Being A Lodge Officer Is More Than Just A Title

by Midnight Freemasons Contributor
Todd E. Creason

This is the time of year in my corner of the globe when Lodge Officers are elected and installed.  It's a privilege to be asked to take a chair in the lodge, and not a responsibility that should be taken lightly.  It's a leadership position and with it comes responsibility.  It's not just a title. 

First of all, if you're going to take the role, then learn the chair, don't just warm it.  In fact, if you take a chair you should already know it.  I had a Mason tell me a few years ago after moving up into the next chair he "had a year to learn it."  No, that is incorrect.  You've got a year to learn the next chair.  You should already know the chair you're in if you're in line.  Officers shouldn't be learning chairs "on the job" while the lodge is trying to open and close.  I've seen that too many times--Past Masters feeding ritual and giving instruction to an officer that has no idea what he's doing during a regular meeting.

It's the responsibility of the officer to learn his chair.  Most jurisdictions have regular officer training meetings--take advantage of them.  If you want the job, you have to do the work.  If you need help, then ask for it.  I've spent a lot of time over the years in my garage practicing ritual.  I've never been great at ritual, but it's not for a lack of trying.  In Freemasonry, when it comes to ritual, we seek perfection in our work, but at the very least if you prove competent, you'll get few complaints as long as you're making the effort. 

Second, if you're going to take the chair, come to the meetings.  You have accepted responsibilities when you take a chair.  If you can't be there, then don't take the chair.  Family and work responsibilities should always come before lodge.  If your work life, or your family life makes it difficult to attend, then don't take on the additional responsibility of being an officer in your lodge. 

When I was elected Master, I had to make a decision about one of our chairs in the lodge  Our dais officers and Secretary and Treasurer are elected, and the other officers are appointed by the Master.  As the newly elected Master, I took one of our members out of line.  He'd only made a couple meetings in the last year, and we had several new Master Masons interested in being more involved in the lodge.  It was the right decision to make, and I explained to him why it was the right decision.  Fortunately, he wasn't too upset about it.


And how do I feel qualified to talk about this subject?  It's because I've been there a few times over the years.  I should have been pulled out of line on more than one occasion--I'm guilty of all the same things I've talked about here.  I can't seem to say no, I wind up stretched far too thin, and wind up not knowing the work as well as I should and wind up doing a sloppy job at it.

And I'm not the only one that finds themselves in this situation.  Many Masons find themselves in over their heads with their Lodge, the York Rite, Shriners, Scottish Rite, Tall Cedars, Research Lodge, etc.  I did an interview for a podcast a few weeks ago and joked I had a nice red Shriner's fez in my closet that I've worn exactly once--the day I received it.  I have fifteen membership cards in my wallet--I just counted them.  I've taken chairs I shouldn't have because I should have known at the time by just looking at my calendar I didn't have the time to dedicate to it.  Over the last year, I've been learning to focus my energy a little more narrowly on just one or two things.  As Abe Lincoln said, "Whatever you are, be a good one."  That's my new rule. 

As Masons we have a tendency to get involved in a lot more than we should at times--always with the best possible intentions.  It's a big fraternity and for some of us, it offers a lot of irresistible new experiences, and of course we want to sample it all.  But there's nothing wrong in being "just a member."

If you're offered a chair, really think about it first.  Do have have the time to perform the duties right?  Are you able to attend regularly?  If you can't, then do everyone a favor and decline.  They wouldn't have asked you if they didn't really need somebody to do all aspects of the station well.

~TEC

Todd E. Creason, 33° is the founder of the Midnight Freemasons blog and continues to be a regular contributor.  He is the author of several books and novels, including the Famous American Freemasons series.  He is member of Homer Lodge No. 199, and a Past Master of Ogden Lodge No. 754 (IL).  He is a member the Scottish Rite Valley of Danville, the York Rite Bodies of Champaign/Urbana (IL), the Ansar Shrine (IL), Eastern Illinois Council No. 356 Allied Masonic Degrees, and Charter President of the Illini High Twelve in Champaign-Urbana (IL).

4 comments:

  1. What about those of us who would love to hold a position but are unable to remember our parts? I have been trying to learn the part of Jr. Deacon for almost 2 years but am unable to learn the part(Could not memorize even in HS)
    The Lodge that I am a member of has given me the position of Historian 1st since 1836, I take my position and all positions elected or appointed seriously but would appreciate any comments My hopes of ever making it to the East are seriously dwindleing

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  3. I wouldn't give up that goal. Memorization is a task of time, dedication and perseverance. That said, it could be more in how you study a part that hinders you, than your actual ability to memorize. Basically, I do two things - First, I read the parts I do very frequently - during lunch breaks, when my wife is watching her recorded soaps, or just when I have some time with nothing better to do. My trick there, is I go sentence-by-sentence, then paragraph-by-paragraph. I read a paragraph, close the ritual with my thumb marking the spot, and I say it. If I mess up - I start over again from the very beginning.

    Second - I work as often as possible with someone who knows the ritual. I think most of us know the past masters who want to do more with their knowledge, but can't put in a lot of time. Many of those people are excellent ritualists - and are very willing to share what they know, and how to overcome problems they've seen.

    Fortunately for myself, in my lodge, both the PM's as well as the other officers are very willing to help anyone who actually is trying. The key is - not to give up.

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  4. Hi John & Robert.
    I too, have had great difficulty over the years with my own ritual.

    At times having to resort to memorizing a word at a time to get it in my brain.
    So I can really empathise with John.

    I have done exactly the same as Robert with excellent results.
    It's a long slog this way, but don't be put off (It really is worth every minute spent in the end).

    (Just remember, their are always other ways/systems of memorising, which you may find suite you better). So never give up. You will find one that 'Fits You'.

    I could only add one more more thing (which I believe to be important).
    Once you have the Words to in your memory, go back over the paragraph's again
    and start applying in intonation into them.
    (Stops you sounding like a robot and makes it more interesting and natural
    for the Candidate. - Have Fun and above all, Enjoy your Freemasonry.

    PS. being now nearly 2020 I expect John has moved on to greater things.
    However, my hope is that other new masons may see my post and perhaps benefit from it.
    K.A.
    End.

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