Ch. 36

1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

Also in subsection (c) of this section, the former reference to the "objectives"
of a society is deleted as redundant in light of the reference to the "purposes"
of the society.

Defined term: "Society" § 8-401

8-419. AMENDMENTS TO ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, CONSTITUTION, OR LAWS.

(A)     IN GENERAL.

A SOCIETY MAY AMEND, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR PROVISIONS, ITS
ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, CONSTITUTION, OR LAWS BY:

(1)      ACTION OF ITS SUPREME LEGISLATIVE OR GOVERNING BODY AT A
REGULAR OR SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BODY; OR

(2)  REFERENDUM.

(B)  BY REFERENDUM.

(1)      AN AMENDMENT BY REFERENDUM MAY BE APPROVED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION, CONSTITUTION, OR LAWS
OF A SOCIETY, BY THE VOTE OF:

(I)      THE SOCIETY'S VOTING MEMBERS;

(II)     THE DELEGATES OR REPRESENTATIVES OF THE SOCIETY'S
VOTING MEMBERS; OR

(III)    THE SOCIETY'S LOCAL LODGES OR BRANCHES.

(2)      AN AMENDMENT MAY NOT BE ADOPTED BY REFERENDUM UNLESS,
WITHIN 6 MONTHS AFTER IT IS SUBMITTED FOR ADOPTION, A MAJORITY OF ALL THE
VOTING MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY HAVE CONSENTED TO THE AMENDMENT.

(C)     APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL BY COMMISSIONER.

(1)      AN AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION,
CONSTITUTION, OR LAWS OF A SOCIETY MAY NOT TAKE EFFECT UNLESS THE
COMMISSIONER APPROVES.

(2)      THE COMMISSIONER SHALL APPROVE AN AMENDMENT IF THE
COMMISSIONER FINDS THAT THE AMENDMENT WAS ADOPTED PROPERLY AND IS
NOT INCONSISTENT WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OR WITH THE ARTICLES OF
INCORPORATION OF THE SOCIETY.

(3)      THE COMMISSIONER'S APPROVAL OR DISAPPROVAL SHALL BE IN
WRITING AND MAILED TO THE SECRETARY OR EQUIVALENT OFFICER OF THE
SOCIETY AT THE SOCIETY'S PRINCIPAL OFFICE.

(4)      THE COMMISSIONER SHALL INCLUDE IN A NOTICE OF DISAPPROVAL
A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS FOR THE DISAPPROVAL.

(D)     PROVIDED TO MEMBERS.

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