(a) A domestic society may amend its laws in accordance with the provisions thereof by action of its supreme governing body at any regular or special meeting thereof or, if its laws so provide, by referendum. The referendum may be held in accordance with its laws by the vote of the voting members of the society, by the vote of delegates or representative of voting members, or by the vote of local lodges. A society may provide for voting by mail. No amendment submitted for adoption by referendum shall be adopted unless, within six (6) months from the date of submission of the amendment, a majority of the members voting have signified their consent to the amendment by one (1) of the methods specified in this section.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 56-25-302
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.
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.
Foreign: when used without limitation, includes all companies formed by authority of any other state or government. See Tennessee Code 56-1-102
Laws: means the society's articles of incorporation, charter, constitution and bylaws, however designated. See Tennessee Code 56-25-104
Representative: when applied to those who represent a decedent, includes executors and administrators, unless the context implies heirs and distributees. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Society: means fraternal benefit society, unless otherwise indicated. See Tennessee Code 56-25-104
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b) All amendments to the laws of any domestic society shall be filed with the commissioner and shall become operative upon the filing unless a later time be provided in the amendments or in laws of the society.(c) Within ninety (90) days from the effective date of the amendment, all the amendments, or a synopsis thereof, shall be furnished to all members of the society either by mail or publication in full in the official publication of the society. The affidavit of any officer of the society or of anyone authorized by it to mail any amendments or synopsis, stating facts that show that same have been duly addressed and mailed, shall be prima facie evidence that the amendments or synopsis have been furnished the addressee.(d) Every 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 ninety (90) days after the enactment of the amendments.(e) Printed copies of the laws as amended, certified by the secretary or corresponding officer of the society, shall be prima facie evidence of the legal adoption of the laws.
