University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives
Articles of Incorporation for Cooperatives, including a Sample OutlineFrom How to Start a Cooperative, Cooperative Information Report 7, United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Galen Rapp and Gerald Ely, Revised September 1996 Incorporation is usually the best method of organizing. Each State has special enabling laws underwhich cooperatives may incorporate. It may be preferable to incorporate under the State's general corporation enabling act, but structure bylaws to operate as a cooperative. Incorporation gives the cooperative a distinct legal standing. Members generally are not personally liable for the debts of an incorporated organization beyond the amount of their investment. The articles indicate the nature of the cooperative business. The articles should specify rather broad operating authority when incorporating even though services may be limited at the beginning. These articles usually contain the name of the cooperative, principal place of business, purposes and powers of the association, proposed duration of the association, names of the incorporators (in most States), and information about the capital structure. In some States, the names of the first officers of the association must be included. Filing the articles of incorporation (usually with the Secretary of State) activates the cooperative corporation. After the organizing committee approves the articles, the attorney files for the corporation charter and includes the recording fees. Once chartered by the State, the cooperative should promptly adopt bylaws. Articles of Incorporation of _____________________________ Association
We, the undersigned, all of whom are residents and citizens of the State of _________________,
engaged in the production of agricultural products, do hereby voluntarily associate ourselves for
the purpose of forming a cooperative association, (with/without) capital stock, under the
provisions of the __________________ Cooperative Marketing Act of the State of
_______________. Article IV- Place of Business Article V- Period of Duration Article VI- Directors Article VII- Membership (for nonstock cooperative) or Article VII- Capital Stock (for stock cooperative) In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands this _______ day of _______, 19__.
Before me, a notary public, within and for said county and State, on this ___ day
of __________, 19____, personally appeared _____, known to me to be one of the identical
persons who executed the within and foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that he/she
had executed the same as a free and voluntary act and deed for the uses and purposes therein set
forth.
Witness my hand and official seal the day and year set forth.
Notary Public_________________________ |
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