Beverly-Riverside Lodge No. 107

Meeting date: 15th October 2026  Start time: 1930 __________

• Opening — 

  • Open Lodge: welcome Brethren and visitors. 

• Minutes—

  • Review as spread September 17, 2026 minutes; corrections and approval.

• Communications—

  • Secretary's correspondence and announcements.

• Treasurer/bills—

  • Report, expense questions, approval of report and payment of bills. 

• Health and sickness — 

• Birthdays 

• FC Club—

  • Scheduled: Nov. 14 Beef & Beer for the Education Fund; confirm volunteers and arrangements. 

  • Souper Bowl: Saturday before the Super Bowl; 

• Hall Trustees: 

  • dining hall restoration progress, 

  • remaining work and costs; 

  • status of approved fire-sensor replacement. 

• Lodge Trustees—

  • Report any recommendations requiring action. 

• Entertainment 

  • Jack the Ripper - A Freemason?

• Old Business 

  • Proposed bylaws—October vote announced in September; review published amendments, discussion, motion, and vote. Record result: __________ 

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• New Business

• Grand Lodge Hospitality Room—volunteers report to Scott Daily

• Grand Lodge dinner—Angelo's; attendees to email the WM. 

• Master Mason Degree—Scheduled: Oct. 22; dinner 6:00 PM, degree 7:00 PM. 

  • Six craftsmen needed;

• The Symbols of the Silver Screen—Scheduled: moved from Nov. 7 to January 9 

  • 
    

Closing—Recap decisions, assignments, and deadlines; close Lodge.  

ByLaw Modifications for voting in October 2026

Section 1(d) is being added to establish specific authority for the Lodge to create and maintain an operating account for the payment of normal and recurring Lodge expenses.

Under the current bylaws, no specific provision exists for an operating account. Technically, the existing language directs Lodge funds to be placed in savings accounts or Dividend Reinvestment Plans (DRIPs), which does not adequately address the Lodge’s need for readily available funds to conduct its day-to-day business.

The proposed addition corrects this oversight by formally recognizing an operating account as an authorized financial account of the Lodge. This will allow funds necessary for routine expenses and obligations to remain readily accessible while preserving the existing requirements governing the investment and management of other Lodge funds.

Section 1(e) provides the Worshipful Master, Treasurer, Secretary, and Lodge Trustees, acting by majority vote, with the authority to make emergency decisions regarding the allocation or reallocation of Lodge funds when circumstances require timely action.

This addition recognizes that the electronic nature and speed of modern financial transactions and investments may occasionally require action before the Lodge can reasonably convene and conduct a formal vote. Under the current By-Laws, a majority vote of the Lodge is required before funds can be reallocated. This amendment provides a practical method for emergency financial management while maintaining oversight through the requirement of a majority vote among the designated officers and Trustees.

Section 1(f) contains no substantive change to the duties or responsibilities established by the By-Laws. The section was revised for grammatical clarity and sentence structure. The phrase “report in writing” was moved to the beginning of the sentence so that the reporting requirement is stated clearly and immediately.

Article 8.  The Dissolution Clause is an exact copy of the dissolution language required by the Grand Lodge and has been incorporated into our Lodge By-Laws to satisfy the requirements for obtaining a New Jersey Charitable Registration and Investigation Section (NJ CRI) identification/control number.

The purpose of adding this clause is primarily administrative and regulatory. Having the required dissolution language in our By-Laws allows the Lodge to meet the necessary qualifications for conducting authorized charitable gaming activities, including 50/50 drawings and raffles, in accordance with New Jersey law.

The clause also establishes how the Lodge’s remaining assets would be handled in the unlikely event that the Lodge were ever dissolved. Its inclusion does not change the normal operation or governance of the Lodge; rather, it ensures that our By-Laws contain the required provisions necessary to obtain the appropriate State authorization for lawful fundraising activities.

Article 9.  An indemnification clause is a provision in the By-Laws intended to protect a member from personal liability when that member, acting in good faith and with proper authority, performs duties or takes actions on behalf of the Lodge.

In practical terms, if a member is carrying out an authorized Lodge activity, including charitable work or other activities intended to benefit the Lodge or community, the member should not personally bear the legal and financial burden resulting from those actions. When applicable, the Lodge’s insurance coverage should provide a defense for both the Lodge and the member involved.

Indemnification does not protect a member who intentionally violates the law, commits fraud or willful misconduct, or acts outside the authority granted by the Lodge. It is designed to protect members who are legitimately acting on behalf of the Lodge and within the scope of their assigned or authorized responsibilities.

Proposed to be reviewed by Bylaw Committee

Article 4

Trustees

Section 1d.  Certain funds shall be designated as an operating account, and that amount shall be adjusted yearly with the submission of the budget, which shall allow for fluctuations in the financial condition of the lodge. Funds exceeding the operating account dollar threshold can be deposited in FDIC-insured certificates of deposit, treasury bonds, mutual funds, or exchange-traded funds, DRIP at the most favorable rate available.  These investment funds shall emphasize low costs, long-term growth, and fiduciary responsibility in the management of invested funds.  

Section 1e.  All allocations, movements, investments, and rollovers require approval by the lodge at a regular business meeting, except in cases of financial emergency, in which a majority vote of the Worshipful Master, Treasurer, Secretary, and Lodge Trustees may authorize a movement of funds for the security and benefit of the lodge. A full report shall be immediately produced and recorded regarding the reasoning and disposition, and it shall be noted in the minutes of the next communication of the Lodge.

Article 8

      Dissolution

Section 1.  In accordance with the bylaws of the Grand Lodge, particularly Section 7, Part 17, Paragraph (a), the disposition of lodge assets shall be governed following the arrest or surrender of a warrant. If a lodge's warrant is permanently revoked or voluntarily relinquished, the provisions of this section shall govern the distribution of its assets, referred to as the dissolved lodge. The affairs of the dissolved Lodge shall be managed by the Grand Lodge Trustees. Following the settlement of all outstanding obligations, the assets of the dissolved lodge shall be allocated to the lodges within the State of New Jersey that the members of the dissolved lodge select to affiliate with. The members of the dissolved lodge shall inform the Grand Lodge of their subsequent membership within a period not exceeding six months from the date of arrest or surrender of the warrant of the dissolved lodge.

Article 9

Indemnification and Liability

Section 1.   The Lodge shall indemnify trustees, officers, employees, and agents to the fullest extent permitted by New Jersey law, including mandatory indemnification when successfully defending against claims (N.J.S.A. 15A:3-4).

Section 2.  To the extent permitted by law, trustees and officers shall not be personally liable for damages for breach of duty, except for acts involving breach of loyalty, bad faith, knowing violations of law, or receipt of improper personal benefits.

Section 3.    This Article shall have full retroactive effect.

Brethren,

Due to a variety of scheduling considerations, and by majority agreement of the officers and participants, October 22 will fit much more comfortably into everyone’s schedule.

Brother Ente’s culinary skills will be on full display for the evening, and we are still in search of those nine wandering Craftsmen needed to complete the work.  If you happen to come across 9 weary Masons looking for a good cooked meal after a full day of swing chisel and hammer, please contact csvalenza@gmail.com or text me directly at 856-275-3246 

If you are available to assist, please let me know.

Fraternally,

Christian Valenza
Worshipful Master
Beverly-Riverside Lodge No. 107

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Brother George Weil, who passed away this afternoon from complications of meningococcal meningitis.

Born on March 14, 1977, Brother George was one of the hardest-working Masons in our fraternity. Despite the challenges he faced with his disabilities, his dedication to the Craft and his willingness to serve were an inspiration to his Brothers.

He served in the Navy aboard a fast frigate, cruising the Mediterranean Sea, and was, as he might have put it, “shanghaied” into a USMC Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) team. In civilian life, he continued serving others as a police officer and firefighter.

As a Mason, George set the bar high. Raised on November 2, 2023, he was a powerhouse from day one. When something needed doing, he didn’t wait to be asked—he simply got it done.

He was far too young to leave us, but perhaps the Great Architect of the Universe decided He needed Brother George upstairs to help straighten things out. Those who knew George can imagine him getting right to work, cussing a few words here and there, but determined not to quit until every assignment was accomplished.

As Worshipful Master, I considered him my “Chief of the Boat,” and the pain of his passing is beyond what words can express.

Masonic funeral rites will be held, and arrangements will be announced as soon as they are finalized. Please keep his family, friends, and your Brothers in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Rest in peace, Brother George. Your work, your fellowship, and your example will not be forgotten.

Brothers, please completely open the email; it is the only way to verify your email is correct.  

The emails sent through the Grand Lodge's dedicated email server only record when an email has been fully opened. Unlike a website, which can record a visit automatically, we only receive confirmation when the recipient opens the email.

At this time, only 37 emails have been confirmed as opened. Without a more accurate method of verifying email addresses, we are forced to send confirmation letters through the U.S. Mail. The cost is approximately $1.75 per person, which includes postage, printing, and a return envelope for members to confirm their current email address.  This would cost the lodge $271 in budgeted costs, but we can avoid this expense.

Lodge Picnic 25th of July  2 pm till ...

If you have not RSVP please do ASAP. We are trying to get an accurate count for food, bring a desert for 4, or we might as well have a bake sale LOL,   The pool is 85 degrees; horseshoes are set up along with other games, good music and BYOB.  See you there 

The May 8th Cornhole Tournament has been cancelled.  Per the American Cornhole Association rules, a minimum of 24 players is required for the tournament to qualify toward Nationals. At this time, we have not reached the required participation numbers.

For those who asked, the planned prize pool was:

🥇 1st Place – $150

🥈 2nd Place – $90

🥉 3rd Place – $60

We appreciate everyone who showed interest and support, and we hope to organize another tournament in the future with stronger participation. Thank you for understanding.

RW John Bradshaw sent out this for all members,  

I have a friend who is a volunteer for a soup kitchen in Pemberton. She recently updated me on the “tent” communities there, living out in the cold, mostly vets and working poor. They are really in a bad way, and the soup kitchen there needs food. They are servicing more people than ever now, and the winter weather has brought fewer donations for this tragically needy group. John and I are collecting food to be picked up by my friend’s husband on Friday, February 20. If anyone is interested in donating,  please drop your donation off at the Lodge or to us by Thursday, February 19. (14 Medoc Court, Marlton) We will pick up your donation if you can’t get here by then. Thanks for your help! I was astounded to be reminded of this horrific issue that many Americans are now facing.

Jann and John Bradshaw

WM opened the Lodge on the MM at 7:49pm 

WM introduced the Grand officers: RW J Megariotis ASttGM,  RW R Buddy Raymond AtGM, RW S Daily JGS, RW T Cole DRI,  RW Christian Stebbins DEO

SD introduced visiting brothers

Minutes were accepted as corrected 

Communications were read

Bills were read

Br Schulze made a motion to pay the bills                                                            2^nd Br Baker                                                                                                          Passed

WBr Maslanik made a motion to pay the reoccurring monthly bills if with in range of the budget                      2^nd RWB Stebbins 

Passed

The treasurer's report was read and accepted as read

Br Ente requested to approach the east and present the Traveling gavel back to the WM and Beverly-Riverside lodge. Br Ente affixed the brass strip to the gavel. The lodge won the traveling gavel award for 2025

WM placed the lodge on refreshment and in charge of the JW in the south

WBr Weston set up the lodge to play Masonic trivia

Teams picked to play were:

Team #1 Br Dydek, RWB Daily, Br Fernandes

Team #2 Br Barone, WBr Ingrum, Br Schwartz

Any team member who answered a question correctly won a prize

Team #2 won the trivia with 8 points

WM called the lodge off refreshment and at labor on the MM

Br Weil announced the winners of the Chili cook off

1^st WBr Ingrum

2^nd WBr Maslanik

3^rd Br Barone

Committee reports

WBr Westhoven reported on Membership

Br Gazaway gave a Hall trustees report

Br Schulze Jr reported on the FC Club

Br Lastique gave a Fund-Raising report

New Business

WBr. Westhoven made a motion to donate $200 to the FC Club for baskets for the St. Patty party                 2^nd Br Weil                                                                                                        

Passed

WM talked about changes to the By-Laws regarding Lodge Trustees

WM ask for the brothers’ help to serve dinner at the Medford OES reception at the lodge

Sickness & Distress

RWBr Bradshaw was back in the hospital

Shron Schulze, wife of DBr Schulze Sr was back home after a visit to the hospital

Announcements

RWBr Daily announced the 19^th Beefsteak dinner would be March 21^st and 19^th scholarships were available

WBr Chadwick announced Medford lodge would be going to the Pennsylvania Grand lodge building on February 7^th and all were welcome to tag along

WM closed the lodge at 9:30pm

Respectfully submitted

Timothy L Cole, PM                                                                 

Secretary