What are the roles and responsibilities of a Grand Master?

The office of Grand Master is an elective position whose duties and prerogatives derive from both ancient usage and constitutional authority [3]. In governing the Craft, a Grand Master exercises administrative and executive powers, including the authority to convene the Grand Lodge at will, cast two votes in its proceedings, and issue binding rulings on Masonic law that rank in authority just below the Constitution of the Grand Lodge [2][3].

A central responsibility of the Grand Master is the establishment and oversight of new lodges [1][3]. No new lodge can be formed without the permission or dispensation of the Grand Master or his Deputy [1]. The Grand Master officially constitutes new lodges, empowers them to act as regular lodges, and presides over or directs the installation of their Masters Elect [1].

The Grand Master also possesses unique executive prerogatives, such as granting dispensations and making Masons at sight [3]. However, these powers are subject to specific limits defined by Masonic law; a Grand Master cannot dispense with the requisite forms in making Masons, nor can he issue a dispensation allowing an underage candidate to be initiated [2][3]. Additionally, while no appeal can be taken from a Grand Master's ruling, his own local lodge cannot exercise judicial jurisdiction over him [3].