R.I. Gen. Laws § 27-25-5: Purposes and powers.

(a) A society shall operate for the benefit of members and their beneficiaries by:

(1) Providing benefits as specified in § 27-25-16; and

(2)(i) Operating for one or more social, intellectual, educational, charitable, benevolent, moral, fraternal, patriotic, or religious purposes for the benefit of its members, which may also be extended to others;

(ii) These purposes may be carried out directly by the society, or indirectly through subsidiary corporations or affiliate organizations.

(b) Every society shall have the power to adopt laws and rules for the government of the society, the admission of its members, and the management of its affairs. It shall have the power to change, alter, add to, or amend those laws and rules, and shall have any other powers as are necessary and incidental to carrying into effect the objects and purposes of the society.