(1) A domestic society may amend its laws, as its laws provide, by action of its supreme governing body at any regular or special meeting or, if its laws so provide, by referendum. A referendum may be held in accordance with the provisions of the society’s laws by the vote of the voting members of the society, by the vote of delegates or representatives of voting members, or by the vote of local lodges. A society may provide for voting by mail. An amendment submitted for adoption by referendum shall not be adopted unless, within 6 months from the date of submission of the amendment, a majority of the members voting shall have signified their consent to the amendment by 1 of the methods specified in this subsection.
  (2) An amendment to the laws of any domestic society shall not take effect unless approved by the commissioner. The commissioner shall approve an amendment if the commissioner finds that the amendment has been duly adopted and is not inconsistent with any requirement of the laws of this state or with the character, objects, and purposes of the society. Unless the commissioner disapproves an amendment within 60 days after the filing of the amendment, the amendment shall be considered approved. The approval or disapproval of the commissioner shall be in writing and mailed to the secretary or corresponding officer of the society at its principal office. If the commissioner disapproves an amendment, the reasons for the disapproval shall be stated in the written notice.

Terms Used In Michigan Laws 500.8174

  • Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
  • Amendment: A proposal to alter the text of a pending bill or other measure by striking out some of it, by inserting new language, or both. Before an amendment becomes part of the measure, thelegislature must agree to it.
  • Commissioner: means the director. See Michigan Laws 500.102
  • Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
  • in writing: shall be construed to include printing, engraving, and lithographing; except that if the written signature of a person is required by law, the signature shall be the proper handwriting of the person or, if the person is unable to write, the person's proper mark, which may be, unless otherwise expressly prohibited by law, a clear and classifiable fingerprint of the person made with ink or another substance. See Michigan Laws 8.3q
  • Laws: means the society's articles of incorporation, constitution, and bylaws, however designated. See Michigan Laws 500.8161
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, shall be construed to extend to and include the District of Columbia and the several territories belonging to the United States; and the words "United States" shall be construed to include the district and territories. See Michigan Laws 8.3o
  (3) Within 90 days from an amendment’s approval by the commissioner, each amendment, or a synopsis of each amendment, shall be furnished to each society member either by mail or by publication in full in the society’s official publication. The affidavit of a society officer or of anyone authorized by the society to mail an amendment or synopsis of an amendment stating facts that show the amendment or synopsis has been duly addressed and mailed, shall be prima facie evidence that the amendment or synopsis has been furnished the addressee.
  (4) Each foreign or alien society authorized to do business in this state shall file with the commissioner a duly certified copy of all amendments of, or additions to, its laws within 90 days after its enactment.
  (5) Printed copies of the amended laws, certified by the society’s secretary or its corresponding officer, shall be prima facie evidence of their legal adoption.