378.611. Amendment of laws, procedures--amendments furnished to members.

MISSOURI STATUTES AND CODES

378.611. Amendment of laws, procedures--amendments furnished to members.

Amendment of laws, procedures--amendments furnished to members.

378.611. 1. A domestic society may amend its laws inaccordance with the provisions thereof by action of its supremegoverning body at any regular or special meeting thereof or, ifits laws so provide, by referendum. Such referendum may be heldin accordance with the provisions of its laws by the vote of thevoting members of the society, by the vote of delegates orrepresentatives of voting members or by the vote of local lodges.A society may provide for voting by mail. No amendment submittedfor adoption by referendum shall be adopted unless, within sixmonths from the date of submission thereof, a majority of themembers voting shall have signified their consent to suchamendment by one of the methods herein specified.

2. No amendment to the laws of any domestic society shalltake effect unless approved by the director who shall approvesuch amendment if the director finds that it has been dulyadopted and is not inconsistent with any requirement of the lawsof this state or with the character, objects and purposes of thesociety. Unless the director shall disapprove any such amendmentwithin sixty days after the filing of same, such amendment shallbe considered approved. The approval or disapproval of thedirector shall be forwarded in writing, and mailed to thesecretary or corresponding officer of the society at itsprincipal office. In case the director disapproves suchamendment, the reasons therefor shall be stated in such writtennotice.

3. Within ninety days from the approval thereof by thedirector, all such amendments, or a synopsis thereof, shall befurnished to all members of the society either by mail or bypublication in full in the official publication of the society.The affidavit of any officer of the society or of anyoneauthorized by it to mail any amendments or synopsis thereof,stating facts which show that same have been duly addressed andmailed, shall be prima facie evidence that such amendments orsynopsis thereof, have been furnished the addressees.

4. Every foreign or alien society authorized to do businessin this state shall file with the director a duly certified copyof all amendments of, or additions to, its laws within ninetydays after the enactment of same.

5. Printed copies of the laws as amended, certified by thesecretary or corresponding officer of the society, shall be primafacie evidence of the legal adoption thereof.