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I am interested in "Square and Compass Clubs" and "Widow's sons clubs"

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cemab4y

Premium Member
Does anyone have experience participating in informal Masonic clubs? I did some work in New Hampshire in 1982, and I was introduced to "Square and Compasses Clubs". Many NH lodges close down entirely for the summer. During the summer, Square and Compasses clubs have barbecues, and dinners, and all types of social activities for the Masons and their families. Meetings are OPEN to anyone who is interested.

In Iraq, we could not have a working lodge, so we set up a Square and Compasses club, so that we could fellowship, and keep track of each other.
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
Here is a directive from the GM of Masons in Texas:

-------- GRAND MASTER'S EDICT, WIDOWS SONS MASONIC MOTORCYCLE RIDERSASSOCIATION --------------------------------------------------------- January 6, 2011 To the Masons of Texas: Grand Master's Edict I have been advised that some Texas Masons presently belong to anorganization operating under the name of "Widows Sons Masonic MotorcycleRiders Association". At the 2007 Grand Annual Communication this organizationwas denied recognition as an organization to which Texas Masons could belong. Texas Masons are not permitted to belong to, or be identified with, theorganization known as "Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders Association"unless and until such organization is recognized by the Grand Lodge of Texas,and to do so constitutes a Masonic Disciplinary Violation. This Edict iseffective immediately. Acts contrary to this edict will result in MasonicDisciplinary action against the violator. This edict is issued to enforce the 2007 decision of the Grand Lodge ofTexas concerning the "Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders Association". Sincerely and fraternally, T. E. "Gene" Carnes Grand Master of Masons in Texas
 

TX_Traveler

Registered User
Anyone got an idea what prompted the last minute edict being enforced? They reference 2007 when a resolution was PASSED to recognize the riding club but on the last day, after most people had left, a Brother got up and asked to reconsider the vote because their patch depicted a woman on a stripper pole. The vote was receded and the club was not recognized. The Texas Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders Association did not then nor do they now have a patch with a woman on a stripper pole. The club however has raised great amounts of money over it’s existence for Grand Lodge charities.
G.M. Carnes is working on bad information or someone is deliberately providing him false information. When the membership in our jurisdiction is waning, I would hope cooler heads prevail and something like this can be reconciled so that harmony is kept within the jurisdiction.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
G.M. Carnes is working on bad information or someone is deliberately providing him false information. When the membership in our jurisdiction is waning, I would hope cooler heads prevail and something like this can be reconciled so that harmony is kept within the jurisdiction.
The Most Worshipful Grand Master is enforcing the laws of the Grand Lodge of Texas. This organization is not recognized, they know they're not recognized, so they shouldn't be flouting the law. Whether we agree with the decision of the Grand Lodge in not recognizing them is immaterial. The decision was made, and somewhere I recall swearing that I would be bound by those decisions and do my best to uphold them.

As to the patch, I agree she's not necessarily a stripper, just a shapely woman in a very tight-fitting leotard.
 
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TX_Traveler

Registered User
I suspect the only action is to introduce a new resolution in December to attempt to reverse the edict. It's a petty though that an entire year will go by with these Brethren experiencing a hardship. I pray that we can find a happy medium so Texas Masonry doesn't lose any fine Brothers to this situation.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
It's a pity that for three entire years the Widows Sons chose to act as if they owed no allegiance to the Grand Lodge. They knew they were breaking the rules, and I can't find any way to fault the Grand Master for deciding not to ignore it.
 

Blake Bowden

Administrator
Staff Member
tomasball said:
It's a pity that for three entire years the Widows Sons chose to act as if they owed no allegiance to the Grand Lodge. They knew they were breaking the rules, and I can't find any way to fault the Grand Master for deciding not to ignore it.

+1
 

rwmoore

Registered User
As Masons, we owe our allegiance to the Grand Lodge of Texas and the sitting Grand Master. We have never done anything contrary to our obligations. Our main goal as an organization has always been to "introduce Masonry to motorcyclists, and motorcycling to Masons", and to that end we have been very successful. We have had a good number of men who have ridden with us, as our rides and events are always open to anyone, who have become Masons and are now productive members of the fraternity. The Widows Sons of Texas, since 2003, have NEVER claimed to be a Masonic Organization, we are simply Brother Masons who enjoy the camaraderie of their motorcycles and the company of like minded Brothers and friends. We were denied recognition in 2007 , after receiving recognition, due to some falsely presented information concerning our patch which depicts an ashen faced widow, not a stripper on a pole. Why this Brother's vendetta would be so strong as to present a falsehood to GL is beyond me. I was raised in 2005 a Widows Son of the Tribe of Naphtali, and remain one today, as you all were. We do charity work, Assist our Brothers, Widows and Orphans, and fellowship together ... If that isn't what Masonry is about, then I don't feel we have misrepresented.
Roger Moore
Metropiltan #1182
 

tomasball

Premium Member
It's good to get some knowledgeable input from the organization in question. I'm curious about how this could not be a "Masonic Organization" for several reasons. First, the name of the group, according to its website, is "The Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders Of Texas." Second, the website says, "We are an organization of Master Masons..." Third, the website says, "All members of the Widows Sons of Texas must be in good standing with his Lodge." So I think it's easy to see where someone would get the idea that this is a Masonic organization. Please, what do your by-laws say are the rules for joining?

On a personal note, the contention that the crouching, leotard-clad lady depicted on the patch is supposed to represent a Mason's widow does not inspire my sympathy.

Tom Ball
PM, Mercedes 1010
 

cemab4y

Premium Member
( I am not a Texas Mason, so I "Ain't got a dog in that fight"). Nevertheless, I am fascinated by this discussion, and I am keenly interested to see how it plays out. Some years ago, I attempted to start a "Square and Compasses Club", in Kentucky. The only requirement for membership, was an "interest in Freemasonry". Masonic membership was NOT required. I only wanted to have a club of men, who would meet up once a month for breakfast at a local diner, and talk about Masonry.

A Past Grand Master, found out about our club, and went "ballistic". He called the sitting Grand Master in my state of residence, and the Grand Master, then called me, and told me in no uncertain terms, that I could not have my club. He made some blather, about if someone got into an accident, at one of the meetings, then the Grand Lodge would be sued for negligence. I referred him to the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which guarantees the people the right to assemble peaceably.

We had our club, ate some ham and eggs, and talked about Masonry.
 

rwmoore

Registered User
h4 { margin-left: 0.13in; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify; }h4.western { font-family: "Liberation Serif",serif; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; }h4.cjk { font-family: "DejaVu Sans"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; }h4.ctl { font-family: "DejaVu Sans"; font-size: 14pt; font-weight: normal; }p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; } Brother Ball,
Our By Laws were amended in 2003 so as not to be in violation of Grand Lodge Law, these By Laws are on record with the GLoT in the Resolution for recognition, and were used against us by the same Brother that took exception with the patch stating that "anyone can be a Widows Son ... Bandito, Hells Angel, etc." but isn't this also true about Masonry? If a man can pass the requirements as stated on the petition to join. I have had numerous conversations with so called "Outlaw Bikers", members of the aforementioned Clubs, who were members in good standing with their Lodges. Again, the mission is to "Promote Masonry amongst the motorcycle community, and motorcycling amongst Masons". How is it that this isn't a laudable mission, and what is it that we have done that others feel is so bad? A patch? I would draw your attention to EVERY Shrine unit, Lodge Bowling League, etc. whose only mission is to get together and have fun.



My only reason to reference the Widow on my patch was to respond to the "stripper on a pole" allegation, and to point out that there is nothing immoral about her. She is fully dressed, and in no way disrespectful to the craft.


Please see the following Article VI of the Widows Sons of Texas by laws.


Respectfully and Fraternally,
Roger Moore


Article VI MEMBERSHIP


Sec.1

Any man may petition for membership to the Widow Sons. New members are considered “Guests” for not less than six months. They are welcome to attend regular meetings but have no voice in chapter business and do not wear a patch. They must attend all rides and functions unless family or employment obligations will not permit. Guests ride behind the Secretary and Treasurer.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
That's useful and interesting information. Thanks. It seems to be contradictory to some of the policies stated on the website. I'm confused over the name of this group. The website says the name is "The Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders Of Texas," but you call it simply, "Widows Sons of Texas." What do the bylaws call it?

I have a useful insight I would like to make privately. I'm going to try to send you a private message.
 

rwmoore

Registered User
Our By Laws are written as such ...

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THE WIDOWS SONS


Chapter Organization By-Laws
Tribe of Naphtali

Written: April 12, 2002

Approved: April 12, 2002
Revised: September 12, 2003

I will look forward to your message, unfortunately I have never been able to send a private msg due to not having posted enough.
Roger

 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
"All members of the Widows Sons of Texas must be in good standing with his Lodge, own a licensed street legal motorcycle and valid drivers license with the motorcycle designation." That is taken directly from the Texas Widows Sons website at Texas Widows Sons

That site was linked to from the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association. So while your Chapter by-laws don't have it, your parent chapters do. And the Texas Widows Sons website even states to start a new cha[ter there must be 6 Master Masons.
 

owls84

Moderator
Premium Member
Well Bro. Moore this is all great information on the issue. It seems though that the Grand Master has ruled on the issue and really we have a bigger issue now. I understand your frustration, trust me I do and perhaps MasonsofTexas can be used as an education tool for the Masons of Texas.

I highly recommend a resolution be drawn up for another vote to be taken this upcoming Annual Communications. If you need help we have many people that have been successful in their submissions of resolutions and I bet they can help you. Feel free to use the "contact us" link at the top if that help is needed. Be sure and leave your personal email in the comments so we can respond privately. I for one would like to see the organization be given another chance for recognition if in fact the organization would like that recognition. Could boost membership.
 

rwmoore

Registered User
Bro. Dave ,
You are absolutely correct on most points. "All members of the Widows Sons of Texas must be in good standing with their Lodge" our mission is to promote Masonry, and I have a right to ride with whom I choose. Our Parent Organization can have this in their by laws ... they are recognized by their Grand Lodges, both domestically and Internationally. The GLoT seems to be the only, or one of the only(I haven't researched this) that refuses recognition(and again, this refusal was based on false information given AFTER they had recognized us).

It seems that a lot of people who have no knowledge of our group, and all it has done to promote the craft, want to wade in on this matter and that is fine with us ... with Light comes Understanding.
Fraternally,
Roger Moore Sr. Deacon
Metropolitan #1182


"All members of the Widows Sons of Texas must be in good standing with his Lodge, own a licensed street legal motorcycle and valid drivers license with the motorcycle designation." That is taken directly from the Texas Widows Sons website at Texas Widows Sons

That site was linked to from the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association. So while your Chapter by-laws don't have it, your parent chapters do. And the Texas Widows Sons website even states to start a new cha[ter there must be 6 Master Masons.
 

Dave in Waco

Premium Member
Question Bro. Moore, and this is me playing Devil's Advocate in bringing up a question that I'm sure could arise in GL if the Widows Sons submit a new resolution seeking recognition. Do any of the Texas Chapters use the "Widow" patch in question? I ask because from looking through the website information, it looks like the Widows Sons have a few patches which their chapters might choose from.

Personally, the group's recognition doesn't matter to me one way or the other, with exception of if it follows Grand Law. But I can see by your passion that you believe the group has its place in Masonry, so I am willing to aid a worthy brother. I am not a PM, so I can not write a resolution, but I can help make sure we cover all the bases in getting it written and easing concerns.
 

tomasball

Premium Member
Wait. Now I'm really confused. There's a rule or there's not a rule. Do you have to be a mason to join the Texas Widows Sons or not?

That's the only point that matters. Doesn't matter if the organization raises the dead, gives ponies to little children, or does any other good thing. Doesn't matter if everyone at Grand Lodge the day that vote was taken was temporarily insane. (actually, I think that happens more than we believe). If you have to be a mason to join, then it is a violation of Article 505-22 to belong to it.

If not, then they should really consider changing their website to eliminate that confusion.
 

rwmoore

Registered User
Bro. Dave,
Good question, All WSoT Chapters wear the Widow except one, which was a decision made by a previous Pres. of the State Grand Chapter. We are working toward unification under one patch, but that has not yet been accomplished. The Widow is the original patch of the organization, and the one that Texas chose from the beginning. Texas is the 3rd Charter issued in the organization following Florida and Illinois. We have chosen to remain true to our roots.
Thanks,
Roger


Question Bro. Moore, and this is me playing Devil's Advocate in bringing up a question that I'm sure could arise in GL if the Widows Sons submit a new resolution seeking recognition. Do any of the Texas Chapters use the "Widow" patch in question? I ask because from looking through the website information, it looks like the Widows Sons have a few patches which their chapters might choose from.

Personally, the group's recognition doesn't matter to me one way or the other, with exception of if it follows Grand Law. But I can see by your passion that you believe the group has its place in Masonry, so I am willing to aid a worthy brother. I am not a PM, so I can not write a resolution, but I can help make sure we cover all the bases in getting it written and easing concerns.
 
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