Loyal Orange Lodge No'5 | Keeping the Faith Well and Alive in Canada No Surrender!

THE LODGE SYSTEM

The Loyal Orange Association is organized in a system of Lodges - Primary Lodges at the local level, with District and County (in some cases) and Provincial Grand Lodges, to assist in the administration of the Association and to carry out the policies of the National body - the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada.

Authority for the administration of the Order is vested in the Executive Officers of the Grand Orange Lodge of Canada. The Secretary of the Association, the Secretary Treasurer of the Life Insurance Department, and the Office Staff are located at National Headquarters in Toronto.

DEGREES

As in any education process, the conferring of Degrees marks the individual's progress. In the Loyal Orange Association, the conferring of Degrees is a ceremony, usually depicting a Biblical story, and is intended to educate and encourage members to strive for a high level of Christian, moral and ethical conduct in their personal lives. In all cases, however, the First Degree is the initiation into that Branch of the Association in which the individual has chosen to become a part.

The men's lodges in Canada exemplify four Degrees namely, the Orange, Royal Blue, Royal Arch Purple and Royal Scarlet.

To belong to a Primary Lodge does not mean endless Ritual and Exemplification of Degrees. However important, it is but a small part of the activities and opportunities for social and community involvement. Members are provided with a forum, not only to improve personal skills in public speaking, but to acquire a knowledge of, and practise, as he or she assumes office, proper parliamentary procedure in conducting an effective meeting; the value of committee work and how to use it to advantage; how to finance, administer and record the activities of such a group; and to be in a position to take effective action in community-sponsored activities, as an individual or as a lodge, in order to influence the life and style of that community.

DUTIES OF PRIMARY LODGE OFFICERS

Worshipful Master: Presides at all meetings and is responsible for order, decorum and good government in the lodge. He is the custodian of all lodge property and sees that the Constitution and Laws of the Association are observed.

Past Master: Assists with the Initiation and all other Degrees of the lodge, and is often called upon for advice and guidance.

Deputy Master: Assists the Master in the discharge of his duties and presides over the lodge in the Master's absence.

Chaplain: Conducts the Religious Ceremonies of the Lodge. Recording Secretary: Is the custodian of the Seal, minute book and papers of the lodge. Maintains a record of proceedings, and conducts all correspondence for the lodge.

Financial Secretary: Keeps the books of account between the lodge and its members, so as to maintain an up-to-date list of members in good standing. Treasurer: Is the custodian of the funds of the lodge and shall pay the accounts of the lodge when authorized to do so. Presents a complete statement of the financial condition of the lodge, when requested to do so.

Marshal: Sees that the members are properly attired and worthy of attendance. Escorts and presents visiting Dignitaries to the lodge, and directs the Processions and Ceremonies of the lodge.

Lecturers: Assist in the opening and closing ceremonies of the lodge, and instruct the newly initiated candidates and other members in the work of the Degrees.

Tyler and Sentinel: Attend the doors of the meeting place, admitting only qualified persons, and seeing that ceremonies, once in progress, are not interrupted.

Committee: Deals with breaches of the constitution and Laws of the Association and the restoration of suspended members.