Elected Officer Positions in Each U.S. Grand Lodge
I believe all the elected Grand Lodge officer positions listed below, except Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Lecturer, and Grand Tiler, are progressive, meaning those holding an office are expected to move up to the next higher office in the next election until they become Grand Master.
Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, and Grand Tiler, are not progressive, meaning those holding these positions are not normally expected to move to another position in the next election.
Officer positions are listed in order of seniority within that jurisdiction, as far as I know.
The colors are used merely to make it easier to differentiate each state’s information from the information above and below that state.
The information on this chart comes from Proceedings and other sources believed to be reliable. If anyone has suggestions for additions or changes in this chart, please send email to Paul M. Bessel so I can update this chart.
|
State & |
Elected Officers’ Titles |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Tiler | |
| Alaska | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| ArizonaGrand Master appoints Junior Grand Steward, who moves up in Line, then elected Junior Grand Warden and above, until Grand Master
|
|
| Grand Master | |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Senior Grand Deacon (appointed but progressive) | |
| Junior Grand Deacon (appointed but progressive) | |
| Senior Grand Steward (appointed but progressive) | |
| Junior Grand Steward (appointed but progressive) | |
| Arkansas | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Senior Deacon | |
| Grand Junior Deacon | |
| Grand Lecturer | |
| California | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Lecturer | |
| Colorado | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Connecticut | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Senior Deacon (appointed, but progressive line) | |
| Grand Junior Deacon (appointed, but progressive line) | |
| Grand Marshal (appointed, but progressive line) | |
| Grand Senior Steward (appointed, but progressive line) | |
| Grand Junior Steward (appointed, but progressive line) | |
| Delaware | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| District of ColumbiaThose who are interested send a letter to the Grand Secretary announcing interest in being elected to the “bottom of the line,” Junior Grand Steward. Campaigning is supposed to be kept to a minimum.
Officers change in December |
Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Lecturer | |
| Senior Grand Deacon | |
| Junior Grand Deacon | |
| Senior Grand Steward | |
| Junior Grand Steward | |
| FloridaCandidates run for JGW, each lodge has 3 votes. Any PM can run. | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| GeorgiaGM appoints Third Grand Steward, who moves up through SGD, and then is elected JGW. Grand Deacons and Grand Stewards are appointed but progressive. |
Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Senior Grand Deacon | |
| Junior Grand Deacon | |
| First Grand Steward | |
| Second Grand Steward | |
| Third Grand Steward | |
| Hawaii | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Idaho | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Lecturer | |
| IllinoisGM serves 2 years | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| IndianaGrand Master appoints Junior Grand Deacon, who moves up in Line, then elected Junior Grand Warden and above, until Grand Master | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Senior Grand Deacon (appointed but progressive) | |
| Junior Grand Deacon (appointed but progressive) | |
| Iowa | Grand Master |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Kansas | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Kentucky | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Louisiana | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| MaineGM and DGM serve 2 years. Line is not progressive except DGM usually moves to GM | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| MarylandGM and DGM usually serve 2 years. Line is not progressive except GM and DGM. All serve one year terms, the GM and DGM may be re-elected once. Only the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer may be re-elected to their office. Others may be elected to any office other than that which they last served.
Officers change in November |
Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| MassachusettsGrand Master serves for 3 years. Line is not progressive. Grand Marshal (appointed) served the 3 years with the GM and then usually runs unopposed for SGW | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Michigan | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Senior Grand Deacon | |
| Junior Grand Deacon | |
| Grand Marshal | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Chaplain | |
| Grand Lecturer | |
| Grand Tiler | |
| MinnesotaFrom “The Minnesota Mason” July-August 2001: GL officers who are in line for the office of GM in the next few years have agreed to pick their successors through an interview process. Each Nov several potential candidates for the office of JGS will be interviewed. Line Officers will limit the number to 3 or 4, who will be judged on commitment, experience, availability, and leadership. Formerly, the incoming GM picked the next lowest line officer. The GL recently voted to shorten the Grand Lodge Line to 9 progressive line officers. |
Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Senior Grand Deacon | |
| Junior Grand Deacon | |
| Senior Grand Steward | |
| Junior Grand Steward | |
| Mississippi | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Tyler | |
| Missouri | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Montana
I believe the line is progressive down through Grand Stewards. |
Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| NebraskaIt appears the Deputy Grand Master & Grand Master Elect becomes Grand Master automatically, without another vote.
There does not appear to be a position of Grand Treasurer in this Grand Lodge. |
Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master & Grand Master-Elect | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| NevadaNevada’s Grand Lodge elects the Grand Master, Deputy Grand Master, Senior Grand Warden, Junior Grand Warden, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer and Grand Lecturer (PGM ) to serve one year and our line is progressive from the Junior Grand Deacon, (we can serve 8 to 10 years before being appointed to Junior Grand Deacon ) all other officers are appointed. We have 5 Grand Trustees appointed by the Grand Master for staggered terms. | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Lecturer | |
| New HampshireI believe the GM serves for more than 1 year. | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Deputy Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| New Jersey | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Deputy Grand Secretary | |
| New MexicoGrand Master appoints Junior Grand Deacon, once appointed to that position that man is virtually assured of moving up each year, including elections which begin with Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Master | |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Senior Grand Deacon (progressive, but appointed) | |
| Junior Grand Deacon (progressive, but appointed) | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| New YorkGrand Master serves for 2 years. Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master are from New York City and Upstate, in alternate terms. Line is not progressive other than Deputy Grand Master. | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| North CarolinaGrand Master appoints Junior Grand Steward, who moves up in Line, then elected Junior Grand Warden and above, until Grand Master | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Senior Grand Deacon (appointed but progressive) | |
| Junior Grand Deacon (appointed but progressive) | |
| Senior Grand Steward (appointed but progressive) | |
| Junior Grand Steward (appointed but progressive) | |
| North DakotaHas detailed procedures for what a candidate for JGW can and cannot do, self-nominations, photos and biographies published in GL publication, and may speak on this when requested by the GM at the GL meeting | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Ohio | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| OklahomaCandidates files for JGW, and Grand Lodge delegates elect. Any PM can file for JGW. | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Lecturer | |
| OregonThe incoming GM appoints the SGD who is elected JGW the following year. Someone else could be nominated for the office at that time, but it never in fact happens.
There does not appear to be a position of Grand Treasurer in this Grand Lodge. |
Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| PennsylvaniaGrand Master serves for 2 years | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Rhode Island | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| South CarolinaGMs and all elected GL officers serve for 2 years | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| South DakotaIt appears the Deputy Grand Master & Grand Master Elect becomes Grand Master automatically, without another vote.
It appears the offices of Grand Treasurer and Grand Secretary are combined |
Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master & Grand Master Elect | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer-Secretary | |
| TennesseeFrom an email message: Per a gentleman’s agreement that has been in effect for over 100 years, the new JGW is elected from a different region of the state, rotating between West, Middle and East TN. Within each region, there are sub-rotations (Memphis/Outside Memphis Nashville/Outside Nashville Knoxville/Chattanooga/Johnson City) so there are actually 7 regions. The bottom line is that the Grand Master and JGW come from the same region. There have been several attempts to implement this rotation as a code change, and to give East TN a turn every other year (more than half TN Masons live in East TN) but these have been voted down and the Gentleman’s agreement still stands. It sounds confusing, but it works and the state is fairly represented. It’s like the electoral college–it doesn’t seem to make sense, but it works so there’s no move to change the system. | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Texas | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Utah | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| VermontProgressive elected officers are reelected to 2nd terms, so they serve 2 years in each position. Grand Master appoints Grand Lecturer, who then is elected Grand Junior Warden, and eventually Grand Master. Deacons are elected to 1 year terms and not reelected, and are not in the progressive line. | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Senior Deacon | |
| Grand Junior Deacon | |
| VirginiaIncoming Grand Master-Elect nominates a candidate for Grand Junior Deacon, who is usually elected without any opposition, but sometimes another candidate is nominated and runs against the GM’s candidate.
Officers change in November |
Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Grand Senior Warden | |
| Grand Junior Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Grand Senior Deacon | |
| Grand Junior Deacon | |
| WashingtonThere is no position of Grand Treasurer; a motion to reestablish it was defeated in June 1999. | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| West Virginia | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Wisconsin | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary | |
| Wyoming | Grand Master |
| Deputy Grand Master | |
| Senior Grand Warden | |
| Junior Grand Warden | |
| Grand Treasurer | |
| Grand Secretary |