IC 27-11-2
    Chapter 2. Structure and Purpose

IC 27-11-2-1
"Lodge system" defined; organization and operation of lodges forchildren
    Sec. 1. (a) A society is operating on the lodge system if it has asupreme governing body and subordinate lodges into which membersare elected, initiated, or admitted in accordance with its laws, rules,and ritual. Subordinate lodges shall be required by the laws of thesociety to hold periodic meetings in furtherance of the purposes ofthe society.
    (b) A society may, at its option, organize and operate lodges forchildren under the minimum age for adult membership. Membershipand initiation in local lodges shall not be required of children, norshall they have a voice or vote in the management of the society.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.

IC 27-11-2-2
Representative form of government
    Sec. 2. A society has a representative form of government if itmeets all of the following conditions:
        (1) It has a supreme governing body constituted in one (1) ofthe following ways:
            (A) The supreme governing body is an assembly composedof delegates elected directly by the members or atintermediate assemblies or conventions of members or theirrepresentatives, together with other delegates as may beprescribed in the society's laws. A society may provide forelection of delegates by mail. The elected delegates shallconstitute a majority in number and shall not have less thana majority of the votes and not less than the number of votesrequired to amend the society's laws. The assembly shallmeet at least once every four (4) years and shall elect a boardof directors to conduct the business of the society betweenmeetings of the assembly. Vacancies on the board ofdirectors between elections may be filled in the mannerprescribed by the society's laws.
            (B) The supreme governing body is a board composed ofpersons elected by the members, either directly or by theirrepresentatives in intermediate assemblies, and any otherpersons prescribed in the society's laws. A society mayprovide for election of the board by mail. Each term of aboard member may not exceed four (4) years. Vacancies onthe board between elections may be filled in the mannerprescribed by the society's laws. Those persons elected to theboard constitute a majority in number and not less than thenumber of votes required to amend the society's laws. Aperson filling the unexpired term of an elected boardmember is considered to be an elected member. The board

shall meet at least quarterly to conduct the business of thesociety.
        (2) The officers of the society are elected either by the supremegoverning body or by the board of directors.
        (3) Only benefit members are eligible for election to thesupreme governing body, the board of directors, or anyintermediate assembly.
        (4) Each voting member shall have one (1) vote and no votemay be cast by proxy.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.

IC 27-11-2-3
Operation for benefit of members and beneficiaries
    Sec. 3. A society shall operate for the benefit of members andtheir beneficiaries by:
        (1) providing benefits as specified in IC 27-11-6-1; and
        (2) operating for one (1) or more social, intellectual,educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, patriotic,or religious purposes for the benefit of its members that mayalso be extended to others. These purposes may be carried outdirectly by the society, or indirectly through subsidiarycorporations or affiliated organizations.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.

IC 27-11-2-4
Laws and rules; necessary and incidental powers
    Sec. 4. Every society may adopt laws and rules for thegovernment of the society, the admission of its members, and themanagement of its affairs. It may change, alter, add to, or amend suchlaws and rules. It shall have such other powers as are necessary andincidental to effect the objectives and purposes of the society.
As added by P.L.262-1985, SEC.1.