“Representative form of government” defined. “Representative form of government” means that form of government which a society has when:
1. It has a supreme governing body which is:
(a) An assembly composed of delegates elected either directly by the members of the society or at intermediate assemblies or conventions of members or their representatives, and such other delegates as prescribed in the laws of the society; or
(b) A board composed of persons elected by the members of the society, either directly or by their representatives in intermediate assemblies, and such other persons as prescribed in the laws of the society.
2. If its supreme governing body is an assembly:
(a) The elected delegates constitute a majority in number, have a majority of the votes and have not less than the number of votes necessary to amend the laws of the society;
(b) The election of delegates is done in person or by mail, as prescribed in the laws of the society;
(c) The assembly is elected and meets not less than once every 4 years;
(d) A board of directors is elected by the assembly to conduct the business of the society in the interim between meetings of the assembly; and
(e) Vacancies on the board of directors are filled in the manner prescribed in the laws of the society.
3. If its supreme governing body is a board:
(a) The persons elected to the board constitute a majority in number, have a majority of the votes and have not less than the number of votes necessary to amend the laws of the society;
(b) The election of the members of the board is done in person or by mail, as prescribed in the laws of the society;
(c) The term of any member of the board does not exceed 4 years;
(d) The board meets not less than quarterly to conduct the business of the society;
(e) Vacancies on the board are filled in the manner prescribed in the laws of the society; and
(f) A person filling the unexpired term of an elected member of the board is considered to be an elected member.
4. The officers of the society are elected either by the supreme governing body or by the board of directors.
5. Only benefit members are eligible for election to the supreme governing body, the board of directors or any intermediate assembly.
6. Each member who is entitled to vote has only one vote, and votes are not cast by proxy.
Last modified: February 27, 2006