National Catholic Forester

National Catholic Forester 26 NEW NCSF BYLAWS NATIONAL CATHOLIC SOCIETY OF FORESTERS BYLAWS NAME AND COMMON BOND The name of this fraternal benefit society is National Catholic Society of Foresters. As a fraternal benefit society, the Society is organized, incorporated and operated solely for the benefit of its members and their beneficiaries as a not for profit organization. The Society operates under a lodge system, uses a representative form of government and conducts its activities in accordance with the laws governing fraternal benefit societies. The Society's common bond is to unite people who have an interest consistent with the purposes of the Society as stated in the Articles of Incorporation. ARTICLE I MEMBERSHIP Sec. 1.01 QUALIFICATIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP Any person who is a member of the Catholic Church or the family member of a member of the Catholic Church, and who meets all other requirements for membership in the Society, shall be eligible for membership in the National Catholic Society of Foresters. Sec. 1.02 HOW ACQUIRED A. Any person having the qualifications prescribed in these Bylaws may be admitted to membership upon application submitted and approved under conditions set by the Board of Directors which are consistent with these Bylaws. Admission to membership in a court shall be required of all members. B. Application for a benefit certificate shall be made by an adult for a child less than sixteen (16) years of age. Sec. 1.03 CLASSIFICATIONS OF MEMBERSHIP A. A beneficial member is one named as the Insured or Annuitant in a benefit certificate issued by this Society and is in good standing and entitled to all privileges of membership when: 1. The certificate is being maintained in force by payment of the premiums due or in accordance with premium waiver, automatic premium loan or non-forfeiture provision or is a paid up certificate; 2. The member otherwise meets all provisions of these Bylaws; and 3. The member is not a junior member. B. A junior member is one who is less than sixteen (16) years of age and is named as the Insured or Annuitant in a benefit certificate issued by the Society. All junior members having attained the age of sixteen (16) years shall be transferred to the adult membership of the court. Junior members shall not have a voice or vote in the management of the affairs of the Society at large, or in their local courts, but may participate in the activities of and hold any youth office in their local courts. C. A social member is one who is not named as the Insured or Annuitant in any benefit certificate issued by the Society who is admitted to membership as a social member as provided in these Bylaws. A social member must be at least sixteen (16) years of age. Social members shall have no voice or vote in the management of the affairs of the Society, but have a voice and vote and may hold office in their local courts. ARTICLE II BOARD OF DIRECTORS Sec. 2.01 BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors shall be the supreme governing body of the Society. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to provide rules and regulations for the extension and development of the Society and shall have all other necessary and incidental powers and duties to carry out the objectives of the Society and as provided in the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and the laws of the State of Illinois. At least annually, the Board of Directors shall conduct a self- assessment. The Board of Directors shall be no fewer than seven (7) and no more than ten (10) elected directors as determined by resolution of the Board, one (1) appointed director, and the Chief Executive Officer as a non-voting member. The elected directors shall be elected by the beneficial members in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws, and shall constitute not less than two-thirds of the members of the Board of Directors in number. A newly elected director to the Board must within 6 months after their election participate in a board training or orientation program which includes information regarding board duties and responsibilities. Sec. 2.02 ELIGIBILITY A. To be eligible for nomination and election as a director, a member must: 1. Be a member of the Catholic Church; 2. Meet all qualifications as required by the Insurance Code of Illinois and any rules promulgated by the Illinois Director of Insurance for fraternal benefit society directors; 3. Meet all the qualifications for directors adopted by a resolution approved by the Board of Directors prior to the call for candidates; 4. Not be an officer, director, employee or agent of another fraternal benefit society or life insurance company; 5. Not be a current or former employee or insurance producer of the Society ("Disqualified Individual") or an immediate family member (parent, spouse, natural or adopted child or sibling) of a Disqualified Individual. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following individuals shall not be Disqualified Individuals: a. Directors serving as National President, National Vice President, National Treasurer or National Secretary as of May 2016; b. Any individual serving as a director as of May 2016 who Cont. from page 25

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