CHAPTER XLIV

OF THE GENERAL LAWS.

[CHAP. 377 OF 1896.]

THE BENEVOLENT ORDERS LAW.

SECTION 1. Short title.

2. Organization.

3. Powers.

4. Terms of trustee.

5. Powers of trustees.

6. Reorganization.

7. Joint corporations.

8. Trustees.

9. Powers.

10. Mortgaging property.

11. Laws repealed.

12. When to take effect.

SECTION 1. Short title.-This chapter shall be known as the benevolent orders law.

§ 2. Organization.-Either of the following orders.

I. A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons duly chartered by and installed according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the state of New York;

2. A chapter of Royal Arch Masons duly chartered by and installed according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the state of New York;

3. A council of Royal and Select Masons duly chartered by and installed according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of the state of New York;

4. A Commandery of Knights Templar duly chartered by and instituted according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Commandery of the state of New York;

5. A consistory, chapter, council or lodge duly chartered by

and instituted according to the general rules and regulations of the Supreme Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Jurisdiction of the United States;

6. A lodge of Odd Fellows, duly chartered by and installed aecording to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the state of New York;

7. A temple of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine duly chartered by and instituted according to the general rules and regulations of the Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine for the United States of America ;

8. A lodge of the Knights of Pythias, duly chartered by and installed according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the Knights of Pythias of the state of New York;

9. A post of the Grand Army of the Republic, chartered and installed according to the regulations of that organization :

10. Any lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks duly chartered by and installed according to the regulations of that organization:

II. Any subordinate lodge, tribe or other body of any benevolent or fraternal order or society incorporated under and pursuant to the laws of this state.

May elect at any regular communication, convocation, encampment or other regular meeting thereof, by whatever name known, held in accordance with the constitution and general rules and regulations of such grand lodge, chapter, commandery or council, or other governing body to which it belongs, or with which it is connected, and in conformity to its own by-laws, if it has any, three trustees for such lodge, chapter, commandery, consistory, council, temple or post who shall be members thereof in full membership and in good and regular standing therein; and may file in the office of the secretary of state, a certificate of such election, signed and acknowledged by the first three elective officers of such lodge, chapter, commandery, consistory, council, temple or post, stating the time and place of such election and that the same was regular, the names of such trustees, and the term severally for which they are elected to serve, and the name of the lodge, chapter, commandery, consistory, council, temple or post for which they are elected. (As amended by chap. 464 of 1898 and chap. 684 of 1899.)