Seven or more United States citizens, a majority of whom are citizens of this state, who desire to form a fraternal benefit society, may make, sign, and acknowledge articles of incorporation before an officer competent to take acknowledgment of deeds. The articles of incorporation shall state:
(a) The proposed corporate name of the society, which shall not so closely resemble the name of any society or insurance company as to be misleading or confusing.
(b) The purposes for which it is being formed, and the mode in which its corporate powers are to be exercised.
The purposes shall not include more liberal powers than are granted by this chapter, provided that any lawful, social, intellectual, educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, or religious purposes shall be set forth among the purposes of the society.
(c) The names and residences of the incorporators, and the names, residences and official titles of all the officers, trustees, directors, or other persons who are to have and exercise the general control of the management of the affairs and funds of the society for the first year, or until the ensuing election at which all officers shall be elected by the supreme legislative or governing body. The election shall be held within one year of the date of the issuance of the permanent certificate.
(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 166, Sec. 2. Effective January 1, 1996.)