That any number, not less than 15, of workingmen's aid societies, otherwise called Arbeiter Unterstuetzungs Vereine, which have been duly incorporated under the laws of Michigan, may unite or form a union or bund, and become incorporated under the provisions of this act.

Any such societies, not less than 15, desiring to form an incorporated union or bund under this act, shall delegate 1 of their members, by appropriate resolution, to be entered in the records of such societies, to act in executing articles of association under this act.

Such delegates may, in behalf of their respective societies, make and execute under their hands and seals, articles of association, which articles of association shall be acknowledged before some officer of the state having authority to take acknowledgments of deeds, and shall set forth:

Third, The object and purpose of such association, which shall be the general welfare of the members of the societies forming such association, and the extending to them, and their families, in case of death, such material aid as may be fixed from time to time by the constitution and by-laws of the association.

Such articles of association shall be filed with the secretary of state, and thereupon such association shall be a body politic and corporate by the name expressed in such articles of association, capable of taking, holding, and disposing of real and personal property, of suing and being sued, and of having a common seal which may be altered or changed at their pleasure: Provided, That the value of such real estate shall not exceed 10,000 dollars. Such corporation shall have full power to adopt a constitution, and to make and establish rules, regulations and by-laws for regulating and governing all the affairs and business of said corporation, and for the admission and expulsion of members, and to designate, elect or appoint from among the members of the societies forming and belonging to such corporation, such officers, and under such name and style, and with such duties as the constitution and by-laws of such corporation may from time to time prescribe. The constitution and by-laws of such corporation may be amended from time to time in such manner as may be provided by such corporation.

The affairs of such corporation shall be controlled by a convention of delegates, which shall meet at least once in every 2 years in some suitable place in this state. Such delegates shall be appointed or elected by the respective societies forming such corporation, and the number of delegates which each society is entitled to send to such convention shall be determined by the constitution and by-laws of such association. The place of holding the first convention shall be designated by the delegates signing the articles of association under this act, and each convention held thereafter, before final adjournment, shall name the place of holding the next convention. The time of holding the same shall be specified by the constitution and by-laws of such association.

A copy of the records of such articles of association, under the seal of the state, duly certified according to law, shall be received as prima facie evidence in all courts of this state, of the existence and due incorporation of such union or bund.