Grand Lodges, some times called Grand Orients are independent and sovereign bodies that govern Freemasonry in a specific country, state, or geographical area. There is no single ALL governing body that presides over world-wide Freemasonry; connections between different jurisdictions depend solely on mutual recognition.

A Freemason Lodge is the basic organisational unit of Freemasonry. Every new Freemason Lodge must be warranted by Grand Lodge governign Freemasons in that area, but is subject to its direction only in enforcing the published Constitution of Freemasonry in the jurisdiction. A Freemason Lodge must hold full meetings regularly at published dates and places. It will elect, initiate and promote its own members and officers; it will own, occupy or share premises; and will normally build up a collection of minutes, records and equipment. Like any other organisation, it will have formal business, annual general meetings (AGMs), charity funds, committees, reports, bank accounts and tax returns, and so forth.

A man can only be initiated, or made a Mason, in a Freemason Lodge, of which he may well remain a subscribing member for life. A Master Mason is generally entitled to visit any Masonic Lodge meeting under any jurisdiction in amity with his own, and a Freemason Lodge may well offer hospitality to such a visitor after the formal meeting. He is first usually required to check the regularity of that Lodge, and must be able to satisfy that Lodge of his own regularity; and he may be refused admission if adjudged likely to disrupt the harmony of the Lodge. If he wishes to visit the same Lodge repeatedly, he may be expected to join it, and pay a membership subscription.

Every Masonic Lodge elects certain officers to execute the necessary functions of the lodge's work. The Worshipful Master is always an elected officer. Most jurisdictions will also elect the Senior and Junior Wardens, the Secretary and the Treasurer. All lodges will have a Tyler, or Tiler, sometimes elected and sometimes appointed by the Master. In addition to these elected officers, freemason lodges will have various appointed officers such as Deacons, Stewards, and a Chaplain specific offices and their functions vary between jurisdictions, but all must have a Worshipful Master, Senior and Junior Warden.

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