Frequently Asked Questions |
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What does Sanctum Sanctorum mean? sanctum sanc·to·rum (sngk-tôrm, -tr-)
Who are the Widows Sons? We are an International Masonic Motorcycle Association comprised of Freemasons,
their friends and family members. The The Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association is an International Association which is open to all Masons who enjoy the sport of motorcycling and have a desire to ride with and associate with their fraternal brothers. Our goal is to: Introduce the sport of motorcycling to our Masonic Brothers Raise Masonic Awareness in the world of sport motorcycling Contribute to the relief of our Widows & Orphans Support the Blue Lodge through regular attendance, and assisting with or attending lodge events. While we wear identifying patches or regalia, the Widows Sons are not a gang, MC, 1% Club. We are required to represent the fraternity in a positive light at all times. The Widows Sons serve as a Masonic Booster Club by helping to raise Masonic Awareness while we attend public motorcycling events, and by supporting our Blue Lodges in whatever capacity we are able. Widows Sons chapters have helped to increase Masonic membership through our presence and visibility during public motorcycle events and rally's. In every location where we have a chapter, the Widows Sons have proven themselves to be a positive asset to the fraternity. Many of our chapters are proud to have current and past Grand Masters as members. We regularly attract new members to the fraternity, and several of our chapters have their own Degree Teams or volunteer in doing Masonic work whenever possible. Each Widows Sons chapter sponsors or participates in local charity runs or events. In all cases, we strive to present a positive image of Freemasonry and our Association to the public. The Widows Sons was conceived of and founded by Brother Carl Davenport PM, in the year 2000. Today we have active chapters throughout many States in the USA, Canada, and abroad. If you are interested in joining the Widows Sons, we would be happy to hear from you. Please see our page on Joining to find out how to join or form a chapter of your own.
We are always looking for people interested in joining our organization. We invite anybody interested in the issues and topics we focus our efforts on to join. Members must be able to dedicate enough time to participate and make a difference in the organization. The requirements are: You must be a master mason in good standing with your blue lodge. You must have a motorcycle over 500cc. You must have proof of motorcycle endorsement and insurance. NO EXCEPTIONS. Benefits of Joining There are several benefits to becoming a member of our organization.
Our members are close friends and we have a great time when we get together.
Of course we also have a common interest, riding and fellowship. We hope
to spread the values of masonry of further our cause. I would like to know more about the Widows Sons. Administration & Chapter Support The International Association is comprised of individual Grand Chapters and their subordinate chapters. Each Grand Chapter is autonomous or governs themselves according to what best insures their continued success. Each Grand Chapter is responsible for the formation of associate or sub-chapters within their state or country. They also determine what the policies are in regards to membership requirements, dues (if any), and all matters pertaining to the Widows Sons in their area. We have modeled ourselves in a similar fashion to Masonic Grand Lodges who determine the rules and By Laws of their jurisdictions, membership requirements, types of ritual used, etc. Each Grand Chapter is required to adhere to certain landmarks or the "spirit" and purpose of the Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association. Association-wide policy was set during our formation, and any future adjustments would come only if approved by the consent of a majority of our Grand Chapter representatives. In order to facilitate the formation of new Grand Chapters, we have brothers appointed who work as voluntary representatives in order to assist brethren in setting up new chapters. We offer guidance and advice in getting new chapters set up, then issue charters and facilitate them in ordering patches or Widows Sons regalia. Once a Grand Chapter has been chartered, our oversight of them ends. Each Grand Chapter is required to submit a copy of their By Laws and contact information to their respective Representative. Grand Chapters must maintain periodic contact with the Association. Our current Representatives are: Southern Jurisdiction- Scott Frum, (Bykota Chapter, Florida) Northern Jurisdiction- David Adams, (Arkansas Grand Chapter) New England Jurisdiction- Frank De Feo (Connecticut Grand Chapter) The Northern Jurisdiction of the International Widows Sons Masonic Riders Association encompasses the following States/Areas: PA, MD, D.C., VA, WV, OH, , IL, MI, WS, MN, MO, IA, KS, NE, SD, ND, ID,
WY, MT, OR, WA, AL, AR, AK, Canada, Western Europe. FL, GA, SC, NC, KY, TN, MS, AL, LA, TX, OK, AZ, NM, CO, AZ, NV, UT, CA, HI, IN, U.K-Scotland-Ireland-Wales, Caribbean, Mexico, South America. The New England Jurisdiction is responsible for the following states: ME, NH, VT, RI, CT, MA
The logo and concept of the Widows Sons Masonic Motorcycle Riders Association, Intl was conceived by Bro. Carl Davenport from Chicago, IL. One rainy Sunday morning, Bro. Carl awoke with the words Widows Sons deeply implanted in his head. The words revolved in his thoughts for several weeks and eventually coalesced into the image of a beautiful woman with a pale look on her face. He immediately knew the look was from fear and severe pain. The image kept coming into his thoughts at different times during those weeks allowing him to understand she was a beautiful woman who was having deep problems, but he was unable to see exactly what she looked like or who she was. Only an ashen faced beautiful woman to distant to see clearly. For several weeks he walked around with this image in his head and the words Widows Sons. The image and words revolved around in his thoughts each night before going to sleep. The image would not come in clearly enough to make it out completely, but it was ever present, while he slept, while he rode his motorcycle and at various times during the day. The image then slowly became more clear and its meaning slowly revealed itself to him. The beautiful woman was a widow, her face pale and strained with hurt and fear because of her loss and the uncertainty of her future. Bro. Carl then started to research information on the Widows Son. As he thought more and drew on his Masonic experiences he understood what the image represented. When a Master Mason is called to the Grand Lodge above, his widow always has a deep look of pain and at the same time is full of fear because of the unknown journey she will now undertake alone. She was obviously the Widow. And he decided she was the widow of a Master Mason because of his affinity for the Fraternity. He then spent untold hours trying to put the image he had seen on paper. All he understood at that time was that he should transfer this image onto paper along with the words Widows Sons. Bro. Carl had always wanted to form a Masonic motorcycle association. He thought it would carry well across the fraternity. And during this period he had started to put together a list on interested Brethren through the Masonic Biker website on www.mastermason.com. He very soon had a list of Masons and Masonic clubs listed. Everything was now in place for the forming of the Widows Sons Motorcycle Riders Association, Intl although Bro. Carl did not yet realize it. One day he was having a conversation with a fellow Brother from the Philippines and discussing motorcycles and Masonry and how Grand Lodges might view Masonic motorcycle associations. They decided they needed two things numbers (members) and a cause. It was at that moment that the entire concept including the logo came together in his head. The motorcycle association should be called the Widows Sons and they should aid and assist the widows of Masons whose faces were pale white from the pain of their loss and the fear of their future travels alone. At that point all confusion as to why the words Widows Sons and the image of the widow had come to him. Since that day the Widows Sons Motorcycle Riders Association, Intl has grown with chapters active and forming in several states in the U.S. and countries outside the U.S. The association is open to Masons who ride a motorcycle of 500 c.c. or larger and are in good standing in the records of their blue lodge (AF&AM or F&AM). There are also provisions for associate membership for non-Masons and Masons who do not ride.
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