Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.
PREFACE: The following are the amended Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws that are effective January 1, 2026. Published in these BetterLife Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws are the framework for the system of governance at BetterLife. The members of the BetterLife Board of Directors, as representatives of all BetterLife members, use these Articles and Bylaws to govern their actions and to make decisions about corporate objectives, policies, and strategy.
Articles of Incorporation of BetterLife
ARTICLE I. NAME The name of this fraternal benefit society shall be BetterLife( the " Society ").
ARTICLE II. PLACE OF BUSINESS The Society’ s principal office shall be in the City of Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin.
ARTICLE III. PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
( a) The purpose of the Society is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which it is authorized as a fraternal benefit society organized under ch. 614, Wis. Stats., or the laws of any other jurisdiction in which it is authorized to act.
( b) The objective of the Society is to associate members and their families, and enable them through membership in the Society to aid themselves and others with programs of:( 1) Insurance and other benefits permissible under the law governing fraternal benefit societies;( 2) Fraternal and benevolent activities in local Chapters; and( 3) Any lawful, social, intellectual, educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, or patriotic purpose carried on through voluntary activities of its members in their local Chapters or through institutional programs of the Society. A common bond of membership is provided by support of the following: Members come together to foster wellbeing by celebrating traditions, supporting one another, and strengthening financial security in our communities.
ARTICLE IV. LODGES Name Designation. The local lodges required of the Society under the laws governing fraternal benefit societies shall be called“ Chapters” in these Articles of Incorporation and in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE V. CHAPTERS Chapters. Local Chapters shall be chartered by the Board of Directors in the manner prescribed in the Bylaws and shall have the powers given to them in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Supreme Governing body of the Society shall be a Board of Directors. Except as otherwise provided by law, these Articles of
Incorporation, or the Bylaws, the powers of the corporation shall be exercised by, and the corporate business and affairs shall be managed under, the direction of the Board of Directors, whose number, qualifications, election or appointment, and term shall be established in accordance with the Society’ s Bylaws.
ARTICLE VII. MEMBERSHIP A member is an individual who meets the qualification requirements that the Board of Directors may establish and who has had his or her membership application accepted.( a) Classes of Members. There shall be the following classes of members:( 1) Benefit Member. A Benefit Member is a person who has attained the age of 16 and who is covered by an insurance policy or annuity contract, or other qualifying benefit provided by the Society. Benefit Members may participate in the business affairs of the local Chapter in which they are members and may hold office therein. Benefit Members also have the right to vote in the corporate and insurance affairs of the Society according to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws.( 2) Associate Member. An Associate Member is a person who has attained the age of 16 years or more, who has been accepted for membership in accordance with the eligibility rules as determined by resolution of the Board of Directors, but who is not covered by an insurance policy or annuity contract issued by the Society. Associate Members may participate in the affairs and activities of the local Chapter in which they are members and may hold office therein, but shall not have the right to vote in the corporate and insurance affairs of the Society.
( b) Juveniles. The Society may insure the lives and disability of children younger than the minimum age for Benefit Membership. Such insurance shall be issued on the application of an adult person who shall not by reason thereof, nor by reason of any benefit providing waiver of premium, become a Benefit Member. At the age of 16, the insured shall become a Benefit Member.
ARTICLE VIII. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors shall adopt Bylaws and, by a majority vote of the full Board of Directors, shall have the power to make,
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