In this chapter,
(1) “alien society” means a society formed under the laws other than those of the United States of America, its states, territories, or the District of Columbia;
(2) “benefit contract” means the agreement for provision of benefits authorized by AS 21.84.201, as that agreement is described in AS 21.84.255(a);
(3) “benefit member” means an adult member who is designated by the laws or rules of the society to be a benefit member under a benefit contract;
(4) “certificate” means the document issued as written evidence of the benefit contract;
(5) “domestic society” means a society formed under the laws of this state;
(6) “foreign society” means a society formed under the laws of another state, a territory belonging to the United States of America, or the District of Columbia;
(7) “fraternal benefit society” means an incorporated society, order, or supreme lodge, without capital stock, including one exempted under AS 21.84.700(a)(2), whether incorporated or not, that is conducted solely for the benefit of its members and their beneficiaries and not for profit, that is operated on a lodge system with ritualistic form of work, that has a representative form of government, and that makes provision for the payment of benefits under this chapter;
(8) “laws” means the society's articles of incorporation, constitution, and bylaws, however designated;
(9) “lodge” means subordinate member units of the society known as camps, courts, councils, branches, or another designation;
(10) “lodge system” means a society having a supreme governing body and subordinate lodges into which members are elected, initiated, or admitted under its laws, ritual, and rules; subordinate lodges are required by the laws of the society to hold regular meetings at least once in each month in furtherance of the purposes of the society;
(11) “premiums” means rates, dues, or other required contribution by whatever name known that are payable under the certificate;
(12) “rules” means all rules, regulations, or resolutions adopted by the supreme governing body or board of directors that are intended to have general application to the members of the society;
(13) “society,” unless otherwise indicated, means a fraternal benefit society.