What does the Constitution say about the substitution of officers?
According to Rule 3 of the Constitution, every Brother who presides or acts in the absence of another Officer has all the rights, powers, and duties of the Officer whose place he is taking. His acts will have the same validity in all respects as those of the original Officer.
“Every Brother who shall, in accordance with the laws and procedure of Masonry, preside or act in the Grand Lodge, or in any Regional Grand Lodge or in any daughter Lodge, or in any Board of Committee for, or in the place of any Officer or Brother who may be absent, shall, while so presiding or acting, have all the rights, powers and duties of the Officer or Brother whose substitute he shall be or in whose place he shall act;...” (Rule 3, General Powers of all Substituted Authorities).