1. Masonic Leadership Training
Worshipful Master Duties

2. Agenda Introductions Powers and Prerogatives Prohibitions
Duties and Responsibilities
Preparing for your year in the East
Installation
Leading Your lodge
Training Your Officers

3. Introductions Your Masonic Leadership Training Team Honored Guests
Attendees
Name
Lodge & Location
Title and Position, if any

4. General Info Restrooms Cell phones/PDA’s Sign-In Sheets
Custom of the Lodge vs Required by Digest

5. Resources Florida Digest of Masonic Law Lodge Officers Handbook
Masonic Leadership Training Manual
Lodge Secretary Administrative Guide (GL215)
Worshipful Master’s Program Notebook (GL218)

6. Worshipful Master Be temperate and meek, yet firm in his decisions
Be cautious, courteous, faithful and practice self-government
Respect his Masonic Superiors
Be a zealous Mason
Be well versed in Masonic Law, and the traditions and customs of Masonry and his Lodge
Maintain the regularity of the Masonic system as essential to the very life and usefulness of Masonry

7. Worshipful Master Powers & Prerogatives
The WM must be obeyed in every legitimate official order
The WM is limited in this official authority, only by:
His installation vows and charges;
The Constitution;
Resolutions and edicts of Grand Lodge;
Rules and regulations of his Lodge; and
The ancient and established usages and customs of the Fraternity

8. Worshipful Master Powers & Prerogatives, cont
The WM’s expressed “will & pleasure” is absolute law in his Lodge; yet he should preside with dignity, courtesy and affability
The WM guides and controls all the work and business of the Lodge
The WM may postpone the transaction of any Lodge business when he deems it in the best interest of the Craft

9. Worshipful Master Powers & Prerogatives, cont
The WM may defer consideration of a Petition for the Degrees
The WM may and shall arrest the progress of a candidate, if an objection arises
The WM, by his official order, shall abate any irregular proceeding of the Lodge
The WM, when present in the Lodge, may act through any Brother whose assistance or skills he may desire. Thus making those acts his acts

10. Worshipful Master Powers & Prerogatives, cont
It is the prerogative of the WM to appoint all Subordinate Officers. However, the SW has the right to nominate the JD
The WM appoints all committees, unless specified in the by-Laws of the Lodge
The WM is the judge of sufficiency of avouchment

11. Worshipful Master Powers & Prerogatives, cont
The WM may refuse the admission of a visiting Brother, if he deems the action necessary (i.e., in the best interest of the Lodge). He shall refuse the admission of a visiting Brother, if any member of the Lodge has a legitimate objection to such visitation
The WM may command the attendance of Lodge members, by summons

12. Worshipful Master Powers & Prerogatives, cont
The WM may call communications at any time, when in his judgment it becomes necessary (i.e., filling vacant offices by appointment)
The WM may cast the deciding vote at any time, in the event of a tie
The WM shall supervise all financial matters of his Lodge

13. Worshipful Master Prohibitions
The WM cannot resign w/o permission of the GM
The WM cannot be installed prior to 12/27
The WM cannot demit
The WM cannot hold his office and simultaneously hold the office of GM, DGM or DDGM
The WM cannot be a petitioner of a Lodge U.D.

14. Worshipful Master Prohibitions, cont
The WM cannot be tried by his Lodge during his term
The WM cannot arbitrarily disband a Lodge and surrender its Charter
The WM cannot order the removal of a disorderly Brother from the Lodge, but he can cease labor until harmony is restored
The WM cannot delegate his authority to preside in his absence

15. Worshipful Master Prohibitions, cont
The WM & Wardens shall not sell, convey or mortgage Lodge property except by action of the Lodge in a stated Communication, after due notice
The WM cannot cause certain business of the Lodge to be transacted at a Called Communication

16. Worshipful Master Prohibitions, cont
The WM cannot call a communication on Sunday, except for a funeral or to attend Divine Service, or for very urgent charity
The WM cannot call a Lodge from labor to refreshment to meet on a certain future date
The WM does not have the authority to suspend a Member for NPD - That is the action of the Lodge

17. Worshipful Master Prohibitions, cont
Remember:
– Any act or decision of the WM may be reviewed by Grand Lodge or the GM, when Grand lodge is in recess

18. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities
Obey, both in spirit and in letter, the Ancient Charges to which he gave his assent when installed
Preserve the Charter of the Lodge with unfailing care and deliver it to his successor
Open and preside over the Lodge
Set the Craft to work and give proper instruction
– In all matters of Masonic interest

19. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
In accordance with the System of Masonic Education, 5 or more Brothers should be appointed, 1 of which should be a PM, to serve as the Masonic Education Committee
Additionally, 1 of those on the Committee should be appointed Lodge Mentor, and others appointed to assist him
The WM should see that all those attending Lodge receive a courteous, friendly and appropriate welcome

20. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
Attend & direct the deliberations of all Lodge Committees
Postpone matters of extraordinary importance when there is a very small attendance, so that matters will not be hurriedly disposed of by a small minority of Lodge members
See that smoking in the Lodge room is prohibited

21. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
To see that all business and work of the Lodge is properly handled by the responsible Officer
Unless dispensed with by the WM, the minutes of the Lodge should be read for correction and approval prior to closing the Lodge. However, those same minutes shall be read for final adoption at the next Stated Communication

22. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
Attend all communications of the Grand Lodge and see that a report of the proceedings of the GL Session be made to the Lodge
Ensure that the By-Laws of the Lodge, the Constitution, Regulations and edicts of the GL are duly understood, respected and obeyed by the members of the Lodge

23. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
Ensure that all GL reports are prepared, completed and transmitted on time
See that the moral law, written and unwritten, is respected and obeyed by all Brothers
See that all un-Masonic conduct, coming to his knowledge, be dealt with accordingly

24. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
Guarantee to everyone charged with un-Masonic conduct a fair trial and the right to appeal to Grand Lodge
Ensure that Masonic funeral services are provided for all eligible Brothers
See that his successor is dully installed & surrender to him the Charter and such symbols of authority as are proper

25. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
Prepare the Lodge’s Annual Plan
Prepare the Lodge’s Annual Budget
To prepare the WM’s article for the Trestle board, and to see that the newsletter is published in a timely manner
To ascertain the date for the DDGM’s Official Visit
To appoint the Investigating Committee as needed

26. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
To appoint all Lodge Standing Committees:
– Finance
– Vigilance
– Petitions
– Masonic Education
– Board of Relief
– Charity
– Lodge Property

27. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
To attend Grand Lodge and vote the Lodge’s recommendations
To prepare an agenda for each Stated Communication
To see that the Craft does not lack instruction and teachings of Masonic Ritual, principles, and philosophy
To see to the well being of the Lodge and Masonry within the community

28. Worshipful Master Duties & Responsibilities, cont
Visit sick or infirmed Brothers
Visit the widows of our departed Brothers
Welcome all who visit the Lodge
Welcome the newly raised Brother to the Lodge and invite him to get active
Follow-up on all committee assignments, resulting from delegation
Lend an understanding ear to the Brethren

29. Preparing for your Year in the East
Plan your year early and recheck frequently
Ask for advice and help early
Plan your meetings and follow your plan
Educate, train and meet with your Officers
Be worthy of the honor which your Brethren have conferred upon you

30. Installation Select Installation Team Plan Installation Dinner
Officer & Committee Appointments
Calendar for Ensuing Year
Trestle Board Notification
Officers Meeting
Rehearsal
Select/Purchase Worshipful Master’s hat

31. Installation Open in MM Degree Close Funeral Lodge Dinner Installation
Use Past Masters in Installing Seats
Thank Installing Officers & Past Masters in Seats
Introduce Wife & Family
Worshipful Master’s Message
Introduce Lodge Officers & their family/guests

32. After Installation Presentations Closing Prayer
Refreshments & Excuse non-Masons
Close Lodge & Reopen Funeral Lodge
You’re Now the Worshipful Master!

33. Impressions Does your Lodge reflect the beauty our rituals dictate
Is every Brother and their family greeted in a manner that promotes brotherly love
Are you and your Lodge fulfilling the needs and aspirations of every member

34. Leading your Lodge One Worshipful Master per Lodge Build your team
A Lodge of volunteers willing to do everything they can to assist, even wield the unseen gavel
The buck stops with you!
Build your team
First String– Installed Officers
Active Reserves – Capable Brothers on the Sidelines
Inactive Reserves – Brothers not in Lodge

35. Continued Leadership Delegation – you can’t do it all
Authority & responsibility
KISS – don’t micro-manage
Provide resources needed
Stay in touch
Praise & recognition

36. Training Your Officers
Provide duties & descriptions to all your filled positions
Hold frequent Officers’ meetings
Each position is responsible to train their follower
Require each seat to explain their duties to you
Allow junior officers to perform the duties of the next higher seat

37. Training Your Officers, cont
Use Grand Lodge materials & training sessions
Plan a trip to Grand Lodge
Train your Officers to the next position
Communicate training opportunities to the craft

38. Questions?

39. The End
Thanks for Attending!!