Section 3921.04 - Representative form of governmentFor purposes of section 3921.02 of the Revised Code, a fraternal benefit society has a representative form of government if all of the following apply:
(A) The society has a supreme governing body constituted in either of the following ways: (1) As 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 by the society's laws. A society may provide for election of delegates by mail. The elected delegates shall constitute a majority in number, and shall not have less than a majority 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 years, and shall elect a board of directors to conduct the business of the society between meetings of the assembly. Vacancies on the board occurring between elections shall be filled in the manner prescribed by the society's laws.(2) As a board composed of persons elected by the members, either directly or by their representatives in intermediate assemblies, and any other persons prescribed by the society's laws. A society may provide for election of the board by mail. 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. Terms of office shall not exceed four years. The board shall meet at least quarterly to conduct the business of the society. Vacancies on the board occurring between elections shall be filled in the manner prescribed by the society's laws. A person filling the unexpired term of an elected board member shall be considered an elected member.
(B) The officers of the society are elected by the supreme governing body or the board of directors.(C) Only benefit members are eligible for election to the supreme governing body, the board of directors, or any intermediate assembly.(D) Each voting member has one vote, and no vote may be cast by proxy.Effective Date: 1/1/1997 .