CHAPTER III
Membership

133. REQUIREMENTS. To become a member of a Local Lodge, the applicant must be of Norwegian or other Nordic birth or descent, be at least 16 years of age, and of good moral character. A person of another
nationality, who is married to a Norwegian or person of other Nordic nationality, may file an application for membership. Any applicant, who shows a great interest in the objects and purposes of Sons of Norway, regardless of nationality, may be accepted by
the Local Lodge into membership. (8/96)

134. MEMBERSHIP CLASSIFICATIONS. There shall be the following classifications:
(a) INSURANCE BENEFIT MEMBERS. Any member, to whom has been issued a benefit contract by the International Lodge, shall be deemed a benefit member as long as the member’s benefit contract is maintained and all applicable Lodge dues are paid [See paragraph 21(a)]. (8/02)
(b) NON-INSURANCE MEMBERS. Also known as
social members, as stipulated in Article X of the Charter. (8/02)
(c) FAMILY MEMBERSHIP. Membership is
extended to each child in the household of an
adult Sons of Norway member upon application, that being either heritage classification for children 15 and under or Unge Venner for children age 16 through 23. No additional International, District, or Local Lodge Dues shall be assessed for family membership. (8/06)
(d) LIFE/GOLDEN MEMBERS. Members who are 65 years of age or older, and who have been members in good standing in the Order for 30 years or more, are classified as either Life Members (if these requirements were met prior to Jan. 1, 1999) or Golden Members. Years of membership need not be consecutive. Life Members are exempt from paying International and District Dues, while Golden Members shall pay 50 percent of these assessments. Local Lodge
dues may be assessed and collected from either of these categories of membership, provided that the Local Lodge Bylaws have been updated accordingly. In all respects, these members shall enjoy all rights and benefits they previously held in the lodge as full dues paying members. Those
transferring to another local lodge shall maintain their Life or Golden membership status. Life membership shall be extended to any member who has served as President of the International Lodge. (8/02)
(e) JUVENILE MEMBERS. Holders of juvenile
certificates when reaching the age of 21 and who have not otherwise attained adult membership shall automatically become members of their sponsoring (adult) lodge at that time. Either of the following groups:
(1) Those acquiring membership by
request between the ages of 16 and 23, or
(2) Those who automatically become
members of the Local Lodge after attaining age 21, may be balloted on and
pay membership dues at the Unge Venner member cost until age 23. If the
lodge rejects membership of these juveniles, or if the juvenile rejected membership in the local lodge, they will become members of the Central Lodge.
(8/02)
(f) HERITAGE MEMBERS. Children age 15 and
younger may become Heritage members of Sons of Norway if they are a family member of at least one Sons of Norway member in good standing. They shall have no voting rights and shall not receive the official magazine, but shall receive a Heritage membership card. (8/06)
(g) HONORARY MEMBERS. All nominations for
honorary members shall be submitted to the
Board of Directors of the International Lodge for approval on an official request form. The
International Board of Directors awards honorary memberships to individuals who have made unique or especially noteworthy contributions to the United States of America, Canada or Norway; or significant achievements in public service, science, literature, or education, and other criteria
as established by the International Board.
Nominations shall be restricted to non-members only and may originate from either the Local Lodge, District Lodge or International Lodge which shall pay International Dues for them, as the case
may be. (8/02)
(h) UNGE VENNER MEMBERS. Any individual,
who is a lineal descendent of a member or resides in the same household as a Sons of Norway member and is between the ages of 16 and 23 inclusive, may become a member of Sons of Norway. Such members will be exempted from having to pay International, District and Local Lodge dues. Further, such members shall have all the rights and privileges as all other members of
Sons of Norway. An Unge Venner member who desires a subscription to the Viking Magazine, will be assessed the same amount that is allocated to the Viking Magazine subscription from a regular annual membership. Any other member of Sons
of Norway between the ages of 16 and 23 will pay dues at a reduced rate. (8/06)

135. RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES:
(a) All members shall enjoy equal privileges in the
Local Lodge except only those owning benefit
contracts shall have the right to vote on questions
relating to insurance. A member who has been
suspended or expelled from a Local Lodge shall
not have the right to attend closed meetings or
other closed functions of the lodge from which
he/she was suspended or expelled. (8/92)
(b) SONS OF NORWAY MEMBERSHIP CARD. A
Sons of Norway Membership Card with an
expiration date shall be issued upon payment of
the annual dues. (8/90)

CHAPTER IV
Admission of New Members

136. APPLICATION. Persons who desire to become
members of a Local Lodge and are recommended by
one or more members of Sons of Norway shall make
application in writing on forms provided for that
purpose. Said forms shall become valid applications
when signed by one or more of the recommending
members, or field staff personnel. Said forms shall
then be submitted to the Financial Secretary or
Membership Secretary. Names and addresses of all
new members shall be forwarded to field staff
personnel. (Adopted 8/86. Effective 8/88)
(a) DUAL MEMBERSHIP: Members possessing a
current membership card from Sons of Norway
may petition the desired affiliate lodge(s), and if
accepted, pay only Local Lodge dues for the
affiliate lodge(s) directly to the affiliate lodge.
Affiliate members shall have all rights of other
lodge members with the exception of voting for or
of becoming District delegates from the affiliate
lodge(s). Affiliate members shall not be counted in
member totals that determine representation.
(8/94)

137. APPLICATION READ. The application shall be
presented to the lodge by the Financial Secretary or
Membership Secretary at the first meeting following
the filing of the application. (8/82)

138. APPROVAL. The lodge shall adopt ONLY
ONE of the following Bylaw options:
(1) Allow membership to become effective upon
presentation by the Financial Secretary or
Membership Secretary, or
(2) Allow membership to become effective
following a vote by the lodge. (8/02)
(Note: if option (1) is chosen, par. 139, 140, 141 and 142 do not apply.)


139 REJECTION:
(a) An application for membership is rejected if it
does not receive a majority vote in favor of
acceptance. (8/06)
(b) When an Applicant has been rejected by the
Lodge, a two-thirds majority of those present and
voting may refer the application to the Local
Lodge Board of Directors for a final decision. After
due notice is given to the Board members and,
upon full investigation of the case, a two-thirds
favorable majority secret ballot by the Board of
Directors shall elect the Applicant to membership.
(c) An application which has been voted on and
rejected may again be voted on at the same or the
next following meeting, but not later.
140. VOTE ON SEVERAL APPLICATIONS. If there is
no objection, the President may order that several
applications be voted on at the same time.

141. SEPARATE BALLOTING IF UNFAVORABLE. If
found there was a vote for rejection when there has
been a vote on more than one application, the results
thereof shall not be effective, and the President shall
immediately order separate balloting on each
application. (8/06)

142. REAPPLICATION OF REJECTED APPLICANT.
When an applicant has been rejected, a new
application from the same person shall not be
received before the expiration of six months. The
Financial Secretary or Membership Secretary shall at
once inform the applicant of the result and refund the
application fee.

143. NEW MEMBER ACCEPTANCE:
(a) ACCEPTED APPLICANT. If applicant is
accepted, the Financial Secretary or Membership Secretary shall as soon as possible, but not later
than 10 days thereafter, notify the applicant of his
election to membership and the time and place of
the next meeting for welcome ceremony. (9/80)
(b) MEMBERSHIP RECORDS. The Financial
Secretary or Membership Secretary shall then
enter the name, address, date of election and
amount paid into the membership records of the
Lodge. (8/90)

144. APPEARANCE FOR WELCOME CEREMONY. The
newly elected member shall appear for welcome
ceremony at the first scheduled welcome ceremony
following his election to membership. If the new
member cannot be present, the President or other
member delegated by the President to administer the
obligation of membership may do so, and the balance
of the welcome ceremony given to such member at the
next scheduled Welcome Ceremony at which the
member is present. (8/06)

145. REPORT OF NEW MEMBERS. The Financial
Secretary or Membership Secretary shall, immediately
after each regular lodge meeting at which applicants
and/or transfers are accepted or rejected, report to
the Sons of Norway Headquarters by submitting
Application for Membership forms and Report of New
Members form, together with all funds received.
(8/96)

CHAPTER V
Application Fees and Dues

146. APPLICATION FEE. An application fee for new
members may be determined by each Local Lodge for
itself; however, no application fee shall be charged for
insurance members and Junior Lodge members
joining the Local Lodge. Any application fee must
accompany the application for membership and shall
be deposited into the general fund of the Local Lodge.
(8/06)

147. DUES. Each member of the Local Lodge shall
pay, in advance, to the Sons of Norway Headquarters
the three (3) categories of dues—international dues,
district dues, and any Local Lodge dues. The Local
Lodge dues portion shall be determined by the lodge
and approved by the International Board of Directors.
(8/96)

148. PAYMENT OF DUES. Prior to the election to
membership, an applicant must have paid all dues
and fees according to the Local Lodge Bylaws. (9/80)
CHAPTER VI
Suspension

149. SUSPENSION. The Sons of Norway
Headquarters has the authority to suspend the active
membership status of any member for reasons of
nonpayment of dues, if the member is more than 120
days in arrears in payment of dues, provided,
however, that with respect to insurance members, the
provisions in their certificates of Insurance shall also
be applicable. (9/90)

150. SUSPENSION REPORT. The Sons of Norway
Headquarters will, monthly, send a report of cancelled
or suspended members to the Financial Secretary or
Membership Secretary of each of the respective
lodges. (8/88)

151 NOTICE TO SUSPENDED MEMBERS. The
Financial Secretary or Membership Secretary shall,
within five days of the receipt of the report, notify
suspended members of their suspension and also
inform them on the steps necessary in order to be
reinstated, but the suspension shall be valid and
binding even if the Financial Secretary or Membership
Secretary neglects to so inform suspended members.
(8/88)

152. RE-INSTATEMENT:
(a) Former members who have been suspended
for a period of less than a year may be reinstated
in the same lodge upon payment of all dues and
assessments that are in arrears, and the effective
date of membership shall remain the same (8/98)
(b) Former members who have been suspended
for a period of one year or longer, may apply as
new members, or, may upon payment of all back
dues and assessments be reinstated effective with
the original date of membership. (8/98)


CHAPTER VII
Transfer of Membership

153. TRANSFER CARDS. A member in good standing
shall upon request receive a transfer card from the
Lodge. No fee shall be charged for the issuance of a
transfer card. The Financial Secretary or Membership
Secretary of a Lodge accepting a transfer card shall
notify the former Lodge of said transfer. It shall be the
duty of the Financial Secretary or Membership
Secretary of this Lodge to forward the local dues that
have been collected on a pro-rata basis. (8/86)

154. NOTICE OF TRANSFER. The Financial
Secretary or Membership Secretary of the Lodge
which issued the transfer card shall, within 30 days,
forward the transfer card to the new Lodge, and at the
same time shall forward the appropriate notification
to the Sons of Norway Headquarters.

155. ADMITTANCE ON TRANSFER CARD.
Applications for admittance by transfer are acted
upon the same as other applications for membership.
If accepted, the applicant shall then be considered a
member of the Lodge without further ceremonies. No
fee shall be charged for membership by transfer.

(a) REPORT. The Financial Secretary or
Membership Secretary of a Lodge acting upon an
application for admittance by transfer shall
inform the Sons of Norway Headquarters of the
results thereof in his/her Report of New Members.
(8/02)
(b) REJECTION. If the application is rejected, the
Sons of Norway Headquarters shall notify the
member and also the Lodge which issued the
card, and the member shall automatically be
reinstated as a member of the Lodge which issued
the card.

156. VOID AFTER SIX MONTHS. If a transfer card
has not been acted upon by the new Lodge within six
months from the date it was issued, the transfer card
shall be void, and the member shall automatically be
reinstated as a member of the Lodge which issued the
card.

CHAPTER VIII
Officers, Terms of Office, and Election

157. TITLES AND NUMBER. The elected officers of a
Local Lodge shall be President, Vice President,
Secretary, Treasurer, Financial and/or Membership
Secretary and Social and/or Cultural Director and
such additional officers as the Local Lodge may deem
necessary. Additional officers shall either be elected
or appointed as specified in the Bylaws of the Local
Lodge. (8/06)

158. TERM. The Officers shall be elected for a term of
one or two years, as determined by the Lodge. Officers
may be elected alternately in the order that is
determined by the Lodge. Lodges which elect their
officers for two years may, if they so desire, elect their
Trustees, who are elected the first time – one each for
two, four and six years respectively, and thereafter one at each election for a term of six years or until their
successors have been elected and installed. (8/04)

159. RESTRICTION OF OFFICE. The offices of
President, Secretary, Financial Secretary or
Membership Secretary, Treasurer and Trustees shall
be held by separate individuals. (8/94)

160. TIME OF ELECTION. The election of Officers
shall take place not later than the first meeting in
November of each year. (9/80)

161. NOMINATING COMMITTEE. At a regular
meeting, not later than September of each year, a
Nominating Committee of three or five members shall
be elected. At the first regular meeting in October, the
Committee shall present to the Lodge its slate of
candidates recommended for office. Nominations may
also be made from the floor at the time of election.
(9/80)

162. ELECTIONS. In all cases where there are two or
more candidates for any office, ballots shall be used.
A majority of the votes cast is necessary for election,
otherwise election shall be by acclamation.
If more than two candidates have been nominated
for an office, none of whom receives a majority on the
first ballot, the candidate receiving the least number
of votes shall withdraw and so on until one candidate
gets a majority.

163. ELIGIBILITY. Only voting members, who have
been members of Sons of Norway for at least three
months, are eligible for an office or as a Delegate to a
District or International Lodge Meeting, provided,
however, if a person has been a member of a Junior
Lodge for a period of at least three months, then, in
that event, the waiting period for eligibility to hold
office in a Lodge or as a Delegate to a District or
International Lodge Meeting shall be waived. In
Lodges not in existence for three months at time of election, all voting members are eligible regardless of
length of membership. (8/86)

164. REPORTS. The reporting year shall commence
with the first meeting in January of each year. The
Officers shall submit reports of their official acts and
the condition of the Lodge at the first meeting in
January and July. (8/92)

165. INSTALLATION. The Officers of a Local Lodge
shall be installed at any convenient meeting in the
months of December, January or February. The
Installing Officer can be the retiring Counselor, a
former President of the Local Lodge, or a former or
current Officer or Director of the District Lodge or a
member of the International Board of Directors, and a
current member of Sons of Norway. (8/94)

166. INSTALLATION ATTENDANCE. If any of the
Officers elected fail to appear for installation, they
shall be installed at the next regular meeting unless
circumstances warrant a new election to fill
vacancies.

167. REMOVAL OF OFFICERS:
(a) MISCONDUCT. The Local Lodge Board of
Directors may by a majority vote of all its
members, remove from office any member by
reason of incompetency, disobedience, moral or
physical disqualifications, embezzlement, or
neglect of official duties, provided that a written
complaint has been sent to the Board, and that
the Officer concerned has been given an
opportunity to defend.
(b) FAILURE TO ATTEND MEETINGS. If any Officer
is absent from three successive regular monthly
meetings of the Lodge without valid excuse
presented to and approved by the Lodge, then the
Lodge may declare such office vacant and elect a
new Officer to said office; provided, however, that
such Officer shall be given written notice by the Secretary of the Lodge, not less than 14 days
prior to the next meeting of the Lodge, of the
intended action.

168. PRESIDING OFFICER. In the absence of the
President, the Vice President shall preside, or, if the
Vice President is not present, the Counselor. If none
of these three officers are present, the Secretary or
some other member shall call the Lodge to order,
whereupon the Lodge by a majority vote shall select
some member to preside.

169. VACANCIES. Whenever a vacancy occurs in the
office of the Local Lodge President. the Vice President
shall succeed to the office of President for the
unexpired term. In such event the Board shall
appoint from the members of its Lodge a Vice
President to fill the unexpired term. When other
vacancies occur in the office of the Local Lodge,
caused by death, resignation or removal from office,
the vacancy shall be filled by the Board from the
members of the Local Lodge.

170. RETIRING OFFICERS SURRENDER PROPERTY.
All retiring Officers shall within five days after the
newly elected Officers assume their duties, turn over
to them all money, valuable papers, books of account
and documents which they have received as a result
of their official positions; also all stocks of printed
matter and all other property belonging to the Lodge,
and of which they have had the custody. (8/78)

171. COMPENSATION. The lodges themselves
determine the compensation to be paid the Secretary,
Financial Secretary or Membership Secretary,
Treasurer, and other officers.
 

CHAPTER IX
Duties of Officers

172. THE PRESIDENT shall
(a) Preside at all meetings of the lodge and the
Board of Directors;
(b) ) Be the highest ranking officer of the lodge,
and as such have general supervision of the
lodge; ensure compliance with the Sons of Norway
Charter and Constitutions, and rules, regulations
and ceremonies of the lodge; and see that the
officers perform their duties; (8/06)
(c) Appoint all standing or special committees
unless otherwise expressly provided;
(d) Be a member ex-officio of all appointed
committees except the Nominating and Auditing
Committees;
(e) Announce the result of all elections and
ballotings;
(f) Have no vote except when officers are elected
or applications balloted on, or in case of a tie vote;
(g) Decide all parliamentary questions that may
arise, but these rulings may be appealed to the
lodge;
(h) Attend to the bonding of officers;
(i) Sign all reports to the International Lodge and
contracts, and all other instruments issued on
behalf of the lodge;
(j) Countersign all checks, bank and postal
transfers issued by the treasurer; (8/86)
(k) In the event of a member’s death, be of
assistance to the deceased’s relatives with the
arrangement of the funeral, if so desired, and
shall request members of the lodge to be present
at the funeral;
(l) Render assistance to the family of the deceased
in matters as requested by the family, to the best
of his or her ability.

173. THE VICE PRESIDENT shall preside at all
meetings in the absence of the President, and when the
President is prevented from acting, shall fill his or her
position and shall assist the President at the meetings
and supervise the greeter(s).

174. THE COUNSELOR shall supervise all
ceremonies, question and instruct the candidates for
admission as prescribed in the ritual, assist and
guide the other officers by word and deed.

175 THE SECRETARY shall
(a) Keep an accurate and impartial record of all
meetings of the lodge and the Board of Directors;
(b) Carry on all correspondence which has not
expressly been delegated to other Officers;
(c) Read all official communications from officers
of the International and District Lodge as well as
all other communications to the lodge;
(d) Issue and attest all reports to the International
and District Lodges and all documents and
certificates on behalf of the lodge;
(e) Send the District Secretary names and
addresses of all persons who are expelled from
the lodge;
(f) In case any member moves to a place near
where another lodge is located, report this fact to the other lodge and request that the member be
contacted;
(g) Inform the members of the time of all special
meetings and also such regular meetings as the
President may think necessary;
(h) Be the custodian of the lodge seal, which
shall be affixed to all official documents.

176. THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
*The International Lodge adopted a law change allowing local
lodges to change the traditional role of the Financial Secretary in the
local lodge. Fundamentally, this change is explained in Paragraph 177
and in effect it assigns the membership related duties of the Financial
Secretary to a Membership Secretary and reassigns the financial duties
of the Financial Secretary to the Treasurer. (8/04)
The Financial Secretary shall:
(a) Receive all money due and payable to the
lodge and shall promptly pay the same to the
treasurer upon obtaining a receipt. Money
collected between meetings shall be turned over to
the treasurer no later than the close of the next
business meeting; (8/88)
(b) Retain in a Lodge Record Book, the essential
membership information required by the lodge,
and shall keep complete and accurate accounts
between the lodge and its members;
(c) Maintain books of account provided by the
Sons of Norway Headquarters showing all monies
received;
(d) Carry on all correspondence with the Sons of
Norway Headquarters relating to the duties of the
office;
(e) Prepare the financial reports of the lodge,
together with the treasurer, and sign the same,
together with the president and secretary;
(f) Prepare and attest all transfer cards and shall
inform the Sons of Norway Headquarters of all
withdrawals, expulsions or re-instatement, and in
each case give the name and address of such
persons;
(g) Prepare membership reports and such other
reports as may, from time to time, be requested
by the International or District Lodges, or their
Boards of Directors;
(h) Be present when the books are audited;
(i) In the case of death of a member, report such
to the Sons of Norway Headquarters;
(j) Perform such other duties as set forth in the
Financial Secretary’s Manual;
(k) Be the agent of the lodge and not of the
International Lodge. The lodge members are,
therefore, responsible to the International Lodge
and the Sons of Norway Headquarters for the
manner in which these duties are performed.

177. MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY
*The selection of the option to have a Membership Secretary and
realign financial duties of the Financial Secretary shall become effective
upon and evidenced by a motion or resolution adopted by the lodge
stating that it has made the election authorized by this paragraph of the
Constitution of Local Lodges.
A lodge may elect to have a Membership Secretary whose duties and
responsibilities shall be restricted to non monetary matters formerly
assigned to the Financial Secretary, which include the following:
The Membership Secretary shall:
(a) Retain in a Lodge Record Book, the essential membership information required by the lodge,
and shall keep complete and accurate accounts
between the lodge and its members;
(b) Carry on all correspondence with the Sons of
Norway Headquarters relating to the duties of the
office;
(c) Prepare and attest all transfer cards and shall
inform the Sons of Norway Headquarters of all
withdrawals, expulsions or reinstatement, and in
each case give the name and address of such
persons;
(d) Prepare membership reports and such other
requests as may, from time to time, be requested
by the International or District Lodges, or their
Boards of Directors;
(e) In the case of death of a member, report such
to the Sons of Norway Headquarters;
(f) Perform such other duties as set forth in the
Financial Secretary’s Manual;
(g) Be the agent of the lodge and not of the
International Lodge. The lodge members are,
therefore, responsible to the International Lodge
and the Sons of Norway Headquarters for the
manner in which these duties are performed.
(8/04)

178. THE TREASURER
*For lodges electing to have a Membership Secretary, the financial
duties and responsibilities of the Financial Secretary as set forth in
Paragraph 176 (a), (c), (e), (h) and (j), shall be performed by the
Treasurer, except those relating to interaction between the Financial
Secretary and Treasurer. (8/04)
The Treasurer shall:
(a) Receive the money collected by the Financial
Secretary or the Lodge, receipt for same, and shall
deposit the money in the name of the Lodge in
such banks as are designated by the Lodge or the
Board of Directors;
(b) Report to the Financial Secretary or the Lodge,
the amounts received on monies deposited in
banks or on investments;
(c) Maintain in the Treasurer’s Cash Book an
accurate and detailed account of Lodge funds
received from the Financial Secretary or the
Lodge; (9/80)
(d) Make no payments from any of the funds
without authorization from the lodge;
(e) Make no payment except by check, bank, or
postal transfers; (8/86)
(f) Submit the books for examination as often as
required by the lodge, the Board of Directors or
the president;
(g) Be present when the books are audited;
(h) Prepare the financial reports of the lodge,
together with the Financial Secretary, and sign
the same together with the president and
secretary.
(i) A lodge may elect to have the financial duties
and responsibilities of the Financial Secretary as
set out in sub-paragraphs (a), (c), (e), (h), and (j) of
paragraph 176 performed by the Treasurer of the
Lodge, except for those relating to the interaction
between the Financial Secretary and Treasurer
referred to these subparagraphs and in paragraph
177 which would no longer be applicable when
only one person is performing these duties and
responsibilities. For each lodge that makes such
an election, the office formerly known as Financial
Secretary shall be known as Membership
Secretary, whose duties and responsibilities shall
be restricted to non-monetary matters as specified
in sub-paragraphs (b), (d), (f), (g), (i), (j), and (k).
The selection of this option by a lodge shall
become effective upon, and evidenced by a motion
or resolution adopted by the lodge stating that it
has made the election authorized by this subparagraph
(i) of Section 177 of the Constitution of
Local Lodges. (8/04)

179. THE SOCIAL, SPORTS, RECREATION, AND
CULTURAL DIRECTORS:
(a) It shall be the duty of the Social Director to
plan and supervise the social activities of the
Lodge and to select the songs to be used during
ceremonies.
(b) The Sports and Recreation Director shall plan,
promote, and supervise a well-rounded program
of sports and recreation for the Lodge.
(c) The Cultural Director shall plan and supervise
programs for the lodge which will preserve and
promote our heritage. (8/98)
(d) The Social Director, Sports and Recreation
Director, and the Cultural Director shall have the
privilege of appointing such assistants and
committees as are deemed necessary and
approved by the Local Lodge President. (9/80)

180. THE MARSHAL AND THE ASSISTANT
MARSHAL shall
(a) Have charge of regalia, song books and such
other properties as are kept in the lodge rooms
and not especially entrusted to other officers;
82
(b) Be in attendance 15 minutes before the
opening of a lodge meeting;
(c) See to it that the paraphernalia are distributed
and in their proper places when the lodge is
called to order;
(d) Assist the president in preserving order and
decorum and, if so ordered, remove from the lodge
room persons whose presence is offensive or
disturbing;
(e) Supervise the balloting, put the ballot box in
order and see to it that members keep at a proper
distance from one another when voting;
(f) conduct candidates into the lodge room for
welcome ceremony; and
(g) Perform all other duties described by the
Bylaws and Ritual of Sons of Norway.

181. THE GREETERS shall under the direction of the
Vice President, welcome the members, visitors and
guests at all lodge functions. (8/04)

182. THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY shall assist the
Secretary and perform the duties of the Secretary in
his or her absence.

183. THE TRUSTEES shall supervise the personal
property of the lodge and perform such other duties
as may be required of them by the Lodge. The
trustees shall keep accurate accounts of same and
report to the Board of Directors and the lodge as
requested.

184. THE AUDITING COMMITTEE. When electing
officers, the Local Lodges shall select a standing
Auditing Committee of at least two persons, or
alternatively appoint a certified public accountant or public accountant, who shall audit the accounts of the
lodge every 12 months, or at other times if so required
by the lodge, and report to the lodge. They shall also
audit all committee reports containing financial
accounts before they are adopted by the lodge. At no
time shall the fiduciary obligation of the lodge be
abrogated. (8/92)

185. THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE:
(a) At the installation, the new President shall
appoint a Membership Committee, one member of
which shall be the Vice President. This committee
shall serve for 12 months, or for such shorter
terms as the Bylaws of the Local Lodge may
prescribe or until a new committee has been
appointed. The number of members on this
committee shall be determined by the President.
(8/94)
(b) It shall be the duty of the Membership
Committee to assist the Financial Secretary or
Treasurer in the collection of delinquent dues,
have charge of the effort to get new members,
assist the field staff personnel, encourage
members to attend lodge meetings and to pay
special attention to the welfare of new members in
their relation to the lodge. The President,
Secretary, and Financial Secretary or Membership
Secretary shall be ex-officio members of the
committee. (9/80)

186. THE YOUTH AND/OR UNGE VENNER
DIRECTOR;
(a) Each Lodge may elect a Youth and/or Unge
Venner Director who shall be responsible to the
Local Lodge and make reports to the lodge, as it
requires. (8/02)
(b) Acting in the role of Youth Director, with the
approval of the Local Lodge organize a Junior
Lodge, dance groups or clubs for Heritage
Members, acting in the role of Unge Venner
Director organize and assist members age 16-23
in developing social and cultural programs to
further enhance their membership in Sons of
Norway; perform other duties as set forth in the
Youth/Unge Venner Director’s Manual. (8/02)

187. GENERAL DUTIES. The officers of a Local Lodge
shall, besides the duties heretofore specified, perform
such other duties as are prescribed by the Bylaws of
Sons of Norway or required by the lodges.


CHAPTER X
The Board of Directors

188.
(a) CONSISTS OF. The Local Lodge Board of
Directors shall consist of the following elected
officers: President, Vice President, Secretary,
Treasurer, Financial or Membership Secretary
and Social or Cultural Director and such other
officers or Directors that the Local Lodge may
deem necessary. (8/06)
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES. The Board of Directors of
the Local Lodge shall be responsible to the lodge
for all of its actions and shall make a complete
report to the lodge at regular lodge meetings. The
board of Directors may consider and act upon
such matters as are referred to it by the lodge or
in accordance with the lodge’s Bylaws. (8/02)

189. OFFICERS OF BOARD: QUORUM. A simple
majority of the Board of Directors constitutes a
quorum. (8/06)

190. BOARD MEETINGS. The Board shall meet as
often as is necessary to conduct the business of the
lodge and shall hold no fewer than four meetings per
year. (8/98)

191. SPECIAL MEETINGS. Special Board meetings
may be called by the President whenever found
required, but shall be called on written demand by
three members of the Board.
CHAPTER XI
Bonding of Officers and Investments

192. SURETY BONDS. Sons of Norway shall provide
a blanket position bond for each Local Lodge member
handling Local Lodge funds in the sum of $10,000
with a deductible for each claim. The liability of Sons
of Norway to a Local Lodge shall be limited to the
amount of said blanket position bond. If a Local Lodge
requires a larger bond for its financial officers, such
additional bond shall be applied for and paid for by
such Lodge. (9/80)

193. INVESTMENT. The Board of Directors may,
whenever it is found desirable, recommend to the
lodge that as much of the lodge funds as are not
necessary for the current expenses shall be invested
in the manner permitted by law.


CHAPTER XII
Breach of Conduct

194. FORM OF PENALTIES. Members who have
violated the rules, laws or Bylaws of Sons of Norway
and are considered to be deserving of penalty may be
charged with misconduct. Such a charge may only be
brought forth by a written complaint filed with the
lodge president.
(a) COMPLAINT. The compliant must be in writing,
signed by one or more witnesses to the alleged
misconduct and must specifically outline the
misconduct as defined below. A copy of the written
complaint, along with any supporting information,
must be promptly sent to the respondent.
(b) MISCONDUCT. It shall be misconduct for a
member to publicly engage in behavior which either
offends or violates laws, rituals or rules of Sons of
Norway, while such member is attending a meeting or
other function of a Sons of Norway lodge. A person
determined to have engaged in such misconduct is
subject to the following:
(1) A reprimand with a warning not to repeat,
(2) Suspension of the right to attend lodge
meetings, or
(3) Expulsion from membership in the Lodge.
(c) ADMINISTERING A COMPLAINT. Following the
receipt of the complaint, it is the duty of the lodge
president, along with a committee of lodge members
appointed by the lodge board of directors to
immediately review it and determine whether the
complaint has been accurately stated. If the
complaint conforms to the specifications herein, the
lodge board of directors must commence or cause an
investigation into the allegation(s) within seven (7)
days. After the investigation has concluded, or the
after seven (7) day period has run (whichever is
earlier), the lodge board of directors shall rule on the
validity of the complaint, and if deemed valid, shall
determine the appropriate penalty and communicate
same to the complainant and respondent. If
complaint is deemed without merit, that decision
shall be communicated to the complainant and
respondent within the same time period as set for
valid complaints.
(d) APPEALS PROCESS. If a complainant or
respondent desires to appeal the lodge board of
directors ruling, the matter shall be referred to the
Dispute Resolution Procedures outline in Chapter XVI
hereafter. Any penalty shall be postponed until
appellate rights have expired. (8/06)

195. COMPENSATION OF SECRETARY. For
preparation of the summary, the Ad Hoc Committee
secretary shall be entitled to a fee as determined by
the committee, for each 100 words, same to be paid
by the appellant.

196. FAILURE TO APPEAL. If the respondent fails to
appeal in a timely fashion or fails to abide by the
rules set forth herein pertaining to appeal, the appeal
shall be dismissed and the appeal for all purposes
shall be considered abandoned and the decision last
rendered shall be deemed final.

197. EFFECT OF REVERSAL OR MODIFICATION. If
the appellant succeeds, the party or parties initiating
the proceeding shall reimburse to the appellant any
fees paid to the Secretary, and the appellant
(respondent) shall have all previously held rights and
benefits restored.
CHAPTER XIII
Lodge Liability Insurance

198. LODGE LIABILITY INSURANCE. It shall be
mandatory for all District and Local Lodges to secure
general liability insurance as provided by the Sons of
Norway Headquarters. The liability insurance
coverage shall protect the Lodge and the individual
members of the Lodge from personal liability and
expenses resulting from claims arising out of the
Lodge or Lodge-sponsored activities. This insurance
does not cover real estate or buildings. This insurance
does not cover liquor liability claims. The premium for
this insurance shall be paid annually, pursuant to
billing by the Sons of Norway Headquarters. The cost
and limits for this insurance will be as determined by
the International Board of Directors. (8/96)
(a) Upon application to the International Board,
and fulfilling its requirements, a District or Local Lodge may obtain an exemption from carrying the
above general liability insurance, but only if such
exemption meets the guidelines set down by the
International Board and does not jeopardize the
coverage made available to other lodges. (8/86)


CHAPTER XIV
Bylaws for Local Lodges

199. ADOPTION, REPEAL OR AMENDMENT OF
BYLAWS:
(a) A Local Lodge may from time to time by a two-thirds
majority vote of the members present and
voting adopt, repeal or amend its Bylaws.
(b) Proposals for repealing or changing of Bylaws
must be presented in writing and must be read at
the business meeting when they are received, but
they shall not be acted upon before the next
business meeting. In addition, notification of the
proposals and business meeting date should be
sent to each member prior to the date of the
business meeting at which they will be acted
upon. (8/94)

200. APPROVAL OF BYLAWS. When such laws and
amendments thereto have been adopted by the Local
Lodge, they shall be submitted to the Sons of Norway
Headquarters, and shall be effective when approved as
provided for by the International Board of Directors.
Copies of Local Lodge Bylaws shall be on file at the
Sons of Norway Headquarters, with a copy sent to the
District Secretary.

201. CONTENTS. Such Bylaws should be few, and
limited to such matters as have not already been
covered by the laws of Sons of Norway, such as lodge
name, time and place of meeting, admission fees,
dues, bonds, or officers. (8/78)

202. CONFORMITY WITH LODGE LAWS. Bylaws or
Amendments must not conflict with the Charter and
Bylaws of the International Lodge, or the Bylaws of
the District Lodges, or the general laws of Sons of
Norway.
CHAPTER XV
Acquisition of Real Estate

203. ACQUISITION OF REAL ESTATE. When a lodge
desires to acquire real estate, it shall organize a
separate nonprofit corporation under its local laws for
the purpose of taking title to such real estate. The
Articles of Incorporation, or Charter, of such nonprofit
corporation must provide that the voting members,
officers, and directors of such nonprofit corporation
shall be members in good standing of the lodge.
CHAPTER XVI
Resolution of Dispute

204. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES.
(a) PURPOSE. The purpose of this section is to
prescribe the sole means to present and resolve
grievances, complaints or disputes brought by
members, certificate owners or beneficiaries,
against the Sons of Norway or its directors,
officers, agents and employees. Procedures set
forth in this section are meant to provide prompt,
fair and efficient opportunities for dispute
resolution, consistent with the fraternal nature of
the Sons of Norway, without the delay and
expense of formal legal proceedings. (8/02)
(b) SCOPE. This section applies to all past,
current and future benefit certificates, members,
insureds, certificate owners and beneficiaries. It
applies to all claims, actions, disputes and
grievances of any kind or nature whatsoever. It
includes, but is not limited to, claims based on breach of benefit contract, as well as claims based
on fraud, misrepresentation, violation of statute,
discrimination, denial of civil rights, conspiracy,
defamation, and infliction of distress, against the
Sons of Norway or its directors, officers, agents or
employees. This section does not apply to claims
or disputes made after the applicable statute of
limitations has expired. This section does not
apply to actions brought by the Sons of Norway,
including, but not limited to, actions for:
declaratory judgment, determining proper payees,
recovering amounts due, and contesting
insurance coverage or membership eligibility.
(8/02)
(c) PROCEDURES. No lawsuits or any other actions
may be brought for any claims or disputes
covered by this section. The following are the
steps and procedures for presenting and resolving
disputes:
STEP 1. APPEAL. Appeal of the dispute to a
designated reviewer within the Sons of Norway as
appropriate to the dispute.
STEP 2. MEDIATION. If step 1 does not result
in a mutually satisfactory resolution, either party
has the right to have the matter mediated in
accord with the applicable mediation rules of the
American Arbitration Association (or other neutral
organization as agreed upon by the parties.)
STEP 3. ARBITRATION. If there is still no
mutually satisfactory resolution the matter will be
resolved by binding arbitration in accordance with
rules of the American Arbitration Association. The
arbitrator(s) may award any actual damages
incurred for which there is liability, but may not
award attorneys' fees, or compensatory,
exemplary, extra-contractual or punitive damages.
The decision of the arbitrator(s) is binding and
final. Additional procedural rules may be defined in policies established by Sons of Norway and
made available upon request. If a claim or dispute
is subject to law that prohibits parties from
agreeing to submit future disputes to binding
arbitration, arbitration results shall be nonbinding,
unless both the individual and the Sons
of Norway voluntarily agree to binding arbitration
after the claim or dispute has arisen. (8/02)
(d) COSTS. Fees and expenses of the mediator
and/or arbitrator shall be paid out of a dispute
resolution fund established by Sons of Norway.
This does not include attorneys’ fees, experts’
fees, or discovery costs, which each party shall
bear as its own responsibility. (8/02)
(e) JOINDER OF DISPUTES. No claim or dispute
may be brought against Sons of Norway, or its
directors, officers, agents or employees in a
representative capacity, or on behalf of any “class”
of persons or members. Claims of multiple
persons may be joined and presented under this
section provided all affected members, certificate
owners and beneficiaries consent in writing, or if
the Sons of Norway determines that joinder is
appropriate. (8/02)