Article I Name
The name of this organization shall be the Chesapeake Fraternal Congress (hereafter “CFC”).
Article II Purpose
The purpose of the CFC shall be:
Article III Active Membership
Section 1. Any fraternal benefit society authorized to transact business in the states of
Delaware, and Maryland and the District of Columbia, and reporting to their respective
insurance department is eligible for active membership in the CFC. Any local unit of an
NFCA member-society not licensed in the states of Delaware or Maryland or the District of
Columbia but meeting Model Fraternal Code requirements shall also be entitled to active
membership in the CFC. Application for membership in the CFC shall be accompanied by
dues and a statement of the names of persons comprising their field force and local unit(s)'
officers in the states of Delaware and Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Section 2. Every active member shall be entitled to up to six (6) voting delegates and as
many guests as desired to the annual meeting of the CFC. Each society shall also be entitled
to provide its own mode of selecting its delegates and guests, and shall furnish proper
credentials and authorization to its delegates.
Section 3. Those having the right to vote at the annual meeting shall be the officers and
directors, voting delegates, and past presidents. Only members of active member societies
shall be eligible to vote and hold any office.
Article IV Associate Membership
Section 1. Fraternal benefit societies which are not members of the NFCA but do meet
the requirements of the Model Fraternal Code may be eligible for associate membership in
the CFC. Any such application shall be considered on an individual basis.
Section 2. Any local unit(s) of any society eligible for membership in the CFC whose
home office has not paid the annual dues for their society may be eligible for associate
membership in the CFC. Any such application for associate membership shall be considered
on an individual basis.
Section 3. Any society holding associate membership shall be entitled to three (3) voting
delegates and as many guests as desired to the annual meeting of the CFC, shall provide its
own mode of selecting its delegates, and shall furnish proper credentials and authorization to
its delegates. Members of fraternal benefit societies holding Associate Membership may be
eligible for election as directors, but shall not be eligible for election as an officer.
Section 4. Any local unit(s) holding associate membership shall be entitled to one (1)
voting delegate and as many guests as desired to the annual meeting of the CFC, shall
provide its own mode of selecting its delegate, and shall furnish proper credentials and
authorization to its delegate. Members of the local unit(s) holding Associate Membership
may be eligible for election as a director, but not be eligible for election as an officer.
Article V Dues
Section 1. The annual membership dues of each society shall be the amount determined
by the NFCA. The annual membership dues of a local unit whose society is not a dues-
paying member shall be one-half of the annual membership dues of a society.
Section 2. Any society which fails to remit dues for two consecutive years shall be
automatically suspended from the CFC. Reinstatement may be made by proper application
and payment of twice the annual dues.
Article VI Officers and Directors
Section 1. The officers of the CFC shall be the President, President-Elect, Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer (the positions of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by
the same individual), State Marshal and Immediate Past President, and nine directors. All
officers shall be elected annually by the CFC and shall constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 2. The elected officers, except for directors, shall hold office for one year but
may succeed themselves for one additional term. The State Marshal, Secretary and
Treasurer shall serve no more than four terms in office. Directors shall be elected for a three-
year term. One-third of the directors should be elected each year and shall not be eligible for
re-election for a second consecutive term.
Section 3. The President, the President-Elect, and Vice President should be members of
different societies.
Section 4. In the event of two or more unexcused absences by an Officer or a Director,
the President shall have the power to remove the Officer or Director and declare the position
vacant; any vacancy can be filled by appointment of the President to serve the remainder of
the term.
Section 5. The President shall be the executive officer and, as such, shall enforce the
Constitution and Bylaws and carry out the mandates of the Congress and its Executive
Committee.
Section 6. The President-Elect shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties
of that office. In the absence of the President-Elect, such duties shall be performed by the
Vice President. He or she shall also serve as a committee chair or perform any other duties
designated by the President.
Section 7. The Secretary shall be responsible for:
(a) conducting all correspondence pertaining to the business of the CFC,
(b) keeping a true record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Congress and of
the Executive Committee, and
(c) issuing all notices of meetings.
Section 8. The Treasurer shall be responsible for:
(a) collecting membership dues,
(b) having charge and custody of all property, records, and funds,
(c) keeping a true set of books of accounts, showing all receipts and disbursements, and
(d) disbursing the funds as ordered and approved by the President.
Such records shall at all times be open to the inspection of the members of the Executive
Committee, and the Treasurer shall present a financial report to each Executive Committee
meeting and the Annual Session.
Article VII Election of Officers
Election and installation of officers shall be the final order of business of the closing plenary
session of the annual meeting of the CFC. The newly installed officers and directors shall
assume the duties of their respective offices upon their installation.
Article VIII Committees
Section 1. Standing and special committees shall be appointed by the President and shall
be answerable to the President. The chairperson of each committee shall be appointed by
the newly elected President after the CFC annual meeting.
Section 2. The term of office for standing committees is one year. Special committees
shall serve until the President dismisses the committee.
Section 3. The following shall be the standing committees:
Legislative Committee whose duty it shall be to assist in promoting legislation which will
increase the usefulness and scope of the fraternal benefit system and endeavor to defeat
adverse legislation, coordinating all its activities with the Law Committee of the NFCA. One
person on this committee will be listed in the NFCA Manual and Directory as the State
Marshal who will also serve as committee chair.
Publicity Committee whose duties shall be the dissemination of general publicity
concerning the CFC and the fraternal benefit system. This committee shall be responsible
for publishing and distributing a periodic newsletter for the CFC.
Education and Program Committee whose duty it shall be to provide educational
information and programs relating to the insurance and fraternal operations of the fraternal
benefit system when the FIC Chapter does not conduct same, as well as information and
programs relating to the noncommercial aspect of fraternalism.
Projects Committee whose duty it shall be to study and suggest projects suitable for
voluntary joint endeavors by the delegates and local units of the member-societies of the
CFC.
Membership Committee whose duty it shall be to solicit new members from among all
qualified fraternal benefit societies. The committee shall also encourage participation by
member-societies in events of the CFC.
Social Events Committee whose duty it shall be to conduct gatherings among members of
the CFC. They shall also be responsible for social meeting arrangements for all meetings of
the CFC.
Section 4. The following shall be the Sessional Committees:
Nominating Committee whose duty it shall be to prepare and present candidate
recommendations for each elective office. The voting delegates to the annual meeting
reserve the right to nominate additional candidates.
Registration and Credentials Committee whose duty it shall be to conduct registration,
certify the credentials of voting delegates and prepare a roster of participants.
Resolutions Committee whose duty it shall be to prepare resolutions for submission to the
annual meeting of the CFC.
Auditing Committee whose duty it shall be to audit the financial records of the Treasurer
and all expenditures authorized or incurred by the Executive Committee and shall report
results thereof to the annual meeting of the CFC.
Section 5. Special committees shall be appointed at the discretion of the President,
and/or the Executive Committee, and/or the CFC for the purpose of dealing with special
projects and problems as they occur.
Article IX General Provisions
Section 1. The member-societies shall select their voting delegates not later than thirty
(30) days prior to the annual meeting, and shall immediately notify the Secretary who shall,
on request, furnish a list to any voting delegate or Executive Committee member.
Section 2. All officers shall qualify and take office immediately on their installation and
they and all committees shall hold over until their successors take office.
Section 3. A majority shall constitute a quorum in all meetings, including the
committees, except that the representatives of five societies, when possible, shall constitute a
quorum in the CFC, and five members of the Executive Committee, after due notice, shall
constitute a quorum of said committee.
Section 4. Special meetings of the CFC may be called by the President on his/her own
motion, on the written request of three member societies, or the Executive Committee upon
written request of three (3) directors.
Section 5. Annual reports shall be made at the annual meeting by the officers and
standing committees.
Section 6. The meeting place of the CFC shall be the responsibility of the President on
his/her own motion, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee and in cooperation
with the FIC chapter.
Section 7. The Secretary shall make an annual report to the Executive Vice President of
the NFCA, giving the names and addresses of the officers elected, and the time and place of
the next meeting, and shall forward an official copy of the proceedings. Before bylaws are
adopted or amendments made, copies of these shall be approved by the NFCA.
Section 8. Nothing in the Constitution of the CFC shall be interpreted to constitute an
obligation upon the funds of affiliated societies other than the payment of the annual dues
for membership.
Section 9. The proceedings of the CFC shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.
Article X Annual Meeting
Section 1. An annual meeting of the CFC shall be held each year at such time and place
as will be selected in accordance with Article IX, Section 6.
Section 2. The Order of Business at the annual meeting should be as follows:
1. Opening ceremonies
2. Roll call and seating of delegates
3. Report of Credentials Committee
4. Reading of minutes of previous meeting
5. Report of Treasurer
6. Reports of Officers
7. Reports of Committees
8. Unfinished business
9. New business
10. Election of officers
11. Program
12. Installation of officers
13. Adjournment
14. The Secretary shall fill in the Officers' List (data sheet) and mail to the NFCA
Order of business may be changed at the discretion of the President or the Executive
Committee.
Article XI Amendments
Section 1. A hearing should be held by the Resolutions and Legislative Committees for a
report before amendments to these Bylaws are presented to the CFC for adoption or
rejection.
Section 2. All Amendments to these Bylaws shall be filed with the Secretary ninety (90)
days before the annual meeting. The Secretary shall immediately forward a copy of same to
the chairs of the Resolutions and Legislative Committees and a copy to each member-society
as well as to each member of the Executive Committee, and to the Executive Vice President
of the NFCA.
Section 3. All Amendments to these Bylaws shall go into effect as soon as they are
adopted by the CFC at its annual meeting and approved by the NFCA.
The name of this organization shall be the Chesapeake Fraternal Congress (hereafter “CFC”).
Article II Purpose
The purpose of the CFC shall be:
- to maintain an affiliation with the National Fraternal Congress of America (hereafter
"NFCA"); - to unite men and women of good moral character who are engaged or interested in the
promotion of the fraternal benefit system; - to encourage good practices and concerted action in the development and advancement
of the fraternal benefit system; - to work in harmony with the NFCA for the promotion of the fraternal benefit system and
to endeavor to defeat any act or movement which is contrary to the best interests of the
fraternal benefit system; - to create a better understanding and a more general acquaintance among those interested
in fraternal insurance and fraternal benefits; - to promote publicity for the fraternal benefit system and place it in a most favorable light
before the general public; - to exchange ideas for the common good of its members;
- to provide for lectures, schools of instruction and fraternal insurance institutes under its
auspices in conjunction with the several local Fraternal Insurance Counselors (FIC)
chapters; and - to do all other things incidental to and consistent with the above mentioned purposes.
Article III Active Membership
Section 1. Any fraternal benefit society authorized to transact business in the states of
Delaware, and Maryland and the District of Columbia, and reporting to their respective
insurance department is eligible for active membership in the CFC. Any local unit of an
NFCA member-society not licensed in the states of Delaware or Maryland or the District of
Columbia but meeting Model Fraternal Code requirements shall also be entitled to active
membership in the CFC. Application for membership in the CFC shall be accompanied by
dues and a statement of the names of persons comprising their field force and local unit(s)'
officers in the states of Delaware and Maryland and the District of Columbia.
Section 2. Every active member shall be entitled to up to six (6) voting delegates and as
many guests as desired to the annual meeting of the CFC. Each society shall also be entitled
to provide its own mode of selecting its delegates and guests, and shall furnish proper
credentials and authorization to its delegates.
Section 3. Those having the right to vote at the annual meeting shall be the officers and
directors, voting delegates, and past presidents. Only members of active member societies
shall be eligible to vote and hold any office.
Article IV Associate Membership
Section 1. Fraternal benefit societies which are not members of the NFCA but do meet
the requirements of the Model Fraternal Code may be eligible for associate membership in
the CFC. Any such application shall be considered on an individual basis.
Section 2. Any local unit(s) of any society eligible for membership in the CFC whose
home office has not paid the annual dues for their society may be eligible for associate
membership in the CFC. Any such application for associate membership shall be considered
on an individual basis.
Section 3. Any society holding associate membership shall be entitled to three (3) voting
delegates and as many guests as desired to the annual meeting of the CFC, shall provide its
own mode of selecting its delegates, and shall furnish proper credentials and authorization to
its delegates. Members of fraternal benefit societies holding Associate Membership may be
eligible for election as directors, but shall not be eligible for election as an officer.
Section 4. Any local unit(s) holding associate membership shall be entitled to one (1)
voting delegate and as many guests as desired to the annual meeting of the CFC, shall
provide its own mode of selecting its delegate, and shall furnish proper credentials and
authorization to its delegate. Members of the local unit(s) holding Associate Membership
may be eligible for election as a director, but not be eligible for election as an officer.
Article V Dues
Section 1. The annual membership dues of each society shall be the amount determined
by the NFCA. The annual membership dues of a local unit whose society is not a dues-
paying member shall be one-half of the annual membership dues of a society.
Section 2. Any society which fails to remit dues for two consecutive years shall be
automatically suspended from the CFC. Reinstatement may be made by proper application
and payment of twice the annual dues.
Article VI Officers and Directors
Section 1. The officers of the CFC shall be the President, President-Elect, Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer (the positions of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by
the same individual), State Marshal and Immediate Past President, and nine directors. All
officers shall be elected annually by the CFC and shall constitute the Executive Committee.
Section 2. The elected officers, except for directors, shall hold office for one year but
may succeed themselves for one additional term. The State Marshal, Secretary and
Treasurer shall serve no more than four terms in office. Directors shall be elected for a three-
year term. One-third of the directors should be elected each year and shall not be eligible for
re-election for a second consecutive term.
Section 3. The President, the President-Elect, and Vice President should be members of
different societies.
Section 4. In the event of two or more unexcused absences by an Officer or a Director,
the President shall have the power to remove the Officer or Director and declare the position
vacant; any vacancy can be filled by appointment of the President to serve the remainder of
the term.
Section 5. The President shall be the executive officer and, as such, shall enforce the
Constitution and Bylaws and carry out the mandates of the Congress and its Executive
Committee.
Section 6. The President-Elect shall, in the absence of the President, perform the duties
of that office. In the absence of the President-Elect, such duties shall be performed by the
Vice President. He or she shall also serve as a committee chair or perform any other duties
designated by the President.
Section 7. The Secretary shall be responsible for:
(a) conducting all correspondence pertaining to the business of the CFC,
(b) keeping a true record of the proceedings of all meetings of the Congress and of
the Executive Committee, and
(c) issuing all notices of meetings.
Section 8. The Treasurer shall be responsible for:
(a) collecting membership dues,
(b) having charge and custody of all property, records, and funds,
(c) keeping a true set of books of accounts, showing all receipts and disbursements, and
(d) disbursing the funds as ordered and approved by the President.
Such records shall at all times be open to the inspection of the members of the Executive
Committee, and the Treasurer shall present a financial report to each Executive Committee
meeting and the Annual Session.
Article VII Election of Officers
Election and installation of officers shall be the final order of business of the closing plenary
session of the annual meeting of the CFC. The newly installed officers and directors shall
assume the duties of their respective offices upon their installation.
Article VIII Committees
Section 1. Standing and special committees shall be appointed by the President and shall
be answerable to the President. The chairperson of each committee shall be appointed by
the newly elected President after the CFC annual meeting.
Section 2. The term of office for standing committees is one year. Special committees
shall serve until the President dismisses the committee.
Section 3. The following shall be the standing committees:
Legislative Committee whose duty it shall be to assist in promoting legislation which will
increase the usefulness and scope of the fraternal benefit system and endeavor to defeat
adverse legislation, coordinating all its activities with the Law Committee of the NFCA. One
person on this committee will be listed in the NFCA Manual and Directory as the State
Marshal who will also serve as committee chair.
Publicity Committee whose duties shall be the dissemination of general publicity
concerning the CFC and the fraternal benefit system. This committee shall be responsible
for publishing and distributing a periodic newsletter for the CFC.
Education and Program Committee whose duty it shall be to provide educational
information and programs relating to the insurance and fraternal operations of the fraternal
benefit system when the FIC Chapter does not conduct same, as well as information and
programs relating to the noncommercial aspect of fraternalism.
Projects Committee whose duty it shall be to study and suggest projects suitable for
voluntary joint endeavors by the delegates and local units of the member-societies of the
CFC.
Membership Committee whose duty it shall be to solicit new members from among all
qualified fraternal benefit societies. The committee shall also encourage participation by
member-societies in events of the CFC.
Social Events Committee whose duty it shall be to conduct gatherings among members of
the CFC. They shall also be responsible for social meeting arrangements for all meetings of
the CFC.
Section 4. The following shall be the Sessional Committees:
Nominating Committee whose duty it shall be to prepare and present candidate
recommendations for each elective office. The voting delegates to the annual meeting
reserve the right to nominate additional candidates.
Registration and Credentials Committee whose duty it shall be to conduct registration,
certify the credentials of voting delegates and prepare a roster of participants.
Resolutions Committee whose duty it shall be to prepare resolutions for submission to the
annual meeting of the CFC.
Auditing Committee whose duty it shall be to audit the financial records of the Treasurer
and all expenditures authorized or incurred by the Executive Committee and shall report
results thereof to the annual meeting of the CFC.
Section 5. Special committees shall be appointed at the discretion of the President,
and/or the Executive Committee, and/or the CFC for the purpose of dealing with special
projects and problems as they occur.
Article IX General Provisions
Section 1. The member-societies shall select their voting delegates not later than thirty
(30) days prior to the annual meeting, and shall immediately notify the Secretary who shall,
on request, furnish a list to any voting delegate or Executive Committee member.
Section 2. All officers shall qualify and take office immediately on their installation and
they and all committees shall hold over until their successors take office.
Section 3. A majority shall constitute a quorum in all meetings, including the
committees, except that the representatives of five societies, when possible, shall constitute a
quorum in the CFC, and five members of the Executive Committee, after due notice, shall
constitute a quorum of said committee.
Section 4. Special meetings of the CFC may be called by the President on his/her own
motion, on the written request of three member societies, or the Executive Committee upon
written request of three (3) directors.
Section 5. Annual reports shall be made at the annual meeting by the officers and
standing committees.
Section 6. The meeting place of the CFC shall be the responsibility of the President on
his/her own motion, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee and in cooperation
with the FIC chapter.
Section 7. The Secretary shall make an annual report to the Executive Vice President of
the NFCA, giving the names and addresses of the officers elected, and the time and place of
the next meeting, and shall forward an official copy of the proceedings. Before bylaws are
adopted or amendments made, copies of these shall be approved by the NFCA.
Section 8. Nothing in the Constitution of the CFC shall be interpreted to constitute an
obligation upon the funds of affiliated societies other than the payment of the annual dues
for membership.
Section 9. The proceedings of the CFC shall be governed by Robert's Rules of Order.
Article X Annual Meeting
Section 1. An annual meeting of the CFC shall be held each year at such time and place
as will be selected in accordance with Article IX, Section 6.
Section 2. The Order of Business at the annual meeting should be as follows:
1. Opening ceremonies
2. Roll call and seating of delegates
3. Report of Credentials Committee
4. Reading of minutes of previous meeting
5. Report of Treasurer
6. Reports of Officers
7. Reports of Committees
8. Unfinished business
9. New business
10. Election of officers
11. Program
12. Installation of officers
13. Adjournment
14. The Secretary shall fill in the Officers' List (data sheet) and mail to the NFCA
Order of business may be changed at the discretion of the President or the Executive
Committee.
Article XI Amendments
Section 1. A hearing should be held by the Resolutions and Legislative Committees for a
report before amendments to these Bylaws are presented to the CFC for adoption or
rejection.
Section 2. All Amendments to these Bylaws shall be filed with the Secretary ninety (90)
days before the annual meeting. The Secretary shall immediately forward a copy of same to
the chairs of the Resolutions and Legislative Committees and a copy to each member-society
as well as to each member of the Executive Committee, and to the Executive Vice President
of the NFCA.
Section 3. All Amendments to these Bylaws shall go into effect as soon as they are
adopted by the CFC at its annual meeting and approved by the NFCA.
| CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS |
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| Chesapeake Fraternal Congress |