(A) The principal place of business and primary executive, administrative, and home offices and all original books and records of a domestic society must be located and maintained in this State. The meetings of its supreme governing body may be held in a state, district, province, or territory in which the society has at least one subordinate lodge, or in another location as determined by the supreme governing body, and all business transacted at these meetings is as valid in all respects as if these meetings were held in this State. The minutes of the proceedings of the supreme governing body and of the board of directors must be in the English language.

(B)(1) A society may provide in its bylaws for an official publication in which a notice, report, or statement required by law to be given to members, including notice of election, may be published. These required reports, notices, and statements must be printed conspicuously in the publication. If the records of a society show that two or more members have the same mailing address, an official publication mailed to one member must be deemed to be mailed to all members at the same address, unless a member requests a separate copy.

Terms Used In South Carolina Code 38-38-120

  • Benefit member: means an adult member who is designated by the bylaws or rules of the society to be a benefit member under a benefit contract. See South Carolina Code 38-38-40
  • Bylaws: means the society's articles of incorporation, constitution, and bylaws, however designated. See South Carolina Code 38-38-40
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Lodge: means subordinate member units of the society, known as camps, courts, councils, branches, or by any other designation. See South Carolina Code 38-38-40
  • Rules: means all rules, regulations, or resolutions adopted by the supreme governing body or board of directors which are intended to have general application to the members of the society. See South Carolina Code 38-38-40
  • Society: means fraternal benefit society, unless otherwise indicated. See South Carolina Code 38-38-40

(2) Not later than June first of each year, a synopsis of the society’s annual statement providing an explanation of the facts concerning the condition of the society must be printed and mailed to each benefit member of the society, or the synopsis may be published in the society’s official publication.

(C) A society may provide in its bylaws or rules for grievance or complaint procedures for members.