of all furnishings. At meetings and social gatherings, they are to make certain that the Worshipful Master and special guests are adequately provided for. In many Lodges, the business of examining visitors is a duty of the Jr Warden, which he will sometimes relegate to the Stewards.