Articles of Incorporation and Meeting By-Laws of the Widows Sons Alliance Originally Adopted and Approved July 30th 2015 1
Articles of Incorporation Widows Sons MRA Worldwide Alliance DEDICATION MEMBERSHIP: It is the pledge of the membership to support the welfare and general well-being of the Widows Sons MRA. It is the pledge of the membership to obey, without reservation, all laws, edicts and orders imposed on them by their respective jurisdictional leadership It is the pledge of each member to conduct himself or his business, when wearing the Widows Sons logo, in direct accordance to the bylaws and constitution of his respective Widows Sons MRA jurisdiction. It is the pledge of the President and Officers to enhance the welfare and general well-being of the Widows Sons MRA Alliance. It is the pledge of the President and his Officers to rule and guide the organization with regularity, and to base all decisions on the betterment or improvement of the Widows Sons MRA Alliance. DECLARATION The Widows Sons is an Independent and Sovereign Body of Master Masons in the Jurisdiction of their respective governing Widows Sons Body. No Body or Individual other than the Alliance speaks for the Widows Sons MRA Alliance. In particular, the Alliance disavows and repudiates any and all statements, presentations (to include emails and websites), produced by any person or entity not authorized or recognized by the Widows Sons MRA Alliance Council. This action is deemed necessary to establish the sovereignty of the Widows Sons within all jurisdictions from any and all outside regulatory influence. The Alliance also disavows and repudiates any claims to have power or control in any member jurisdiction. The Alliance exists as a means to communicate with, inform, and support the governing bodies of its member jurisdictions. It will NEVER dictate terms or orders to member jurisdictions. 2
CONSTITUTION Article 1: Name Section 1 This organization shall be known as the Alliance Widows Sons MRA Worldwide inc., hereafter known as The Alliance, a not for profit organization with the principle mailing address of: Widows Sons Alliance Bob Rathbun 5308 MacChonanchy St. Virginia Beach, VA 24364-8115 Section 2 The governing authority of The Widows Sons MRA Alliance. shall be the Widows Sons Alliance Council The Council shall be comprised of the President of each Jurisdiction or duly appointed representative. The Regional Coordinators and Jurisprudence/ Bylaw Committee Chairman shall be appointed positions. These appointments shall be for one (1) year and shall not have voting rights unless appointed person is also their jurisdictions representative. All actions taken by the Council shall require a majority vote of the Presidents or duly appointed representatives. The Council Officers shall be comprised of a Alliance President, Alliance Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Guardian of Membership, Chaplain, Sergeant-at-Arms, Regional Coordinators, Jurisprudence/ Bylaw Committee Chairman and the remaining Presidents as Council members. The offices of President, Vice President,Secretary, Treasurer, Guardian of Membership, and Sergeant-at -Arms shall be filled through open nomination and majority election by the jurisdictions with the remaining offices of Regional Coordinators, Chaplain and Jurisprudence/Bylaw Committee Chairman being President appointed. Elections shall take place every other year. Nominations shall be submitted electronically to the Secretary two (2) months before elections taking place. Elections shall be held the month prior to St. John the Evangelist Day results being submitted electronically to the Secretary to be published on the 1 st of the month of January or within 30 days of a vacancy in any of the offices. Each Jurisdiction shall have (1) delegate to consist of the current President or Representative to be elected by majority vote of that Jurisdictions s leadership. A member other than a President or Representative shall hold only appointed positions. The Council members shall be required to meet a minimum of once every six calendar months to conduct association business. Additional meetings may be conducted at need. Article 2: Purpose The purpose of the Widows Sons MRA Alliance Worldwide is to combine our love and dedication to the Masonic way of life and our passion for motorcycling to provide further Fellowship among the brethren. Section 1 3
It shall be the object of this organization to receive, manage, invest, expend or otherwise use the funds and property of this organization to achieve the objectives set forth in this constitution and for such additional purposes and objects not inconsistent therewith as will further the interests of this organization, and its members directly or indirectly. Section 2 It shall be the goal and objective of The Widows Sons Alliance Council to persuade and encourage all chartered Widows Sons chapters under its parent chapter jurisdiction to encourage their membership to remain in good standing in the records of their Blue Lodge, to engage in proper conduct, and reasonable and legal activities designed to persuade the public opinion of the desirability of Widows Sons MRA. It shall be the objective of the Alliance Council to obtain proper, reasonable and legal means whereby we may protect the Widows Sons MRA from any threat caused by person(s) outside or within any chapter. Section 3 This organization shall not engage in political, religious or any activities that promote separation rather than unity, or cause disharmony within the Organization. It is the duty of the President to cease any activity within that may cause disagreement or controversy. No member shall wear support apparel for any 1% club or organization or any other motorcycle club or riding club while wearing the Widows Sons logo. Article 3: Membership Section 1 This organization shall be composed of Presidents and Representatives under the jurisdiction of their Widows Sons Ruling Body. Section 2 Each member of this organization shall have equal rights and privileges in connection with attending meetings and the participation in the deliberations of such meetings. Each jurisdiction shall have two (2) delegates, which shall attend two (2) stated meetings per year of The Widows Sons Alliance Council. Article 4: Officers Section 1 The President of The Widows Sons Alliance Council shall be the General President of the Widows Sons MRA Alliance. He shall enforce all provisions of the constitution and bylaws. The President shall have the power to establish such committees he may deem 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 will be the Chairman of all committees. The Presidents of all affiliated jurisdictions shall hold regular annual communication with the President of the 4
Alliance Council. The President shall have the power to appoint Regional Coordinators, and Jurisprudence/Bylaw Committee Chairman. The President shall have the power to appoint as he sees the need for a new position. The President shall have the power to rescind any appointments at his discretion. Section 2 The Vice-President, in absence of the President, shall preside and perform all duties pertaining to the office of the President, and render such assistance as may be required. Section 3 The Secretary shall keep current records of the proceedings of the Alliance and shall keep a separate account and register for each member jurisdiction of the Alliance. He shall conduct all official association correspondence under the direction of the President. He shall issue all notices when directed. He shall receive all monies paid into the Association 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 Treasurer shall have charge of the funds of the association 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 meeting. The Treasurer shall take over the duties of the President in the absence of the President, Vice President and Secretary. Section 4 The Guardian of Membership (GOM) is responsible for maintaining the contact list of all members of the Alliance, Presidents list, State and Region Ambassadors list, Alliance Officers list to include name, email address and telephone number. It is the GOM s responsibility to track down incorrect email addresses and to maintain up-to-date state, province, and country presidents of the Widows Sons. The Guardian of Membership is also responsible for forwarding all information from the President and Secretary to the total membership, including conference call information, minutes and any other information required The Sergeant-at-Arms shall be responsible for accommodating visiting brethren, superintending the membership during meetings, and assisting the Guardian-of-Membership in the performance of his duties. Section 5 The Corporate board members will be composed of the Elected officers of the Alliance Council as well as the Appointed Ambassador 5
Article 5: Elections An Election of Officers is to be conducted every two years during the Biennial Meeting. The Biennial Meeting of the Widows Sons Alliance is heretofore designated as the 27th of November. Elected and appointed officers shall assume their duties as of St. John the Evangelist s Day.The order of elections shall be: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Guardian of Membership, and Sergeant-at-Arms. Section 1 Any brother in good standing may be considered for the office Alliance Presidents Council President. Candidates must declare their intent to run for office no less than two (2) months prior to the Biennial Meeting. Each President-elect must fill appointed offices no later than 30 days after taking office. Section 2 In cases where only one qualified candidate has been nominated for office, the candidate shall be declared elected by acclamation. When more than one candidate has been nominated for office, balloting shall be conducted by paper ballot. A simple majority shall elect candidates. In the case of a tie or deadlock, a ballot may occur up to three (3) times. All members present are required to vote. A committee of three (3), none of which are candidates for any current office, shall count ballots. No member may leave the premises or communicate secretly or otherwise with any other member while elections are in progress. Section 3 Any offices vacated due to resignation, the forced removal of an officer, or because an officer is unable to complete his term, shall be filled by special election. The President shall set the date for any special elections. The secretary, no later than 2 weeks prior to the special election, must notify in writing or in person, all members of the upcoming election. If only one candidate is nominated for the special election then he will be declared elected by acclamation at the special meeting for that election. Section 4 Elected officers who are unable to attend annual meetings or special elections may vote by write-in ballot. Write-in ballots must be delivered to the secretary no later than 3 days prior to an election. Article 7: Meetings Section 1 The annual meeting shall be held on the First Sunday of December.. Special meetings may be called at the discretion of the President. Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the Roberts Rules of Order. Any Officer who cannot attend must notify the President, Vice-President, or Secretary of his absence. Section 2 6
Regular Meetings may be attended by any member.. Exceptions to this article can be made for Special Event meetings, non-stated or special business meetings, where guests may be invited to participate in or otherwise support the planning and execution of an event. Section 3 When a member is traveling, he shall strive to make contact and visit other Chapters in the area of his travels if within his power to do so. Section 4 All votes must be conducted at a Meeting of the Alliance. Votes will be carried by the majority of the members present at the meeting. If a Special Meeting is called by the President then a vote may be conducted on the subject of the meeting. If a Special Meeting is called members will be given due and timely notice. Votes may be cast by proxy by any member by notifying the Secretary and President of the Chapter in writing. Article 12: FINANCES Section 1 Initiation into the Alliance will be a one time assessment of $2 per member of that jurisdiction due on ratification of these Articles of Incorporation by that Jurisdiction. Section 2 The dues of the Widows Sons MRA Alliance shall be voted on by the membership of the Alliance on an annual basis, with no requirement that dues be levied unless passed by a majority vote of the Alliance. Article 14: CHARGES AND DISPUTES Section 1 Elected Officers serve at the will and pleasure of the membership, elected officers may be removed from their office for reasons that prove detrimental to the Alliance, at any regularly stated meeting, upon a properly made motion to remove and a proper second. Discussion of the motion, up to 30 minutes is allowed, after which a vote shall be taken. The Secretary will keep track of the discussion time, if any, and will count hands for and against a motion to remove. A vote of at least two-thirds of those members in good standing present in person, or by proxy, shall be required to sustain a removal. Article 15: PROPERTY Section 1 7
All Official Documents pertaining to the existence and survival of The Widows Sons Alliance and properties of The Widows Sons Alliance Presidents Council will be kept in a secure safe location under the care of the Secretary. Article 16: MEMBERSHIP PLEDGE We pledge that as members of the Widows Sons MRA, we above all others, shall set a good example and never bring dishonor to the Widows Sons MRA, Freemasonry, or ourselves. We pledge that we will support our brethren in the Widows Sons regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin, and will never knowingly bring reproach upon a fellow brother of the Widows Sons MRA. We pledge to combat any forces, which would seek to undermine or bring reproach upon the Widows Sons Motorcycle Organization or its members, and we shall always strive to bring respect and dignity to the Widows Sons MRA. Originally Approved and Adopted on July 30th 2015 8
By signing this all Parties agree to adhere to the By-Laws in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the Widows Sons Masonic Riding Association Alliance Council. Accepted and Signed Upon By: President: Print Sign Vice- President: Print Sign Secretary: Print Sign Treasurer: Print Sign 9