24-A M.R.S. §4101: Fraternal benefit societies defined

1. Any incorporated society, order or supreme lodge, without capital stock, including one exempted under section 4142, whether incorporated or not, conducted solely for the benefit of its members and their beneficiaries and not for profit, operated on a lodge system with ritualistic form of work, having a representative form of government, and which makes provision for the payment of benefits in accordance with this chapter, is hereby declared to be a fraternal benefit society.

2. When used in this chapter the word "society," unless otherwise indicated, shall mean fraternal benefit society.