§ 27-25-3 - Representative form of government. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 27-25-3

   § 27-25-3  Representative form ofgovernment. – A society has a representative form of government when:

   (1) It has a supreme governing body constituted in one of thefollowing ways:

   (i) Assembly. The supreme governing body is an assemblycomposed of delegates elected directly by the members or at intermediateassemblies or conventions of members or their representatives, together withother delegates as may be prescribed in the society's laws. A society mayprovide for the election of delegates by mail. The elected delegates shallconstitute a majority in number and shall not have less than two-thirds ( 2/3)of the votes and not less than the number of votes required to amend thesociety's laws. The assembly shall be elected and shall meet at least onceevery four (4) years and shall elect a board of directors to conduct thebusiness of the society between meetings of the assembly. Vacancies on theboard of directors between elections may be filled in the manner prescribed bythe society's laws; or

   (ii) Direct election. The supreme governing body is a boardcomposed of persons elected by the members, either directly or by theirrepresentatives in intermediate assemblies, and any other persons prescribed inthe society's laws. A society may provide for the election of the board bymail. Each term of a board member may not exceed four (4) years. Vacancies onthe board between elections may be filled in the manner prescribed by thesociety's laws. Those persons elected to the board shall constitute a majorityin number and not less than the number of votes required to amend the society'slaws. A person filling the unexpired term of an elected board member shall beconsidered an elected member. The board shall meet at least quarterly toconduct the business of the society;

   (2) The officers of the society are elected either by thesupreme governing body or by the board of directors;

   (3) Only benefit members are eligible for election to thesupreme governing body, the board of directors, or any intermediate assembly;and

   (4) Each voting member shall have one vote; no vote may becast by proxy.