WIDOWS SONS
MASONIC RIDERS ASSOCIATION
FLORIDA GRAND CHAPTER
BYLAWS AND INTENTIONS AND LANDMARKS
April 1998, 2001, 2014
FOUNDER: CARL A DAVENPORT
Dedication
Commitment to: Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association
Pledge of Membership:
It is the pledge of the membership of this Grand Chapter and its affiliate chapters to support and abide by the Intentions and Landmarks, and these By-Laws of The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association.
It is the pledge of the membership to obey, without reservation, all laws, edicts and orders imposed by the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association By-laws.
It is the pledge of each Member to conduct himself and his business as a mason, and in direct accordance to the By-laws, Intent and Landmarks of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association.
It is the pledge of the Chapter President and Officers to found and support a Widows Fund in their state, to contribute fifty one (51) percent of the annual funds raised to the relief of widows and orphans of worthy Master Masons or to donate fifty one (51) percent of the annual funds raised to the Grand Master’s Widows and Orphans Fund in their state. It is also promised that the Grand Chapter will not allow any other charity or monetary donating function to take precedence over the Widows Fund.
It is the pledge of the President and his Officers to rule and guide their state chapters with
equal regularity, and to base all decisions in fullcompliance with The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association By-Laws and Founding Intentions and Landmarks.
Founding Landmarks of the Widows Sons 1998, 2001, 2014
To become a Widows Son, or to form a chapter of Widows Sons, you must be a Mason first. You must then promise to support the goals and purposes of the Widows Sons Organization.
The sole founding goal and purpose of the Widows Sons is to aid and assist widows and orphans of Master Masons. This shall be done autonomously in each state Grand Chapter by creating a legal Widows Fund within the Grand Chapter, or contributing to the Grand Master’s Widows and Orphans Fund in their state. The sole purpose of granting a charter for a Grand Chapter is to aid and assistance of widows and orphans of master masons. No other charity or any other object of monetary support, from any Widows Sons Grand Chapter, or any affiliated chapter, or any member should take precedence over aiding and assisting widows and orphans of master Masons in its state.
Adopted 2001: The second purposeof founding the Widows Sons was to promote fellowship and unity among brother Masons who ride motorcycles.
Adopted 2001: The third purpose of the founding of the Widows Sons was to introduce Freemasonry to the world of motorcycling and to introduce the world of motorcycling to freemasonry.
Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Florida Grand Chapter
By-Laws
Constitution
Article. 1 Name
Section l.01
This organization shall be known as The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Florida Grand Chapter. The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Associationare a non-profit organization. The Founding Grand Chapter meeting place will be: WHEREVER the Grand Chapter Decides, (no titty bars)
Section 1.02
The Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida GrandChapter shall be the sole parent chapter for all Widows Sons affiliate chapters in Florida, and shall have jurisdiction over membership of any and all Florida affiliate chapters as described in this constitution. No board of Presidents or other committee shall have authority or voice over the Grand Chapter.
Section l.03
The Right for chapter chartering throughout the State of Florida is reserved for future consideration by The Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter.
Section1.04
The Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter reserves all rights to issue or deny any and all use of copyrighted Widows Sons patch and or logos and trademarks to any Florida affiliate chapter that has been designated a charter by The Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter and reserves the right to revoke the charter or trade marked patches of any affiliate chapter(s) and/or members to which a logo has been issued within the boundaries of the State of Florida, or by whom violates the bylaws of THE MOST WORSHIPFULGRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDAand or the bylaws of The Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter, or governs themselves in any un-masonic manner, and/or brings disgrace to or embarrassment to any chapter of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Associationof Florida, or any Blue Lodge, THE MOST WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDAor any other Masonic body.
Article 2. Purpose
Section 2.01
It shall be the goal and the objective of The Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida GrandChaptertocreate a Widows fund and use it to contribute fifty-one (51) percent of the annual funds raised to the aid and relief of widows of Florida Master Masons, or to contribute to the Florida Grand Master’s Widows and Orphans fund;to encourage their membership to remain in good standing in the records of their lodge; to engage in proper conduct, and reasonable legal activities; to persuade the public opinion of the desirability of The WidowsSons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter.
It shall be the objective of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapterto obtain proper, reasonable and legal means whereby we may protect the Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter from any threat caused by person(s) outside or within any chapter. It shall be the objective of any and all affiliate chapters to file in writing to the Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapterwithin 5 (five) business days of any potential that may violate this section of the constitution.
Section 2.02
This association shall not engage in political, religious or any activities that promote separation rather than unity, or cause disharmony within the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association. It is the duty of the President to cease any activity within his Chapter that may cause disagreement or controversy in the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association.
Section 2.03
No Member shall wear support apparel for any 1% club, local or national MC. There will be NOEXCEPTIONS; any violation will result in immediate expulsion of members(s). No member shall wear any Widows Sons Masonic Riders Associationlogos, insignias, patches, or any item that identifies them as a Widows Sons inside a 1% clubhouse, or while associating with a 1% club.
Section 2.04
It shall be the objective of each chapter to contribute to the relief of the widows ofmaster masons within the boundaries of their state, by founding a Widows Fund within their state. The proceeds of this fund shall be used solely for the purpose of contributing to the aid and relief of widows and orphans of worthy Master masons. The Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter shall haveno other charity or charities, or monetary, or fund raising devices that shall take precedence over the Widows Fund. No less than fifty-one (51) percent of the annual funds raised shall be contributed to aiding and assisting widows and orphans of master masons.
Section 2.05
It shall further be an objective of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Grand Chapterof Florida to receive, manage, invest, expend orotherwise use any funds and property of this association to achieve the objectives set forth in this constitution and for such additional purposes and objects not inconsistent therewith as will further the interest of this association, and its members directly or indirectly.
Article 3. Membership
Section 3.01
Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida shall be composed of master masons recognized by The MostWorshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Florida.
Section 3.02
Upon approval of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter President,petitions for membership in the Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter can be accepted from those who have successfully petitioned a blue lodge recognized by The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Florida,upon the Lodge’s acceptance of their petition. All petitioners shall be investigated by the Chapter investigation committee appointed by the President and must be referred by all members of the investigating committee before being balloted for membership. EA and fellow crafts who are admitted into the chapter shall not have a vote or hold office,until they are raised to the master mason degree. Nor shall they wear any Widows Sons regalia, patches or items identifying them as a Widows Son until they have completed their Master Mason Degree.
Section 3.03
Members accepted into the Widows Sons who are not yet Master Masons are required to complete their unfinished degree work within 1 (one) year of membership. Widows Sons who are not master masons and have been unable to complete their master mason degree within 1 (one) year due to their Lodge being unable to advance them in a timely manner, must provide their Chapter with a written explanation signed by their Lodge Secretary and Worshipful Master.
Section 3.04
There shall be no restrictions applied to the membership of The Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter or Affiliate Chaptersin accordance with the type or make of their 500cc or larger highway legal motorcycle a member should ride, The Florida Grand Chapteror Affiliate Chapters shall not exceed 10% of non-riding members; non-riding members have no voice or vote on chapter activities.
Section 3.05
No chapter shall have in its chapter any member of a clandestine lodge.
Section 3.06
No Chapter shall include in their membership anyone who is a Master Mason not in good standing in the records of his lodge, or any petitioner whose petition has not been accepted by a recognized lodge of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Florida.
Section 3.07
It shall be the responsibility of the President of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter to ensure the present Grand Master of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of the State of Florida willbe made an Honorary Member of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida, and be presented with a vest with a logo and Grand Master rocker.
Section 3.08
It shall be by the order of the President of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Florida Grand Chapter that any chapter President may waive the Initiation fee for any current Worshipful Master within their region with no obligation due.
Section 3.09
Each member shall have equal rights and privileges in connection with attending meetings and the participation in the deliberations of such meetings. Each affiliate chapter shall have up to three (3) delegates, which shall attend one (1) meeting per year ofthe Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter. The delegates attending the Widows Sons Masonic Riders AssociationFlorida Grand Chapter meeting shall discuss any disputes within the State of Florida pertaining to or involving interpretations of the Florida Grand Chapter on state issues. The decision of the Grand Chapter shall prevail with proxy votes not accepted. These delegates shall have no power in making additions or amendments to these founding by-laws without an Executive Council Jurisprudence Approval..
Section 3.10
New member applications will be taken only at the monthly stated meetings. At this time the application(s) will be turned over to the investigating committee appointed by the President. Upon the committee’s investigation and their findings being reported back to the President, will the new member application(s) be voted on by membership. This will be a thirty (30) day process and will be a majority vote by secret ballot.
Section 3.11
Upon acceptance of membership there will be a $90initiation fee and a thirty (30) dollar annual dues payment due. This will cover one year membership and in the future will reserve a patch, logo, or trademark of the Widows Sons. Fifty one (51) percent of all monies above the cost of acceptance of a new member shall be invested in the states Widows Fund and twenty (20) percent shall be forwarded to the Executive Council Secretary for operating expenses.
Section 3.12
If for any reason a member no longer desires to be a member of the Widows Sons that member will be given ½ (one half) of the purchase price of the Widows Sons patch, logo, or trademark when the patch, logo or trademark is returned in good condition with their membership card. Patches, logos and/or trademarks remain property of Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association.
Article 4. Retirement
Section 4.01
Due to age or medical reasons a member can apply for retirement. Upon acceptance hegives up voting rights, but can attend functions. Dues can be waived by a membership majority vote. A retiree can apply for reinstatement with a majority vote of membership at the meeting when he applies.
Article 5. Officers
Section 5.01
The President of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association FloridaGrand Chapter shall be the General President of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association of Florida. He shall enforce all provisions of the constitution and bylaws. The President shall have the power to establish such committees necessary, provided that there shall be an auditing committee. The President may determine the order of business and shall regulate all debates and the conduct of the members. The President or his appointee shall be the sole officer to issue charters of new Grand Chapters of other States upon their promise to comply to the Intentions and Landmarks,the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Bylaws, and Executive Council edicts, The President will be held accountable to comply with his responsibilities set forth in the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Bylaws, landmarks and edicts
Section 5.02
A chapter petitioning for membership must have at least 7 (seven) members and maintain a membership of (7) seven members at all times. All members of any chapter must be Master Masons with exceptions explained in Article 3 (three). The Officers of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association FloridaGrand Chapter shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Road Captain, Chaplain, and two (2) appointed Trustees, a Guardian of Membership or a Sergeant at Arms. The Officers of Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association FloridaGrand Chapter shall be the Grand Board of Officers for all Widows Sons Florida affiliate chapters. Officersmust attend not less than seventy five (75) percent of the stated meetings per year to maintain position.
Section 5.03
The Vice-President, in the absence of the President, shall preside and perform all duties pertaining to the office of the President, excluding the issuingof newly chartered Grand Chapters, and render any and all assistance as may be required. The Vice President will be held accountable to comply withhis responsibilities set forth in the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Bylaws, landmarks and edicts.
Section 5.04
The Secretary shall keep current records of the proceedings of the association and shallkeep a separate account and register for each member of the association and forward an annual report of membership and funds raised to the Executive Council upon request of the Executive Secretary. He shall conduct all association correspondence under the direction of the President. He shall issue all notices when directed. He shall receive all monies paid into the chapter, the Secretary shall receive any and all funds donated for the Widows Fund and shall record the amounts in the monthly financial record which shall become part of the minutes of each meeting and pay them over to the Treasurer, taking his receipt thereof. The Secretary shall take over the duties of the President in the absence of the President and Vice President. He shall present an annual report at the annual meeting. The Secretary will be held accountable to comply with his responsibilities set forth in the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Bylaws, landmarks and edicts.
Section 5.05
The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the association, including the Widows Fund, and shall keep regular and accurate accounts of all monies received by him. He shall pay them out by the order of the President and with the consent of the association. He shall keep them in deposit in a bank in the name of the association and shall render a detailed report of the receipts and duly established disbursements at the annual meeting and at other times as requested by the President or by majority vote of the members present at any stated meetings. He shall keep a separate account of the Widows Fund. The Treasurer shall take over the duties of the President in the absence of the President, Vice President and Secretary. The Treasurer will be held accountable to comply withhis responsibilities set forth in the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association Bylaws, landmarks and edicts.
Section 5.06
The Road Captain(s) will have the duty of ensuring that all members’ motorcycles are in compliance with FLORIDAState laws, and each member is condition to participate on the ride. The Road Captain will also be responsible to work with a committee and organize runs; he will also be responsible for routing the run and providing all members with directions. The road captain will also be responsible for informing others who ride with the chapter of what is expected and the intended route. The Road Captain will inform the other members when it is time to ride. The Road Captain will be held accountable to comply with his responsibilities set forth by the Grand Chapter President of Widows Sons Masonic Riders, Grand Chapter and Association Bylaws, landmarks and edicts.