(1) A domestic society may amend its governing documents in accordance with the provisions thereof by action of its supreme governing body at any regular or special meeting thereof or, if its governing documents so provide, by referendum. Such referendum may be held in accordance with the provisions of its governing documents by the vote of the voting members of the society, by the vote of delegates or representatives of voting members, or by the vote of local lodges. A society may provide for voting by mail. No amendment submitted for adoption by referendum shall be adopted unless, within six months after the date of submission thereof, a majority of the members voting shall have signified their consent to such amendment by one of the methods specified in this section. Whenever a domestic society desires to amend its articles of incorporation, it shall file its certificate of amendment with the commissioner before filing the same with the secretary of state, and if the commissioner, with the advice of the attorney general, finds the same to be legally adopted and in due legal form and not in conflict with statutory provisions governing societies, then and not otherwise the certificate of amendment shall be filed with the secretary of state. Any other amendment of the governing documents of the society shall be filed with the commissioner. If the commissioner, with the advice of the attorney general, finds the amendment to be legally adopted and in due legal form and not in conflict with statutory provisions governing societies, then the amendment shall become operative upon filing, unless a later time is provided in the amendment or in the society's governing documents.

(2) Within ninety days after any amendment becomes operative, the amendment or amendments, or a synopsis thereof, shall be furnished to all members of the society either by mail or by publication in full in the official publication of the society. The affidavit of any officer of the society or of anyone authorized by it to mail any amendments or synopsis thereof, stating facts which show that the same have been duly addressed and mailed, shall be prima facie evidence that such amendments or synopsis thereof have been furnished to the addressee.

(3) Every foreign or alien society authorized to do business in this state shall file with the commissioner and the secretary of state a duly certified copy of all amendments of, or additions to, its articles of incorporation within ninety days after the enactment of the same in accordance with the provisions set forth in subsection (1) of this section. Any other amendment of the governing documents of the society shall be filed with the commissioner within ninety days after enactment.

(4) Printed copies of the governing documents, as amended, certified by the secretary or corresponding officer of the society, shall be prima facie evidence of the legal adoption thereof.