Those not familiar with the Fraternity may be confused about the different officers in a Lodge and how they all interrelate in the organization. This article is done in hopes of clearing these issues up a bit.

Line Officers

Line Officers are those who have a "rank" and authority to make decisions in the Lodge. There are seven Line Officers (in "rank" order): Worshipful Master, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Senior Deacon, Junior Deacon, Senior Steward, and Junior Steward.

Worshipful Master

The Worshipful Master is elected to run the Lodge for one year. Within Lodge, his word is law as long as it is not in conflict with the Masonic Code of Wisconsin or the Bylaws of his Lodge. His Station is in the East and his jewel is the Square of Morality against which the activities of his Lodge are tried and proven. He reports to his Area Administrator. His chain of command is as follows: Worshipful Master->Area Administrator->District Deputy->Deputy Grand Master.

Senior Warden

The Senior Warden is elected to assist the Worshipful Master in governing his Lodge, planning the activities of the Lodge, and acting as liaison between the Brethren and the Master. His Station is in the West and his jewel is the Level of Equality upon which he should encourage his Lodge to meet, act, and part. He reports directly to his Worshipful Master.

Junior Warden

The Junior Warden is elected to superintend the Craft during the hours of Refreshment and to act as liaison between the Lodge and its youth groups. His Station is in the South and his jewel is the Plumb of Upright Conduct by which he reminds the Brethren that they should always walk uprightly in their several stations before God and man. In his duty of liaison to the youth groups, he reports to the Junior Grand Warden. In all other duties, he reports to his Worshipful Master.

Senior Deacon

The Senior Deacon is the Worshipful Master's personal assistant. He is appointed to serve the Worshipful Master. His duties include carrying orders from the Worshipful Master in the East to the Senior Warden in the West and elsewhere as directed and introducing and accommodating visiting Brethren. He answers all alarms at the Inner Door. His place is on the right hand of the Worshipful Master in the East. He reports to the Worshipful Master.

Junior Deacon

The Junior Deacon is the Senior Warden's personal assistant. He is appointed to serve the Senior Warden. His duties include carrying messages from the Senior Warden in the West to the Junior Warden in the South and elsewhere about the Lodge as directed. He communicates with the Tiler at the Outer Door and answers all alarms thereat. His place is on the right hand of the Senior Warden in the West. He reports to the Senior Warden.

Senior and Junior Steward

The Stewards are appointed officers who have two distinct duties. Their first duty is to serve the Junior Warden during the hours of refreshment in providing adequate accommodation for all Brethren. They also provide refreshment to the Officers during the hours of labor. In this duty they report to the Junior Warden. During Degree Work, they assist the Junior Deacon in properly preparing the Candidate and in purging the Lodge. In these duties they report to the Junior Deacon.

Supplemental Officers

These officers serve various non-decision-making and advisory roles within the Lodge. They do not have a "rank." There are three subtypes of Supplemental officer.

The Functional Officers: Organist, Soloist, and Tiler

The Organist and Soloist are optional supplemental officers appointed to provide entertainment and musical accompaniment to Masonic functions. They are compensated for their time at the pleasure of the Lodge. The Tiler is a mandatory supplemental officer whose duty is to guard the Outer Door against intruders and to control the entry of persons into the Lodge. He is compensated for his time at the pleasure of the Lodge. They serve no advisory role and have no say in Lodge governance beyond the simple vote of any other Master Mason.

The Advisory Officers: Chaplain and Counselor

The Chaplain is an appointed officer who serves the Brethren in offering prayers at Masonic functions and advising them of their moral and spiritual obligations to Deity. They ought to be ordained members of the Clergy, if possible. Each Lodge Chaplain is responsible to a District Chaplain. The Counselor is an appointed officer who serves the Officers in advising them of matters relating to Masonic Usages and Customs, Ritual, and the duties of each office. Each Lodge Counselor is responsible to a District Counselor. The Chaplain and Counselor are not compensated.

The Statutory Officers: Secretary and Treasurer

Each Lodge is required by State Law to have a Secretary who keeps track of the minutes, receives and reports correspondence, tracks membership information, and handles incoming monies. A Lodge must also have either a separate office of Treasurer or a combined Secretary-Treasurer to serve the following functions: To receive all monies payed into the Lodge from the hands of the Secretary and keep a just a true account thereof and to pay them out at the order of the Worshipful Master and consent of the Lodge. The Secretary and Treasurer are responsible directly to the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer, respectively. They may be compensated for their time at the pleasure of the Lodge.