§ 27-25-3. Representative form of government.
A society has a representative form of government when:
(1) It has a supreme governing body constituted in one of the following ways:
(i) Assembly. The supreme governing body is an assembly composed of delegates elected directly by the members or at intermediate assemblies or conventions of members or their representatives, together with other delegates as may be prescribed in the society’s laws. A society may provide for the election of delegates by mail. The elected delegates shall constitute a majority in number and shall not have less than two-thirds (⅔) of the votes and not less than the number of votes required to amend the society’s laws. The assembly shall be elected and shall meet at least once every four (4) years and shall elect a board of directors to conduct the business of the society between meetings of the assembly. Vacancies on the board of directors between elections may be filled in the manner prescribed by the society’s laws; or
(ii) Direct election. The supreme governing body is a board composed of persons elected by the members, either directly or by their representatives in intermediate assemblies, and any other persons prescribed in the society’s laws. A society may provide for the election of the board by mail. Each term of a board member may not exceed four (4) years. Vacancies on the board between elections may be filled in the manner prescribed by the society’s laws. Those persons elected to the board shall constitute a majority in number and not less than the number of votes required to amend the society’s laws. A person filling the unexpired term of an elected board member shall be considered an elected member. The board shall meet at least quarterly to conduct the business of the society;
(2) The officers of the society are elected either by the supreme governing body or by the board of directors;
(3) Only benefit members are eligible for election to the supreme governing body, the board of directors, or any intermediate assembly; and
(4) Each voting member shall have one vote; no vote may be cast by proxy.
History of Section.P.L. 1984, ch. 201, § 2.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 27-25 - Rhode Island Fraternal Code
Section 27-25-1. - Fraternal benefit societies.
Section 27-25-2. - Lodge system.
Section 27-25-3. - Representative form of government.
Section 27-25-4. - Definitions.
Section 27-25-5. - Purposes and powers.
Section 27-25-6. - Qualifications for membership.
Section 27-25-8. - No personal liability.
Section 27-25-10. - Organization.
Section 27-25-11. - Amendments to laws.
Section 27-25-12. - Institutions.
Section 27-25-13. - Reinsurance.
Section 27-25-14. - Consolidations and mergers.
Section 27-25-15. - Conversion of fraternal benefit society into mutual life insurance company.
Section 27-25-17. - Beneficiaries.
Section 27-25-18. - Benefits not attachable.
Section 27-25-19. - The benefit contract.
Section 27-25-21. - Investments.
Section 27-25-23. - Exemptions.
Section 27-25-25. - Valuation.
Section 27-25-27. - Annual license.
Section 27-25-28. - Examination of societies — No adverse publication.
Section 27-25-29. - Foreign or alien society — Admission.
Section 27-25-30. - Injunction — Liquidation — Receivership of domestic society.
Section 27-25-31. - Suspension, revocation, or refusal of license of foreign or alien society.
Section 27-25-32. - Injunction.
Section 27-25-33. - Licensing of insurance producers.
Section 27-25-34. - Unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts and practices.
Section 27-25-35. - Service of process.
Section 27-25-37. - Penalties.
Section 27-25-38. - Exemption of certain societies.
Section 27-25-39. - Reciprocal fees and charges.
Section 27-25-40. - Payments of commissions to other than agent or insurance producer forbidden.
Section 27-25-41. - Payment of benefits other than insurance benefits.
Section 27-25-42. - Severability.