Fraternity-Testvériség, 1997 (75. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1997-04-01 / 2. szám
58. Each branch shall have self-governing powers of its own affairs and may adopt rules and regulations, provided they do not conflict with these By-laws. The affairs of the branch are controlled by its elected officers and the Branch Manager. 59. The business of the branches shall be transacted at their meetings. Each branch shall hold meetings regularly at a place and time set by the branch. One of the meetings shall be the regular annual meeting. All members of the branch may participate in the business of the branch, except, however, only insurance members may vote on the management of the insurance affairs of the Federation. Non-insurance members may participate in discussions about the insurance affairs of the Federation, but they shall have no vote in the management of the insurance affairs of the Federation nor shall non-insurance members be eligible to be elected as a delegate to the quadrennial Convention of the Federation. A member in arrears in dues for 30 days shall not be entitled to vote. Branch Officers - Expenses 60. In order to transact its business, every branch shall elect officers from the adult members by a majority vote of the members present and voting at the annual meeting of the branch. These officers consist of a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. Persons who are officers or employees of other similar associations cannot be elected branch officers. 61. The president of the branch shall conduct its meetings. In case of the absence of the president, his rights and duties shall be assumed by the vice president or the secretary. 62. The secretary of the branch shall take the minutes of the meetings, preserve them in proper form, and submit them to the Secretary of the Federation. Upon request, he shall call regular and special meetings. Upon the request of the president of the branch, the secretary shall take care of all correspondence pertaining to the branch. He is the guardian of the seal of the branch. The Branch Manager may assume the duties of the secretary. 63. The treasurer of the branch shall handle the money of the branch and is responsible for it. He shall keep the customary form of records, showing income and expenses of the branch. He is not to collect dues for certificates from Federation members. He is to handle the monies of the branch which may be acquired by donation from members and the proceeds from various social events the branch may decide to have. He shall open a bank account in the name of the branch and submit the necessary signature cards to the National Officers for their signatures. Removal of money and checks issued would require the signature of the branch president and the treasurer. This money would be at the disposal of the branch for fraternal activities. 64. The President of the Federation, with the approval of the Executive Committee, appoints the Branch Manager. His remuneration shall be determined by the Executive Committee. He shall transmit to the Home Office of the Federation any dues collected. The Branch Manager shall assist the officers of the branch in fraternal activities, conduct all business with the Home Office, shall cooperate with the authorized field representative in the area, and record the names of new members in the branch minutes. Branch Responsibilities - Brotherhood 65. Responsibility for proper branch management shall rest with its elected officers, individually and collectively. In the event of any loss suffered by the Federation, the officers shall be accountable to the President of the Federation who, with the Executive Committee, shall take appropriate action. Lack of attention to duties, negligence, and failure to secure adequate new members shall be cause for suspension or removal from office by the President, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee. Such action and reasons therefor shall be reported to the Board of Directors. 66. In the spirit of ffatemalism, the members shall nurture friendliness and show proper respect to one another. Upon the death of a fellow member, the branch shall have representatives at his burial and express condolences. A wreath shall be sent in the name of the Federation or, in lieu thereof, a donation made in the name of the deceased member to a requested church, charity, or the Student Aid and Loan Fund. ARTICLE VIII - MEMBERS Qualifications - Admission - Suspension Reinstatement - Transfer 67. Upon the recommendation of an appointed representative, any person of good moral character, over 16 years of age, but not older than 70, may become an adult member of the Federation. No person shall be denied membership because of creed, color, sex, or national origin. He cannot be a member of any party or movement, the aims of which are contrary to the Constitution of the United States. 68. The applicant for membership shall submit the application, together with the medical examiner's report, when required, proving the insurability of the applicant to the satisfaction of the Federation. The medical examiner’s report shall be filled out by the appointed physician at the expense of the Federation. 69. The properly signed and completed application shall be sent to the Secretary. The Medical Director shall pass upon such application. Applicants approved by the President and Secretary shall be received into membership in accordance with existing By-Laws, and such membership shall be effective the first day of the month when the applicant's name is enrolled on the register of the Federation. 70. The member may pay his dues in advance. For payments of dues for a period in excess of one year in advance, discounts will be applied at rates to be determined by the Secretary. 71. The monthly dues are due and payable to the Home Office on the first day of each month and must be paid on or before the 30th day following said date. The member who fails to pay his dues by the end of the 30-day period shall be suspended from membership rights by the office of the Treasurer on the 31st day after due date. The limit of a member’s suspension shall be a maximum of three months. If during this time he pays all his arrearages, he shall be reinstated to membership. The suspended member shall inform the Branch Manager which form of withdrawal equity he desires. The Branch Manager shall report the member’s desire to the Home Office. Should the member make no choice, he automatically shall be placed on extended insurance. 72. A member who desires to change his membership from one branch to another shall make such request either to his own branch or to the Home Office. Upon his request, a transfer form shall be provided. The transfershall become official when the properly completed and signed transfer form is approved by the Secretary and recorded in the Home Office. A member shall belong either to the branch nearest to his residence, or to the Home Office branch. A member with more than one certificate shall have membership in only one branch in which all his certificates must be handled. ARTICLE IX - BENEFICIARIES Eligibility - Estate - Changes - Lost Certificates 73. Each member of the Federation and holder of a beneficiary certificate shall, in the application for such beneficiary certificate, designate by name the person(s) to whom the benefits shall be paid. Said member shall have complete freedom in the selection of his beneficiary, except in those States where this is limited by law. 74. In the event the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries die, or for any reason disqualified, and no further designation is made by the member during his lifetime, the benefits so provided shall be payable to the estate of the member. 6
