A domestic society organized on or after January 1, 1997, shall be formed as follows: (1) Seven or more citizens of the United States, a majority of whom are citizens of this State, who desire to form a fraternal benefit society shall form a corporation without capital stock, the governing body of which is elected and the powers of which are not more liberal than as provided in this chapter and the name of which shall not so closely resemble the name of any society or insurance company then licensed in Delaware as to be confusing. (2) Its certificate of incorporation, duly certified copies of the society's bylaws and rules, copies of all proposed forms of certificates, applications therefor and circulars to be issued by the society, the names, residences and official titles of all the officers, trustees, directors or other persons who are to have and exercise the general control of the management of the affairs and funds of the society for the first year or until the ensuing election at which all such officers shall be elected by the supreme governing body, which election shall be held not later than 1 year from the date of issuance of the permanent certificate of authority and a bond conditioned upon the return to applicants of the advanced payments if the organization is not completed within 1 year, shall be filed with the Commissioner, who may require such further information as the Commissioner deems necessary. The bond with sureties approved by the Commissioner shall be in such amount, not less than $300,000, nor more than $1,500,000, as required by the Commissioner. All documents filed are to be in the English language. If the purposes of the society conform to the requirements of this chapter and all provisions of the law have been complied with, the Commissioner shall so certify, retain and file the certificate of incorporation and shall furnish the incorporators a preliminary certificate of authority authorizing the society to solicit members as hereinafter provided. (3) No preliminary certificate of authority granted under the provisions of this section shall be valid after 1 year from its date or after such further period, not exceeding 1 year, as may be authorized by the Commissioner upon cause shown, unless the 500 applicants hereinafter required have been secured and the organization has been completed as herein provided. The charter and all other proceedings thereunder shall become null and void in 1 year from the date of the preliminary certificate of authority or at the expiration of the extended period, unless the society shall have completed its organization and received a certificate of authority to do business as hereinafter provided. (4) Upon receipt of a preliminary certificate of authority from the Commissioner, the society may solicit members for the purpose of completing its organization, shall collect from each applicant the amount of not less than 1 regular monthly premium in accordance with its table of rates and shall issue to each such applicant a receipt for the amount so collected. No society shall incur any liability other than for the return of such advance premium, nor issue any certificate, nor pay, allow, or offer or promise to pay or allow any benefit to any person until: a. Actual bona fide applications for benefits have been secured on not less than 500 applicants, and any necessary evidence of insurability has been furnished to and approved by the society; b. At least 10 subordinate lodges have been established into which the 500 applicants have been admitted; c. There has been submitted to the Commissioner, under oath of the president or secretary or corresponding officer of the society, a list of such applicants, giving their names, addresses, date each was admitted, name and number of the subordinate lodge of which each applicant is a member, amount of benefits to be granted and premiums therefor; and d. It shall have been shown to the Commissioner, by sworn statement of the treasurer or corresponding officer of such society, that at least 500 applicants have each paid in cash at least 1 regular monthly premium as herein provided, which premiums in the aggregate shall amount to at least $150,000. Said advance premiums shall be held in trust during the period of organization and if the society has not qualified for a certificate of authority within 1 year, as herein provided, such premiums shall be returned to said applicants. (5) The Commissioner may make such examination and require such further information as the Commissioner deems advisable. Upon presentation of satisfactory evidence that the society has complied with all the provisions of law, the Commissioner shall issue to the society a certificate of authority to that effect and that the society is authorized to transact business pursuant to the provisions of this chapter. The certificate of authority shall be prima facie evidence of the existence of the society at the date of such certificate. The Commissioner shall cause a record of such certificate of authority to be made. A certified copy of such record may be given in evidence with like effect as the original certificate of authority. (6) Any incorporated society authorized to transact business in this State on January 1, 1997, shall not be required to reincorporate.
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