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Organization and Management
o f Consumers’ Cooperatives

Bulletin No. 1024
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Maurice J. Tobin, Secretary

BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Ewan Clague, C o m m issio n e r

Organization and Management
of Consumers’ Cooperatives

Bulletin No. 1024
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Maurice J. Tobin, Secretary
BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS
Ewan Clague, C o m m issio n e r
For sale by the Superintendent of Docum ents, U . S. Government Printing Office,

Washington 25, D. CJ —Price 30 cents

Letter of Transmittal
U nited S tates D epartment of L abor ,
B ureau of Labor Statistics,

Washington, D. C., June 1, 1951.

The S ecretary of Labor :
I have the honor to transmit herewith the revision of a report in
tended for the use of groups wishing to organize cooperative buying
clubs or consumers’ cooperative associations on the Rochdale plan.
Both the original and the revision were prepared by Florence E. Parker
of the Bureau’s Office of Labor Economics.
Hon. M aurice J. T obin ,

Secretary of Labor.

E wan Clague , Commissioner

PREFACE
The present bulletin is a revision of two previous bulletins (Nos. 598
and 665), the first of which was issued in 1934 at the request of the Con
sumers' Advisory Board of the National Recovery Administration.
At that time, as is always true in times of depression, wage earners
were casting about for ways to make their shrunken incomes cover
the necessaries of life for their families. In such times, also, people are
more willing to accept new ideas and to try new ways. The cooperative
movement, banding people together in their purchases and returning to
them all of the savings effected by quantity buying, seemed to offer
possibilities, and workers became more and more interested in it as a
philosophy and as an economic measure.
Their requests to the Consumers' Advisory Board as consumers and
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics as wage earners led to discussions be
tween these bodies and to a formal request from the Board that the
Bureau issue material that would be helpful to wage-earner and other
consumer groups desiring to undertake cooperative activities. The
Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the pursuance of its authority under the
act creating it, to “acquire and diffuse * * * useful information on sub
jects connected with labor, in the most general and comprehensive sense
of that word/' had for many years been collecting data regarding the
consumers' cooperative movement. This information covered, among
other things, statistics of membership and business, methods of opera
tion, and causes of success or failure.
The Bureau's studies had shown that one of the most prolific causes
of failure of cooperative associations resulting in the loss of wage
earners' money, as well as in loss to the creditors of bankrupt coopera
tives—was failure to organize on the proper basis, i. e., starting without
adequate understanding of the cooperative principles, with unwarranted
expectations as to the amount of savings likely to be effected, without
knowledge of business management, of how and what to buy, and of
proper accounting methods. All of these were mistakes that could be
avoided if proper information on an authoritative basis were forth
coming.
To provide that information Bulletin No. 598 was issued. In the
preparation of it, the Bureau drewr not only upon its own fund of in
formation but also upon the practical experience of the Cooperative
League of the U. S. A. and its member associations.

T IT

PREFACE

The continuous demand for the report has demonstrated both the
need and the desire for information of this kind. The important changes
in conditions and in cooperative techniques that have taken place in
the past few years have rendered misleading and obsolete many of the
sections in the two reports. It has therefore seemed desirable to issue
a revision that will deal with present conditions in a realistic way. As
was the case in the previous revision, the Bureau has had the benefit of
suggestions and criticisms of many persons, within and without the
cooperative movement, who were qualified on the subject by experience
and study. To these persons, too numerous to mention by name, the
Bureau wishes to make grateful acknowledgment for the many very
valuable suggestions received.
E wan Clague ,

J une 1951.

Commissioner of Labor Statistics.

Contents
Preface.................................................. - .......................... ............................................
Introduction.------ ---------------------------------------------------------Preliminary survey---------------------------------------------Nature and needs of the group_______________________________
Survey of local conditions_______ _____________________________
Considerations in the selection of the cooperative enterprise______
P art 1.—Consumers1 cooperative associations____________________________
Preliminary organization work. _________________________
First organization meeting___________________________________________
Charter and bylaws---------------------------------------------Rochdale principles._____ ________ __________________ i ----------Rochdale practices____________________________
Articles of incorporation_________________________________________
Bylaws_____________________________________
Membership ----------------------------------------------Capital____________________________________________________________
Share capital---------------------------------------------------------------------------Loan capital___________________________________________________
Amount of holdings in capital__________________i _______________
Withdrawal of capital______________________________________
Return on share capital_________________________________________
Directors__________________________________________________________
Officers___________________________________________________________
Membership m eetings--------------------------------------------------------------------Voting power and method of voting___________________________________
Questions relating to initial financing and beginning of operations_________
Capital requirements for a store association____________________
Capital and initial equipment for a petroleum association____________
Operating expenses of a store association__________________________
Business location and premises___________________________________
Employees of the cooperative________________________________________
Store manager_________________________________________
Other employees_________________________________
Wages_____ ____________________________________
Business methods and policies..................................................._......................
Cash or credit?...... ............................................................
Price policy...............................................................
Delivery service..................................................................
Fidelity bonds or security guaranties.............................................................
Buying of merchandise and sources of supply.............................................
Meeting competition.............................................................................
Accounting practices--------- --------------------------------------Bookkeeping........................................................................
Audit..................................................................................
Inventory and depreciation..................................................................
Record of patronage..............................................................

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CONTENTS

Net savings and their disposal............................................................................
General surplus reserve---- - r w-_ i _________________________
Educational funds----- -----------------------------------------------------------Savings returns or refunds op purchases____________________ ____
Other uses for net savings_____________________________________
Committees___________________________________________________ __
Committee on education_________ ____ ____________ ___________
Committee on grades and quality of goods.______________________
Committee on audit and inventory_____ ._________ _____________
Business management committee_______________________________
Educational work_________________________________________________
Part 2.—Consumers’ cooperative buying clubs___________________________
Object and scope______ _•_________________________________________
Organization_____________________________________________________
Officers and committees______________________ ____________ ______. _
Goods handled___________________________________________________
Sources of supply_________________________________________________
Distribution________
Records_________________________________________________________
Division of net savings____________________________________________
Larger possibilities___________
P art 3.—Appendixes_________________________________________________
Appendix A.—Outline for survey of community______________________
Appendix B.—Suggested bylaws for a consumers’ Cooperative_______ _
Appendix C.—Suggested bylaws for a cooperative buying club_________
Appendix D.—Typical articles and bylaws of a cooperative burial associa
tion ______________________________________
Appendix E.—Typical bylaws of a cooperative health association_______
Appendix F.—Citations of consumers’ cooperative laws___________
Appendix G.—Consumers’ Cooperative Act of the District of Columbia-.
Appendix H.—Manager’s reports to board of directors________________
Appendix I.—Sources of cooperative information_________________
Appendix J.—Directory of cooperative wholesales___________________
Appendix K.—-Consumers’ cooperation: A selected list of references_____
Index_______________________________________________________________

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Bulletin No. 1024 of the
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics
O R G A N IZ A T IO N

A N D

M A N A G EM EN T

O F

C O N S U M E R S ’ C O O P E R A T IV E S

INTRODUCTION
Organization of a cooperative association is probably easiest in a group
the members of which are personally acquainted. They may be neigh
bors or persons bound by some fraternal or racial tie which gives a sense
of kinship, or members of the same labor union, church, community
center, or farmers' fraternal or marketing or other organization. On the
other hand, in recent years the increasingly widespread consumer con
sciousness has shown that it is entirely possible for a cooperative to
start among almost complete strangers. This has been particularly true
in urban areas. Indeed, a great deal may be gained by convincing the
community from the start that membership in the cooperative is not
limited to members of a particular organization.
Before launching a cooperative business the group should meet regu
larly for the purpose of studying and discussing the history, methods,
and possibilities of cooperation. Members of the group should individ
ually obtain as much information on the subject as possible. This pre
liminary education1 has been found by experience to be vital.
The best way to begin is with small study groups, which should meet
frequently in the homes of the members of the group. A discussion
leader should be appointed from the group for each meeting, and each
member should be given some preliminary reading to do.2 Each mem
ber should participate in the discussion. A study group which continues
for 6 months or a year will bring about a continuous increase in the
members' understanding and knowledge of cooperation. About once
every 4 or 6 weeks there should be a joint meeting of all of these small
groups in the community, at which time some common problem should
be discussed. Finally, meetings should be held at which the particular
business enterprise to be undertaken should be the main topic for
consideration.*8
1 For an exposition of m ethods and procedures in cooperative educational work, see Cooperative
Education, by J. P . W arbasse (The Cooperative League, 343 S. Dearborn S t., Chicago 4, 111.).
8 For selected list of literature on cooperative subjects, see appendix K (p. 91).

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS' COOPERATIVES

Preliminary Survey

An advance survey of the proposed field is strongly urged before any
business commitments or activities are undertaken. This should take
into consideration (1) the nature and needs of the group to be served;
(2) local business and other conditions; and (3) the factors to be con
sidered in the selecton of the cooperative enterprise—i. e., the possi
bilities (both advantages and disadvantages) offered by specific types
of enterprise, and the cooperative resources and aids available in each
line.
The preliminary survey should lay the basis for two group decisions:
(1) Whether the community needs and is likely to support a consumers'
cooperative, and, if so, (2) the initial type of commodities to handle or
services to perform. The advice of persons experienced in business and
in cooperatives should be sought in reaching these decisions.

Nature and Needs of the Group
An association whose members are not familiar with the principles
and methods of cooperation is not on a sound basis. It cannot succeed
without men and women who understand the meaning of distribution
for service. First emphasis should, therefore, be placed on seeing that
the members are imbued with these principles.
It is essential to ascertain what members may be counted upon to
help with the initial problems of organizing the business and what types
of leadership are available. Those most needed are persons with or
ganizing and teaching or speaking ability, with business experience and
judgment, with bookkeeping or accounting knowledge, and with legal
training.

Survey of Local Conditions

This part of the preliminary survey3 should furnish the basis for deci
sion as to whether (1) there is a real need for a cooperative (i. e., whether
some additional or new economic function could be performed by a
cooperative, or whether an existing activity could be carried on more
effectively on the cooperative basis), and (2) the probable chances of
success. Among the points this survey should cover are the competition
to be met (the existing business agencies in fields feasible for a coopera
tive, and their volume of business); ways in which the cooperative could
improve upon the existing situation; the probable extent of the trading
territory available to a cooperative, and the probable volume of busi
ness; whether there are any other cooperatives in the locality; the prob
able number of persons who would be interested in a cooperative;
whether previous cooperatives have failed in the territory and the causes
of their failure; and the general characteristics of the community (num
3 For outline of such a survey see appendix A (p. 50).

INTRODUCTION

ber of local clubs, literary societies, labor unions, farmers' organizations,
whether the population is stable, existence of opposing factions or
cliques, etc.).

Considerations in the Selection of the Cooperative Enterprise
A basic consideration is the selection of the enterprise which will be
undertaken. Generally speaking, it is wiser for a new group to start
with a business activity for which a joint cooperative program is already
under way and in which it can be associated with other cooperatives
rather than to enter a field in which it will function alone.
1. The credit union .— Credit unions are cooperative associations for
the encouragement of thrift and for making loans to their members.
They meet a real need in supplying loans at moderate rates to small
borrowers whose choice of sources of credit is very limited. A credit
union may be of very great assistance, also, as an adjunct to a coopera
tive store. The machinery to assist in the formation of such associations
exists in the Bureau of Federal Credit Unions of the Federal Security
Agency, Washington, D. C., and in the Credit Union National Associa
tion, Madison, Wis.
2. The gasoline filling station .— Throughout the Middle West great
success has attended the “oil associations" serving farmers' groups
mainly. Their success has been due to concentration of business at one
point and to dispensing with costly services. The margins in this field,
although not so high as they once were, are nevertheless substantial.
A cooperative group may find it advantageous to add a gasoline service
to a store enterprise, or to make the gasoline station the starting point
leading up to a store.
3. Other enterprises which might be considered are associations for
the provision of medical service, hospitalization, burial service, coal,
milk, housing,4 recreation, insurance, and restaurant or bakery projects.
4. Consumer contracts .— Cooperative groups may arrange for a defi
nite discount on all purchases by their members from local tradesmen—
clothiers and tailors, haberdashers, electrical appliance, hardware, and
furniture dealers, florists, druggists, bookshops, laundries, dry cleaners,
etc. All savings made in this way through a club should be collected
by the club, and at least part should be retained by it in a fund that can
later be used to finance a store. In other words, this joint activity
should lead to or supplement a store. Experience has shown that clubs
that confine themselves solely to contract business do not make much
progress as cooperative organizations.
5. The cooperative store .— In canvassing all possibilities, consideration *
* Bulletin No. 858 of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (Organization and Management of Cooperative
Housing Associations) may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing
Office, Washington 25, D. C., at 20 cents a copy.
945596°—51----2

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

should be given to a program which begins with or leads directly into a
grocery or a general store. If the group favors the starting of such a
store, it is important to consider what commodities most of the group
need and will buy, the quality and prices to which they are accustomed,
the sources of supply, and the commodities on which a substantial saving
can be made. In urban communities the food store will usually be found
most feasible, possibly with some incidental supplementary lines, es
pecially if these are carried by the cooperative wholesale in that region.
In the country it will often be advisable to include some farm supplies
and “general merchandise”—work clothes and shoes, underwear, no
tions, and household supplies.
There are weighty considerations both for and against the selection
of food as a starting point in cooperative activity. The margins are
small, and the competition is keener in this than in most other lines.
Some cooperative leaders earnestly urge new associations first to enter
other lines with greater possibilities of saving, such as insurance, gaso
line and oil, or, in rural sections, electric power.
On the other hand, a store has certain decided advantages. It lends
itself readily to the type of neighborhood organization under which
cooperatives function best. Food is the greatest common need and is
the largest item in most family budgets. Even on the farm, spending
for consumer goods considerably outweighs spending for farm supplies.
Therefore, it is less difficult in this field to carry out the cooperative
theory of supplying a “known demand” by organizing people and a
market before incurring the business liabilities which are involved in
supplying it. This is of special value for safety in the beginning stages.
Food does not present the hazard of great variation in season or in style,
and one selection will meet the tastes of a fairly wide group. The in
terest of the women of the household is more easily aroused if food is
carried than would be true of many other lines. For these reasons, the
grocery store has been the traditional starting point of consumers, socie
ties in many countries. Because of these considerations, much of the
discussion of the business aspects of cooperatives herein relates to food
and general-merchandise stores.
Before undertaking the organization of a new cooperative enterprise,
the group would do well to find out whether there is a cooperative al
ready in operation in the locality or near by.5 If such exists, the new
group should consider the advisability of becoming a unit of that organi
zation. Generally, one large cooperative has a better chance for success
than several small ones. The group should also get in touch with and
try to interest local labor unions or farm groups in the proposed enter
prise.*
* Such information can usually be supplied by the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington 25,

D. C.

INTRODUCTION

The cooperative movement is not firmly established in any region
until local associations have combined to build strong central organi
zations which the consumers control and which pool their buying power,
perform many common services, and may later go into production to
meet their needs. Before this is done the success of a local isolated asso
ciation is uncertain, and its continuous expansion requires even greater
effort. Considerable success has attended the organization of coopera
tive wholesaling in the United States and there are in existence a num
ber of regional cooperative wholesales which not only can act as sources
of supply but are equipped to provide valuable assistance on merchan
dising problems. Any store group which is organizing independently
should, therefore, find out (1) what recognized cooperative wholesale is
acting in its territory;6 (2) what commodities and services it handles,
and what, if any, manufacturing or processing it carries on;6 and (3)
whether the new group is eligible for services and for membership in
this wholesale. Usually membership is open to any group (even though
small) organized under Rochdale principles. Some farmers’ wholesales,
however, limit their membership to farmers1 organizations or limit the
proportion of nonfarmer members.*
*For a list of cooperative wholesales and the commodities and services available through them, see
appendix J (p. 88).

PART 1.—CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVE
ASSOCIATIONS1
Preliminary Organization Work
The essentials of a well-informed initial membership for a cooperative
association will not be met unless many preliminary meetings for dis
cussion are held and house-to-house canvassing carried on. This re
quires volunteer work on the part of the first members, and some money
for printing, hall rent, etc. The money for such organizing should not
come out of share capital contributed by the members but should be
raised through voluntary contributions by all who are interested,
through a per-capita organizing assessment, through special social func
tions, or through the business operations of a buying club. It is often
necessary to get direct contributions and then raise other money in
addition. An organizing fee of $2-$5 for each member may be col
lected. After the association is incorporated an application fee of the
same amount may be established which those who have paid the or
ganizing fee may be considered already to have paid.
Those who are to be the active organizers and canvassers should know
what cooperation means. Great injury has been done to the cooperative
movement by organizers who have not understood consumers, coopera
tion and who have therefore given a false impression to the members
they enrolled. Organizers should not make exaggerated claims of the
benefits of cooperation; they should not promise large patronage re
funds, cut rates, rapid expansion to other communities, nor extension
of credit. Such promises encourage people to become members on the
basis of false hopes, and when the promises are not fulfilled the reputa
tion of the association suffers. Organizers may, however, point out
the advantages of ownership by the patrons and of consumer-controlled
quality of goods.
Thus there should be careful instruction of the organizers. They
should be familiar with cooperative history and theory. They should
realize that only small monetary returns are probable during the cooper
ative association’s first few years. They should emphasize the ideal of
a nonprofit business institution owned by the people whom it is to serve.
If possible, some of the early members should attend training schools
or the summer institutes conducted by central cooperative organiza
tions.2 Failing this, they should subscribe to a correspondence course
on cooperation. Visits to other cooperatives are also valuable.*
1 For general considerations which should govern the formation of any kind of consumers' coopera
tive organization, see Introduction, p. 1.
* Information as to the courses being given or planned at any given time may be obtained from The
Cooperative League, 343 South Dearborn St., Chicago 4, 111.

FIRST ORGANIZATION MEETING

To build up an organization of sufficient size and with sufficient capital
to operate a modem supermarket, it will probably be necessary to hire a
full-time experienced organizer. His salary and expenses should be paid
out of the organizing or application fees. Funds received for share capi
tal should not be used for this purpose.
As soon as enough intelligent interest has been created and a sufficient
number of members enrolled, the organization of the cooperative asso
ciation may begin. A preliminary committee should be appointed. Its
duty should consist in securing all available information on the details
of organization; such information can be obtained from the regional
cooperative wholesales or from the national cooperative organization.
The committee should consider the qualifications of the cooperative’s
members, with a view to making nominations for the board of directors
and the necessary committees at the organization meeting.

First Organization Meeting
When the preliminary work has been done, when sufficient capital
and an adequate number of members pledged to patronize the store
are assured, an organization meeting should be called. Until final or
ganization is effected, the meetings should be informal and directed by a
temporary chairman and secretary elected from the floor.
The business to be transacted at the organization meeting may in
clude:
1. Explanation of the purposes of the meeting, and discussion.
2. Adoption of temporary bylaws.
3. Election of board of directors.
4. Election of committees (except such as are to be appointed by
the board of directors).
(а ) Committee on incorporation and preparation of charter
and bylaws.
(б ) Committee on membership.
(c) Committee on education.
(d) Committee on research and quality of goods.
The conveners of the meeting should come prepared to explain in de
tail the purposes of the meeting and the reason for organizing a coopera
tive association, and they should invite all the discussion possible. If
those present do not seem sufficiently interested in the idea, committees
may be appointed for further canvassing or a more complete survey,
but no actual organization should be attempted. However, if those
present are strongly in favor of proceeding with organization, regular
committees should be appointed as outlined above. .Tentative rules or
bylaws should also be presented at this meeting so that those present
may know how a cooperative association is organized. The meeting

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

should not close until everyone present has had a chance to raise any
questions that seem important.
The committee on incorporation will take up the question of incor
poration under the laws of the State in which the proposed enterprise
is to operate.3 It should prepare a charter or articles of incorporation
and a tentative set of bylaws. This committee should write to the secre
tary of state and to the nearest cooperative wholesale for information,
and again for approval of the bylaws when completed. These precau
tions help to insure legal correctness and adherence to cooperative prin
ciples and practices, but it is a good plan to have a local attorney also
scrutinize the bylaws from the legal standpoint.
The committee on membership will seek new members. The com
mittee on education will plan further meetings of the present members,
with adequate educational programs. The committee on research and
quality of goods will investigate the sources of quality goods, the condi
tions under which goods are manufactured,ietc.
The directors will look into such matters as location for the store,
fixtures, types of merchandise to be carried, availability of a trained,
efficient manager, and bookkeeping methods. A frequent mistake is to
employ the organizer as manager. The latter position calls for quite
different abilities than organizers generally possess. It is important
that the manager be a person trained in both business operation and in
cooperative methods.

Charter and Bylaws

Articles of incorporation (the charter) should be drawn up and filed
with the proper State office4 and a set of bylaws should be adopted be
fore the association begins business. (For suggested by-laws, see p. 52.)
The form of the articles of incorporation is usually established by the
laws of the State and must be closely followed, although the details are
determined by the association to meet its own particular needs.5 It is
recommended that both the articles of incorporation and the bylaws be
printed or mimeographed and supplied to all the members. If this is
done, many of the provisions of the articles need not be repeated in the
bylaws; this has the further advantage that if, later, it is desired to
amend the articles, similar amendments will not have to be made in the
bylaws also. Rochdale principles and methods should be incorporated
3 An excellent law (76th Cong., Pub. No. 642), passed in 1940 by Congress for the District of Columbia,
is broad enough in its terms to permit incorporation by groups in other States. Groups in States with
no consumers’ cooperative act, or having legislation not satisfactory from the cooperative standpoint,
might consider the question of incorporating under the District of Columbia Law, the text of which is
given in appendix G (p. 74). An attorney should first be consulted to find out what disadvantages
there may be, under the State laws, for organizations of out-of-State incorporation.
4 Usually there is a fee for'filing both the charter and the bylaws.
5 A copy of the cooperative law of any individual State may be obtained from the U. S. Bureau of
Labor Statistics, Washington 25, D. C., and probably, also, from the State secretary of state.

ROCHDALE PRINCIPLES

in the articles and bylaws and strictly adhered to in the administration
of the society.

Rochdale Principles

1. Open membership, without restriction as to race, sex, religion, or
political or other affiliation.
2. Democratic control. One vote only for each member, regardless
of number of shares held. No voting by proxy.6
3. Limited return on share capital (if any is paid),7 at not more than
the current rate in the territory where the association is located. Share
capital should never rise above par.
4. The remainder of the net saving8—after payment of a limited re
turn on capital and after appropriate allocations to reserves—returned
to customers as patronage refunds in proportion to the patronage of
each, or retained in the association’s treasury as share or loan capital
or equity reserves credited to the patrons’ accounts, or to be used col
lectively for the general or social good of the members.
5. Neutrality, on the part of the association, on political, religious,
and other extraneous matters on which individual members may enter
tain different opinions.9

Rochdale Practices

1. Business done for cash, and continuous educational work carried
on in favor of this practice.
2. Reserves appropriated from net savings, before declaring patron
age refund.
3. Goods distributed at current market price—not at cost.
4. Continuous education in history, economics, and practices of
cooperation.
5. Efficient bookkeeping and accounting, outside audits, and regu
lar, understandable, and complete reports to members.
6. Bonding of manager, treasurer, or anyone else handling money.
7. Continuous expansion of existing services and addition of new
services as fast as feasible.
*There appears to be some confusion as to the difference between voting by mail and voting by proxy.
A member who votes by mail votes on a specific question, concerning which he is notified in advance,
thus expressing his own conviction on the matter at issue; one who votes by proxy, by the act of giving
the proxy, appoints another to act in his stead on any matter that may arise at the meeting and thus
relinquishes his own right of decision. However, even voting by mail is not so desirable as voting in per
son because members voting by mail do not have the benefit of the discussion at the meeting before
casting their votes.
7 No return should be paid unless the association shows an operating surplus.
8 The “net saving” of a cooperative for any given period is the excess of its income over its expenses
during that period.
8 Regardless of the political affiliation of the individual members, the cooperative association should
wear no political labels. Directors, members, and employees should see to it that the association keeps
clear of political entanglements. Factionalism and dissension arise from the misguided zeal of members
who are adherents of particular sects or parties and who want to commit the entire organization to their
beliefs.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

8. Honest and full information to members about merchandise; main
tenance of quality standards; and (as far as possible) purchase of supplies
made under good labor conditions.
9. Affiliation as soon as possible with the nearest cooperative educa
tional organization and with the nearest cooperative wholesale.

Articles of Incorporation10
Associations should write to the secretary of state at the State capital
for a copy of the law governing cooperative associations. Incorporation
limits the liability of the individual members and gives certain other
legal advantages.
In some States the cooperative law is very weak from the cooperative
standpoint, and in such cases the group may decide to incorporate under
the 1940 District of Columbia Consumers’ Cooperative Act (seep. 74),
which permits incorporation by nonresidents. An alternative course,
in a State without a cooperative law or with an unsatisfactory one,
would be to incorporate under the regular corporation act, putting the
cooperative provisions in the articles of incorporation or bylaws. The
drawback is that the establishment of the Rochdale principles of one
vote per member, no proxy voting, etc., is more difficult. Thus, the
business corporation law sometimes requires that voting be on the basis
of number of shares held. Two possible solutions are (1) to organize,
if the corporation law permits, as a nonstock corporation (in that way,
each member could have one vote) and (2) to have two classes of stock—
one voting and the other non voting—with the provision that no member
may hold more than one share of the voting stock. Nonstock corpora
tions may be exempted from State or Federal taxes based on capital
stock and are more likely to be regarded as “nonprofit” organizations
entitled to exemptions accorded to such groups from various regulatory
laws. Many existing consumers’ cooperative laws, also, permit the
formation of nonstock as well as stock corporations. However, the
raising of capital may be more difficult in a nonstock cooperative.
Under some general corporation laws it may be impossible to avoid
proxy voting or to safeguard the right to make refunds on the basis of
patronage. If proxy voting cannot be avoided, it may be possible to
provide that no one may cast more than one proxy, that the secretary
must be notified at least a week in advance of a meeting if a member
wishes to vote by proxy, and that only a member may cast a proxy vote.
The danger to democratic control inherent in proxy voting may be
greatly lessened by such provisions.
Also to be considered is the possibility of using the so-called “non
10 Advice on incorporation may also be obtained from the various regional wholesales listed in ap
pendix J (p. 88).

BYLAWS

profit” statutes of some States, applying to the incorporation of educa
tional, scientific, mutual benefit associations, and like organizations.
The number of incorporators required varies from State to State,
but usually the application must bear the signatures of 3, 5, or 7 per
sons. Such information as the following may also be required in the
articles of incorporation (charter):

Exact name of the association.
Purpose for which it is formed.11
Powers of the association.11
Whether it is to be a stock or a nonstock corporation.
The amount of authorized capital stock (if a stock corporation).112
1*
The par value of a share and the number of shares authorized to be issued.
Limitation of interest on share capital.
Limitation on the number of shares to be owned by one person.
The minimum amount of stock with which the association begins business.
Limitations of voting power.
Methods of disposing of earnings.
The name of the city or town and county where the head office is to be.
The period of validity of the articles of incorporation (usually “perpetual”).
The number of directors, with the names and addresses of the initial directors.
The names and addresses of the incorporators, with number of shares for which
each has subscribed.
Eights of members and patrons, upon dissolution.

A seal should be designed and provided.

Bylaws

Whereas the articles of incorporation establish the legal status of the
association, the bylaws are the common as well as legal rules governing
the relations of members, officers, and employees. The chief points to
be covered in the bylaws are the following:

N am e .—This should be the same as given in the articles of incorporation and should
include the word “cooperative,” if the law permits. “Association” or “society” is
better than “company.” The name may also include the name of the city or district
where the association is located. It is generally desirable to add “Inc.” to the name
to indicate that the association is incorporated.
Purpose ,—Need not be so detailed or inclusive as in charter. Bylaws may easily
be amended to add services authorized by charter.
Membership,—Qualifications, responsibilities, and privileges.
Capital .—How subscribed and paid, limitation on shareholding and on interest
to be paid, etc.
Meetings.—Date, how called and conducted, quorum, special meetings, etc.
Directors and officers.—Number, how elected, duties, and disqualifications of,
vacancies, meetings, etc.
11 It is desirable to include all the purposes and powers enumerated in the State law.
12 In most States it is not required that the entire amount of capital for which the association is in
corporated shall be raised before starting business; therefore it may be wise to set this figure in the ar
ticles of incorporation and/or bylaws much higher than actual immediate requirements, so that it will
not be necessary to go through the troublesome process of increasing the authorized capitalization within
2 or 3 years (since a cooperative is not permitted to sell stock in excess of its authorized capitalization).
The laws of the State on this matter should be consulted before this amount is established.
945596°—51-----3

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

Voting.—Method, limitation on number of votes, etc.
N et saving .—Distribution to interest, reserves, education, and patronage refunds.
Management.
Committees .—Designation of and duties.
Miscellaneous provisions, such as bonding, fiscal year defined, cash sales or limita

tions on credit, amendments, dissolution.

Those matters included in the articles (or charter) do not need to be
repeated in the bylaws; if, however, they are repeated they should be
exactly as given in the articles, as the latter control.

Membership

Cooperative associations are benefited by increase of membership.
New members (with their patronage and shares) not only make the
group stronger but keep the association from being an exclusive and
closed corporation run in the interest of a few.
Unless there are legal barriers (as in the case of certain farmers’ coop
eratives), a cooperative should sell to nonmembers as well as to mem
bers. Such patronage is a valuable means of interesting them in the
organization and its purposes. Although the law in some States pro
vides for the payment of patronage refunds in cash to nonmembers, it is
preferable (where it can be done legally) to credit the nonmembers’ re
funds on the purchase of a share, so that they eventually become mem
bers.18
No eligible person with purchasing'power should be refused admission
because he lacks the money to buy the required shares. He should be
permitted to join upon paying $1, as the first payment on a share or
application fee. Refunds from his patronage should be applied as fur
ther payments on his stock. He becomes a member with full privileges
when the necessary amount of stock has been paid for. Care should be
taken to see that this privilege is not abused, however, and some reason
able time limit may be set for accumulating the amount of share capital
specified.
It is impossible to lay down any hard and fast minimum as to the
number of members the new association will need to be successful. The
number will necessarily depend on the local conditions, the amount and
variety of merchandise to be carried, and other factors. For successful
operation, present-day conditions require a larger number of members
and considerably more capital than was previously the case. The
grocery store of today must operate in a well-organized, highly competi
tive market where margins are small. At least 200 members in a rural
community and at least 300-500 members in a city would be desirable.
It is well to bear in mind also that some of the early members may desert
the organization or may provide little patronage and that a small mem
18See also discussion, pp. 36-38.

CAPITAL

bership can rarely provide sufficient volume of business so that the
margin between wholesale cost and retail sales will cover the overhead
expense of operating a store. For these reasons an initial membership
of 600-1,000 members in the city would provide a better assurance of
success. (See also “capital requirements,” p. 20.)
It should be remembered that continuous patronage is essential to
the success of the association. Every member should patronize his store
faithfully. Without such support, effective operation becomes impos
sible and capital will automatically be depleted.
The best cooperatives provide for means of buying back the stock
of inactive members and reselling it to other members or to active pa
trons who have not yet become members. This eliminates the “deadwood” within the association and insures an active membership.14 In a
consumers' cooperative association all patrons should be encouraged to
become members, so that the body of patrons and the body of share
holders will be as nearly identical as possible.

Capital

Share Capital
The price of a share in a store association is sometimes specified by
the cooperative law of the State. Where this is left to the discretion
of the association the amount of the share should range from not less
than $10 to not more than $25. Shares of moderate value are to be
preferred, in order that persons of small means may not be debarred
from membership.
Each member should be required to subscribe for one or more shares,
depending on the capital goal to be reached, which may be paid for in
installments.15 Cash refunds on patronage and returns on shares (and
in some instances voting privileges) are usually withheld until the shares
are fully paid.
It is a fundamental of consumers' cooperation that shares shall never
be given a value above their par or original value.
The importance of adequate capital should be emphasized. It enables
the association to buy to better advantage, to benefit by discounts for
cash transactions with suppliers, and in many other ways to work more
effectively. Members should be encouraged to subscribe for more than
the minimum number of shares required by the bylaws. Inadequate
capital has contributed to the failure of many associations and has been
14Under one such plan, called the ‘‘rotating-capital plan/’ the patronage refunds each year are paid
partly in cash and partly in new shares. The amount of capital needed for the ensuing year is decided
by the membership, and any surplus funds are used to retire old shares in the order of issue. This re
sults in eventual elimination of “deadwood,” for in order to retain membership, continued patronage
is necessary, as only thus can new shares be acquired.
15 Before issuing share certificates, the association should consult the office of the General Counsel of
the Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington, D. C., to ascertain whether the association is
subject to the Federal Securities Exchange Act.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

a severe handicap to countless others. Only with efficient management;
extreme economy of expenses, and maintenance of a small inventory can
the poorly financed store become successful, even with loyal support of
the members. If sufficient capital cannot be raised at the outset, it is
wiser to postpone starting than to let the enterprise fail later for want
of funds.

Loan Capital

Additional capital may be obtained later if the members allow their
interest on shares and returns on patronage to remain on deposit with
the association in the form of shares or loan capital. Loan capital may
also be borrowed from members and nonmembers, but expansion of
activities on this basis should be undertaken only with extreme caution.16
Some associations also make use of preferred stock, especially to finance
expansion.

Amount of Holdings in Capital

The amount of share or loan capital that any person may hold should
be limited to $2,000 or $3,000 or 5 percent of the total paid-in capital,
whichever is less. The entire amount of loan capital from all sources
should not exceed 50 percent of the paid-in capital.

Withdrawal of Capital
Transfers of shares from one member to another or to an acceptable
nonmember may be authorized by the board; or, if the law does not ex
pressly forbid, it may purchase such shares out of surplus funds if such
exist. Withdrawal of share capital should not be allowed unless it can
be done without injury to the association. The latter should have some
provision against unrestricted withdrawals, to safeguard it against
drains of funds essential for its needs and against possible runs instigated
by enemies or dissatisfied members or factions. However, difficulties
encountered by cooperatives in the past in raising adequate capital
have been due, in part, to inability of members to realize on shares in
times of necessity or distress. It is desirable, therefore, that a coopera
tive redeem its stock quickly, on request, if to do so will not impair its
financial position. The reputation of capital liquidity so gained will
facilitate the raising of additional capital when needed.
16 One cooperative leader sets forth his opinion, based upon years of practical experience, as follows:
“I have seen cooperative stores destroyed by the withdrawal of loan capital upon which they had de
pended for years after they had expanded beyond what their original capital would permit. I have
seen even worse abuse, by members’ controlling the whole store practice by threat of withdrawing loan
capital which would destroy the cooperative if withdrawn. I have seen wholesale concerns suddenly
curtail the credit of an institution when it has been suggested to them, by members having loan capital,
as a means of making the cooperative conform to the will of those who have the loan capital. No whole
sale house will knowingly extend desirable credit to a concern which makes use of any substantial amount
of loan capital unless it is in the form of preferred stock or some contract whereby it cannot be with
drawn until the creditors are all satisfied. I think it is an extremely dangerous practice for a coopera
tive to expand its operations based on loan capital.”

RETURN ON SHARE CAPITAL

Loan capital should be withdrawable in small sums on 7 days’ notice,
but in large sums only on 60 or 90 days’ notice; otherwise there is a
danger of a run on the loan fund in time of strike, other unemployment,
or trade depressions. Preferred stock is a safer form of capital, for it
cannot be withdrawn on such short notice. In order to protect the
funds of those who invest relatively large sums, some cooperatives pro
vide that all stock in excess of the minimum shares required for member
ship shall be preferred stock—preferred both as to interest return and
as to value at dissolution of the association.

Return on Share Capital

At the time of starting the association, the maximum rate of return
on share capital should be decided upon. The rate should never fluc
tuate with net savings, though it may vary as the association itself
needs more or less capital and thus encourages or discourages such in
vestment by the members. The rate paid should not exceed the current
rate. In the absence of any legal requirement on this point, the associa
tion may decide to pay nothing on amounts less than $100, or even to
pay no return at all. N o return on shares should ever be paid unless
the earnings of the business are sufficient to permit.
Before any decision is made regarding the rate of return, the law
(cooperative or other) should be examined, as some States set specific
maximum rates which may be paid on share capital.

Directors

The board of directors may consist of from 5 to 11 members,17 elected
by secret ballot. These directors are chosen from a list of candidates,
numbering at least 50 percent more than there are positions to be filled,
submitted by a nominating committee. (At the outset of the associa
tion, the nominating committee should be elected by the membership;
thereafter, it is appointed by the president of the cooperative.) The
committee should make a diligent effort to find qualified candidates,
and it should check on their willingness to serve if elected. Nomina
tions should also be permitted by petition or from the floor at the meet
ing. Provision for voting by mail may be made if care is taken to insure
security and secrecy of ballot.
It is recommended that the directors be chosen at the first election to
serve for different periods: Part for 1 year, and part for 2 or 3 years;
at all subsequent regular elections, part of the board should be elected
for a full 2- or 3-year term. Some associations, however, adopt a straight
1-year term for all directors, reasoning that an able director can be re
elected if the membership so desires.
A board of seven or nine members serves to engage the interest of
17 Many State laws set a minimum or maximum number which must be observed.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

more members than does one of smaller number, makes possible the
creation of board committees to handle certain phases of its activities,
and is more likely to represent the views of the entire membership. In
order to make possible fast action and continuous board authority be
tween board meetings, the officers may act as an executive committee.
It should be definitely established that no individual on the board
of directors is himself engaged directly or indirectly in the making of
profit from any enterprise buying from, selling to, or operating in com
petition with the cooperative. Some associations pay a nominal amount
to directors for attendance at meetings, so as to insure the presence of
the full board, but the amount should not be large enough to tempt even
the poorest members to seek the office for the sake of its financial re
wards; $1 to $2 per meeting is probably enough.
The board should be so selected that every large element within the
membership is represented by at least one director. In the case of
large associations, directors may be chosen by districts, to insure better,
more direct, and more responsible representation of the members. Some
cooperatives use the method known as proportional representation, to
insure that all elements are represented in the board of directors.18
Directors should be persons who can devote time to the oversight of the
operating and other problems of the association.
It is also desirable if these directors supplement one another; thus,
at least one might be efficient in bookkeeping, another in merchandising,
another in educational and propaganda work, and another in legal prob
lems. The directors should not devote themselves entirely to the theo
retical and educational activities of the organization, but neither should
they be so engrossed in the commercial aspect of cooperation that they
neglect their opportunity to develop interest and enthusiasm in the
subject of cooperation among the employees as well as the members.
They should have a good knowledge of practical affairs as well as cooper
ative history and principles. They should be chosen for their good
judgment, knowledge, and ability, and not for their capacity to talk.
Their selection should be a matter of serious concern; they have heavy
responsibilities.
In general, the directors have three chief duties: To develop policies
based upon an accurate knowledge of the operations; to employ persons
to carry out those policies; and to see that the policies are carried out.
Among their specific duties are the following:
1. To engage a manager for the association, who shall determine and assign the
duties of the labor force, supervise their work, and manage the operation of the busi
ness. The board may reserve the right to approve or disapprove appointees to key
positions, such as assistant manager or heads of departments.
is Information as to how a system of proportional representation works may be obtained from the
National Municipal League, 299 Broadway, New York, N. Y

OFFICERS

2. To provide suitable premises, equipment, and plant for the business.
3. To adopt general policies for the conduct of the business, and see that it is car
ried on in accordance with the bylaws.
4. To control all investments (in shares, loans, land, or other property).
5. To adopt a budget for the cooperative, and see that it is observed.
6. To receive and act upon regular reports from the manager.19*
7. To administer the distribution of the earnings, such as for interest, reserve,
patronage refunds, and educational funds.
8. To formulate good personnel policies for the cooperative, insuring good con
ditions and wages for its workers;90 and to demand and obtain equivalent results in
superior service, faithfulness, and diligence.
9. To convene the regular meetings of the membership, provided for in the bylaws,
call special meetings, and render full and informative reports thereto.
10. To maintain a direct and vital connection with other cooperative organiza
tions both in this country and abroad.
11. To foster a spirit of enthusiasm for cooperative work both in the staff and
in the members of the association, and to identify themselves with every good feature,
of cooperative activities.

To facilitate carrying out their duties, the directors may find it advis
able to adopt a statement governing board procedure, rules of order at
board meetings, etc.
?
..v;
The directors should always bear in mind that they are acting for
the association and are responsible to the members for the loyal per
formance of these duties. They should also realize that individually
they have no authority; that rests within the board as a whole. Each
director shall also be expected to give loyal patronage to the cooperative
store, but should not be allowed to purchase on credit.
The directors may elect, as heretofore suggested, an executive com
mittee to perform certain special functions, or to act for the board in
emergencies or between meetings. The board itself should meet fre
quently (say once each week) for the first few months, and at least once
a month thereafter.

Officers

Officers should be elected by the board of directors rather than by the
membership at large, for the directors are usually better qualified than
the members to know who will fill the various positions most efficiently.
The usual officers are the president and vice president who should be
board members, and the secretary and treasurer who are not necessarily
board members.21
The duties of the president are to preside at all meetings, carry out
the will of the members, and watch over all affairs of the association.
19 For suggestions as to the frequency and content of such reports, see appendix H (p. 84).
90 It is pointed out by some cooperative leaders that in the early days of a new association employees
may be called upon for some sacrifice, while the association is getting upon its feet. Onee that is done,
the association should provide good working conditions and wages, always bearing in mind that the
association is operating in a competitive field and that wages substantially above those paid by its pri
vate competitors may prove a fatal handicap.
21 See footnote 51 of bylaws (p. 61)

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

The vice president takes over the responsibilities of the president in
the latter’s absence.
The secretary is sometimes also the treasurer.2223 He serves as secre
tary both at the meetings of the directors and at members’ meetings.
In small associations his duties are to keep the minutes and records and
attend to correspondence. He should also be the official custodian of
the seal, the stock book, and the membership records.28
The treasurer keeps watch over the bookkeeping and accounts. He
should take such steps as are necessary to assure himself that the
accounts are being kept accurately, and that the funds are being handled
properly. He should also make periodic reports to the board and to the
membership.
It is very desirable that persons serving as secretary and treasurer
have knowledge of accounts and business procedure.

Membership Meetings

It is customary to hold general meetings of the members annually
or semiannually. Additional meetings may be held if speakers or ma
terials for interesting discussion are available.
The annual meeting is the most important of all, for. here the elec
tions take place, and the annual financial report, manager’s report for
the year, and other important matters come up for review.
The business transacted at all meetings usually consists of reports
of officers, committees, and manager; discussion of reports; action on
directors’ recommendations; elections; and new business. Notice of
regular meetings should be sent at least 10 days in advance. The date
for the annual and semiannual meetings should provide a sufficient
interval after the close of the fiscal period to allow the auditor time to
prepare his report for consideration at the meeting.
The number of members constituting a quorum should be set by the
bylaws. In small associations it may be 15 or 20 percent of the mem
bership; in large ones it may be as low as 5 percent, or 100 members,
whichever is less. In some States the minimum is set by law. If legally
permissible, associations too large for a members’ meeting should be
divided into districts, each having local autonomy and delegate repre
sentation in the central society’s meetings.
Special meetings may be called from time to time, but should take
up only such business as is specified in the call.24
The privileges of the membership meeting should be clearly under
stood. The membership should not vote upon questions requiring
22This may be legally questionable in States where the law makes no provision for combining the
two offices.
23 An alternative method, especially in large associations, is to have two secretaries—a recording secre
tary and a corresponding secretary—thus dividing the responsibilities of the office.
24 For discussion of the reason for this, see footnote 44 of bylaws (p. 60).

VOTING

expert knowledge and concerning which it is not well informed. If
the directors have been properly chosen they are the representatives
of the members, and are charged with the responsibility of developing
policies based upon the full information which they have had the oppor
tunity to acquire. Having chosen such persons, then the membership
need only review the policies of the board and management, discuss
them, and express approval or disapproval. If the meeting disapproves,
it should not attempt to dictate specific acts to either directors or man
ager, but may in extreme cases (if provision has been made therefor in the
bylaws) recall the entire board of directors.
Questions requiring expert or technical information not possessed
by the board should be referred to a qualified individual or committee,
with instructions to report back to the membership with recommenda
tions and reasons therefor. The membership can then vote to accept
or not to accept the recommendations.
Good speakers may be invited to address the meeting when such are
available, but discussion of political, religious, or other noncooperative
questions upon which the membership may be divided should not be
permitted; such discussions cause internal strife and may do much harm
to the organization.
Meetings should be called by one or more of the officers. Special
meetings may be called by the directors or by petition of a specified
number of members, according to the bylaws.
Following the business meeting it is good policy to have an educa
tional session, and occasional entertainment, with music, dancing,
movies,25 or refreshments. The members should feel that this is their
social center.

Voting Power and Method of Voting

Equal representation should be insured by limiting each member to
one vote irrespective of the amount of share capital owned by him.
This prevents unequal privileges, insures democracy, and provides that
membership shall always remain open to newcomers on equal terms with
the founders of the association.
Any subscriber to share capital who has paid in full for the required
number of shares should be entitled to vote, unless he has been deprived
of this privilege (under the provisions of the bylaws) by action of the
board. In some States full voting power must be granted when shares
are subscribed for, and the subscriber immediately has full membership
privileges. Unless the law specifically grants such privileges, however,
it is well to withhold them until the qualifying shares have been paid
for and a share certificate issued.
» Films on cooperative subjects are obtainable through the Literature and Film Department of The
Cooperative League, 525 W. 76th St., Chicago, 111.
9 4 5 5 9 6 ° — 5 1 ---------

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

Voting may be by show of hands or by “aye” and “no” vote, except
in the case of election of directors or other matters on which there is a
demand for a secret ballot.

Questions Relating to Initial Financing and Beginning of
Operations

Several important factors of success should be considered and dis
cussed thoroughly, in advance:
(1) The amount of capital that will be required to start the business.
(2) The kind of merchandise to be handled or services to be rendered.
(3) The probable monthly business and average patronage per mem
ber.
(4) The probable trading income from such business, considering
local competitive conditions.
(5) The probable cost of operations and the resulting margin for
safety, on the basis of (a) cash and carry service or (6) delivery service,
and (c) credit cost (if any credit is given).

Capital Requirements for a Store Association
The amount of capital required will differ according to the nature and
needs of the business to be undertaken. A bakery may require more
capital than a restaurant or store. A housing association will need a
very large initial capital. A credit union or a buying club, on the other
hand, can start with only a few dollars. The following discussion is
based upon the requirements of the cooperative store association.
The general merchandise store is ordinarily impracticable in a large
city. It will usually be found advisable for the city association to handle
dry or canned groceries, meat, and fresh produce. It should be stressed,
however, that the handling of meats involves special problems of mer
chandising. In the country community or mining town, work clothes,
shoes, underwear, work tools, general household supplies, small hard
ware, notions, perhaps some stationery and electrical appliances, may
also be carried.
The amount of capital needed will depend upon the number of mem
bers, the expected patronage, and the expected turn-over26 of merchan
dise, as well as upon the location of the store (whether rural or urban)
and the lines of goods handled. The savings made by the association
are dependent on the rapidity with which the stock is sold as well as on
the efficiency of the administration.
The rate of turn-over of inventory will vary according to the kind of
goods handled. In the grocery department the association should aim
261, e., the rate at which the merchandise is sold (turned over). Rate of turn-over equals inventory
(merchahdise on hand) at beginning of period, plus purchases of merchandise, minus inventory at end
of period, divided by average inventory during period. (Average inventory equals inventory at begin
ning plus inventory at end, divided by 2.)

INITIAL FINANCING----STORES

at a stock turn of 18-20 times per year, and in the meat and produce de
partments of 22-25 times. General merchandise items will turn over at
a considerably slower rate than food.
If business is done only for cash, one-half or more of the goods pur
chased during the month for replacement stocks may be paid for on re
ceipt of invoice, and goods purchased in the last days of the month may
usually be paid for before the tenth of the following month, to receive
cash discounts. It is very desirable that the cooperative be able to take
such discounts. This practice builds up a firm credit and is a substantial
source of savings.
It should be emphasized that no hard and fast rules as to capital re
quirements can be laid down. Each group, before starting, will have to
take into consideration the local conditions and any special circum
stances that may be present. The following are suggestions only, based
on cooperative experience in various parts of the United States.
North Central States.— Central Cooperative Wholesale gives the fol
lowing as minimum requirements for successful operation for (1) a city
store doing a business of $8,000 per month, and (2) a country store doing
a business of $6,000 per month. Both should have at least 200 members
and pledged patrons before starting, estimating average per capita pur
chases to be at least $40 per month.
City store

Sales volume per week. ............................................ $2,000
Stock turn-over________________ _____ tim es..
15
Funds needed:
Opening inventory______________________ $5,400
Fixtures and equipment_____ ___________ 5,000
Working capital____________ ____________ 1,300
Total___________________ ____________ $11,700

Country store

$1,500
12-15

$5,400
6,000
1,300
$12,700

The foregoing figures for the city store assume that groceries (in
cluding fresh fruits and vegetables) and fresh meats are carried. For
net sales of $8,000, the wholesale cost of goods sold during the month
would be $6,720 on a gross margin of 16 percent figured on net sales,
and therefore $6,720 worth of goods must be purchased during the month
to replace merchandise sold and to have a stock of $5,400 on hand again
on the first of the next month.
In the country store, stocks would include groceries and meat, work
clothing, work shoes and rubber footwear, underwear, some children’s
clothing, women’s house dresses, etc. (no yard goods), general house
hold supplies, small hardware, and notions. Some of these are highermargin goods than food, but generally their turn-over is slower. If
feeds are included (in a farm community) they would tend to reduce the
gross margin.
A cooperative leader in another North Central State believes that

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

an urban cooperative store should have at least $35,000 in capital be
fore opening, and 1,000 members living within 1-3 miles of the store.
South Central States.— Consumers Cooperative Association sets the
minimum sales volume for a successful meat and grocery store in city
or town at $4,000 per week, with a stock turn-over of 18 times. On that
basis the following is calculated as the amount of capital needed:
Opening inventory_____________________________________ $12,000
Fixtures and equipment________________________________ 18,000
Operating capital______________________________________
5,000
Total_____ ____________________________________ $35,000

This wholesale recommends that each member family be required to
purchase one share of voting (common) stock, and that the rest of the
capital be raised by the sale of certificates of indebtedness.27
Northeastern States.—Examples of the successful operation of a city
store in the East, handling groceries, produce, and meats, are given

below:

Store with—
2,300 sq. ft. i
6,000 sq. ft.

Volume of sales per week__________ ______________ $5,500-$6,000
16
Stock turn (groceries)2____________ ____ __ tim es._
Funds needed:
Inventory________ __________ ______________
$12,000
Fixtures and equipment_______ ______________
18,000
Working capital- --- ----------- ______________
5,000
Total___________________ ______________
*35,000

2But see discussion, p. 27.

$18,000
20-24
$24,000
36,000
10,000
*70,000

2 The store should aim to turn over its meat inventory once a week and its produce inventory every
other day.

As a very minimum the city store in the East needs 300 loyal member
families spending an average of $20 per week (a total of $6,000). Some
cooperative leaders believe that a cooperative store in a large industrial
city must, in order to be competitive, have a volume of $10,000-$25,000
per week.
Far West.—Associated Cooperatives (California) suggests the fol
lowing as a minimum for a store doing a weekly volume of $2,550
($1,500 in groceries, $750 in meat, and $300 in produce), and having
a stock turn of 13-14 times:
Inventory-------------------------------------------------------------------- $6,600
Fixtures and equipment_________________________________ 9,000
Working capital________________________________________
500
Total........................................................- ..............................$16,100

In the Pacific Northwest the desirable minimum weekly volume for
a city store is set at $12,000, with a stock turn of 18 times.
Recapitulation.— The statement below shows, in terms of capital per27
27 The sale of preferred stock is another method that may be used. (It should be pointed out that both
these methods entail outlay for interest; interest may or may not be paid on common stock.)

FINANCING— PETROLEUM ASSOCIATIONS

member, just what would be necessary in order to raise the capital sug
gested as the minimum in the foregoing examples:

Estimated required capital

$11,700----------------------------------!_________
$12,700..----------------------------------------------

$16,100------------------------------------------------$35,000______________________ ______ ____
$70,000--------------------------------------------. . .

Alternative method:
Common stock

Necessary to raise this capital

117 members at $100
234 members at $50
468 members at $25
127 members at $100
254 members at $50
508 members at $25
161 members at $100
322 members at $50
644 members at $25
350 members at $100700 members at $50*
1.400 members at $25
700 members at $100
1.400 members at $50
2,800 members at $25

$11,700.............________ 200 members at $25 = $5,000
or 300 members at $25 = $7,500
$12,700............. ............... 200 members at $25= $5,000
or 300 members at $25 = $7,500
$35,000............. _______ 500 members at $25 = $12,500
or 500 members at $50 = 825,000
or
200 members at $50=$10,000\
and 300 members at $25= $7,500/

Preferred stock
or certificates
of indebtedness

plus
plus
plus
plus
plus
plus

$6,700
4,200
7,700
5,200
22,500
10,000

plus 17,500

In a cooperative association it is preferable to have a large number of
members each contributing a moderate amount than to have a small
number providing substantial sums. The goal of the consumers* cooper
ative is to reach, serve, and convince as many consumers as possible, so
that all may share in its benefits.

Capital and Initial Equipment for a Petroleum Association28
The amount of capital needed by an oil association will vary greatly.
It depends upon (1) the amount and kind of equipment to be purchased,
(2) whether the association is going to operate a bulk plant only or
whether a service station is also to be operated.*286 The type of service

28 Material supplied by Consumers Cooperative Association (Kansas City, Mo.).
286 Many cooperative oil associations have found they can render a real service to their members in
handling many items in addition to petroleum products, such as tires, tubes, batteries, and auto ac
cessories. Some handle other lines, such as paint, binder twine, insecticides, and in some cases feed
and fertilizer. Usually, considerable savings can be made on these items and they can be handled by
the cooperative with a small investment and little overhead expense. Most of these commodities can
be purchased through regional cooperative wholesales

2:4.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

station to be purchased or constructed and the cost of ground for the
service station must also be considered in this connection.
Cost of bulk-station equipment.— In most cases gasoline and oil asso
ciations start with the handling of two grades of gasoline, kerosene, and
one grade of distillate. In some areas of the country it is also essential
to handle tractor fuel. If four commodities are to be handled the pur
chase of four storage tanks will be necessary. The size of the storage
tanks will depend on the potential number of gallons to be handled. It
is recommended that tanks larger than those immediately needed should
be purchased. The minimum size of storage tanks should be 10,000
gallons.
Below is listed the equipment needed to operate a bulk plant. The
prices given are f. o. b. factory prices prevailing in the Middle West.
They will, however, vary from place to place and are given only to fur
nish an idea of the approximate cost—in short, as an indication of the
probable investment required for the business.
Cost of items for operation of petroleum bulk-station
Quantity
Station
equipment
2. ...................
2.....................
1 .....................
i
..............
1
............
1
2
____
___
2
4
_____
2
............
4
4
...........
4 ............
4
___
200 feet____
i

Description

Unit
price

10- by 17-feet (10,000-gallon) vertical storage tanks with ^-inch bot
tom 3/f6-inch shell and 12-gauge cover................................................ $738.40
11- by 17-feet (12,085-gallon) vertical storage tanks with ^-inch bottom 832.00
90 gallons per minute 3/f6*inch shell and 12-gauge cover twin bulk plant
pump with 3 horsepower 3-phase explosion-proof motor_________ 372.50
Underwriter’s class 1-D, N. E. M. A. type, 7 manual switch______
40.00
Double tank car unloading rack_______________________ ____ _
90.00
Twin
pump
manifold
connection_____________________
_______
_
75.00
Trunk tank loader arms __ _ __T __
40.00
2-line manifold connections_____________________________ ____
21.50
Storage-tank connections_________________________________
13.50
2-inch line strainers................. ..............................................................
11.50
2-inch pressure vents (8-ounce pressure, 1-ounce vacuum)_________
20.45
fi-ionh bulk storage emergency vents______
23.55
2- by 2 i/£-ineh bulk-storage emergency valves __ _ . ______
13. 75
1-inch frost-proof drain valves______________________________
5.20
2-inch standard black pipe T. & C.............................. ..........................
30.30
8- by 10-foot corrugated galvanized iron pumphouse. _ ___________ 260.00
To tal
$2, 587.65
Truck tanks
truck tank with the following specifications:
$1,460.40
1..................... 850-gallon
Five compartments
Double bulkheads
Liquid-tight streamline flashing open can racks
Enclosed horizontal barrel carriers with package shelf
Trim skirting
Large rear bucket box
Lights and reflectors
Painted and lettered
power-take-off pumping system installed including—
582.81
1..................... Complete
Power-take-off
50-gallons per minute truck-tank pump
Meter
Hose reel
50 feet of 1-inch gasoline hose
Nozzle
Jumper hose
Line strainer
Adaptors
Coupler
1 Prices given are as of December 1,1960.

Total
price
$1,576.80
i, 664.90
372.50
40.00
90.00
. 75.00
80.00
43.00
54.00
23.00
81.80
94.20
55.00
20.80
60.60
260.00
$4,590. 70
$1,460.40

582.81

In addition to the cost of equipment above, capital is necessary for
inventory purposes. A co-op would probably want to start with about

OPERATING EXPENSES

8,000 gallons in each tank and would probably stock two grades of gaso
line, kerosene, distillate and in some cases tractor fuel, depending on the
location in the United States. At present-day prices about $4,000
should be allowed for inventory. This would include Federal tax but
no State tax.
Cost of service-station equipment— Service-station equipment will also
vary according to the type of building, anticipated volume, etc. The
following will equip a rather modest-sized, two-pump service station.
The prices are f. o. b. factory prices in the Middle West. The items
listed below are only the large items. In addition many small items will
be needed, such as air hose, water hose, battery charger, tool racks, etc.
Cost of item s for operation of gasoline service station 1
Quantity
2 .........
2
2
6
1.................
i
i
i
i

Unit Total
Description
price
price
Computing-type gasoline pumps ________________________ _____ $369.66 $719.10
660-gallon underground storage tanks__________ _____ ___________ 66.26 112.50
Sets of fittings for above_______ _______________________________ 11.00
22.00
30-gallon lubricating-oil dispensers______________________________ 37.76 226.60
Two-stage horizontal-type compressors with 1H horsepower 3-phase
motor____________________________________________________ 338.00
Two-post (10,000 pound capacity), flush-type auto hoist_______ ____ 760.00 338.00
Air-operated portable chassis-lubricating unit___ ______ __________ 162.00 760.00
152.00
Manually operated portable gear dispenser. _ .
_
,„
40.16
40.15
, ___ 34.80
Portable oil drain _
.
. ___ _
34.80
Total _______________ ___ __________________
$1,779.60 $2,395.05

1 Prices given are as of December 1,1960.

Operating Expenses of a Store Association
The ratio of operating expenses to net sales will vary according to
locality, operating efficiency, and volume of business. The best way to
reduce the ratio of overhead expense is to increase the business, for as
that grows the percentage of expenses should automatically fall. A
greater return on labor expenditure will also accrue as the volume of
business increases. A minimum staff is necessary to operate a grocery
and meat store, however small, but the business can be expanded con
siderably before it will be necessary to increase the number of employees.
A higher volume of sales per employee is also obtained by education of
clerks and members, self-service by patrons, economical arrangement of
goods, good lay-out of the store, elimination of delivery and credit ser
vice, etc.
The accompanying table shows actual and recommended expense
ratios. The first section gives the actual operating experience of 91
farm and nonfarm cooperatives in 1949. The nonfarm associations were
mostly stores handling meats and groceries; the farm associations also
carried various items of general merchandise. The second section shows
ratios regarded as advisable by the regional wholesales in various parts
of the United States.
Groups contemplating the organization of a cooperative store should
study the table, consider what their expenses for labor, rent, and other

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

items will be for the size of business they can finance, and endeavor to
bring the total within the figures shown in the table. Too high a gross
margin will mean that the association cannot keep its prices competitive;
too low a margin will wipe out operating earnings.
Gross margin , operating expenses , and net operating income of cooperative stores
Actual experience 1 of—

Item

Recommended as desirable by regional
wholesales
North Central
States

City
62 non 29 store,
farm farm
associ associ $2,000
per
ations ations week

South Central
States

Far
West

store, $2,000
Coun Cityper
week
City
try
store,
store,
$2,550
$1,500
Recom per
per Average mended
week
week practice as
goal 2

Percent of net sales
Gross margin.............. ........ .....................
Operating expenses:
Wages and salaries.............................
Other expenses (rent, utilities,
maintenance, repairs, wrappings,
interest, insurance, taxes, etc.)
Total expenses.... ........................
Net operating income...............................

17.2
10.1

16.3
9.2

16.0
9.0

15.0
15.0
15.0 18.0-19.0
8.0 8.0- 9.0 6.0- 7.0 9.0-11.0

5.8
15.9
1.3

5.5
14.7
1.6

5.6
14.6
1.4

5.0 5.0- 6.0
4.0 4.0- 6.0
13.0 13.0-15.0 10.0-11.0 13.0-17.0
2.0 0.0- 2.0 4.0- 5.0 2.0- 5.0

1 Associations for which detailed financial reports for 1949 were available to the U. S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics.
2 The wholesale emphasizes that only by increasing volume can the figures be reduced to the levels shown.
The association should also strive for as many as 18-24 stock turns per year.

If delivery is undertaken, its cost must be figured additionally, rang
ing from 6 to 8 percent of the business done. Granting credit to custo
mers may increase the expenses another 2 or 3 percent.29

Business Location and Premises
The location of the store or other place of business should be given
careful consideration. Generally it should be placed within easy reach
of the majority of the members, otherwise the members will go elsewhere
after their first cooperative enthusiasm has waned. It is not wise to
place the new cooperative in a high-priced location with the purpose of
catching transient trade Bind thus building up a large volume of sales
with nonmembers. The cooperative is first of all a membership or
ganization, and nonmembers should be sought only with the idea of mak
ing them members.
As a rule the new cooperative association should not at first buy or
erect a building. It should rent its quarters and thus be in a position to
n A study made by the Farm Credit Administration showed that extension of credit cost the co
operative associations $2 for every $100 of sales; on the basis of credit sales only the cost was $3.80.

EMPLOYEES

move if the location does not prove desirable. Sometimes a substantial
saving may be effected by the purchase of modern second-hand equip
ment,80 but care should be taken to have such equipment inspected and
approved beforehand by a competent, disinterested person. Purchase
of the business of an established grocer is usually not advisable, as such
a business will have a reputation for being a profit-making enterprise
and this reputation may carry over. However, if this is done, the grocer’s
liabilities should be investigated to insure that the association is not
assuming unknown debts.
If the enterprise carried on is a cooperative store, it should be remem
bered that the interior arrangement is as important as the site. A clean,
attractive store is possible with only moderate expenditure. Advance
consideration should be given to such matters as self-service, store lay
out, types of shelving, and modem counter arrangements. Sources of
advice and assistance are the various cooperative wholesales and the
pamphlet “Principles of Store Arrangement” (issued by the Bureau of
Foreign and Domestic Commerce of the United States Department of
Commerce).
One manager believes that only the exceptional small store has a
chance for success in eastern cities. It should carry the “co-op label”
goods as well as a certain amount of nationally advertised products, but
small, cramped quarters do not offer sufficient space to accommodate
such a variety. The small space also puts an effective ceiling on the
volume of business that can be done there; and unless the store can
attain a substantial volume it cannot compete on prices. A good-sized
store is desirable therefore, that can be laid out in an efficient manner,
providing space for the flow of customer traffic as well as for display.
Various estimates place the optimum at from 6,000 to 9,000 feet of store
space, with an additional outside area for parking of 3 to 3J^ times the
inside floor space.

Employees of the Cooperative
Store Manager

The ideal store manager is one who combines knowledge of coopera
tion with technical skill in storekeeping, in the buying and selling of
goods, and in the keeping of store records and accounts. If an exper
ienced groceryman trained in profit business is hired, he should be under
the close supervision of an alert, well-informed board of directors with a
cooperative background. On the other hand, the idealistic but un
trained cooperator may make serious, even fatal, business mistakes
before he acquires the requisite technical knowledge. The combination
80 One danger in buying used equipment is that if it is not up to date it may have a noticeably un
favorable effect upon the appearance and operating efficiency of the store and consequently upon its.
success.
945500°—51 5

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

of cooperative understanding with administrative ability is rare but it
is being developed among many of the younger people working in co
operative stores and studying in the cooperative training schools.
The manager should be able to delegate responsibility to those under
him so that he does not carry the entire load of duties on his own shoul
ders. It is essential that he have financial and business judgment and
tact, and that he be able to win and hold the respect of patrons, em
ployees, and business houses with which he deals.
The wise manager will not employ any member of his own family81 nor
let himself be influenced to employ a favorite of any of the directors.
Neither he nor any employee should be a relative of any member of the
board of directors.81
Duties of manager.— In the small store the manager has to be a jackof-all-trades; he must knbw something of buying, selling, banking, in
vesting, credit, supervising the work of others, bookkeeping, driving a
truck, etc; In the larger cooperatives he can delegate most of these to
others. He is responsible for buying the merchandise, deciding the
mark-up, and hiring and firing the employees. He must exact discipline
and at the same time inculcate cooperative enthusiasm in his employees,
watch carefully the many places where leaks and losses to the business
occur, deal tactfully with complaints from all directions, and understand
the value of publicity and advertising whether in store windows, local
press, radio, or other mediums. '
He should render regular reports to the directors.*19 He should hold
regular meetings with the employees for discussion of both business
problems and cooperative principles. He should cultivate good relations
with the membership and the general public, and give the utmost pos
sible support to the educational activities and to the cooperative whole
sale of his district.
The manager should not become obligated to or accept gifts from the
salesmen of any private wholesale house.

Other Employees
Clerks and deliverymen are the most important individuals in the
store, from the point of view of contact with the membership and the
general public. The spirit of the cooperative store will be interpreted
by the purchasers in accordance with their opinion of these employees;
they will judge of its efficiency almost entirely in terms of their efficiency.
These workers should be made partners in the educational program. No
store is truly cooperative until its clerks learn to think of themselves not
as salesmen trying to dispose of goods to the public but as partners of the
public in the common effort to obtain quality goods at fair prices and to
” Such practice is forbidden by many cooperatives.
19 For suggestions as to frequency and content of such reports, see appendix H (p. 84).

BUSINESS METHODS

build a united cooperative movement. It is important that they learn
to conduct themselves not as sellers, but as buyers for the members.
Generally, also, the workers are members as well as employees of the
association.

Wages

An association should not attempt to make earnings at the expense of
its employees. At the beginning of the association's existence, it may
be necessary for both members and employees to make some sacrifices
in order to get the organization on its feet. Once that is done, the asso
ciation should provide good wages and working conditions. Managers'
salaries should not be below the standard set by profit business. A good
manager deserves good pay and a poor one should not be employed at all.
Other employees should receive wages at least equal to the current union
scale for similar work. If there is no union in the neighborhood, wages
should, whenever possible, be slightly higher than those of employees
of the profit business firms for the same kind of work. The payment of
straight wages without any bonus or commission on sales is recom
mended.82
Affiliation with the labor union should be encouraged, provided the
union is a bona fide one and not unfriendly to the cooperative.

Business Methods and Policies
Cash or Credit?

; AH business of the society, both buying and distributing, should be
strictly for cash. This cannot be emphasized too strongly, for credit
selling and credit buying have been among the most frequent causes
of cooperative failure in America.
The following are some of the reasons most often advanced for per
mitting credit to customers:

Competitors grant credit; we must do the same, competition compels it.
Our people are accustomed to credit, we must meet the demand; it is their store.
Unemployment or other hard times force us to give credit; many members have no
money, and the cooperative cannot turn them away.
This store has always given credit; it is impossible to change the habit now.

On the other hand, the following arguments may be advanced in
opposition to credit trading:

The extra expenses involved require charging higher prices for goods.
More capital is required by stores giving credit. The purpose of the cooperative
store is not to supply credit but to supply goods or services. Credit is a banking
function for which it is not equipped.
Credit in large amounts quickly dissipates the capital of the society, for a con
siderable proportion of the accounts will not be collected and ultimately must be
82 But some State laws require the distribution of part of the surplus savings as bonuses on wages to
employees.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

written off as bad debts. The member who takes away goods without leaving money
to replace them damages the supply to just that degree.
Credit to customers usually means that bills of wholesalers cannot be paid promptly,
the store cannot take its discounts for cash, and the members must pay higher prices
for goods.
Credit encourages extravagance on the part of weak-willed patrons.
The credit system is undemocratic. If credit is given to one member of a coopera
tive it should, in fairness, be given to all, and to the same amount. Yet this is im
possible, for it would bankrupt the store. Thus credit involves extending to some
members favors that others do not receive.
Credit puts the debtor in bondage to his society. Many workers have lived most
of their lives in such bondage; the cooperative should help to free them, not add to
their burdens.

For many years it was supposed that the giving of credit could not
be eliminated. Now we know that this was a mistake. Many associa
tions have proved that dealing for cash only is not only possible but
advantageous.
There are several methods of eliminating credit trading from the
cooperative. Obviously, the directors cannot merely issue an edict and
expect the members to accept it meekly. The latter should be educated
to see the dangers of credit business and they will then, in membership
meeting, vote to end it. As an alternative for those who still need credit,
a credit union or small savings and loan association may be organized
and needy members may borrow from it. All members may learn to
deposit special loan capital with the society during good times and draw
against this when times are bad.
In order to avoid credit trading in connection with delivery, mem
bers should be required to deposit sums approximately equal to the
week's needs in advance; or they may arrange to have the money ready
when delivery is made. Under no circumstances should credit be ex
tended to any member of the board of directors. In fact, this should be
expressly forbidden in the bylaws.
Reliance of the association upon credit from wholesale supply houses
after the association is once under way, is equally bad. It means loss
of the special discounts offered by the latter for prompt payment of
bills, and such discounts mount up in the course of the year to many
hundreds and sometimes thousands of dollars. It necessitates charging
correspondingly higher prices to patrons. It is better to borrow extra
loan capital from members and pay interest on it than to lose discounts
from wholesalers and also lose the confidence which the latter should
have in the business integrity of the cooperative.

Price Policy
A fundamental principle of cooperation is that goods should not be
retailed at cost or even at cost-plus.33 Nor should temporary under-38
38 This term is used to designate the practice of a mark-up only sufficient to cover the cost price to
the association plus a percentage estimated as representing the cost of handling, overhead, etc.

DELIVERY SERVICE

pricing of neighboring stores be advocated, except possibly to meet un
usual conditions. Cooperative stores that fall into this error do not
succeed in the end.
Sale at cost is inadvisable for the following reasons: (1) Actual costs
cannot be accurately estimated in advance and such a policy therefore
increases the danger of an operating loss; (2) sale at cost also increases
the hostility of the private merchants; (3) it deprives the association of
surplus; (4) it makes savings returns impossible; (5) it prevents the
accumulation of a reserve fund for development and expansion; and (6)
there will be no money for social, recreational, and educational work.

Delivery Service
Not only is delivery service expensive, but frequently it is unnec
essary and is maintained only through force of habit of members and
manager.
It is strongly urged that everything possible be done to reduce to a
minimum the delivery of goods to members’ homes, but, of course, not
to the point of driving patronage away from the store. If delivery is
encouraged and passively permitted, even those members who otherwise
would carry their groceries will begin to demand delivery and soon most
of the sales will be handled in this expensive manner.
A small charge made for delivery (or for delivery on orders below
a specified amount) may help to eliminate unnecessary service of this
kind. However, an organization expecting to cover a considerable
area and with its members scattered throughout this area must consider
the fact that some of the distant members often go to considerable in
convenience to patronize the store. Provision of parking space along
side of or adjacent to the store will encourage such members to do their
own shopping.
Delivery routes should be carefully zoned so that there is no dupli
cation of roads covered and so that all patrons may be served at approxi
mately equal intervals of time. In the case of an association with a
widely scattered membership, a schedule of delivery days for the various
sections can be worked out. Members should be trained to adhere to the
schedule established and not ask for special trips for articles forgotten or
neglected.
The employee making deliveries should not only be efficient in han
dling his truck, caring for his merchandise, and keeping records of orders
and routes; he should also be a genuine cooperator. The latter qualifica
tion is often more essential in the deliveryman than in the store clerk,
for he is frequently the only person from the association whom some of
the members and customers see, and their opinion of the entire coopera
tive will often depend upon the contact they have with him.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

Fidelity Bonds or Security Guaranties

All persons handling the funds of the association should be bonded,
at the expense of the cooperative, to the full amount of money or pro
perty handled. A security company bond is preferable to a personal
bond.

Buying of Merchandise and Sources of Supply

Details of buying merchandise cannot be discussed here. It should,
however, be a fundamental rule of every cooperative association that its
manager shall give all possible support to the nearest cooperative whole
sale association, and the directors should require a regular report from
the manager on this point.
If there is no such wholesale association in the territory, several co
operative stores should combine their purchases and gradually lay the
foundation for such a wholesale.
It has been reported that wholesale houses sometimes discriminate
against cooperatives by higher prices or inferior service. The blame
for this cannot always be placed upon those firms themselves; they
may have had poor treatment from cooperatives or may have had diffi
culty in collecting accounts due. Cooperatives should strive for good
credit rating and for sound business relationships with the local banks,
and should in other ways demonstrate that the cooperatives are effi
cient and trustworthy. Once such a reputation is established, coopera
tive managers will complain less of discrimination.

Meeting Competition

Like profit businesses, the cooperative must meet competition, and
this question should be given thought from the beginning and in the
preliminary survey made before the store is opened.
The chain stores have generally been looked upon as the most severe
competitors, but they present a problem which can be met if the associa
tion has the will and ability to do so, and especially if it is combining
its purchasing power with that of other cooperatives through the cooper
ative wholesale. Cooperative directors and managers have acquired
the habit of fearing the chain stores and trying to imitate them, instead
of stepping out boldly to make the cooperative society something dis
tinctly different from and better than these stores. One way to do this
is through emphasis upon quality rather than price, or upon quality in
relation to price.
The store belonging to the customers should be as modern, efficient,
attractive, and well-equipped as any in the community. It has unique
assets that no other corporation can boast. It should capitalize these,
and not try to emulate the wealthy chain-store corporation. The co
operative can specialize in quality and guaranteed values. The store

ACCOUNTING PRACTICES

affiliated with a recognized regional cooperative wholesale has the ad
vantage of access to “co-op label” goods, the trade-mark of which is the
property of the cooperative movement. Goods put up under the “co-op
label” usually provide a more full and accurate description of the in
gredients than is required by law. The store can thus assure its patrons
not only as regards quality but also as regards honesty of weights and
measures, packaging, size of containers, etc. It can build up within its
membership a sense of direct ownership, loyalty to the people's store,
and pride in creating a business institution unlike anything else in the
community. It can specialize also in social and fraternal activities to
strengthen the bond which unites the members—entertainments, lec
ture courses, forums, and other enjoyable and profitable functions. It
can cut some of the expenses of operation that every chain store must
have. Unless trade-union rules prohibit, the small store can also call
upon its members for volunteer help in various directions.
The cooperative must learn to make use of its unique opportunities
and assets. Its benefits to members go beyond money savings or quality
values; in addition to these, certain spiritual satisfaction often results.
Its opposition often consists not so much in the other stores as in the
lack of imagination among its own leaders and lack of loyalty among its
own members.

Accounting Practices
Bookkeeping

Even cooperatives of modest size find it advisable to employ a book
keeper. The practice of putting the responsibility for bookkeeping
entirely in the hands of the manager, secretary, or treasurer, even though
it is sometimes advocated, is not a wise one.
The books and records are of such importance that an expert should
be put in charge of them at the earliest possible time. Bookkeeping is
for keeping records of the past; even more important, it is a picture of
the present and a chart of the future.
The accounting system should record all cash and credit transactions,
and protect the association from fraud on the part of employees or out
siders and from mistakes of judgment on the part of the manager. It
should be serviceable and economical to handle. It should give com
plete information for each department of the store (meat, grocery, dry
goods, etc.), so that the directors may know which departments are
profitable and which are unprofitable. It should also furnish data on
the various aspects (costs of delivery, credit, 34 etc.), of the store's ser
vice.
If there is no good bookkeeper available, the association should select
34 But the dangers of extension of credit to patrons cannot be emphasized too strongly, and all co
operative leaders urge that credit be eliminated entirely.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

an intelligent and cooperative man or woman and see that he or she is
given the proper training, either by attending cooperative training
courses, by subscribing for correspondence courses, or by getting direct
personal instruction from the nearest cooperative accountant.

Audit

The regular cooperative accountant,3536 or a public accountant if the
former is not available, should be engaged to audit the accounts of the
association annually, semiannually, or even oftener. The basic informa
tion in his report should be printed and given to each member.
More associations are adopting the practice of having frequent audits
not only of the books and records but of the membership and store as
well. In such cases a regular check is made of the number of members
(both of men and of women), their holdings in shares, their loans to the
association, their purchases, the length of time they have been members,
their occupations, etc. The store audit gives a check-up of the store
by an outside expert, to establish its cleanliness, its neatness of appear
ance, the economical lay-out of its fixtures, counters, and shelves, the
reduction of hazards from fire or freezing or exposure to heat and damp,
etc.
A competent auditor, even though his official work is only that of
auditing the books, will not neglect these other matters but will look
into them at least superficially and then meet with the directors and
discuss with them the various problems that he feels are of importance.
He will be a business adviser to the association as well as its auditor.
His examination will reveal the degree of efficiency of the business and
his report will give suggestions for improvement, and comparisons and
analysis of methods and their results.

Inventory and Depreciation
Inventory should be taken at regular intervals by an inventory com
mittee and the manager. If the business is running smoothly, once every
3 months is often enough to take inventory; otherwise a monthly
check is desirable. Inventory should be figured at cost or market price,
whichever is lower.36 Overvaluation of stock should be avoided.
35 The following cooperatives provide auditing service, and assistance in this matter may be obtained
from them:
I o w a .—Business Service Association, 400 Farm Bureau Building, Des Moines 9.
M in n e so ta .—Cooperative Auditing Service, 2101 Kennedy St. NE., Minneapolis 13; and Farmers
Union Accounting Services, Inc., 1200 N. Concord St., St. Paul.
M is so u ri .—Consumers Cooperative Association, 310 E. 10th St., Kansas City 13.
N e b ra sk a .—Auditing Service for Cooperatives, 3860 Leavenworth St., Omaha 5.
O h io .—Farm Bureau Cooperative Association, 245 N. High St., Columbus 16.
S o u th D a k o ta .—Equity Audit Co., 601 Citizens Building, Aberdeen.
W a sh in g to n .—Grange Cooperative Wholesale, 1104 Mercer St., Seattle.
36 For directions as to the proper methods of inventory, see A Primer of Bookkeeping for Cooperatives,
by Werner E. Regli (Chicago, Cooperative League).

DISPOSAL OF NET SAVINGS

Depreciation should be allowed for—on fixtures at about 10 percent
per year; on trucks at about 25 percent. In filing income-tax returns,
some adjustment may have to be made to conform to Federal
regulations.

Record of Patronage

The practice of returning savings in proportion to patronage necessi
tates the introduction of some system whereby the association may
determine at the close of the patronage-refund period the trade done by
each member, in order to apportion to him his savings.
Most associations require that the patron shall keep records of his
patronage. He saves his cash-register slips or other evidences of pur
chase until the end of the accounting period and then turns them in at
the store for his refunds.
Some associations themselves keep records of patronage by their
members. One method is the use of a duplicate- or triplicate-book sys
tem or a billing machine.

Net Savings and Their Disposal
In the private store the margin between the cost of the goods (plus
expenses) and the price at which they are sold goes to the tradesman or
investors, as profit.
The cooperative store appears at first glance to operate like any other
business. Actually there are wide points of difference. The members
have pooled their resources to buy at better advantage than each could
buy alone. Having bought their goods and put them in their store,
they own the goods. Thus, the members do not buy from their store,
nor does the store sell them goods. It buys for them and distributes to
them. When the member takes goods away from the store, he leaves
enough money to replace what he has taken and also the difference
between the cost and retail price. It is from the latter margin that,
after the cost of operation is deducted, the member receives his savings
return.
This collective surplus or saving is the essence of cooperative business.
The use of this surplus marks the chief difference between the coopera
tive and the profit systems of business.

General Surplus Reserve
The net worth of cooperatives consists of (1) share capital owned in
dividually by the members, and (2) the general and special reserves
owned collectively by the members. The reserves are funds set aside
from earnings to insure the safety of the business and provide for fur
ther expansion. A great many State laws require that cooperatives
shall establish such a reserve. Usually from 5 to 25 percent of the year’s
945596°—51

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS' COOPERATIVES

net savings must be added to the fund until the latter amounts to from
20 to 50 percent of the paid-in capital. Many associations prefer to ex
ceed the minimum, however, and may accumulate a reserve considerably
in excess of their share capital. Members should be encouraged to be
generous to their reserve and the future security of their association and
not divide among themselves, at the end of the year all of the savings
made. But the cash reserve should not be permitted to become so large
as to constitute a temptation to the profit seekers who may be found
in the membership, and sometimes in the management, and who (unless
the contingency is provided for in the bylaws) may urge dissolution, or a
course that will bring the enterprise to an end, in order to divide the
reserve.87
As mentioned above, the general reserve is the indivisible property
of the association and is created to safeguard the business and fur
nish additional capital. In case a cooperative shows an operating loss,
this loss must be charged against this reserve. It is, therefore, impor
tant to build a reserve in good times as a stabilizer to take care of operat
ing difficulties. Until the entire general reserve will have been dissi
pated through operating losses, the share capital still remains at par.
Once the balance sheet reveals a deficit, the deficit should be deducted
from the share capital, showing that the stock is no longer worth its par
value. In such case, no patronage refunds can be made, as these should
always come out of net earnings.

Educational Funds
Provision should also be made for educational work, by allocation
from net savings to a special fund88 or by payment out of the current
expense fund. The important thing is that such work be done and ade
quately financed.

Savings Returns or Refunds on Purchases
After the return on capital, the addition to the permanent reserve,
and the educational funds have been deducted, the remainder of the
net savings may be paid to the members and to nonmember patrons
as savings returns or refunds (“dividends on purchases”), according
to the Rochdale method. They are based on the amount of patronage
(not on the amount invested in share capital, as in profit-making busi
ness). They are usually paid semiannually or annually; the latter is
usually preferable because the longer period tends to equalize seasonal
fluctuations in patronage and consequently in earnings (see also footnote *18
*7 It should be pointed out, also, that reserves of consumers’ cooperatives, not specifically allocated
to the credit of individual members, are subject to Federal income tax.
18 Some laws require regular additions to a special fund for this purpose, but Federal income tax must
be paid on educational reserves set aside from net savings, into such a fund.

PATRONAGE REFUNDS

3, p. 65). There is, however, the possibility that the longer interval
may lead to a loss in membership interest.
The amount to be returned on patronage may be paid back in (1)
cash, (2) in credit toward patronage at the store, (3) in credit toward the
purchase of additional shares, or (4) as loan-capital certificates. The
first and second methods are usual if the association already has suffi
cient capital for current needs, and methods 3 and 4 if more capital is
needed. A common procedure is to pay nonmembers in credits toward
shares, and to notify members that their return is available in cash on
request but, in the absence of such request, will be credited toward addi
tional shares. The decision as to how the distribution of earnings is to
be made should be that of the membership, unless the law specifies
otherwise or the financial stability of the organization prevents; usually,
the directors should only make recommendations. The bylaws should
specify that the association has a lien on the patronage refunds of mem
bers for any amounts owing to the cooperative, so that such refunds may
be withheld in such case. Earnings on sales to nonmembers should not
be paid to members but, if they are not to be returned to the nonmem
bers themselves, should be placed in the educational fund.
Mention should be made of the “revolving fund” or “rotating capital”
systems, used especially by rural cooperatives. These systems involve
the principle of deferring the date for cash distribution of savings re
turns. The simplest form is the retention in the association of the sav
ings returns for a fixed or indefinite period of years; certificates of in
debtedness are issued to the member-patrons, being redeemed at par,
in cash, at the end of the period or when sufficient capital has been
accumulated. A variation is to have the savings returns paid partly in
cash, and partly in new shares, the proportions having been fixed at the
annual meeting. Any surplus funds are used to retire old shares in the
order of their serial number or date of issue. The plan is designed (a)
to weed out members who are no longer active patrons, and (b) to have
a member’s investment status keep pace with his patronage status.
There are at least three methods of treating nonmember purchasers:
(1) No returns to such patrons until they have purchased at least a small
amount of stock; (2) refunds at the same rate as to members; and (3)
refunds at half the rate at which members are paid. The second method
is to be preferred from the point of view of safeguarding the nonprofit
character of the cooperative. Under genuinely cooperative practice
the only alternative to returning patronage refunds is to add the earn
ings from nonmember patronage to the educational or reserve accounts.
It should be noted that if nonmember patrons are paid no savings re
turns or are paid at only half the rate for member patrons, then it can
be said that the members are “profiting,” to some extent at least, at the
expense of the nonmembers. This factor has been stressed in the past

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

by courts when considering whether a particular cooperative was eligible
for tax exemption. Accordingly, it has become increasingly common
among cooperatives to grant refunds to nonmembers at the same rate
as to members, the refunds being made in the form of credits toward the
amount of capital necessary for membership. Several of the State laws
have definite provisions on this point which m ust be m et.

Other Uses for Net Savings
There are some associations which either distribute no savings re
turns to members or distribute only a very small proportion of the
actual funds available. These cooperatives believe in what is popularly
known as the “Belgian plan,” which is the use of savings for the social
benefit of the entire membership and even of the whole community.
W ith these savings there may be established insurance funds, vacation
homes for the women and children, medical or dental clinics for the
members, community halls, libraries, art centers, the free distribution
of papers or other literature, the employment of special lecturers, or free
scholarships in cooperative schools. The number of such benefits is
lim ited only by the amount of funds available. The public-relations
value of such a procedure is obvious. The objections are that it pro
vides no economies of purchase to the individual member and that
those who enjoy m ost of the benefits m ay not be the members whose
patronage has created the funds.

Committees
Several special com m ittees are necessary to every efficient coopera
tive society—committees on education, membership nom inations, audit
ing and inventory, finance, business or management, com plaints, rela
tions with other cooperatives, problems of quality and grading of goods,
etc. Some of these com m ittees may be combined; others m ay have
several subcommittees for specialized work.
It is customary to have the directors appoint com m ittees whose work
is with the business of the store, and to elect from the membership those
which are to devote them selves to the broader questions of the member
ship at large or to check the work of the directors. Thus the member
ship m eetings may elect the membership and audit com m ittees, while
the board may appoint or elect from among its own membership or the
membership at large the other com m ittees enumerated above.
Committee on education.— The success of the committee on education
depends upon efficiency and loyalty. Loyalty depends on members
who understand cooperation. Thus the duty of this com m ittee is the
education of the members. It is important that the membership of this
com m ittee be appointed on the basis of qualifications for the specific

COMMITTEES

duties to be performed. One member may be chosen to handle publicity,
another study groups, another visual educational methods, another com
m odity promotion, etc. Selected because of their interest and ability
along special lines, the members of this committee will function much
better than if chosen indiscrim inately and given no specific duties. The
whole educational com m ittee should strive to keep the society in close
association with the organized cooperative movement, in the State, the
N ation, and the world.
The committee may be large and divided into subcommittees:
The membership subcommittee should bring in new members and
hold and educate the old members. It should work among nonpurchas
ing members who have grievances against the store; among patrons who
have not yet become members; among fraternal, religious, labor, or
farmer groups from which new members may be recruited. Newspapers,
the movies, the radio, and the lecture platform are all good mediums
for this work. Effective results are also obtainable from study groups.
The new members drawn into these groups will enlarge their under
standing of cooperation.
The program and entertainm ent subcommittee should arrange the
program for the members, m eetings, provide for debates, entertain
ments, speakers, picnics, suppers, and other social affairs, as well as
conduct more serious study courses for members and em ployees.89
The junior committee should develop interest and loyalty among
children and young people. Literature and books suitable for them
should be read aloud and discussed. Outings, entertainm ents, and other
young people’s parties and educational m eetings should be arranged.
Athletic team s, dramatic groups, and musical organizations should be
fostered.
The women’s subcom m ittee or women’s guild has the dual responsi
bility of stim ulating greater loyalty to the store on the part of its present
members and of interesting other women throughout the community.
Since it is the wives and mothers who spend most of the fam ily funds,
their earnest support and understanding of the cooperative are essential.
This com m ittee can also be of great service in constructive criticism
leading to improvement in quality of goods, physical condition of the
store, labor policies, etc. It may also be a real force in community
betterment.
The library and literature subcommittee should keep on hand in a
satisfactory place, in the store or close to it, cooperative periodicals,
pamphlets, and books for distribution. This committee should conduct
a library and reading room. It should work to the end that every mem
ber shall subscribe to or regularly receive a magazine or current periodi-39
39 A pamphlet on “Cooperative Education” may be obtained from the Literature and Film Depart
ment of The Cooperative League, 525 W. 76th St., Chicago. TO.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

cal devoted to the news and ideals of the cooperative m ovem ent. The
issuance of a store bulletin or news letter is a useful function of this
subcom m ittee. It m ay also work with public libraries to increase the
supply of cooperative literature available to the public.
Committee on grades and quality of goods.— This m ay be a separate
com m ittee or a subcom m ittee of the com m ittee on education. If the
former, it should work closely in connection with the educational group.
Its function is to stim ulate interest in laboratory testing of com m odities
and in the reports of consumer information agencies, to study the goods
handled by the association with a view to improving their quality, and
to work for inform ative labeling of goods. It m ay prepare, for member
ship meetings, etc., special features or displays demonstrating the
quality of goods sold by the association. This com m ittee may also in
quire as to the conditions under which the commodities carried by the
cooperative are produced.
Committee on audit and inventory.— The com m ittee on audit and
inventory should be elected by the membership. One of the duties of
this com m ittee is to check on the taking and pricing of inventory, to
insure conservative pricing, and to prevent “padding” of figures. As
soon as possible, also, the com m ittee should see that the association
makes use regularly of a certified public accountant, preferably a co
operative accountant if one is available. Such outside audits by a public
accountant should be quarterly for the first year or two; later they m ay
be at intervals of 6 or 12 months.
Business management committee—The business management com
m ittee is usually elected from and by the directors, if the board is a
large one. This is the com m ittee which assists the manager in carrying
out the general policies set by the entire board of directors. It m ay
consist of the two or three directors m ost conversant with business
problems. It should m eet with the manager at frequent stated inter
vals for the consideration of the various problems of finance, merchan
dising, insurance, em ploym ent of help, relations with wholesale houses,
enlargement of the business premises, etc.
In the association which has a small board of directors, m eeting fre
quently, the entire board m ay act as such, special com m ittee.

Educational Work

The first essential of educational work in the cooperative association
is frankness, open records, and no secrets regarding the conduct of the
business or the activities of officers and com m ittees. If the members
do not have confidence in their leaders, no educational work can be effec
tive. One of the best ways by which the membership can be kept in
formed is through a news letter issued by the association.
The second principle underlying educational work is that such work

EDUCATIONAL WORK

be connected closely with the business of the store itself, and not treated
as something divorced from the association’s economic life and the
special prerogative of the educational committee. In order to be effec
tive, it is important that the handling of merchandise, the creating of a
cooperative atmosphere, and the dissemination of cooperative ideas
all go along together.
The third essential is that each local association keep frequently and
closely in touch with the nearest educational center of the cooperative
m ovement, seek its ideas and advice, send to it information on the local
work, and participate actively in cooperative conferences, conventions,
and joint activities among cooperatives.40
Educational work m ay be divided into three fields—that done among
the employees, that done among the members, and that done for the
community at large.
1. Education of employees is of two kinds—technical education to
make them more efficient workers, and general education in coopera
tion. The importance of educating the employees is indicated by the
fact that one statistical bureau found that of the people who stopped
trading at a given store, 33 percent left because of inefficiency of em
ployees and another 30 percent because of poor facilities for service.
A substantial percentage of cooperative failures is due indirectly to lack
of cooperative understanding among the workers.
Opportunities for both kinds of education exist within the coopera
tive movement. Special training schools and summer institutes are
organized by the Cooperative League and by m ost of the regional whole
sales. The courses of study are designed both for the technical training
of employees and directors and for instructionJn the general principles
of cooperation.41
2. Educational work for the membership may be carried on both in
side and outside the store. The best work from within is that done
by the employees them selves through the spoken word, the cooperative
approach to customers, or the use of posters, bulletins, etc. Goods
packed by cooperative wholesales under special cooperative labels have
value in conveying the cooperative idea.
The work outside the store m ay be direct and intensive, as in study
classes, distribution of cooperative literature, lectures, and attendance
at cooperative schools and institutes. It may deal with general con
sumer activities such as improved regulation of weights and measures,
quality of goods, increased use of Government-graded m eats and canned
40 Such centers are the educational departments of the cooperative wholesales, listed on p. 88, and the
national Cooperative League. There are also many local leagues and councils whose activities cover
a city, county, or district. The names and addresses of these local leagues can generally be obtained
from the regional wholesale associations.
41 Information on courses being given at any time may be obtained from the Cooperative League of
the USA, 343 S. Dearborn St., Chicago 4, 111.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

goods, more adequate food and drug regulation, etc. It m ay be general
and combined with social and recreational affairs. Finally, it may
accompany some of the direct work of the cooperative association in its
nonmerchandising activities. Thousands are better cooperators be
cause of the summer camp which the cooperative association runs, the
library it organizes, the assistance it gives to the unemployed or to
strikers, or the lunchroom it operates for the members.
The small informal cooperiative-discussion group, m eeting regularly
in rotation in the homes of the members for study of cooperative prob
lems is a most successful method of membership education. These
groups are variously styled “cooperative clubs/* “advisory councils,**
“neighborhood clubs,** “neighborhood councils,** or “fireside forums.**
Some cooperative wholesales supply m aterials for these home coopera
tive-discussion groups.
3. Work for the community of nonmembers m ay take the form of
general publicity or advertising. Publicity is designed to acquaint
the public with the idea behind the cooperative and to arouse interest
in its general work; advertising is to focus attention upon particular
commodities. The cooperative m ovement should make more use of
the former. Cases of goods donated for use of the unemployed, special
assistance to the local hospital or orphans* home, m eetings planned in
the neighborhood church or lodge room—all may be made effective in
spreading interest in the cooperative. The special membership drive,
usually put on during a designated cooperative week or cooperative
month, has proved to be a valuable means of reaching a new public.
Both the women*s guild and the young people*s league should be en
couraged to take responsibility for educational work among members
and nonmembers. They often have more and closer contacts with those
who should be reached than have the directors or officers or even the
members of the educational com m ittee.

[N o t e : The organization and procedures of buying clubs are given here because
such clubs have been one recognized technique toward eventual establishment of a
cooperative store. Present-day conditions, however, do not appear to be particularly
favorable for them, nor is their formation being encouraged by the cooperative whole
sales.]

PART 2.—CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVE
BUYING CLUBS1
Object and Scope

The consumers' cooperative buying club is an initial step in cooper
ative organization. Its immediate purposes are to study cooperation,
to train its members in cooperative methods, to improve the quality of
goods purchased by the members, and to build its capital through sav
ing its members' money by the purchase of goods in quantities sufficient
to obtain lower or wholesale prices.
There are other objects of equal or even greater importance. Thus,
it is entirely within the club's scope to stress the educational and social
function, so as to make the club a natural social center.
The club may exist under a number of conditions, each one of which
m ust to some extent alter its form and policy. It may be formed among
a group of neighbors, a group of factory workers, among salaried workers
in the large business houses of the cities, or among members of religious
or fraternal groups. In community-center groups where self-help is
taught and practiced, the conditions may favor the growth of coopera
tive organizations. W hatever the source of membership, since the goal
of the buying club should be a cooperative store or other commercial
enterprise, it is desirable that its activities be developed in a residential
community and not in an industrial center which the participants desert
for their homes every evening.
It is essential that the cooperative club be made a democratic asso
ciation. If every member holds himself ready to contribute service
when and where needed, the cooperative club m ay become an effective
agency, and establish the sense of m utuality among the members. It
should be stressed, however, that the buying club should never be re
garded as an end in itself; it should aim for the eventual establishm ent,
and as early as possible, of a fully developed cooperative business.

Organization

Buying clubs are generally unincorporated organizations.12 Each
member pays a small initial membership fee (50 cents to $1), to cover

1 For general considerations which should govern the formation of any kind of consumers’ coopera
tive organization see Introduction, p. 1.
2 But it should be emphasized that in an unincorporated club the members are individually liable
(as partners) for any debts it may incur. If the operations become extensive, therefore, incorporation
is advisable.
0*5596°—51

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

organization expenses and educational work. M any organizations also
require a member deposit of $10, to be used for operating capital which
is converted into share capital when the group incorporates and opens
a store.
It is wise, in order to give the club a good start, for the persons who are
convinced of the feasibility of the plan to try to interest as many others
as possible in the subject before an organization m eeting is called. The
m eeting having been duly announced and assembled, its object should
be clearly and briefly stated. The chairman should call for a tentative
plan of organization as a means of getting the whole m atter quickly
before the m eeting, and a tentative constitution and bylaws should be
subm itted. A m otion is then in order to organize a consumers’ coopera
tive club. If this m otion is carried, it m ay be moved that a paper be
circulated through the m eeting for the signatures of those who would
like to join.
A further motion m ay follow, to the effect that a sm all com m ittee
(5 or 7 are suggested) be appointed by the chairman to draw up a con
stitution and bylaws, and that the m eeting be then thrown open to a
discussion and criticism of the tentative constitution that has just been
read to the m eeting. Such discussion should be of assistance to the new
com m ittee in its work.
Although clubs operate on a sim ple, informal basis, each should have
a constitution and bylaw s.8 These should outline a com plete and selfperpetuating organization, and should cover the following principles:

1. Membership open to all who can make use of the services of the association,
upon approval by the board of directors.
2. One vote and no more, for each member.
3. No voting by proxy.
4. Business for cash and at current prices.
5. Fixed, limited return on capital (i. e., member deposits).
6. Savings (including those made by discounts) distributed in proportion to pa
tronage, after setting aside reserves for use in a future cooperative business.
7. Adequate and responsible supervision by instructed committees.
8. Religious and political neutrality.
9. Continuous work for education and expansion.

Officers and Committees

Officers m ay be elected either at this m eeting or later, when the con
stitution and bylaws have been adopted and the organization has come
into existence. They should consist of a president, treasurer, and secre
tary-manager to serve for 1 year; or, preferably, a board of directors
m ay be elected, which chooses the officers from its own number. The
directors m ay be selected to serve overlapping terms of 6 m onths or 1
year, half of them being elected at a tim e; this practice insures the club 3
3 For suggested bylaws for a busring dub, see appendix C (p. 64).

GOODS HANDLED BY BUYING CLUBS

against having only novices in office. In the selection of officers, care
should be taken that not the m ost popular but the m ost capable are
chosen.
Two standing com m ittees should be elected—an educational com
m ittee, and a research or investigation committee whose function is
to investigate the quality, price, and conditions of production of the
commodities dealt in by the club. In addition an auditing committee
should be elected to serve for a definite term; its membership should not
include any of the officers of the club. Another important committee
is the inventory com m ittee,4 though in a small club it might be com
bined with the auditing committee. If the need arises, a committee of
three m ay be appointed each month from an alphabetical list of names,
to assist the manager (buyer) in checking stock orders, and in super
vising distribution to the members. Some clubs have a store or business
com m ittee which follows operations closely, though sometimes the board
of directors retains this function.
The bonding of the persons (treasurer and buyer or manager) through
whose hands the money and goods pass is an important guaranty of
safety. It should not be neglected out of a mistaken consideration for
the feelings of these officials, or because of their recognized personal in
tegrity, or because of mistaken economy. Experience has shown that
the bonding precedent should be started at once and never discontinued.*

Goods Handled

The main activity of the club is the pooling of the members’ orders.
This m ay be done sim ply by each member’s turning over to the buyer
at stated intervals (weekly or biweekly) a list of the goods and quanti
ties desired. The buyer then combines the orders and purchases these
item s to the best advantage. An alternative procedure is for the buyer
to “shop” in advance, to circulate among the members a list of goods
available, their quality, and their prices, and to confine the orders to
these item s. The latter system allows the group to concentrate on items
on which a considerable saving can be made, but m ay have the disad
vantage of providing for only a small number of needs.
It is a serious technical m atter to determine the kinds of goods with
which to start a club. Staple articles are best adapted to club pur
chase. Obviously, m ost perishables are not suitable for weekly or semi
m onthly orders. Canned goods m ay prove economical, especially if the
club is near enough to a cooperative wholesale to be serviced by it.
Local conditions and margins will largely determine what the club will*6
< Directions as to the proper taking of inventory are contained in “Primer of Bookkeeping for Co
operatives,” by Werner E. Regli, published by The Cooperative League, 343 S. Dearborn St.f Chicago
4,111.
6 The cost of the bonds should be borne by the association as a regular item of expense.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

purchase, but clubs can obtain lists of suggested commodities from the
cooperative wholesales that should prove helpful.
Clubs sometimes buy meat successfully. Smoked m eat, bacon, ham,
some forms of smoked and cured fish, and sausage meat m ay be tried
without special facilities for storage; but fresh m eat, of course, m ust be
either cut and distributed without delay or kept under refrigeration.
Lack of space precludes further discussion of the com m odities that
m ay be handled. The commodity reports of one of the agencies con
ducting research on consumers’ goods m ay be useful in this connection,
or lists m ay be obtained from the nearest cooperative wholesale.
When the club is small, cash should accompany the order of each
member so that m oney will be on hand to pay for bulk orders in advance
or on delivery. When the club is large, goods m ay be purchased in an
ticipation of the demand, as a cooperative store does, but more con
servatively. It is a great advantage, of course, to be able to buy in a
cheap market without delaying to secure many individual orders, but
it should be borne in mind that where this is perm itted the members
m ust be ready to share any losses from m istaken judgment on the part
of the secretary-manager or the buying com m ittee. It m ust not be
forgotten that a cornerstone of cooperation is cash (i. e., no credit).
Persons needing credit can be accommodated through a credit union
organized for the purpose, or m ay make advance deposits against which
purchases are charged. If credit is allowed— and this practice should
be vigorously discouraged—under no conditions should it be allowed to
exceed the amount of the member’s investm ent in the club, either as
stock or as loan capital.

Sources of Supply
The cooperative wholesale society is the logical source of supply for
cooperative clubs if it is near enough to make this feasible.6 Coopera
tives are not likely to encounter difficulties in obtaining supplies from
private wholesalers, but not all of these will sell at favorable prices.
The club should get into contact with local farmers for as many farm
products as possible. The development of marketing cooperatives
should enable cooperative clubs to reach groups of farmers with their
orders, and the club secretary should get in touch with all such groups
in the surrounding counties. Facilities are offered by the express com
panies as direct middlemen between producer and consumer, and these
companies issue circulars and price bulletins. Shipping by m ail is also
possible. A com m ittee should be appointed to help the secretary study
the best buying practice for the locality.6
6 For a directory of cooperative wholesale associations and the goods handled by them, see appendix
J (p. 88).

DISTRIBUTION OF GOODS

Distribution

Distribution m ay be effected at the club’s regular m eeting place or at
some other central location, each person taking charge of his own pur
chases; or delivery service may be provided at a nominal charge. Or
dinarily, delivery should not be undertaken by the cooperative club,
but, if provided, should be restricted as much as possible. The plan of
making a small charge for each delivery avoids the taxing of all those
who are willing to carry their purchases home, but of course makes con
centrated delivery routes harder to establish.
Some clubs operating in a city, with scattered membership, have
found it an advantage to create regional buying units. Deliveries for
the members of the unit are then made to the unit headquarters, at
which the members call for their goods. In the case of a small neighbor
hood club, storage room may be hard to find. One of the members may
have a convenient cellar, or the members may take turns in receiving
the goods at their homes and calling the club together for the distribu
tion. This latter method may be made a social function. When a neigh
borhood club becomes so large that it seems necessary to hire storage
room and an attendant, it is tim e to consider making the necessary
changes in organization to become a cooperative store society.

Records
More bookkeeping is necessary if savings returns are paid than if
goods are sold to members at cost, but the former practice is preferred,
for two reasons: Price cutting impairs buying by arousing local ani
m osity, and it prevents the accumulation of savings that can be used
for the starting of a store. Several ways of record keeping are possible,
the sim plest being that by which members save their receipts and turn
them in at the end of the accounting period. Sales books with triplicate
record, obtainable in stationery and some 10-cent stores, have been
used effectively by buying clubs.

Division of Net Savings
The objective of the club, as already noted, should be the eventual
establishm ent of a cooperative store or some other fully developed
cooperative industrial or service enterprise. It is advisable, therefore,
to begin building for such an enterprise at the start. From the savings
made by the club, provision should be made for reserves and for an
educational fund.
The surplus may be returned to the members in proportion to patron
age, but in this connection it is strongly recommended that the club
establish the practice of returning only part of the savings in cash and
retaining the remainder for the purpose of accumulating capital to be
9 4 5 5 9 6 ° — 5 1 --------8

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS* COOPERATIVES

used eventually to finance a cooperative store or other enterprise.7 A
certificate m ay be issued to each member indicating the amount of his
share in the retained surplus. This practice serves a double purpose,
i. e., it helps to build for the future, and it avoids members* disappoint
m ent over small returns when the store is finally started. A high rate
of cash return on the comparatively few commodities the club can
handle establishes a precedent which cannot be adhered to after the asso
ciation starts its store and assumes the continuing expenses of overhead
(rent, labor costs, utilities, etc.), and begins to handle m any item s on
which the margin is small.
As already emphasized, cooperative clubs m ay arrange for definite
discounts on purchases by their members directly from local trades
m en, but should not confine them selves solely to this kind of business.

Larger Possibilities
The consumers* cooperative club should make it a definite policy to
get into touch with other cooperative clubs and with cooperative stores
and to urge pooling of orders and federation among the groups. This is
im portant especially if there is no cooperative wholesale service available
and in case of perishable or other commodities that the wholesale may
not be able to supply but which near-by groups can purchase together.
A local federation could effect many economies and would doubtless
encourage the promotion of other cooperative organizations.
Although the club should not be more than a temporary phase of
organization it may be an important phase, and thus of value to the
progress of the cooperative movement. The members should conduct
regular m eetings for purposes of study and discussion. Specific problems
in cooperation m ay be assigned to certain members, to study and make
a report at a later meeting. The history, principles, philosophy, and
methods of cooperation should be studied and discussed. Speakers m ay
be invited to address the club from tim e to tim e. Cooperative periodi
cals should be subscribed for and a library started.8
The question of expansion into other cooperative business should
constantly be before the club. Among the activities that m ay be con
sidered are: Distribution of milk, coal, or petroleum products;9 a co
operative credit union;10 a bakery, restaurant, or boarding house. The
7 Persons experienced in this field hold that the rate of patronage refund in any form (whether cash,
shares, or merchandise) should never exceed 3 percent and that the remainder should be put into a re
serve for future expansion.
8 Educational materials, speakers, advice, and assistance may be obtained from some of the coopera
tive wholesales, most of which have educational departments. For a list of these associations, see ap
pendix J (p. 88).
9 For information as to equipment and capital necessary to operate a petroleum association, see p. 23.
10 Information on the organization of a credit union may be obtained from the Credit Union National
Association, 1617 Sherman Avenue (mail: P. O. Box 431), Madison 1, Wis.; and from the Bureau of
Federal Credit Unions, Federal Security Agency, Washington 25, D. C.

POSSIBILITIES OF BUYING CLUBS

members m ay organize for health protection and medical care, using one
of a variety of plans.11 Cooperative undertaking (funeral) business is
highly successful within large groups.1112 Recreation, an orchestra, a
choir, m otion pictures, a summer vacation camp, or farm within reach
of the members, also offer possibilities. It is extrem ely important, how
ever, that each activity be launched soundly and operated efficiently
before attention is diverted to another project.
The club is not a means of getting something for nothing, but it is a
way of shortening and making more direct (and therefore less expensive)
the route from producer to consumer, of enabling a group of consumers
to pool their buying power for quantity purchasing, and thus saving the
consumer money. It can connect the organized consumers with the or
ganized farmers and other producers, promoting the economic advantage
of both parties, and at the same tim e give training in cooperation and
mutual aid and prepare the members for expansion into other coopera
tive fields.
11 Information and advice regarding plans of medical care may be obtained from the Cooperative
Health Federation of America, 343 S. Dearborn St., Chicago 4, 111. For typical bylaws for such an
association, see appendix E (p. 70.)
12For typical bylaws for a burial association, see appendix D (p. 67).

PART 3.—APPENDIXES
Appendix A.—Outline for Surrey of Community1
I. Community characteristics.
1. Is this a stable community or a rapidly changing one?
2. What employing industries are there in the community? Are they varied
or does employment depend on one or two industries (i. e., so that a depres
sion in them would seriously affect the financial status of the membership
of the cooperative)?
3. Is business fairly good?
4. Is employment fairly stable?
5. Are the residents accustomed to participation in community (joint) activities
(picnics, literary associations, labor unions, etc.)?
6. Are there capable leaders available for work in organizing and directing a
cooperative?
II. Local competition—existing agencies.
1. Number, type, and approximate volume of business of commercial enter
prises in the locality (grocery stores, general stores, fuel yards, gasoline
stations, etc.).
2. Causes of dissatisfaction with existing agencies.
3. Possible ways in which cooperative could improve upon existing agencies.
4. Competition from existing agencies would be (keen) (weak); (fair) (unfair).
III. Trading and membership prospects.
1. How large a trading territory could a cooperative be expected to have?
Miles N----- S------E------W----- , square m iles------.
2. Number of families living in territory shown in Q. 1.
3. Estimated number that would be interested in joining a cooperative.
4. Probable volume of business of the cooperative.
5. Is trading territory large enough so that a branch would be feasible in the same
or a nearby town at some future time?
IV. Trading facilities.
1. Can desirable store facilities be leased? At what rental?
2. Are conveniences (water, electricity, gas, fuel) easily available?
V. Financing.
1. Can sufficient capital be supplied by the prospective members to finance the
organization without borrowing?
2. Will prospective members see the necessity of and agree to building up ade
quate surplus and reserves each year?
VI. Other cooperatives.
1. What cooperatives now operate in the proposed areas? How long has each
been organized?
2. What percent of the available volume of business does each handle? How
many members in each?
3. What proportion of the families in the locality now utilize the services of each?
4. Do the members feel that these cooperatives have been successful? If not,
why?
*
5. What associations have failed in the past in this community? Reasons for
failure in each case.
1 A dapted from an outline drawn up by K ansas State College, M anhattan, Kans.

APPENDIX A— SURVEY OF COMMUNITY

VII. Questions relating to operation of the association.
1. Can competent management be obtained at a cost per unit within financial
reach of the association?
2. Estimate a detailed budget of operating and fixed expenses for a year (see pp. 25,
26).
3. Estimate volume necessary to pay these expenses and establish adequate re
serves (see pp. 21,22, 35).
4. Probable sources of supplies for the cooperative. Is there a cooperative whole
sale association sufficiently near to make patronage of it possible? What
lines of goods does it handle (see p. 88)?
VIII. Summary and recommendations.
1. List conservatively the probable advantages of a cooperative.
2. List conservatively the probable disadvantages of a cooperative.
3. List the types of cooperative that, in the committee's opinion, are feasible for a
cooperative group here.
4. Draw conservative conclusions as a result of the survey.
5. A cooperative should not be organized unless the following can be answered in
the affirmative:
(a) Is there a definite need of more than a temporary nature for a coopera
tive in this community?
(b) Are local conditions favorable to a cooperative business?
(c) Can a volume of business sufficient for economical operation be ob
tained?
(d) Can the funds necessary for capital be obtained from the prospective
members?
(e) Can competent management be obtained at a unit cost within financial
reach of the association?
(f ) Can enough capable persons be found in the area to oversee the affairs
of the association?

Appendix B.—Suggested Bylaws for a Consumers’
Cooperative
The following bylaws are intended as suggestive only. Before
attempting to adopt a set of bylaws the group should study carefully
the law under which it incorporates, in order to make sure that its re
quirements are met.
In each State the articles of incorporation are required to contain a
good many of the points included in the suggested bylaws given below.
Such points could be omitted from the bylaws, in which case the articles
of incorporation should be printed or mimeographed and issued to mem
bers along with copies of the bylaws. Separation of matters required
in the articles from the bylaws has the advantage that such points can
be amended without thereby requiring also an amendment in the by
laws.

Bylaws of the—Cooperative, Inc. 1
ARTICLE I.— Name and Business
SECTION 1. Name.—The name of this association (hereinafter called “the Associa
tion”) shall be th e ___________________ Cooperative, Inc.
SEC. 2. Principal office.—The principal office of the association shall be located in
___________________ , ___________________ , but the association may have offices
(City)
(State)
and places of business in such other places as the membership may determine.
SEC. 3. Business.—This association shall have the authority to buy, store,
distribute, sell or handle, process, and produce for its members or for its members and
other patrons, foodstuffs, clothing, merchandise of all kinds, fuel, petroleum products,
building materials, and any and all other commodities which the association may see
fit to handle; to perform such other services as the members may desire; to acquire,
either by purchase or lease, real estate and other properties or facilities necessary or
desirable in the conduct of its business; to mortgage, sell, and convey such properties;2
and to purchase, hold, sell, assign, or transfer the shares of capital stock of other co1 After a suitable name has been selected by the incorporators, permission to use the same must be
obtained from the authorities of the State in which the organization is to do business.
The word “cooperative” should appear in the title of a cooperative, if the State law permits. Either
“Inc.” or “Incorporated” should appear in the title as an indication that the liability of the members is
limited. Many groups use merely “** * * Cooperative, Inc.,” but inclusion of the name of the town or
region where the association will operate (as “Cedar Ridge Cooperative, Inc.”) is recommended. It
is desirable not to use “Company” or “Corporation,” as they are peculiar to profit business. If a cor
responding term is desired, the word “association” should be used if legally possible.
* In general it is well to include all these purposes (or as many as the law under which incorporation
takes place will permit), even though immediate plans call for only one or two of them. If they are all
included in the bylaws (they should also be enumerated in the articles of incorporation), amendments
will not be required every time the association undertakes some new line of business. The word “serv
ice” is desirable because an association may wish to supply something more than commodities.
If the association is also to market agricultural products for its farmer members, another clause to that
effect should be inserted, preferably at the end of the first sentence. The following wording may be used:
“Or marketing for the same of any or all products of the farm, together with the byproducts produced
in the manufacture, processing, or handling of these products.”

APPENDIX B— BYLAWS FOR CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVE

operative associations.3 It shall also enjoy all other rights and privileges consistent
with its certificate of incorporation and the laws of the State of . . .
ARTICLE II .— Membership
SECTION 1. Membership qualifications.—Membership in the organization shall
be open, without restriction as to race, sex, religion, or political or other affiliation, to
any consumer who can make use of its services,4is in agreement with its aims and pur
poses, agrees to abide by its bylaws, and has complied with the share-capital require
ments 5 of section 2 of this article.
SEC. 2. Application for membership.—Application for membership shall be made
in writing on a form provided for the purpose.6
The applicant shall subscribe for___ shares of the capital stock 7 of the association
and shall make an initial payment on such subscription of at least $ -----------------, and
shall pay an application fee of 25 cents (or 50 cents). The applicant becomes a full
member with voting privileges only after he has paid in full for___ shares.
Nonmembers, patrons of the association's business, who have accumulated surplus
savings in the form of credits toward the purchase of capital stock to the amount neces
sary for membership may, upon making application, be accepted as members and re
ceive the stock certificates to which they are entitled.*123
3 If the law permits, the last clause of this sentence should by all means be written in. Otherwise, it
may prove difficult at some future date to join the nearest cooperative wholesale assciation, or, for
that matter, any central cooperative organization.
4 For discussion of membership principle on which cooperatives operate, see pp. 9, 12.
6 (a) These bylaws are for a cooperative corporation financed by means of capital stock, since this
is the prevailing form of consumers’ cooperative. Some States also permit the incorporation of a con
sumers’ cooperative as a membership association without capital stock, and this may be desirable under
some circumstances. Where such a law is available, there are certain arguments in favor of this form of
incorporation, such as the following:
1. The distinction between the cooperative and the profit form of business is much more sharply
defined if the former is a nonstock organization. In a community where “capital stock” is for most
people associated with dividends on stock, voting of stock, and other common business practices, it is
very easy for many people, even members of the cooperative, to look upon their association as only one
more example of profit business; and in annual meetings or elsewhere even to demand excessive stock
dividends, more than 1 vote for the holder of several shares, a splitting up among the members of the
reserve fund or of the profits on sales to nonmembers.
2. Some people are afraid to buy stock in any organization, especially if they have once lost money
on such investment stocks.
3. The interest paid on the capital stock of cooperative associations is regarded, for Federal income
tax purposes, as a part of the profits of the business and therefore taxable.
There are also arguments against use of the nonstock form, such as (1) the obtaining of adequate
capital is more difficult; (2) if it becomes necessary to borrow money, the association’s balance sheet
shows a weaker position; and (3) there is danger of bankruptcy in years of lean earnings, because the
association may be unable to meet interest charges.
(6) A nonstock membership organization is financed by means of loans secured from its members and
elsewhere. Commonly, nonstock associations issue certificates of membership instead of stock. The
price of these certificates is often similar to the price of shares of stock. Additional funds are some
times secured by the issuance of bonds or notes.
The membership should consider all these factors and adopt the law and form that are most desirable
for its peculiar circumstances.
8 A certain amount of formality is desirable. Also, every association should have available a few
elementary facts about all its members, such as name, address, age, occupation, etc. Some application
forms require the applicant to state that he is familiar with the bylaws of the association.
7 The amount required from each member depends upon local conditions. Most store associations
should require each member to subscribe at least $25. Many such associations set a lower figure, but
they handicap themselves by so doing. Some demand that each member subscribe $100, but give him
a long period in which to pay it. If organizations which are members are required to subscribe larger
amounts and to make larger initial payments than individuals this fact should be specified in the bylaws,
or the board of directors should be given explicit permission to make exceptions in such cases.
For discussion of the forms and purposes of share capital, see pp. 13-15.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

SEC. 3. Action on application.—Every application for membership shall be acted
upon by the board of directors, which may, in its discretion, refuse to sell to or refuse
to accept a subscription from any person, but such right shall not be exercised un
reasonably.8
An applicant rejected by the board shall have the right of appeal to a meeting of the
members, whose decision shall be final. Rejected applicants shall receive in cash any
amounts credited on application fee or shares of stock.
SEC. 4. Rights of inheritors.—A legal heir of a deceased member, who has inherited
stock in the association, may apply for membership by making formal application as
authorized in section 2 of this article and paying the application fee, but the board
of directors shall have the same rights to approve or reject as are indicated in section 3.
If the application is rejected, the association shall repurchase his shares, provided this
can be done without jeopardizing the solvency of the association.9 In case the associa
tion does not or cannot repurchase such shares the inheritor shall have the right to dis
pose of them under the provisions of article IV, section 3.
SEC. 5. Membership roll.—A list of the members with their addresses, and the other
information called for on the membership application shall be kept by the secretary.
Each member shall be responsible for notifying the secretary within 10 days of any
change of address.
SEC. 6. Presentation of bylaws.—A copy of these bylaws shall be given to each appli
cant for membership before or as he is accepted into membership.
SEC. 7. Organization members.10—
1 Cooperative societies or other organizations not
operated for profit, whose aim and purposes are not in opposition to those of this asso
ciation, may make application for membership and on approval by the board of direc
tors shall subscribe for the minimum amount of stock set forth in section 2 of this
article, or such larger amount as the board shall determine.11 Such an organization
member shall, however, be entitled to only one voting delegate in meetings of the
association.
SEC. 8. Rights and duties of members.—Every member must agree to obey the rules
of the association as set down in these bylaws, or elsewhere, and the decisions of the
general membership meeting or of the board of directors. He must also help to promote
the aims and purposes of the association, the success of its business, and the welfare
of its members.12
The books of account, stock book, and transfer ledger of the association shall be
available for inspection by any member of the association who has been a member for
at least 6 months prior to his demand.
SEC. 9. Withdrawal or expulsion from membership.—A member wishing to terminate
8 The only really valid reasons for rejection are (1) inability of the applicant to patronize the asso
ciation’s business, (2) positive knowledge of the applicant’s hostility to the cooperative, its aims and
purposes, the nature of its business, or its membership (hostility on the part of the applicant to particular
individuals on the board of directors or among the employees is not sufficient grounds for rejection),
or (3) knowledge that his acceptance would be harmful to the association because of his character.
9 It is advised that the provision giving the association the right to repurchase inherited stock be
printed on the stock certificate itself.
10 Unless it is clearly established that the laws of the State in which the society is incorporated permit
such organization membership in a cooperative corporation, this section must be stricken out. The
laws of the State must also be consulted to determine what voting rights are permitted in such an in
stance.
11 The directors may decide that another association, which has ample funds and is going to demand
more in the way of service than is accorded an ordinary householder, should contribute a larger amount
to the capital stock of the society.
12 Some associations have a pledge embracing these obligations. This is printed on the form used for
application for membership. Others ask for a verbal pledge when the applicant is admitted by the
board of directors. Although objection has been raised that a pledge of this kind has no real value, since
it cannot be strictly enforced, this is not a final argument against it. There is a genuine moral value in
any promise which impresses upon the prospective member the fact that he has duties and responsibilities,
as well as rights and privileges, as long as he is a part of the society.

APPENDIX B— BYLAWS FOR CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVE

his membership shall make written application to the board of directors, which shall
have the right to establish the terms according to which the repurchase of his stock
may take place, subject to the provisions of article IV, section 3.
In the interest of the association, the shares of any member may be repurchased and
his membership canceled, under the terms of article IV, section 3.
The application fee shall not be returned to a member who withdraws or is expelled.
ARTICLE III.—Fiscal Year
SECTION 1. Fiscal year.—The business period of this association shall begin with
__________of each year and end o n __________ 13
ARTICLE IV.— Capital
SECTION 1. Stock certificates.—A numbered certificate of shares in the association
shall be issued to each member on the full payment of his subscription to the capital
stock, and for subsequent shares as paid for.14
SEC. 2. Limitation on shareholding.—No member shall hold, either directly or in
directly, over 5 percent of the total shares or $2,000 in shares, whichever is less.15 The
record of stockholders and the outstanding stock shall be kept by the secretary in a
book for that purpose.
SEC. 3. Transfer or repurchase of shares.—The association shall have the first option
on any shares of stock offered for sale.16 Shareholders desiring to withdraw from mem
18 The period may be the calendar year or some other fiscal 12-month period.
14 Such certificate should be numbered and registered as issued, and should contain the shareholder’s
full name, the number of shares owned by him, and their value at par, and be signed by the president
and treasurer and impressed with the seal of the association.
Some associations also issue to members on their admission a membership card or book. A card is
merely a formal indication of membership with its rights and privileges. A membership book usually
contains blank pages on which may be recorded the various installments paid on subscribed capital,
other payments or loans made to the association, quarterly, semiannual, or annual purchases made from
the association, interest payments on capital, and savings returns received by the member. This system
is not used so extensively in the United States as in European countries for the average member here
objects to carrying a membership book to the cooperative at regular intervals; this system also entails
additional clerical work.
Before issuing share certificates, the association should consult the office of the General Counsel of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, Washington 25, D. C., to see whether the association is subject
to the Federal Securities Exchange Law. It must also comply with the Capital Stock Transfer Act.
18 Too many shares in the hands of any one member is not desirable. A member might hold only 5
percent himself, yet have additional shares owned by minor members of his family—children not legally
entitled to exercise all the privileges of membership. A member with a large number of shares might
not have the power of more than 1 vote, but he would perhaps be in a position to injure the association
by removing all of his money at once.
In some States without a cooperative law and in which, if the association incorporates, it must do so
under the general corporation law, a stockholder must, under the law, have as many votes as he owns
shares of stock. Where this condition exists, a cooperative association can meet the situation by or
ganizing under the District of Columbia act (see p. 74). A much less desirable alternative is to incor
porate under the general corporation law of the State and provide in the bylaws that each member shall
have only one share of voting stock, and any additional shares may be issued as preferred (nonvoting)
stock; if the law does not permit this, the additional capital may be in the form of a long-term loan
(but this is much less desirable). Flexibility in amount of investment may be obtained by assigning
different par values to differently numbered shares. In a State in which the law permits the uncon
trolled sale of stock by a person to any other person at any price, it may be advisable that the cooperative
association should organize as a member association with certificates of membership or loan capital in
place of stock, or it should issue only as many shares of stock as it has members.
16 Some associations have suffered considerably from having outsiders, perhaps even business men
who are their competitors, get into their hands a large amount of stock. If stock is to be transferred,
the association should see that the new purchaser is to be a patron of the association and in agreement
with cooperative principles. This provision and section 2 of this article should amply protect the or
ganization against the buying up of large quantities of stock by a few individuals, who ultimately get
complete control and reorganize the association into an ordinary joint-stock company, sometimes with
the connivance of the manager. In order to be legally effective, this and any other limitations on dis
posal of stock should be written into the stock certificate itself.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

bership or to dispose of surplus shares must first offer their shares to the association,
through its board of directors.
The amount to be paid for such stock shall be the par value of the member’s paid-up
stock, minus the proportionate share of the deficit (if any) based on total stock out
standing. The computation shall be made as of the end of the previous fiscal year.
The deficit figure used in this computation shall be the deficit indicated in the annual
report of the fiscal year used, after the board of directors has taken action in accord
ance with section 7 of this article and section 1 (a) and (b) of article V.1718
If the association, through its board of directors, is unable or refuses to redeem such
shares, the shareholder shall then have the right to dispose of them to any person eli
gible to membership in the association.
Transfers of the shares of this association shall not be binding until made upon the
books of the association with the approval of the board of directors, and no transfers
shall be completed until the old certificate or certificates have been endorsed and sur
rendered and a new certificate issued in the name of the purchaser.
The board of directors, also, shall at all times have the authority to repurchase the
shares of stock and to cancel the membership of any shareholder (1) who has died; (2)
who has ceased to patronize the business of the association to the minimum amount of
$___ per year;18 (3) who has failed to meet his payments on stock subscriptions within
the specified period of time; (4) or who has for any other reason, been judged unfit for
membership.19 Provided, however, That such member shall have the opportunity to
appear in his own defense before the next regular or special meeting of the association 20
and that the board of directors is sustained in its action by a majority vote of the mem
bers present.
After a shareholder’s whereabouts have been unknown for a period o f ___ years
and, in accordance with the laws of the State o f _________ , due notice and warning
have been given in the public press, the board of directors shall have the right to cancel
such membership and transfer his share capital to the reserve fund.
SEC. 4. Reducing capital by repurchase of shares.—Whenever the share capital of the
association shall, in the judgment of the board of directors be in excess of current needs,
the board shall have the right to repurchase from any or all shareholders, who have
shares in excess of the minimum requirements o f___ shares, as many such shares as it
shall consider necessary to the best interests of the association.
The board of directors shall not repurchase the shares of any withdrawing member
nor of any other member when in its judgment such a reduction of the association’s
capital would in any way endanger the financial condition of the association.21
17 The redemption price of shares is often regulated by the laws of the State. Some States compel
redemption at par value, regardless of the fact of a deficit or surplus on the books of the association,
others at book value.
18 This minimum amount will vary according to the nature of the business and other local considera
tions. An association handling milk or bread only would set a much lower figure than one handling a
full line of general merchandise.
This rule is to insure the consumer nature of the membership. There are associations whose member
ship is largely that of nonpurchasing stockholders, while the business is done mainly with nonmembers.
In such a case the interest of the member becomes increasingly a stockholder’s interest rather than a
consumer’s interest, until ultimately these members may decide to reorganize as an ordinary stock cor
poration and the consumers’ cooperative becomes a profit business. It is therefore essential that the
actual patrons of the association constitute the membership. In case the financial condition of the
association does not permit the repurchase of all shares held by nontrading members, the directors may
postpone such action to a more favorable time; but they should have this right and it is their responsi
bility to determine the real value of the shares before taking any action.
19 Though the board of directors should have this right, it should be exercised only in extreme cases,
such as, for example, when the offending member has opened a private business of his own in direct
competition with that of the cooperative business.
20 When a member is before the association for expulsion, it is often desirable that the case be heard
by a special committee appointed for that purpose.
21 It would seem that this provision is so obviously sensible that it is not needed in the bylaws. How

APPENDIX B— BYLAWS FOR CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVE

SEC. 5. Lien on capital.—The association shall have an absolute lien on the share or
loan capital, and on the interest due thereon, of any member or any subscriber to share
capital, for his debts owed to the association.22
SEC. 6. Loan capital.—The association may accept loans from its members or from
nonmembers when in the judgment of the board this is to the best interest of the asso
ciation: Provided, however, That the total amount of such loan capital shall at no time
exceed___ percent of the total paid-in share capital,23 and provided further, that any
loans designed to finance new types of business must first be authorized by vote of the
membership. Notes or other evidences of indebtedness shall be given by the associa
tion for such loans.24
SEC. 7. Returns on share and loan capital.—Interest on share capital shall be at the
rate o f ___ percent per annum25 and shall be paid only from earnings. Such return
shall not be cumulative.26 No return shall be paid on shares until the shares have
been paid for in full.27
Loan capital shall receive interest at a rate fixed by the board of directors, but shall
not exceed___ percent per annum;28 such interest may be cumulative.29
ARTICLE V.—Disposal of Net Savings
SECTION 1. Distribution of net savings.—The board of directors shall at the end of
each fiscal period provide for the distribution of the net savings remaining after ex
penses have been met, according to the following method:
(a) General surplus reserve.—From the net savings shall be allocated to the general
reserve account 10 percent of such savings until the reserve is equal to the amount of
ever, many a board of directors has acted directly contrary to its own best judgment in the face of per
sistent demands on the part of some strong-willed shareholders. A clause such as this in the bylaws
will help to stiffen the backbone of a board of directors, and a resolution by the board expressing its
judgment and the reasons therefore would probably meet the situation.
22 Many an association having no rule such as this, has felt itself obliged to redeem the capital stock
of a withdrawing member, even though that member was in debt for goods purchased. Not only should
there be such a provision in the by-laws, but it should be scrupulously followed.
23 Some associations have at all times large amounts of loan capital; in some instances twice as much
as of share capital. Such an amount is dangerously high; it should not exceed 50 percent of the share
capital. There are many members who will take the minimum requirement of shares of stock, but will
advance additional money only in the form of deposits or loans which are a much safer investment in
the event of losses sustained by the business, and which at the same time are more easily recovered on
reasonably short notice. Thus loan capital offers a new source of capital. On the other hand, since a
serious wave of unemployment or other crisis in the community might provoke a “run” on the loancapital fund, no association should load up heavily with such a dangerous form of capital except on
long-term callable notes or bonds. It should again be emphasized that the practice of depending upon
loan capital for the financing of cooperatives is dangerous.
2<Wherever agreeable to the depositor, these notes should be made for longer periods of time—6
months or 1 year, or 2 years or more; they could be redeemable “90 days after demand.” Notes or bonds
running 20 years or more are advisable where the money is used for building. Bonds are safer than
short-term notes, because they insure a longer loan, and they have a definite maturity date. Most
cooperative associations will not undertake to issue bonds, but they should try to give these notes some
thing of the same stability. Of course, as long as this form of capital is needed, members should be
urged to renew their notes well in advance of the date of expiration.
26 In no case should the maximum rate here specified exceed 6 percent; 4 or 5 percent is preferable.
26 It is conceivable that during the first year or two the association may not be able to pay even a
low rate of return. Therefore provision may be made that in later and more prosperous years the past
payments may be met; this is a question for the membership to decide, but cumulative returns are not
recommended.
27 If the interest return is to begin as soon as 50 or 75 percent of the amount subscribed has been paid
in, it should be clearly stated that such payments shall not be made in cash but shall be applied only
toward the unpaid balance of subscription.
28 One cooperative wholesale recommends to its member associations that the rate paid on loan capi
tal should not exceed the local bank rate on demand deposits.
29 Loan capital is entitled to its interest before share capital. In fact, the interest on it should be
charged to operating expenses, whereas the return on share capital must come out of net surplus savings;
it cannot lawfully be paid from the general reserves.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

paid-in capital; and thereafter 5 percent.30 The general surplus reserve shall consist
of money especially allotted to it from net savings or earnings of the business, contribu
tions from individuals, confiscated capital of removed or deceased members, and any
other amounts appropriated to it by action of the board of directors or the general
membership meetings. This reserve shall be used to absorb operating deficits of un
successful years, losses caused by fire, theft, or other reasons; for extension of the asso
ciation as a consumed cooperative; or for other developments directly associated with
the cooperative movement, upon vote by a general meeting of the membership.31
The general surplus reserve shall be the indivisible property of the association as a
whole.32
(b) Patronage refunds.3*—The remainder of the net saving, after deducting the re
serves, interest, and income taxes thereon, shall be distributed in patronage refunds in
accordance with paragraph (c) of this section;
Provided, That these savings returns or patronage refunds may be paid immediately
in cash, or in certificates of indebtedness, or may be placed in a revolving fund upon the
books of the association to the credit of the patron members, to be paid at some future
date at the discretion of the board of directors; and
Provided further, That in case of a patron who is not the owner of shares sufficient to
qualify for membership in the association, patronage refunds shall be credited to the
payment of such stock.
If a nonmember fails to become a member within_________ , the amount to his
credit shall be transferred to the educational fund.
No patronage refunds shall be paid for any period in which there was an operating
deficit, nor as long as the association has a general deficit.
(c) Method of distribution.—Members shall be notified to turn in to the board the
cash-register slips for purchases made in the period. The patronage refund payable to
each patron shall be the proportion which the total of his refund slips bears to the total
amount available for distribution.34
Any sums remaining after such distribution shall be transferred to the educational
reserve.
3° Before the amount to be placed in the reserve is determined, the State law should be consulted, as
some of the laws have a definite provision on this point.
31 Under this section it is possible for the association to make an appropriation to the central, national,
or district cooperative educational body. Generally, however, such appropriations should be made out
of current surplus savings or earnings. Funds should not be appropriated from the reserve as donations
to organizations or causes outside the consumers’ cooperative movement; such action establishes a pre
cedent from which it is difficult to disentangle the association in the future; furthermore, it may cause
disagreement and division in the membership. Donations to purely charitable organizations should
be the only exceptions to this rule.
32 The indiviisibility of the reserve fund is important. Its meaning should be made clear to the mem
bership, for ^hs is one particular in which the cooperative business differs radically from profit business.
Many associations have made the mistake of crediting each shareholder with “his share” of the general
surplus reserve and actually turning this over to him in the form of cash when he withdraws. In other
asociations, the membership meeting has voted to divide the reserve. Either practice is objectionable,
for it allows such persons to profit from the funds built up from patronage of previous members and
is in violation of that Rochdale principle which requires that cooperative shares shall never exceed the
par value. Monetary benefits to members of cooperatives should be the result of patronage, not of the
investment.
33 For discussion on suggested periods of patronage refunds and preferred methods of handling refunds
on nonmembers’ patronage, see pp. 36, 37 and footnote 3, p. 65.
34 Some associations so phrase the above that the members returning their slips receive the whole
amount available for distribution. This is an undesirable practice that permits the members turning
in slips to make a profit on the saving resulting from the patronage of those who failed to return their
slips. Such undistributed savings should be used only for general cooperative purposes, such as edu
cation.

APPENDIX B— BYLAWS FOR CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVE

ARTICLE VI.—Prices
SECTION 1. Distribution prices.—As nearly as feasible, goods and services shall be
supplied to the members at the prices prevailing in the profit business of the neighbor
hood or with which the association competes.35
ARTICLE VII.—Government
SECTION 1. Membership control.—The control of the association shall be vested
in the membership meetings.36 The board of directors and such special committees
as may be elected by the membership meetings37 shall administer its affairs. Final
and supreme authority resides in the membership meetings.3839
SEC. 2. Quorum.—At any regular or special meeting a quorum shall consist of
__

SEC. 3. Regular membership meetings.40—The regular meetings of the member
ship shall be held annually (semiannually)41 on th e ___ day o f __________ and the
___ day o f__________ , ata time and place to be determined by the board of directors
and specified in the call to the meeting.42
35 For a discussion of the reasons for this practice, see p. 30. In the case of associations such as those
providing medical services on a prepayment basis, exception might be made. In such cases the charges
would be based upon the estimated actual cost of services; any surplus would be used to lower the fees
or be retained by the association for expansion of services.
36 Included under the head are both regular and special meetings.
37 For the number and nature of such committees see section on committees, page 38. These com
mittees must not be confused with those elected or appointed by the board of directors. The latter
are under the control of and responsible to the board of directors only.
38 Unless the State law reserves certain powers to the board of directors. General control and cen
tralized administration are the basis of cooperative business.
39 The number necessary for a quorum should be given careful consideration. It should depend upon
the size of the association and the possibility of members' attendance. In the average association the
quorum could be 100 members, or 5 percent of the members, whichever is less. In a small society it
should be a larger proportion.
40 The order of business at regular membership meetings may well include the following:
Reading of minutes of last regular or special meeting.
Unfinished business left from previous meetings.
Report of president.
Report of secretary.
R e p o r t o f tre asu re r.
Report of manager.
Report of audit committee.
Report of education committee.
Report of membership committee. (It is very easy for a meeting to confine itself exclusively to
business matters. Therefore.it is essential that a place be definitely allotted on the agenda for discussion
of education and membership. It is important to have a sound educational policy as well as a sound
financial policy. Expansion and development of the membership are as essential as expansion and
development of the business. Otherwise the members lose contact with their business institution, be
come indifferent to it, and soon begin to look impersonally upon it, as merely one of several competing
stores in the neighborhood.)
Report of other committees.
Election to fill vacancies on board of directors or committees, for the unfinished term, and of new
directors and committee members.
Action on recommendations of board. (Matters to be presented may cover a wide range of subjects,
such as proposed amendments to the bylaws, construction of a new store building, opening a new de
partment or branch store, placing a mortgage on the association’s real estate, expulsion of a member,
authorizing the sending of a delegate to a national or district convention, etc.)
Other new business.
41 For a discussion of the frequency of meetings, see p. 18.
42 “Third Thursday of February and third Thursday of August” is the way one association designates
the date of meetings. Some States (New York is one) demand that the exact day be designated in this
way. Others permit the directors to use their discretion in each instance. If the State law does not
require this, it may be left out and in its place may appear the words “on such date as may be deter
mined by the board of directors.” The date should, however, be at least 1 month, preferably 6 weeks,

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES
Notice of regular meetings shall be posted prominently in the association’s places
of business and shall also be sent by mail to the address of every member as registered
on the books of the association at the time the notices are sent. Notices shall be sent
at least 10 days before the date set for the meeting.
SEC. 4. Special meetings.—Special meetings of the membership may be called at any
time by action of at least one-third of the board of directors, and must be called upon
petition therefor, signed by at least 5 percent of the members and presented to the
board.43
Notice of special meetings shall be given in the same manner as is provided for regu
lar meetings (sec. 3), but such notices shall be sent at least 14 days before the date set
for the meeting.
Notice of special meeting shall state the time, place, and purpose of such meeting
and the business to come before it and no business other than that specified in the call
shall be transacted.44*
SEC. 5. Rights and limitations of the membership meeting.—The membership meeting
has both the right and the responsibility to elect directors or members of committees
and to remove them from office if and when they are derelict in their duties; to heai
and pass upon the reports of the officers, the manager, and any committees which are
responsible to the membership; to make the final decision regarding any drastic changes
in the financial policy; to act as final arbiter in any disputes or disagreements which
may arise between the board of directors and any committees or individual members;
to determine what amendments shall be made in the bylaws; and to exercise its final
authority in all other matters vitally affecting the association as a cooperative demo
cratic body and as a business organization.46
SEC. 6. Participants in membership meetings.—Every member who has met his full
obligations as regards share capital, as specified in article II, section 2, and who has not
in other respects been judged, by a membership meeting, to be delinquent or acting
contrary to the interests of the association, shall be qualified to vote and to participate
in the meetings of the association.46
SEC. 7. Voting.—Election of directors and members of committees shall be by secret
ballot unless unanimous consent is given to a vote by show of hands. Action on all
other matters shall be by ballot, by an “aye” or “no” vote or by a rising vote, as the
majority of members present may decide. Each member shall have one vote on all

after the end of the fiscal period, in order to allow time for the preparation of the reports.
A few States demand that the place for the meeting shall also be fixed in the bylaws but this is unusual.
The call to the meeting is sent out by the secretary, either on a postcard or by letter. Whenever possible
it should also be published in the local press or in the publication of the association if it has one.
43 The right to initiate a call for a special meeting should be recognized in every cooperative association.
A very small association should probably require the signature of 20 percent of the members, whereas a
very large association might require only 5 percent or even less.
44 This last paragraph is a legal requirement in many States, and it should be required in every co
operative association. A special meeting generally has some special purpose, and this purpose must be
clearly stated in advance. And then, once the meeting is in session, no person present should be per
mitted to surprise the meeting with some other business, the nature of which the members may not be
prepared to discuss. In fact there might be many members absent from the special meeting whose in
terests would be vitally affected by the “surprise” business and who would not be absent if they knew
it was to be discussed. Special meetings must be sharply restricted to the specific purpose for which
they are called.
46 At first glance this section may seem unimportant; it is not. Many associations have been seriously
crippled because the membership meeting did not have its duties clearly defined; therefore, it neglected
some of its most important duties (such as selecting the proper people for the board of directors or not
holding them strictly to account after they were elected), or, on the other hand, handicapped the board’s
effectiveness by interfering with its work.
46 If the board of directors has already decided that any member should be dismissed for infraction
of the rules or for activities hostile to the association, the offending member should not be disquali
fied from participating in the meeting unless the meeting has approved the action of the board. The
board should not be placed in such power as to make it possible for it to determine who may or may not
vote at a meeting. This power should rest with the membership only.

APPENDIX B— BYLAWS FOR CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVE

voting occasions, and never more than one vote,47 and there shall be no voting by
proxy.48
At the discretion of the board of directors, or upon the presentation of a petition
signed by 5 percent of the membership, the secretary shall, along with the notice of
meetings, include a copy of any specific proposal to be acted upon by the meeting.49
SEC. 8. Directors and officers.—The management of the association shall be vested
in a board of directors consisting of 7 (or 9) members. The directors shall serve for
terms of 2 years, half of the board being elected at each annual meeting. They shall
be eligible to serve until the election of their successors.50
The board shall elect the officers—a president and vice president, to be selected from
the board, and a secretary and treasurer—and shall be authorized to appoint an execu
tive committee. The office of the secretary and treasurer may be combined in one
person.51
The board is authorized to fill the position of a member who resigns before his term
expires, such appointee to serve until the next regular election only.
SEC. 9. Disqualification of officers and directors.—Any director or officer shall
vacate his office if he holds any other office or place of profit under the association; if he
47 The 1-vote rule should be enforced under all circumstances, unless the State law contains specific
provision to the contrary. It is one of the fundamental principles of consumers’ cooperation.
For procedures in regard to an organization holding membership in the society and represented in
the meeting by delegate or delegates, see art. II, sec. 7.
48 Proxy voting should not be permitted in cooperative associations because it may be used to defeat
democratic control. When associations reach so great a size or have a membership so widely scattered
that the members cannot come together in a single meeting place, such associations should (if the law
permits) be divided into district groups, each having a meeting place, local autonomy, and delegate
representation in the central meetings of the central organization. If the problem cannot be solved
in this way because of scattered membership, voting should be carried on by referendum. That is, each
question to be voted on should be formulated to be answered “yes” or “no,” and sent to each member
for his vote. But proxy voting should not be adopted as a compromise under any circumstances, unless
the requirements of the State law make this unavoidable. If State law requires that proxies be per
mitted, the bylaws should include limitations which appear to be legally feasible, such as the following:
(1) No one but a member shall be allowed to cast a proxy; (2) no member shall be allowed to1cast more
than one vote; (3) any member unable to be present at a meeting and desiring to give a proxy, shall so
notify the secretary within a specified time in advance of the meeting; and (4) no proxy shall be valid
for more than the meeting indicated in (3).
If the State law requires vote by mail under certain circumstances, a provision to that effect should
be inserted at this point.
For a discussion of the difference between voting by proxy and voting by mail, see footnote 6, p. 9.
49 Some associations provide that a member unable to be present may cast his vote by mail, on specific
measures, provided he signs his vote and it is received in time to be counted. It is desirable, however,
that members be present, in order to receive the benefit of discussion representing various points of view.
50 Some societies do not allow more than 2 consecutive terms, requiring that candidates retire for 1
term before they become eligible for further service. The board of directors and all other committees
should always be an odd number. Some cooperatives have 1-year terms, with the entire board elected
annually; others have 3-year terms, with a third of the board elected each year.
51 It is highly objectionable to combine the offices of president and manager in the same person. Some
societies do this with apparent success, but the success is often more apparent than real. Such societies
tend to become “1-man organizations.” Sometimes the one man has such control of the business that
it is to all purposes his private affair. Such societies have often been destroyed by being taken over
by the manager upon his terms. If the manager is both competent and sincere, the society seems to
prosper, but the membership and directors’ control becomes relaxed. A precedent is established. And
the next president-manager, if he fails in either competence or sincerity, is pretty sure to wreck the
society. Too much power in the hands of one person sooner or later destroys a cooperative organization.
A society, even with a good manager, that has not enough material in its membership to produce a good
president is in bad condition.
On the other hand, the combination of treasurer-manager has been found advantageous and is cus
tomary in some sections; in this case, the treasurer should not be a member of the board of directors.
Some boards in larger associations find it desirable to appoint a corresponding secretary from their own
membership and a recording secretary from the paid staff. It is therefore not wise to require these two
offices to be filled by board members.
No director should be a paid employee of the association, in any capacity.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

becomes bankrupt or insolvent; or if he participates in the profits of any outside firm
doing business with the association. No employee of the association or person sup
plying the association with goods shall hold office as a director on any account what
ever. No director shall engage in business which competes with the business of the
association. No credit shall be extended on the books of the association to any di
rector.
SEC. 10. Duties of directors.—The directors shall administer all business carried
on by or on account of the association. The directors shall in all their actions be under
control and direction of any regular or special meeting of the members.
At meetings of the board a majority shall constitute a quorum.
The directors shall convene the meetings of the association. One-third of the direc
tors may call a special meeting by giving at least 1 week’s notice in writing to the secre
tary, specifying the object thereof.
The directors shall act for the association and be responsible to it for the performance
of the following duties:
1. To watch closely the financial condition of the association and the operating re
sults of its business, and to take action required to keep these in a healthy condition.
2. To appoint the following officials and to assign their duties and determine their
salaries:
(a) A manager or general manager to assume administrative control of the business.
(b) An auditor or auditing agency, as soon as the affairs of the association require and
the finances permit the employment of a paid auditor. The board will consult the
auditing committee in making this appointment, but the paid auditor shall be
hired by and be directly responsible to the board.
All the other employees of the association shall be hired and discharged by the gen
eral manager, except that the filling of certain key positions specified by the board may
be subject to the approval of the board.
3. To require the manager and all officers and employees charged with responsibility
for custody of any of its funds or property to give adequate bonds, to be paid for by the
association.
4. To provide adequate insurance of the property of the association and adequate
insurance against liabilities.
5. To determine and supervise the more important policies of the organization, in
suring the conduct of its affairs in accordance with the bylaws, with fairness to mem
bers and employees; to provide the best possible conditions of labor consistent with
other requirements of these bylaws while demanding equivalent results in efficiency
and faithfulness.
6. To decide upon the major steps in business activity and expansion, including the
investment of reserve funds; borrowing money, subject to article IV, section 6; making
important financial commitments and entering into new fields of business enterprise.
7. To maintain at all times an active program of cooperative publicity and educa
tion; and to maintain relations with other cooperative societies, federations, leagues,
and wholesales aimed to promote the best interests of the association and of the co
operative movement.
SEC. 11. Duties of president and vice president—The president shall act as chairman
at all meetings of the association and of the board of directors, but should he be absent
the vice president shall take the chair; should he also be absent the officers and direc
tors present shall elect one from among themselves to act as chairman on that Occasion.
The president, or chairman acting in his absence, shall sign all contracts.
SEC. 12. Duties of secretary.52—The secretary shall attend all meetings of the asso
ciation and of the board of directors, and shall record the names of all the directors
present and the minutes of their proceedings; he shall also countersign all contracts
52 Some associations provide for 2 secretaries—a recording and a corresponding secretary—thus di
viding and making less onerous the duties here specified.

APPENDIX B— BYLAWS FOR CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVE

sanctioned and entered into by the directors; he shall likewise receive all proposals for
admission into the association. He shall be responsible for the correspondence, docu
ments, and papers of the association, and shall prepare the regular statement of the
association’s affairs. The secretary shall on all occasions in the execution of his duties
act under the superintendence, control, and direction of the board of directors.
SEC. 13. Duties of treasurer.—The treasurer shall be responsible for the keeping of
the accounts, for the funds of the association and for the investment of the same under
the authority of the directors.5354 He shall be responsible for having adequate financial
reports presented to the board at regular periods or as the board may direct.
SEC. 14. Election and duties of auditing committee.—An auditing committee of 3
members shall be elected by the members of the association. They shall each serve for
_________ and shall at all times have access to the books, vouchers, and accounts of
the association; shall examine and audit the same and every balance sheet of the re
ceipts and expenditures and effects of the association at least every 3 months; and shall
report to the membership meeting, with recommendations. The auditors shall be
responsible for the daily and perpetual accounting system kept by the manager and
shall check same periodically.64
SEC. 15. Educational committee.—An educational committee, consisting o f ___
members, shall be elected by the membership or appointed by the president. Its duties
shall be to educate the membership and the employees, and to inform the public at
large, regarding the aims and purposes of cooperation. This committee shall have at
its disposal each year (1) a sum amounting to not less than 5 percent of the net savings
of the cooperative in the previous year, (2) any sums remaining undistributed from the
amount available for patronage refunds, and (3) the patronage refunds credited to non
members who have failed to become members within the period specified in paragraph
(c) of this section.
ARTICLE VIII.—Merger with Another Association
SECTION 1. Merger.—Upon affirmative vote by the membership, the board of
directors may arrange for the consolidation of this association with another recognized
cooperative in the same or nearby territory, if it appears that this action would prevent
duplication of activities, promote efficiency, or otherwise be in the interest of the co
operative movement.
ARTICLE IX.—Amendments
SECTION 1. Amendments.—These bylaws may be amended, repealed, or otherwise
changed by a two-thirds vote of the members at any regular or special membership
meeting, provided due notice of the proposed changes has been given in advance.
ARTICLE X.—Dissolution of Association
SECTION 1. Dissolution.—At any regular or special meeting, due notice of which
has been given in advance, this association may be dissolved by a two-thirds vote of
the entire membership, present or voting by mail.
SEC. 2. Disposal of reserves.—Upon such dissolution duly authorized, any reserves
of the association in excess of the outstanding financial obligations and par value of the
outstanding shares shall be turned over to such recognized cooperative organization
as the membership may determine; or to some Government or other public agency, to
be used for some social purpose; or be distributed among those patrons who have been
members or subscribers at any time during the past 6 years, on the basis of their patron
age during that period.55
63 It is customary for the manager or the treasurer to be given the responsibility of depositing, daily,

in the bank the money received.

54 Other committees may be elected or appointed from time to time to meet special needs. Usually
the board will appoint an educational committee, an election committee, and a store or business com
mittee. The board or auditing committee may appoint an inventory committee. In larger associations
the actual audit should be made by professional auditors, not connected with the association in any way.
55 The purpose of this provision is to prevent the dissolution of the association solely for the purpose
of dividing the reserves among those who happen to be members at the time, and thus bar them from
profiting from the results of the patronage of the previous stockholders.

Appendix C.—Suggested Bylaws for a Cooperative Buying
Club
Bylaws of the—Cooperative Club 1
ARTICLE I .— Name
SECTION 1. The name of this organization shall be--------------Cooperative Club.
ARTICLE II .— Object
SECTION 1. The immediate object shall be to obtain for members services and the
ordinary articles of consumption at the lowest possible cost consistent with quality.
The ultimate object is to develop as soon as possible into a full-fledged cooperative
business enterprise.
ARTICLE III .— Membership
SECTION 1. Any person who agrees to comply with the bylaws of this organization
may become a member by paying the admission fee and paying the initial installment
on his member deposit, subject to acceptance by a majority vote of the members at any
regular meeting.
SEC. 2. A two-thirds vote at any regular meeting may expel a member, provided
that written notice of the proposed motion is signed by at least five members and
mailed to all voting members not less than 2 weeks prior to the meeting.
A member may withdraw from the association by handing in his or her resignation.
The return of the member deposit in such cases shall be at the discretion of the man
agement committee, but in no case shall the repayment be in excess of the book value
of the deposit12 or the par value, whichever is less.
ARTICLE IV .—Fees ami Member Deposits
SECTION 1. Each member shall pay an admission fee of $1 and a member deposit
of $5 ($10). The deposit may be paid in installments of 25 cents per week.
ARTICLE V.— Meetings
SECTION 1. Meetings shall consist of (1) a regular monthly meeting of the mem
bers; and (2) four quarterly meetings at one of which savings are distributed and prob
lems and policies in connection with them discussed. The quarterly meetings shall
coincide with four of the monthly meetings. The quarterly meeting which coincides
with the end of the fiscal period shall constitute the annual meeting. At that meeting
the reports shall be considered and officers elected.
A quorum shall consist of 10 percent or more of the members.
SEC. 2. Each member shall be entitled to but one vote. No proxy voting shall be
permitted.
Members who are paying their deposits in installments may allow their savings re
turns to be applied thereto, and they may vote when the deposit has been paid in full.
SEC. 3. Special meetings may be called by the officers and shall be called by the
secretary at the request of any 5 percent of the members, provided notices thereof are
mailed 5 days prior to the meeting.
1 Buying clubs are, generally, not incorporated. It should be emphasized, however, that in an un
incorporated club the members are individually liable (as partners) for any debts it may incur. If the
operations become extensive, therefore, incorporation is advisable.
2 For method of calculating the value of such deposits or shares see sec. 3, p. 55.

APPENDIX C— BYLAWS FOR BUYING CLUB

ARTICLE VI.— Officers and Committees
SECTION 1. The officers of this club shall be a president, a treasurer, and a secre
tary-manager, elected annually by the membership. They shall constitute the manage
ment committee which shall be in charge of the business of the club.
SEC. 2. The president shall perform the usual duties. of that office, and shall also
serve as chairman of the educational committee.
SEC. 3. The treasurer shall hold all funds, make all disbursements as voted by the
management committee, and keep an accurate record of all money spent and received.
SEC. 4. The secretary-manager shall be in charge of all business details of the club,
and shall, subject to later audit by the management committee, sign all vouchers for
payment. He shall further carry on all correspondence and keep the minutes of all
membership meetings and of the proceedings of the management committee.
SEC. 5. The committee on education shall be composed of the president, as chair
man, and as many elected or appointed members as may be deemed advisable. It
shall be the duty of this committee to encourage membership and to arouse interest in
cooperation among the members and the community.
SEC. 6. An auditing committee of 3 shall be elected from members not on the man
agement committee. It shall be the duty of this committee to inspect the financial
records each month, to study and report upon the quarterly balance sheet, and make
to the membership any recommendations it deems advisable in connection therewith.
ARTICLE VII.— Disposal of Savings
SECTION 1. The surplus savings effected after paying all expenses shall be divided
periodically 8 on the following basis: Five percent shall be placed in an education
fund. At least 10 percent shall be placed in a reserve fund to be used for expansion.
The remainder shall be (a) distributed to the individual patrons in exact proportion to
purchases made during the period, the amount so distributed to be paid in cash, applied
on the member deposit, or left with the club as loan capital, as the meeting may decide
or (b) used collectively in such a way as a majority vote of the meeting shall determine.
The acceptance of loan capital shall be conditional upon the capital requirements of the
club and at the discretion of the management committee. The rate of interest thereon
shall be determined by that committee.*4
ARTICLE VIII.— Amendments
SECTION 1. Amendments to the bylaws may be made at any regular meeting,
provided a written notice of the proposed amendment to be voted on has been placed
in the hands of or mailed to each member at least 2 weeks before such meeting. The
provisions of one vote per member and of the return of surplus savings in proportion
to patronage shall not be changed except by unanimous vote of those present, who
shall constitute (with those voting by mail) at least 90 percent of the membership. For
other amendments a two-thirds vote shall be required.
ARTICLE IX .— Dissohition
SECTION 1. This club may be dissolved by two-thirds vote of the entire member
ship, present or voting by mail.
SEC. 2. Upon such vote to dissolve the club, the management committee shall pay
all of the debts of the club. All surpluses, reserves, and other assets and liabilities re
maining thereafter shall be disposed of in either of the following ways:
s It is desirable to pay refunds on an annual or semiannual basis, as the volume of business fluctuates
rather widely. It may therefore happen that at the end of a very successful quarter savings might be
distributed which will be badly needed to tide over a quarter in which business slumps. Annual or
semiannual distribution tends to equalize business risks and earnings.
4 One cooperative wholesale recommends to its member associations that the rate paid on loan capital
should not exceed the local rate paid on demand deposits.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

(a) Each member shall receive the amount of his member deposit or such proportion
thereof as the above resources will cover, plus his pro rata share of any sum remaining
after this obligation has been discharged; or
(b) The surplus, reserves, and all other assets shall be transferred to a new coopera
tive association established for the purpose of carrying on a cooperative commercial
business providing such goods and services as the members shall decide. In such event
the members of this club shall have the option of (1) joining the new association, upon
agreeing to its bylaws and subscribing for the required share capital, in which case their
member deposit shall be applied thereto; or (2) withdrawing from the association,. under
the provisions of article III, section 2.

Appendix D.—Typical Articles and Bylaws of a
Cooperative Burial Association
In the following pages are reproduced the articles of incorporation
and bylaws of one of the cooperative burial associations reporting to
the Bureau. These are given, not as a “model,” but simply as illustra
tive of the typical articles under which such associations operate.
Articles of Incorporation of the—Cooperative Burial Association
We, the undersigned, residents of Minnesota, acting for ourselves as individuals, do
hereby associate for the purpose of organizing and incorporating a cooperative associa
tion under the provisions of chapter 326, Laws of Minnesota for 1923, and acts amenda
tory thereof, and to that end we hereby adopt the following articles of incorporation.
ARTICLE I. The name of this association shall b e___________________ Coopera
tive Burial Association.
The purpose of this association shall be to furnish complete funeral service upon the
cooperative plan.
The general nature of its business shall be to purchase and supply to its members,
caskets, burial vaults, and other burial supplies; to own and operate a hearse; to hire
and engage an undertaker to embalm bodies and conduct funerals; and to do any and
all other things necessary or desirable in connection with funerals for its members and
their families.
For the purposes above set forth, it shall have the power and authority to own, oper
ate, manage, and control a funeral home or mortuary, a hearse or hearses, and any and
all such other facilities and general supplies as may be required in the usual conduct of
such business or service; to purchase and hold, lease, mortgage, and encumber, sue, ex
change, and convey such real estate, buildings, and personal property as the business
of the association may require; to issue bonds and other evidences of indebtedness, and
to borrow money to finance the business of said association, and it also shall have power
and authority, either for itself or its individual members and patrons, to do and perform
every act necessary and proper to the conduct of its business or the accomplishment
of the purposes set forth herein or permitted by the act under which it is incorporated.
The principal place of business of said association shall be in _________ , Minnesota.
ART. II. The period of duration of this association shall be 30 years from the date of
approval of these articles.
ART. III. Every cooperator shall pay a membership fee of $5 and shall receive a
certificate of membership. The membership shall be a family membership, and shall
include the person to whom the certificate is issued, his or her spouse, all single children
under 30 years of age, and all other relatives living with that family and depending
wholly or partly on the certificate holder for support. This certificate shall be nontransferable, but the death of the certificate holder shall not operate to deprive the
other persons herein mentioned from the benefits thereof, and said certificate shall be
void when and if all single children under 30 years of age, and the husband and wife,
and all other dependent relatives have died. The $5 membership fee shall then be
transferred to a free burial fund. Any certificate holder moving out of th e_________
territory may have the membership fee refunded upon application to the board of
directors. The net income of the association, except such sums as are required to be set
aside as a reserve for permanent surplus, or may be set aside by vote of the certificate
holders of the association available for distribution among the members and as may be
67

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

prescribed by the bylaws, shall be distributed among the certificate holders or their
successors in interest as above outlined, only on the basis of patronage.
ART. IV. The highest amount of indebtedness to which the association shall at any
time be subject, shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000).
ART. V. The names and places of residence of the incorporators of this association,
who shall also be the first board of directors thereof, holding office until the first annual
meeting of the certificate holders, and until their successors are elected and have quali
fied, are, together with the offices which they shall hold as follows: [names listed].
ART. VI. The government of this association and the management of its affairs shall
be vested in a board of seven directors, which board, after the one hereinbefore named,
shall be elected by ballot by the certificate holders of record, for such term as the by
laws may prescribe, at the annual meeting of the certificate holders, which shall be
held on the first Tuesday in February of each year a t _________ , Minnesota, at such
hour and place as may be designated in the bylaws. Vacancies in the board of directors
may be filled by the remaining members of the board, the person or persons so
appointed to hold office until the next annual meeting of the certificate holders. The
officers of the association shall be a president, a vice president, a secretary and a treas
urer, who shall be elected annually by and from the directors. All directors and officers
shall be members of this association, and no undertaker shall be a member of the board
of directors. Certificate holders shall be restricted to one vote in the affairs of the
association, and voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
ART. VII. These articles of incorporation may be amended as provided by law.
ART. VIII. The fiscal year of this association shall begin on the first day of January
of each year, and close on the last day of December of each year.
In testimony whereof, we, the said incorporators, have hereunto set our hands and
seals th is___ day o f__________[names of incorporators].

Bylaws
SECTION 1. The board of directors shall consist of seven members of said associa
tion. At the first annual meeting four directors shall be elected for 2 years, and three
for 1 year. Thereafter all directors shall be elected for 2 years. Said directors shall
elect their own officers annually at the meeting on the first Tuesday in February. Four
members of said board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
Vacancies shall be filled by a majority vote of remaining members of the board. The
person so chosen shall hold office until the next annual meeting or until his successor is
elected and qualified.
SEC. 2. The officers shall be a president, a vice president, a secretary, and a treas
urer. The president shall be business manager of the association. The board may
appoint other officers and committees to assist in transaction of business.
SEC. 3. The officers, respectively, shall have the usual powers and duties of corpor
ate officers.
SEC. 4. Sales of caskets and other supplies handled by the association and other
services rendered by said association shall be made at as near cost as practicable, keep
ing in mind the current operating cost and fixed charges on borrowed capital.
SEC. 5. The net income of said association as defined by statute, shall be distributed
as follows:
(a) For the first and second fiscal years the whole thereof, except 1 percent, shall be
set aside in a separate fund for the purpose of creating a permanent surplus fund, and
thereafter at least 10 percent annually until such permanent surplus fund equals the
highest amount of indebtedness to which the association shall at any time be subject
as set forth in the articles of incorporation of this association.

APPENDIX D— BYLAWS OF BURIAL COOPERATIVE

(6) One percent annually shall be set aside for an educational fund to promote and
encourage cooperative organizations and the success of this association,
(c) After the first and second fiscal years the balance of income available for distribu
tion except as above provided, and as certificate holders by vote may determine, may
be distributed to certificate holders on the basis of patronage.
SEC. 6. All membership fees and all money received from any source except dona
tions to other specific funds, or contributions to the free burial fund, shall go into the
general fund. All members should pay 25 cents a year or more as requested by the
board of directors, to be placed in the free burial fund, which shall be used to assist
indigent members. This fund shall be under the sole jurisdiction and control of the
board of directors, who shall use it only for the benefit of those who select the cheaper
caskets and supplies.
SEC. 7. Regular and special meetings of the certificate holders may be called as
provided by statute, and these bylaws may be amended, added to, or altered by a twothirds vote of all the directors at any meeting, or by a majority vote of the certificate
holders at any annual meeting called for the purpose.
SEC. 8. It shall be a part of the duty of the board of directors to appoint a funeral
director who may be dismissed by them at their discretion.
SEC. 9. It shall be the duty of said funeral director to do the following work for an
agreed compensation to be embodied in a written contract with said association: Em
balm the body, if wanted or necessary; direct the funeral and transport the body, if
necessary. Said funeral director shall furnish transportation for himself while the
body lies in state. He shall take the casket to the place where it is necessary, and the
rough box to the cemetery, also the vault, if that is used, on the vehicle furnished by
the association.
SEC. 10. Said funeral director shall be paid by the treasurer of the association the
stipulated and agreed compensation.
SEC. 11. All members should call the manager or secretary in case of a death.
SEC. 12. The cost of the funeral shall be as follows: The price of the casket and other
supplies furnished, plus the amount paid the funeral director in accordance with the
contract of the association with him for his services, plus the price for the use of the
hearse, plus a surcharge sufficient to meet current operating expenses and fixed charges
on borrowed capital; such surcharge to be determined by the board of directors and
changed whenever necessary.
SEC. 13. All funeral expenses and costs shall be paid to the treasurer or the manager
of this association.
SEC. 14. Payment for casket and services of this association shall be made within
2 weeks after funeral.
SEC. 15. Any member not able to pay for the funeral expenses, and desiring aid
from the free burial fund, must notify the secretary before selecting the casket. The
secretary shall then call a meeting of the board of directors to decide upon the merits
of the application for such aid.
SEC. 16. Until the association secures a hearse of its own, the charge for the use of a
hearse in connection with a funeral conducted by the association shall be the cost
thereof to the association plus the surcharge above mentioned.
SEC. 17. Contributions to the different funds may be received by the association.
SEC. 18. Upon payment of the membership fee, a membership certificate shall be
issued by the president and secretary.
SEC. 19. Extra charge for transportation of a body before the day of the funeral will
be made at cost to the association, plus the surcharge above mentioned.

Appendix E.—Typical Bylaws of a Cooperative Health
Association
Bylaws of Cooperative Health Association of —, Inc.
ARTICLE I.—Purposes
SECTION 1. The purposes and objects of this association shall be to further the
principles of consumer cooperation as applied to medical services; to study and spread
the knowledge of health and preventive medicine; in behalf of the members, to arrange
for the services of physicians and dentists duly licensed to practice their professions, as
independent contractors, and for services incidental thereto and necessary in connec
tion therewith, to the end that the health of the members may be preserved, protected,
and improved.
ARTICLE II.—Membership
SECTION 1. E ligibility. —Any person or nonprofit organization subscribing to the
purposes of the association and complying with the rules and regulations of the associa
tion shall be eligible for membership, Provided , however, that such rules and regulations
shall not deny membership to any person because of race, religion, or political convic
tions.
SEC. 2. Adm ission.—The board of directors shall establish such rules and regula
tions governing admission to membership as it may from time to time deem advisable.
SEC. 3. Termination.—Membership shall automatically terminate if the dues pro
vided for in article III are not paid within 60 days after their due date. Such members
can be reinstated only upon action by the board of directors.
SEC. 4. Expulsion.—The board of directors for just and reasonable cause, may expel
from membership, after not less than fifteen (15) days’ notice and opportunity for hear
ing before the board of directors any person who, in the opinion of said board of direc
tors, shall have abused the privilege of his membership or is otherwise guilty of wrongful
conduct detrimental to the association or its membership. The board of directors, after
hearing as hereinbefore provided, shall be the sole judge of whether the conduct in ques
tion warrants expulsion from membership. Membership dues shall end upon expulsion.
ARTICLE III.—Fees and Dues
SECTION 1. M em bership fee.—Every member shall be required to pay a member
ship fee of $10 which shall be paid at the rate of not less than $1 per month. The first
installment shall be paid not later than the due date of the member’s first monthly
dues following the adoption of this amendment.
Upon full payment of the membership fee a suitable certificate shall be issued to the
member.
Such certificate may be transferred to another person only upon approval by the
board of directors and on the books of the association.
The proceeds of membership fees shall, insofar as possible, be used only for purchase
and maintenance of equipment and other property.
SEC. 2. A pplication fee.—Any person desiring to become a member shall make pay
ment of an application fee of $5, plus $1 for each dependent with respect to whom he
desires to have services secured and shall fill out an application on the prescribed blank
or blanks. If, after review of application and medical examination of all the persons
on whose behalf services are requested, the application is not accepted, this fee shall be
returned, unless the person applying is otherwise eligible for membership and desires
to become a member under conditions stated in the next subsection.
70

APPENDIX E— BYLAWS OF HEALTH COOPERATIVE

SEC. 3. Dues.—In addition to the above fees each member shall pay monthly dues
for himself and his dependents in such amount as the board of directors, with the
approval of the membership, shall determine.
ARTICLE IV.—Membership Meetings
SECTION 1. Annual meetings.—The annual membership meeting shall be held in
___________________ of each year.
SEC. 2. Special meetings.—Special membership meetings shall be called by the
secretary upon resolution of the board or upon petition of 5 percent of the voting mem
bers. The petition shall state the purpose of the special meeting and may fix a period
of 2 weeks during which the meeting may be held, Providedf however, That the petition
be delivered to the secretary not less than 1 week before the designated period.
SEC. 3. Quorum.—At any regular or special meeting a quorum shall consist of 10
percent of the voting members, except that any membership meeting at which a quorum
is not present may be adjourned for from 7 to 14 days, and the secretary of the board
within 3 days shall give notice to all voting members of the adjourned meeting. At
the reconvened meeting a quorum shall consist of 5 percent of the voting members.
SEC. 4. Powers of meetings.—At a membership meeting declarative resolutions may
be adopted, and instructions may be issued to the board, provided they do not abridge
powers specifically granted to the board by these bylaws.
At a special membership meeting no business may be transacted other than that
stated as the purpose of the meeting, without the unanimous consent of the members
present.
SEC. 5. Voting rights.—Each member shall be entitled to one vote only, cast in
person or by mail, and there shall be no voting by proxy.
If one-fourth of the members voting on a motion to that effect so desire, a vote shall
be by secret ballot.
ARTICLE V.—Directors and Officers
SECTION 1. Directors.—The management of the association shall be vested in a
board of directors of not less than 9 nor more than 18, who shall be elected by the
membership except as provided by section 3 of this article. Any change in the number
of directors shall require a two-thirds vote of the entire board.
Approximately two-thirds of the total number of directors shall be elected each
year, except for the first annual election. At the first annual election, the third re
ceiving the highest plurality vote shall hold office for 2 years, and the others for 1 year.
In case of tie votes the terms of office shall be decided by lot.
Directors shall hold office until their successors have been elected and shall have
entered upon the discharge of their duties.
No director shall receive compensation for services to the association except with
the concurring vote of two-thirds of the remaining directors. Such compensation may
be given only where a director is called upon to perform a service to the association in
addition to his services as director.
SEC. 2. Vacancies.—Any director of this association who, having been duly notified,
fails to attend four regular consecutive board meetings, without excuse satisfactory to
the board, shall thereby forfeit his membership thereon, and the position shall there
upon be deemed vacant.
SEC. 3. Duties of directors.—The directors shall administer all business carried on by
the association, under the direction and control of any special or regular meeting of
the members. They shall arrange an impartial audit by a certified public accountant
of the books of the association at least once a year, and shall issue a financial statement
to the membership. They shall also issue annually to the membership a full report of
its work during the year and of the progress and condition of the association.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

The board may create advisory committees composed of individuals interested in
one or more phases of the work of the association.
SEC. 4. Officers.—The officers shall be president, vice president, secretary, treasurer
and such others as the board may deem necessary. The president, vice president, and
secretary shall be appointed by the board of directors from their number at the first
regular board meeting following the annual election. All officers shall hold office at
the discretion of the board.
If the treasurer is not a member of the board he may have a voice but no vote at
board meetings.
SEC. 5. Duties of officers.—The officers shall perform the duties usually appertaining
to such offices and such other duties as may be delegated to them by these bylaws or
by the board.
SEC. 6. Bonds.—All officers and employees handling funds of the association shall
be bonded.
^
ARTICLE VI.— Medical Arrangements
SECTION 1. The board of directors may contract for and in behalf of the mem
bers of this association with physicians and dentists duly licensed to practice their pro
fession who shall render as independent contractors such service to the members as
may be provided in such contract.
SEC. 2. The board of directors may arrange for and in behalf of the members of this
association for hospital, laboratory, and other services incidental to the services of
physicians and dentists.
SEC. 3. The board of directors shall in no way supervise, regulate, or intervene in
the practice of medicine by any physician or dentist with whom it contracts for the
care of members nor shall it in any way supervise, regulate, or intervene in the usual
professional relationship between such physician or dentist and his patient-member,
and every such contract entered into by and between a physician or dentist and the
association shall contain a covenant to this effect.
ARTICLE VII.— Amendments
SECTION 1. Initiation.—-Amendments may be initiated by the board or by mem
bers at a meeting, or by a petition signed by 5 percent of the voting members.
SEC. 2. Board action.—The board shall consider the proposed amendment and
make recommendation to the membership.
SEC. 3. Passage.—The proposed amendment shall be acted upon at a membership
meeting, Provided, That a notice of the proposed amendment and of the board's recom
mendation shall have been given to the members. If approved by the board, the
amendment may be passed by a majority vote of the membership meeting but if dis
approved by the board, a two-thirds vote of the membership meeting will be required.
SEC. 4. Change in organization.—When the membership reaches 1,000, the board
shall prepare and submit to the membership a plan providing for delegated representa
tion through sectional meetings.

Appendix F.—Citations of Consumers’ Cooperative Laws
Alabama.—Code, 1940, title 10, article 9, section 168
Alaska.—Compiled Laws, 1933, title 2, chapter 11, article 7, sections 991 to 998.
Arkansas.—Statutes, 1937, sections 2262 to 2285.
California.—Acts of 1939, chapter 808 (Civil Code, Part II, Division First; title XXV), as amended by
Acts of 1941, chapters 1216, 1277; 1945, chapter 925.
Colorado.—Statutes, 1935 (Michie), chapter 41, sections 210 to 214.
Connecticut.—General Statutes, revision of 1930, title 35, chapter 193, sections 3508 to 3517, as amended
by revision of 1945, chapter 193, section 736h.
District of Columbia.—Public Act No. 642, 76th Congress, 3d session, chapter 397.
Florida.—Statutes, 1941, section 611.38, as amended by Acts of 1941, p. 136.
Idaho.—Code, 1949, title 30, chapter 10.
Illinois.—Revised Statutes (Smith-Hurd), 1943, chapter 32, sections 305 to 331.
Indiana.—(Cooperative law of Indana, Statutes, 1926, sect:ons 5282 to 5288, was repealed in 1935.)
Iowa.—Code, 1939, chapter 390.1, sections 8512-01 to 8512-60.
Kansas.—general Statutes, 1935, chapter 17, article 15, as amended by Acts of 1935, chapter 157, sec
tion 1.
Kentucky.—Revised Statutes, 1948 (2d ed.), chapter 272.
Maine.—Revised Statutes, 1944, chapter 253, pp. 278-286.
Massachusetts.—General Laws (Ter. Ed.), 1932, chapter 157, as amended by Acts of 1949, chapter 378.,
Michigan.—Compiled Laws, 1948, sections 450.98 to 450.117, as amended by Acts of 1949, No. 232.
Afwneeoto.-^-Statutes; 1941, chapter 308, as amended by Acts of 1943, chapters 304, 317, 318, 438;
1945, chapters 205, 459; 1947, chapters 61, 364; 1949, chapter 199.
Missouri.—Revised Statutes, 1939, sections 14406 to 14424.
Montana.—Revised Code, 1935, sections 6375 to 6396.
Nebraska.—Revised Statutes, 1943, sections 21-1301 to 21-1306.
N e v a d a .'—Compiled Laws, 1929, 1931-1941 Supplement, sections 1575 to 1583, as amended by Acts of
1941, chapter 138; 1949, chapter 312.
New. Jersey.—Revised Statutes, 1937, chapter 34.
New Mexico.—Statutes, 1941, sections 54-1401 to 54-1445.
New York.—Cahill’s Consolidated Laws, 1930, as amended by supplement 1931-1935, chapter 10-a
and Acts of 1937, chapter 172; 1938, chapter 458; 1946, chapters 787, 800.
North Carolina.—General Statutes, 1943, division X, chapter 54, subdivision IV, article 16.
North Dakota.—Revised Code, 1943, chapter 10-15, as amended by Acts of 1945, chapter 152.
Ohio.—Code, 1940 (Baldwin’s Throckmorton), sections 10185 and 10186.
Oklahoma.—Statutes, 1941, title 18, sections 421 to 436.
Oregon.—Compiled Laws, 1940, chapter 77, as amended by Acts of 1941, chapter 219; 1943, chapter
52; 1947, chapter 107.
Pennsylvania.—Purdon’s Pennsylvania Statutes, 1936, title 14, chapter 1, sections 1 to 28, and chapter
4, sections 191 to 193.
Rhode Island.—Acts of 1947, chapter 1976, sections 1 to 35.
South Carolina.—Code, 1942, chapter 158, article 1, sections 8137 to 8149.
South Dakota.—Compiled Laws, 1939, chapter 11.11, as amended by Acts of 1945, chapter 29; 1947,
chapter 34; 1949, chapter 23.
Tennessee.—Code, 1932, section 4146 (10).
Vermont.—Public Laws, 1933, chapter 241, as amended by Acts of 1936, No. 13; 1937, No. 164; 1941,
No. 142; 1947, Nos. 104, 106.
Virginia.—Code, 1942, chapter 148, sections 3855 and 3855a.
Washington.—Remington’s Revised Statutes, 1931, sections 3904 to 3923, as amended by Acts of 1943,
chapter 99; 1947, chapter 37.
Wisconsin.—Statutes, 1943, chapter 185. Cooperative associations, sections 185.01 to 185.24.
Wyoming.—(Cooperative statute, Compiled Statutes, 1920, sections 5119 to 5134, was repealed in 1931.)

Appendix G.—Consumers’ Cooperative Act of the District of
Columbia
Following is the complete text of the Consumers' Cooperative Act
of the District of Columbia (Pub. No. 642, 76th Cong., 3d session,
ch.397):

ARTICLE I.—Definitions
SECTION 1. Definitions.—In this act unless the subject matter requires otherwise—
(1) “Association” means a group enterprise legally incorporated under this act,
and shall be deemed to be a nonprofit corporation.
(2) “Member” means not only a member in a nonshare association but also a mem
ber in a share association.
(3) “Net savings” means the total income of an association minus the costs of opera
tion
(4) “Savings returns” means the amount returned to the patrons in proportion to
their patronage or otherwise in accordance with the provisions of section 31 herein.
(5) “Cooperative basis” as applied to any incorporated or unincorporated group
referred to in sections 4 (7), 13, 23, 37, 40, and 41 herein means—
(a) that each member has one vote and only one vote, except as may be altered in
the articles or bylaws by provisions for voting by member organizations;
(b) that the maximum rate at which any return is paid on share or membership
capital is limited to not more than 8 per centum per annum;
(c) that the net savings after payment, if any, of said limited return on capital and
after making provision for such separate funds as may be required or specifically per
mitted by statute, articles, or bylaws, or allocated or distributed to member patrons,
or to all patrons, in proportion to their patronage; or retained by the enterprise, for
the actual or potential expansion of its services or the reduction of its charges to the
patrons, or for other purposes not inconsistent with its nonprofit character.
ARTICLE II.— Who M ay Incorporate; Purposes and Powers of Associations
SEC. 2. Who may incorporate.—Any five or more natural persons or two or more
associations may incorporate in the District of Columbia under this act.
SEC. 3. Purposes .—An association may be incorporated under this act to engage in
any one or more lawful mode or modes of acquiring, producing, building, operating,
manufacturing, furnishing, exchanging, or distributing any type or types of property,
commodities, goods, or services for the primary and mutual benefit of the patrons of
the association (or their patrons, if any) as ultimate consumers.
SEC. 4. Powers .—An association shall have the capacity to act possessed by natural
persons and the authority to do anything required or permitted by this act and also—
(1) To continue as a corporation for the time specified in its articles;
(2) To have a corporate seal and to alter the same at pleasure;
(3) To sue and be sued in its corporate name;
(4) To make bylaws for the government and regulation of its affairs;
(5) To acquire, own, hold, sell, lease, pledge, mortgage, or otherwise dispose of any
property incident to its purposes and activities;
(6) To own and hold membership in and share capital of other associations and
any other corporations, and any types of bonds or other obligations; and while the
owner thereof to exercise all the rights of ownership;
(7) To borrow money, contract debts, and make contracts, including agreements of
mutual aid or federation with other associations, other groups organized on a coopera
tive basis, and other nonprofit groups;
74

APPENDIX G— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LAW

(8) To conduct its affairs within or without the District of Columbia;
(9) To exercise in addition any power granted to ordinary business corporations,
save those powers inconsistent with this act;
(10) To exercise all powers not inconsistent with this act which may be necessary,
convenient, or expedient for the accomplishment of its purposes, and, to that end, the
foregoing enumeration of powers shall not be deemed exclusive.
ARTICLE III.—Articles of Incorporation
SEC. 5. Articles of incorporation; contents.—Articles of incorporation shall be signed
by each of the incorporators and acknowledged by at least three of them if natural
persons, and by the presidents and secretaries, if associations, before an officer au
thorized to take acknowledgments.
Within the limitations of this act the articles shall contain—
(1) A statement as to the purpose or purposes for which the association is formed;
(2) The name of the association which shall include the word “cooperative”;
(3) The term of existence of the association which may be perpetual;
(4) The location and address of the principal office of the association;
(5) The names and addresses of the incorporators of the association;
(6) The names and addresses of the directors who shall manage the affairs of the
association for the first year, unless sooner changed by the members;
(7) A statement of whether the association is organized with or without shares, and
the number of shares or memberships subscribed for;
(8) If organized with shares, a statement of the amount of authorized capital, the
number and types of shares and the par value thereof which may be placed at any
figure, and the rights, preferences, and restrictions of each type of share;
(9) The minimum number or value of shares which must be owned in order to qualify
for membership; if organized without shares, a statement of whether the property
rights of members shall be equal or unequal, and if unequal, the rule by which their
rights shall be determined;
(10) The maximum amount or percentage of capital which may be owned or con
trolled by any member; including a statement of whether or not each member shall be
limited to a single share, and whether such single shares shall be of various par values;
(11) The method by which any surplus, upon dissolution of the association, shall be
distributed; in conformity with the requirements of section 36 herein for division of
such surplus.
The articles may also contain any other provisions not inconsistent with law or
with this act, for the conduct of the association’s affairs.
SEC. 6. Same; filing; recordation; fees; effect of certificate.—The articles shall be
delivered to the recorder of deeds. If he finds that the articles conform to law, he shall
file the same upon the payment of a fee of $5, and he shall record the same, upon pay
ment of a fee of SI. Said fees shall be in lieu of any other fees or payments provided in
section 552 of the act entitled “An act to establish a code of law for the District of
Columbia,” approved March 3, 1901, or in any other section of the code of laws of the
District of Columbia, to be paid for at the time of said filing; and the last paragraph
of section 552 of such act of March 3, 1901, shall have no application to associations
organized under this act. After such filing and recording, he shall issue a certificate of
incorporation, whereupon the corporate existence shall begin. Such certificate shall
be conclusive evidence of the fact that the corporation has been duly incorporated.
This shall not preclude the institution of quo warranto proceedings under sections
1538 through 1548, both inclusive, of the act entitled “An act to establish a code of
law for the District of Columbia,” approved March 3,1901. The filing or recording of
the articles or of amendments thereto, or of any other papers pursuant to this act is
required for the purpose of affording all persons the opportunity of acquiring knowledge

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

of the contents thereof, but no person or incorporated or unincorporated group dealing
with the association shall be charged with constructive notice of the contents of any
such articles or papers by reason of such filing or recording.
SEC. 7. Sam e; amendments; fee.—Amendments to the articles may be proposed by a
two-thirds vote of the board of directors, or by petition of 10 per centum of the associa
tion^ members. Notice of the meeting to consider such amendment shall be sent by
the secretary at least 30 days in advance thereof to each member at his last-known
address, accompanied by the full text of the proposal and by that part of the articles
to be amended. Two-thirds of the members voting may adopt said amendment and
when verified by the president and secretary, it shall be filed and recorded with the
recorder of deeds within 30 days of its adoption, and a fee of $1 shall be paid.
If the amendment is to alter the preferences of outstanding shares of any type, or to
authorize the issuance of shares having preferences superior to outstanding shares of
any type, the vote of two-thirds of the members owning such outstanding shares
affected by the change shall also be required for the adoption of the amendment; if the
amendment is to alter the rule by which members, property rights in a nonshare asso
ciation are determined, a vote of two-thirds of the entire membership shall be required.
The amount of capital and the number and par value of shares may be diminished
or increased by amendment of the articles, but the capital shall not be diminished below
the amount of paid-up capital existing at the time of amendment.
ARTICLE IV.—Bylaws
SEC. 8. Adoption, amendment, or repeal of bylaws.—Bylaws shall be adopted,
amended, or repealed by at least a majority vote of the members voting.
SEC. 9. Contents of bylaws.—?The bylaws may, within the limitations of this act
provide for—
(1) The method and terms of admission to membership and the disposal of memhers’ interests on cessation of membership for any reason;
(2) The time, place, and manner of calling and conducting meetings;
(3) The number or percentage of the members constituting a quorum;
(4) The number, qualifications, powers, duties, term of office, and manner, time,
and vote for election, of directors and officers; and the division or classification, if any,
of directors to provide for rotating or overlapping terms;
(5) The compensation, if any, of the directors, and the number of directors necessary
to constitute a quroiun;
(6) The method of distributing the net savings;
(7) The various discretionary provisions of this act as well as other provisions inci
dent to the purposes and activities of the association.
ARTiCLE V.—Meetings
SEC. 10. Regular and special meetings.—Regular meetings of members shall be held
as prescribed in the bylaws, but shall be held at least once a year. Special meetings
may be demanded by a majority vote of the directors or by written petition of at least
one-tenth of the membership, in which case it shall be the duty of the secretary to call
such meeting to take place within 30 days after such demand. Regular or special
meetings, including meetings by units as hereinafter provided, may be held within or
without the District of Columbia as the articles may prescribe.
SEC. 11. Notice of meetings.—The secretary shall give notice of the time and place
of meetings by sending a notice thereof to each member at his last-known address not
less than the number of days in advance of the meeting specified in the bylaws. In
case of a special meeting the notice shall specify the purpose for which such meeting is
called.
SEC. 12. M eetings by units of the membership.—The articles or bylaws may provide

APPENDIX G— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LAW

for the holding of meetings by units of the membership and may provide for a method
of transmitting the votes there cast to the central meeting, or for a method of represen
tation by the election of delegates to the central meeting; or for a combination of both
such methods.
ARTICLE VI.— Voting
SEC. 13. One member— one vote.—Each member of an association shall have one
and only one vote, except that where an association includes among its members any
number of other associations or groups organized on a cooperative basis the voting
rights of such member associations or groups may be as prescribed in the articles or
bylaws.
No voting agreement or other device to evade the one-member-one-vote rule shall
be enforceable at law or in equity.
SEC. 14. No 'proxy.—No member shall be permitted to vote by proxy.
SEC. 15. Voting by m ail.—The articles or bylaws may provide for either or both of
the following types of voting by mail:
(1) That the secretary shall send to the members a copy of any proposal scheduled
to be offered at a meeting, together with the notice of said meeting, and that the mail
votes cast by the members shall be counted together with those cast at the meeting
if such mail votes are returned to the association within a specified number of days;
(2) That the secretary shall send to any member absent from a meeting an exact
copy of the proposal acted upon at the meeting, and that the mail vote of the member
upon such proposal, if returned within a specified number of days, shall be counted
together with the votes cast at said meeting.
The articles or bylaws may also determine whether and to what extent mail votes
shall be counted ia computing a quorum.
SEC. 16. A pplication of voting provisions in this act to voting by m ail.—If an associa
tion has provided for voting by mail, any provision of this act referring to votes cast
by the members shall be construed to include the votes cast by mail.
SEC. 17. Application of voting provisions in this act to voting by delegates.—If an asso
ciation has provided for voting by delegates, any provision of this act referring to votes
cast by the members shall apply to votes cast by delegates; but this shall not permit
delegates to vote by mail.
ARTICLE VII.—Directors and Officers
SEC. 18. Directors.—An association shall be managed by a board of not less than
five directors, who shall be elected for a term fixed in the bylaws not to exceed 3 years,
by and from the members of the association and shall hold office until their successors
are elected, or until removed. Vacancies in the board of directors, otherwise than by
removal or expiration of term, shall be filled in such manner as the bylaws may provide.
The bylaws may provide for a method of apportioning the number of directors
among the units into which the association may be divided, and for the election of
directors by the respective units to which they are apportioned.
An executive committee of the board of directors may be elected in such manner and
with such powers and duties as the articles or bylaws may prescribe.
Meetings of directors and of the executive committee may be held within or without
the District of Columbia.
SEC. 19. Officers.—The officers of an association shall include a president, one oi
more vice presidents, a secretary and a treasurer, or a secretary-treasurer. The officers
shall be elected annually by the directors unless the bylaws otherwise provide. The
president and at least one vice president must be directors, but no other officer need
be a director.
SEC. 20. Removal of directors and officers.—A director or officer may be removed with

ORGANIZATION OP CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

or without cause, by a vote of two-thirds of the members voting at a regular or special
meeting. The director or officer involved shall have an opportunity to be heard at said
meeting. A vacancy caused by any such removal shall be filled by the vote provided
in the bylaws for election of directors.
SEC. 21. Referendum.—The articles or bylaws may provide that within a specified
period of time any action taken by the directors must be referred to the members for
approval or disapproval if demanded by petition of at least 10 per centum of all the
members or by vote of at least a majority of the directors: Provided, however, That the
rights of third parties which have vested between the time of such action and such
referendum shall not be impaired thereby.
ARTICLE VIII.—Shares and Membership
SEC. 22. Limitations upon the return on capital.—The return upon capital shall not
exceed 6 per centum per annum upon the paid-up capital and shall be noncumulative.
Total return upon capital distributed for any single period shall not exceed 50 per
centum of the net savings for that period.
SEC. 23. Eligibility and admission to membership.—Any natural person, association,
incorporated or unincorporated group organized on a cooperative basis, or any non
profit group, shall be eligible for membership in an association if it has met the qualifi
cations for eligibility, if any, stated in the articles or bylaws and shall be deemed a
member upon payment in full for the par value of the minimum amount of share or
membership capital stated in the articles as necessary to qualify for membership.
SEC. 24. Subscribers.—Any natural person or group eligible for membership and
legally obligated to purchase a share or shares of, or membership in, an association shall
be deemed a subscriber. The articles or bylaws may determine whether, and the con
ditions under which, any voting rights or other rights of membership shall be granted
to subscribers.
SEC. 25. Share and membership certificates; issuance and contents.—No certificate
for share or membership capital shall be issued until the par value thereof has been
paid for in full. There shall be printed upon each certificate issued by an association a
full or condensed statement of the requirements of sections 13, 14, and 26 herein.
SEC. 26. Transfer of shares and membership; withdrawal.—If a member desires to
withdraw from the association or dispose of any or all of his holdings therein, the direc
tors shall have the power to purchase such holdings by paying him the par value of
any or all of the holdings offered. The directors shall then reissue or cancel the same.
A vote of the majority of the members voting at a regular or special meeting may order
the directors to exercise this power to purchase.
If the association fails, within 60 days of the original offer, to purchase all or any
part of the holdings offered, the member may dispose of the unpurchased interest else
where, subject to the approval of the transferee by a majority vote of the directors.
Any would-be transferee not approved by the directors may appeal to the members at
their first regular or special meeting thereafter, and the action of the meeting shall be
final. If such transferee is not approved, the directors shall exercise their power to pur
chase, if and when such purchase can be made without jeopardizing the solvency of the
association.
SEC. 27. Share and membership certificates; recall.—The bylaws may give the direc
tors the power to use the reserve funds to recall, at par value, the holdings of any mem
ber in excess of the amount requisite for membership; and may also provide that if any
member has failed to patronize the association during a period of time specified in the
bylaws, the directors may use the reserve funds to recall all his holdings and thereupon
he shall cease to be a member of the association. When so recalled, such certificates
of share or membership capital shall be either reissued or canceled*
SEC. 28. Share and membership certificates; attachment.—The holdings of any member

APPENDIX G— DISTRICT OP COLUMBIA LAW

of an association, to the extent of the minimum amount necessary for membership, but
not to exceed $50, shall be exempt from attachment, execution, or garnishment for the
debts of the owner. If any holdings in excess of this amount are subjected to such
liability, the directors of the association may either admit the purchase thereof to mem
bership, or may purchase from him such holdings at par value.
SEC. 29. L iability of members.—Members shall not be jointly or severally liable for
any debts of the association, nor shall a subscriber be so liable except to the extent of
the unpaid amount on the shares or membership certificates subscribed by him. No
subscriber shall be released from such liability by reason of any assignment of his in
terest in the shares or membership certificate, but shall remain jointly and severally
liable with the assignee until the shares or certificates are fully paid up.
SEC. 30. Expulsion .—A member may be expelled by the vote of a majority of the
members voting at a regular or special meeting. The member against whom the
charges are to be preferred shall be informed thereof in writing at least ten days in ad
vance of the meeting, and shall have an opportunity to be heard in person or by counsel
at said meeting. On decision of the association to expel a member, the board of direc
tors shall purchase the member’s holdings at par value, if and when there are sufficient
reserve funds.
ARTICLE IX .— Apportionm ent of N et Savings
SEC. 31. Allocation and distribution of net savings .—At least once a year the members
and/or the directors, as the articles or bylaws may provide, shall apportion the net sav
ings of the association in the following order:
(1) Not less than 10 per centum shall be placed in a reserve fund until such time as
the fund shall equal at least 50 per centum of the paid-up capital; and such fund may
be used in the general conduct of the business. The amounts apportioned to the re
serve fund shall be allocated on the books of the association on a patronage basis, or in
lieu thereof, the books and records of the association shall afford a means for doing so,
in order that upon dissolution or earlier, if deemed advisable, such reserves may be re
turned to the patrons who have contributed the same, subject to the limitations of sec
tion 36 herein;
(2) A return upon capital, within the limitations of section 22, may be paid upon
share capital, or, if the bylaws so provide, upon the membership capital certificates of a
nonshare association; but such return upon capital may be paid only out of the surplus
of the aggregate of the assets over the aggregate of the liabilities (including in the latter
the amount of the capital stock) after deducting from such aggregate of the assets the
amount by which such aggregate was increased by unrealized appreciation in value or
revaluation of fixed assets;
(3) A portion of the remainder, as determined by the articles or bylaws, shall be al
located to an educational fund to be used in teaching cooperation, and a portion may
also be allocated to funds for the general welfare of the members of the association;
(4) The remainder shall be allocated at the same uniform rate to all patrons of the
association in proportion to their individual patronage: Provided , That—
(a) In the case of a member patron, his proportionate amount of savings returns
shall be distributed to him unless he agrees that the association should credit the
amount to his account toward the purchase of an additional share or shares, or addi
tional membership capital;
(b) In the case of a subscriber patron, his proportionate amount of savings returns
may, as the articles or bylaws provide, be distributed to him, or credited to his account
until the amount of capital subscribed for has been fully paid;
(c) In the case of a nonmember patron, his proportionate amount of savings returns
shall be set aside in a general fund for such patrons and shall be allocated to individual
nonmember patrons only upon request and presentation of evidence of the amount of

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

their patronage. Any savings return so allocated shall be credited to such patron to
ward payment of the minimum amount of share or membership capital necessary for
membership. When a sum equal to this amount has accumulated at any time within a
period of time specified in the bylaws, such patron shall be deemed and become a mem
ber of the association if he so agrees or requests, and complies with any provisions in the
bylaws for admission to membership. The certificates of shares or membership to
which he is entitled shall then be issued to him;
(d) If within any periods of time specified in the articles or bylaws, (1) any subscriber
has not accumulated and paid in the amount of capital subscribed for; or (2) any non
member patron has not accumulated in his individual account the sum necessary for
membership; or (3) any nonmember patron has accumulated the sum necessary for
membership but neither requests nor agrees to become a member, or fails to comply
with the provisions of the bylaws, if any, for admission to membership, then the
amounts so accumulated or paid in and any part of the general fund for nonmember
patrons which has not been allocated to individual nonmember patrons shall go to the
educational fund and thereafter no member or other patron shall have any rights in said
paid-in capital or accumulated savings returns as such: Provided further, That nothing
in this section shall prevent an association under this act which is engaged in rendering
services from disposing of the net savings from the rendering of such services in such
manner as to lower the fees charged for. services or otherwise to further the common
benefit of the members: And providedfurther, That nothing in this section shall prevent
an association from adopting a system whereby the payment of savings returns which
would otherwise be distributed shall be deferred for a fixed period of months or years;
nor from adopting a System whereby the savings returns distributed shall be partly
in cash, partly in shares, such shares to be retired at a fixed future date, in the order
of their serial number or date of issue.
ARTICLE X.—Bonding', Bookkeeping; Reports
SEC. 32. Bonding.—Every individual acting as officer or employee of an association
and handling funds or securities amounting to $1,000 or more, in any one year, shall be
covered by an adequate bond as determined by the board of directors, and at the ex
pense of the association; and the bylaws may also provide for the bonding of other em
ployees or officers.
SEC. 33. Books; auditing.—To record its business operation, every association shall
keep a set of books which shall be audited at the end of each fiscal year by an
experienced bookkeeper or accountant, who shall not be an officer or director. Where
the annual business amounts to less than $10,000, the audit may be performed by an
auditing committee of three, who shall not be directors, officers, or employees. A
written report of the audit, including a statement of the amount of business transacted
with members, and the amount transacted with nonmembers, the balance sheet, and
the income and expenses, shall be submitted to the annual meeting of the association.
SEC. 34. Annual report.—Every association shall annually, within 60 days of the
close of its operations for that year, make a report of its condition, sworn to by the
president and secretary, which report shall be filed with the recorder of deeds. The
report shall state—
(a) The name and principal address of the association.
(b) The names, addresses, occupations, and date of expiration of the terms of the
officers and directors, and their compensation, if any.
(c) The amount and nature of its authorized, subscribed, and paid-in capital, the
number of its shareholders, and the number admitted and withdrawn during the year,
the par value of its shares and the rate at which any return upon capital has been paid.
For nonshare associations the annual report shall state the total number of members,

APPENDIX G— DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LAW

the number admitted or withdrawn during the year, and the amount of membership
fees received.
(d) The receipts, expenditures, assets, and liabilities of the association.
A copy of this report shall be kept on file at the principal office of the association.
Any person who shall subscribe or make oath to such report containing a materially
false statement, known to such person to be false, shall upon conviction of such offense
be punished by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $200, or by imprisonment of
not less than 30 days nor more than one year, or both such fine and imprisonment.
SEC. 35. Notice of delinquent reports ; mandamus.—If an association fails to make
such report within the required period of 60 days, the recorder of deeds shall within 60
days from the expiration of said period send such association a registered letter directed
to its principal office, stating the delinquency and its consequences. If the association
fails to file the report within 60 days from the mailing of such notice, any member of
the association or the United States attorney for the District of Columbia may by peti
tion for mandamus against the association and its proper officers compel such filing to
be made, and in such case the court shall require the association or the officers at fault
to pay all the expenses of the proceeding including counsel fees.
ARTICLE XI.—Dissolution
SEC. 36. Dissolution.—An association may, at any regular or special meeting legally
called, be directed to dissolve by a vote of two-thirds of the entire membership. By a
vote of a majority of the members voting, three of their number shall be designated as
trustees, who shall, on behalf of the association and within a time fixed in their designa
tion or within any extension thereof, liquidate its assets, and shall distribute them in
the manner set forth in this section. A suit for involuntary dissolution of an associa
tion organized under this act may be instituted for the causes and prosecuted in the
manner set forth in sections 786 through 791, both inclusive, and sections 794 through
797, both inclusive, of the act entitled “An act to establish a code of law for the District
of Columbia,” approved March 3,1901: Provided , That any distribution of assets shall
be in the manner set forth in this section. In case of any dissolution of an association,
its assets shall be distributed in the following manner and order: (1) By paying its debts
and expenses; (2) by returning to the members the par value of their shares or of their
membership certificates, returning to the subscribers the amounts paid on their sub
scriptions, and returning to the patrons the amount of saving returns credited to their
accounts toward the purchase of shares or membership certificates; and (3) by dis
tributing any surplus in either or both of the following ways as the articles may pro
vide—
(a) Among those patrons who have been members or subscribers at any time during
the past 6 years, on the basis of their patronage during that period;
(b) As a gift to any consumers' cooperative association or other nonprofit enterprise
which may be designated in the articles.
ARTICLE X II.— Penalties
SEC. 37. Use of name “cooperative” ; penalty.—Only (1) associations organized under
this act, (2) groups organized on a cooperative basis under any other law of the District
of Columbia, and (3) foreign corporations operating on a cooperative basis and au
thorized to do business in the District of Columbia under this or any other law of the
District of Columbia shall be entitled to use the term “cooperative,” or any abbrevia
tion or derivation thereof, as parts of their business names, or to represent themselves,
in their advertising or otherwise, as conducting business on a cooperative basis.
Any person, firm, or corporation viola‘ting the above provision shall upon conviction
of such offense be punished by a fine of not less than $25 nor more than $200, with an
additional fine of not more than $200 for each month during which a violation occurs

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

after the first month, or by imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor more than 1
year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. The district attorney of the United
States for the District of Columbia, or any individual, or association, or group organ
ized on a cooperative basis, may sue to enjoin an alleged violation of this section.
Should a court of competent jurisdiction decide that any person, firm, or corporation
using the name “cooperative” prior to this act, and not organized on a cooperative
basis, is entitled to continue in such use, any such business shall always place immedi
ately after its name the words “does not comply with the Cooperative Association Law
of the District of Columbia” in the same kind of type, and in letters not less than
two-thirds as large, as those used in the term “cooperative.”
SEC. 38. Promotion expenses; limitations; penalty.—An association shall not, directly
or indirectly, use any of its funds, nor issue shares nor incur any indebtedness, for the
payment of any compensation for the organization of the association except necessary
legal fees; nor for the payment of any promotion expenses in excess of 5 per centum of
the amount paid in for the shares or membership certificates involved in the promotion
transaction. Any association’s officer, director, or agent who gives, or any person, firm,
corporation, or association which receives such promotion commission in violation of
this section shall, upon conviction of such offense, be punished by a fine of not less than
$25, nor more than $200, or by imprisonment for not less than 30 days nor more than 1
year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
SEC. 39. Spreading false reports; penalty.—Any person, firm, corporation, or asso
ciation which maliciously and knowingly spreads false reports about the management
or finances of any association shall, upon conviction of such offense, be punished by a
fine of not less than $25 and not more than $200, or by imprisonment for not less than
30 days nor more than 1 year, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
ARTICLE XIII.—Relation to Other Laws
SEC. 40. Existing cooperative groups.—Any group incorporated under another law
of the District of Columbia and operating on a cooperative basis or any unincorporated
group operating on such a basis in the District of Columbia may elect by a vote of twothirds of the members voting to secure the benefits of and be bound by this act, and
shall thereupon amend such of its articles and bylaws as are not in conformity with this
act. A certified copy of the amended articles shall be filed and recorded with the re
corder of deeds and a fee of $5 shall be paid.
SEC. 41. Foreign corporations and associations.—A foreign corporation or association
operating on a cooperative basis and complying with the applicable laws of the State
wherein it is organized shall be entitled to do business in the District of Columbia as a
foreign cooperative corporation or association.
SEC. 42. Legality declared; not in restraint of trade.—No association, or method or
act thereof which complies with this act, shall be deemed a conspiracy or combination
in restraint of trade or an illegal monopoly, or an attempt to lessen competition or fix
prices arbitrarily.
SEC. 43. Laws not applicable.—No law of the District of Columbia conflicting or
inconsistent with any part of this act shall, to the extent of the conflict or inconsistency,
be construed as applicable to associations formed hereunder; nor shall any law of the
District of Columbia inappropriate to the purposes of such associations be so construed
nor shall any of the provisions of sections 574 through 797, both inclusive, of the act
entitled “An act to establish a code of law for the District of Columbia,” approved
March 3, 1901, be construed as applicable to associations formed hereunder, except as
expressly stated in this act.
SEC. 44. Taxation.—Associations formed hereunder, and foreign corporations and
associations admitted under section 41 to do business in the District of Columbia and
entitled to the benefits of section 37, shall pay an annual license fee of $10.

APPENDIX Gh-DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LAW

SEC. 45. Separability; constitutionality .—If any provision of this act or the applica
tion thereof to any person or circumstance shall be held unconstitutional or otherwise
invalid for any reason, the validity of the remainder of this act and the application of
such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.
SEC. 46. The Congress reserves the right to alter, amend, or repeal this act, or any
charter or certificate of incorporation made thereunder.
SEC. 47. Short title .—This act may be cited as the “District of Columbia Coopera
tive Association Act.”
Approved, June 19, 1940.

Appendix H.—Manager’s Reports to Board of Directors
The following is suggested by one successful manager as constituting
the kind and frequency of reports that the board has the right to expect
from the manager:
In order to determine policies it is the responsibility of the board of directors, acting
for the members which it represents, to supervise the business operation. Such su
pervision is in the form of guidance for management. The board must have a yard
stick with which to measure the performance of management. It should not impose
so many requirements on management, in the form of reports or other activities, that
the emphasis on this type of detail is greater than on actively operating the business.
The yardstick for control depends to some extent on the knowledge of the manager’s
ability as demonstrated by his performance with the co-op. It is never advisable to
assume that a person is a good man just because some other co-op recommends him.
A manager with a good personality all too often pulls the wool over the eyes of his
board, which will swear by him even though he is not capable. In many cases he is a
good politician or a willing errand boy for the members of the board, which in turn
makes them feel important and they are very happy with such an agreeable manager.
Any capable, conscientious board should expect the following: A quarterly budget;
a monthly operating report; a quarterly operation report and balance sheet; and a
semiannual auditor’s report.
Quarterly Budget

The board should not ask for the impossible; if it is apparent that the association
faces a loss it should be so budgeted. Then the board or a committee should work
with management to remedy the situation. The board should not be so critical that
the manager presents a goal (what he wishes he can do) rather than a budget which he
considers a reasonable expectancy.
Monthly Operating Report

This should show sales, percentage in dollar margin, estimated expenses, and esti
mated results for the month compared with a similar month for the previous year. This
should be scrutinized by the board with the following in mind:
1. How do sales compare with a year ago, considering market conditions?
2. Did each department, groceries, meats and produce, do its proper percentage of
the total sales?
3. Are the margins sound in each department? (This does not necessarily mean
are they high enough; but rather do they compare favorably with that of businesses
of similar size in that area.)
4. Is the man-hour production satisfactory in all departments? (Man-hour produc
tion is a much sounder way of determining the efficiency of the store operation than
wage percentage, because of the varying wage scales in different areas.)
Quarterly Operation Report and Balance Sheet

The quarterly report is an accurate and final report of the quarter’s operations.
This should be compared with the budget which had been submitted in advance of the
quarter. It should also be compared with the performance of the same period for the
preceding year. The same thought should be in mind in checking both quarterly report
and tentative monthly report. I use the expression “tentative” because it should
not be necessary to go through the work of preparing a complete operating report and
balance sheet every month. Therefore, the monthly reports are complete only as far
84

APPENDIX H— MANAGER’S REPORTS

as actual sales and margins and salaries are concerned, but the majority of expenses are
estimated. As careful consideration should be given to expected high margins and
savings as to low margins and losses. If co-ops are to operate in the best interest of
consumers, the goal should be a sound operation at the lowest possible competitive
prices rather than abnormally large earnings.
At no time should the board of directors or management lose sight of the fact that
consumer co-ops are but a small part of the food industry. It is impossible to operate
small food stores and yet handle the complete line of merchandise which the average
housewife wants. In addition to nationally advertised merchandise, we must have a
brand, of merchandise (co-op) with either a quality or price advantage to the consumer.
In order to compete successfully in this highly competitive field, we must be able to
convince our customers they are getting daily advantages by trading in our co-op food
store. Just looking forward to a possible patronage refund at the end of the year is not
enough. Furthermore, we must operate the kind of a store in which customers like to
shop. They must be clean, well-equipped, well-stocked and operated by a friendly
staff.

Unfortunately many boards of directors are made up of people who like to feel that
they are in a position of authority as members of a co-op board, but they are not willing
to assume any responsibility beyond that of attending meetings where there are lengthy
discussions, many resolutions passed which indicate good intentions, a limited amount
of time given to a manager’s report and then each goes home and forgets about it until
the next meeting. Among the most neglected responsibilities of the average board of
directors are the following:
1. Inadequate capitalization to provide proper facilities for a sound operation.
2. Failure to maintain a continuous promotional program.
3. Inability to interpret and evaluate a balance sheet correctly.
4. Failure to check up on experience of other cooperators, with the result that most
cooperatives go through the same growing pains, suffer losses that could have been
avoided by using information on successful and unsuccessful cooperatives which is a
matter of record.
5. Unwillingness to pay the prevailing wage scale for the type of personnel needed
for a sound food business.
6. Having secured good management, failure to give it full authority to conduct the
business: in other words “playing store.”
7. Lack of inventory control.

Appendix I.—Sources of Cooperative Information
Cooperative sources.— The Cooperative League of the USA, 343 S.
Dearborn Street, Chicago 4, 111., stands in the position of a central clear
ing house for the cooperatives in the United States. It is the national
federation of consum ed cooperatives in this country, and is a member
of the International Cooperative Alliance in London. To it are affiliated
not only the central organizations (i. e., the regional wholesales) in the
distributive cooperative movement but also a number of federations in
specialized fields of cooperation. The League promotes education in
cooperation, gives advice on procedures, and unites the associations for
their mutual advancement. It publishes pamphlets on various aspects
and problems of cooperation, as well as films on cooperative subjects.
One department has issued a Primer of Bookkeeping for Cooperatives.
Another, Rochdale Institute, is a training school for cooperative em
ployees and educators for the cooperative movement.
Information and much practical advice on the local business problems
of cooperatives may be obtained from the cooperative wholesales (listed
in appendix A). Most of these are members of the League, and many
of them have active educational departments.
Among the national federations associated with the Cooperative
League are the Cooperative Health Federation of America, Cooperative
Finance Association of America, Cooperative Society for Recreational
Education, and National Cooperatives, Inc., all of 343 S. Dearborn
Street, Chicago; others are the National Association of Housing Coop
eratives, 726 Jackson Place N. W., Washington, D. C., and the North
American Student Cooperative League, Lawrence, Kans. CUNA Sup
ply Cooperative is a full member and the Credit Union National Asso
ciation is a fraternal member of the League; both are in Madison, Wis.
The Credit Union National Association, Filene House, Madison 1,
Wis., is the national organization for the credit union movement in the
United States. Its members are the State Credit Union Leagues.
Governmental sources.— The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U. S.
Department of Labor has, in addition to this bulletin, issued another
(No. 858) dealing with the organization of cooperative housing associa
tions. It issues an annual statistical report on the operations of con
sumers' cooperatives of the various kinds; and has also published studies
of special types of cooperatives (housing associations, burial associa
tions, student cooperatives, etc.). These publications are free from the
Bureau as long as its supply lasts; thereafter they may be obtained for
nominal sums from the Superintendent of Documents, Government
Printing Office, Washington 25, D. C. Information on special points
or problems may also be obtained from the Bureau.
86

APPENDIX I— SOURCES OF INFORMATION

The Bureau of Federal Credit Unions, Social Security Agency, can
supply information and assistance in the organization of credit unions.
The Bureau has charge of the administration of the Federal Credit
Union Law.
The Rural Electrification Administration, U. S. Department of Agri
culture, will furnish bylaws and advice to rural groups wishing to or
ganize associations for the supply of electric current or telephone service.
It makes loans to approved organizations for the construction of plant,
erection of lines, etc.
The Farm Credit Administration has specialists in farmers’ coopera
tion and issues many statistical and other reports on various phases of
that movement.

Appendix J.—Directory of Cooperative Wholesales
In the following table are listed the various cooperative wholesale
associations, together with the commodities handled by each, and the
other services rendered by them.
Lines of goods handled hy cooperative wholesale associationsf and other services provided
Goods handled1
Name and address of wholesale
Interregional
Illinois: National Cooperatives, Makes master contracts for groceries, electrical
Inc., 343 South Dearborn St., appliances, household supplies; auto tires and
accessories; hardware, farm supplies. Manu
Chicago 4.
factures: Hot-water heaters, milking machines
and coolers.
Regional
California: Associated Coopera Groceries (including produce); household sup
plies, cosmetics, electrical appliances, hard
tives, 351 2d St., Oakland 7.
ware, petroleum products, auto tires and ac
cessories, paint, lumber and building material,
farm supplies.
Idaho: Idaho Grange Wholesale, Fuel oil, other petroleum products, auto tires
and accessories, hardware, farm supplies and
Box 368, Shoshone.
machinery.
Illinois: Central States Coopera Groceries (including produce), household goods,
tives, Inc., 1119 Belvidere St., motor oil, auto tires and accessories, electrical
appliances, paint, farm supplies.
Waukegan.
Indiana: Indiana Farm Bureau Bulk-plant equipment, fuel, petroleum products,
Cooperative Association, 47 auto tires and accessories, electrical appliances,
South Pennsylvania St., India lumber and building material, plumbing sup
plies, farm supplies and machinery. Manu
napolis 9.
factures: Petroleum products, (including pro
duction of crude off) fertilizer, serum, meat
products, printing, chicks.
Iowa: Cooperative Service Co., Petroleum products, paint, bottled gas, stoves,
household and farm supplies.
Box 636, Waterloo.
Michigan:
Farm Bureau Services, 221 Fuel, dairy products, lumber and building ma
North Cedar St., Lansing 4. terial, farm supplies and machinery. Manu
factures: Fertilizer, insecticides.
Farmers Petroleum Coopera Fuel oil, other petroleum products, auto tires
tive, 221 North Cedar St., and accessories, bulk-plant equipment.
Lansing 4.
Minnesota:
Midland Cooperative Whole Groceries, fuel, petroleum products, auto tires
sale, 739 Johnson St. NE., and accessories, electrical appliances, lumber
and building material, paint, steel and wire,
Minneapolis 13.
bulk-station equipment, rope, farm supplies
and machinery. Manufactures: Lubricating
oil, petroleum products (including produc
tion of crude oil).
Farmers Union Central Ex Fuel oil and other petroleum products, auto tires
change, 1200 North Concord and accessories, electrical appliances, hard
ware, building material, paint, farm supplies
St., South St. Paul.
and machinery, oil-station equipment. Manu
factures: Lubricating oil, petroleum products
(including production of crude oil), tractors.
Minnesota Farm Bureau Serv Fuel oil, other petroleum products, auto tires
ice Co., 101 E. Fairfield St., and accessories, paint, farm supplies. Manu
factures: Feed, fertilizer.
St. Paul 1.
Missouri:
Farm Bureau Service Co. of Fuel oil, other petroleum products, auto tires
Missouri, Box 658, Jefferson and accessories, paint, farm supplies.
City.
Consumers Cooperative Asso Groceries, petroleum products, auto tires and
ciation, 318 E. 10th St., Kan accessories, electrical appliances, lumber and
building material, paint, roofing, farm sup
sas City 13.
plies and machinery, service-station equip
ment, propane gas and equipment. Manu
factures: Lubricating oil, petroleum products
(including production of crude oil), grease,
paint, insecticides, lumber, canned goods,
fertilizer, feed, printing.
See footnote at end of table.

Other services
Printing (agency).
Educational de
partment, insur
ance (agency),
auditing and ac
counting.
Trucking.
Educational de
partment, audit
ing, accounting.
Auditing, insur
ance (agency),
auto and appli
ance repair, cre
dit and finance,
trucking, man
agement, mark
eting.
M a n a g e m e n t,
transport, mill
wright.
Educational de
partment, mer
chandising ad
vice, trucking,
appliance repair.

Educational and
organizational
d e p a r tm e n t,
speakers’ bureau,
auditing and bu
siness advisory
service, manager
training, credit
and finance, in
surance (agency),
trucking’

APPENDIX J— DIRECTORY OF COOPERATIVE WHOLESALES

Lines of goods handled hy cooperative wholesale associations , and other services
provided —Continued
Name and address of wholesale
R egional— C ontinu ed
Misso uri-C o n tin u e d

Goods handled1

Other services

Producers Grocery Co., 425 W. Grocerie____________ ______ ______________
Phelps, Springfield.
Nebraska: Farmers Union State Groceries, meat, dairy products, clothing, shoes, Educational de
Exchange, 39th and Leavenworth drygoods, household supplies, fuel, petroleum partment, truck
products, auto tires and accessories, butane ing.
Sts., Omaha 5.
gas and equipment, hardware, electrical ap
pliances, paint, farm supplies and machinery.
M an u factu res: Feed, seeds.
New Jersey: Eastern Cooperatives, Groceries, dairy products, smoked meat, citrus Educational de
Inc., Grand and W. Ruby Aves., fruit, motor oil, auto tires, household appli partment, dupli
Palisades Park.
ances and supplies. M an u factu res: Roasts cating and offset
printing, kitchen
coffee.
for testing food
products, insur
ance (agency).
North Carolina: Farmers Coopera Electri al appliances, petroleum products, auto Auditing, insur
tive Exchange, 121 E. Davie St., tires and accessories, lumber and building ma ance (agency),
terial, farm supplies and machinery, poultry cred it and f i
Raleigh.
supplies.
nance, trucking,
m achinery re
pair.
Ohio:
Cooperative Wholesale Asso Electrical appliances, household supplies, hard
ciation, 245 North High St., ware.
Columbus 16.
Farm Bureau Cooperative As Fuel, petroleum products, auto tires and acces Educational de
sociation, 245 North High sories, lumber and building material, paint, partment, mark
farm supplies and machinery, raw materials. eting.
St., Columbus 16.
M an u factu res: Fertilizer, feed, petroleum pro
ducts (including production of crude oil),
chicks.
Ohio Farmers Grain & Supply Fuel, petroleum products, paint, farm supplies.
Association, South County M an u factu res: Feed, fertilizer.
line St., Fostoria.
Oregon: Oregon Grange Wholesale, Petroleum products, auto tires and accessories, Credit and finance.
farm supplies and machinery.
1101 SE. Salmon St., Portland.
Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Farm Fuel oil, other petroleum products, auto tires Trucking.
Bureau Cooperative Association, and accessories, electrical and household ap
pliances, hardware, lumber and building ma
3609 Derry St., Harrisburg.
terial, farm supplies and machinery. M a n u
factures: Feed, insecticides, chicks.
Texas: Consumers Cooperatives Groceries, fuel oil, other petroleum products, Marketing.
Associated, 1517 E. 3d St., Ama auto tires and accessories, electrical and house
hold appliances, lumber and building material,
rillo.
farm supplies. M an u factu res: Petroleum pro
ducts (including production of crude oil), feed,
fertilizer, insecticides.
Utah: Utah Cooperative Associa Electrical appliances, petroleum products, auto
tion, 526 W. Eighth South St., tires and accessories, lumber and building
material, farm machinery. M an u factu res: Pe
Salt Lake City.
troleum products (including production of
crude oil).
Washington:
Grange Cooperative Whole Groceries, meat, limited lines of clothing and Auditing, trucking.
sale, 1104 Mercer St., Seattle 9. shoes, fuel, household supplies, petroleum
products, auto tires and accessories, farm sup
plies and machinery, electrical appliances,
hardware, building material.
Pacific Supply Cooperative, Petroleum products, auto tires, and accessories, Auto repair, truck
electrical and household appliances, hardware,- ing.
Box 1004, Walla Walla.
farm supplies and machinery. M an u factu res:
Feed, fertilizer, insecticides.
Wisconsin:
Wisconsin Cooperative Farm Fuel oil, electrical appliances, other petroleum
Supply Co., 18 South Thorn products, auto tires and accessories, lumber
and building material, farm supplies.
ton Ave., Madison 1.
Central Cooperative Whole Groceries (including fresh fruits),meat,clothing, Educational de
sale, 1901 Winter St., Su shoes, fuel, household supplies, petroleum partment, appli
perior.
products, auto tires and accessories, electrical ance repair, mer
appliances, hardware, lumber and building chandising (in
material, farm supplies and machinery. M a n u cluding advertis
factures: Feed, bakery goods, roasts coffee,
ing and store lay
out).
ripens bananas.
See footnote at end of table.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES
Lines of goods handled by cooperative wholesale associations, and other services
provided —Continuedi

Name and address of wholesale

Goods handled *

Other services

D istrict

Michigan:
Bruce Cooperative Services,
Bruce Crossing.
Northern Cooperatives, Inc.,
Hancock.
Northland Cooperative Federation, Rock.
Minnesota:
Federated Co-ops of East Cen
tral Minnesota, Cambridge.
Trico Cooperative Oil Asso
ciation, 1214 Cloquet Avenue,
Cloquet.
C-A-P Cooperative Oil Asso
ciation, Kettle River.
Range Cooperative Federation,
307 N. 1st St., Virginia.
Wisconsin:
Fox River Valley Cooperative
Wholesale, 407 N. Superior
St., Appleton.
A dr B Cooperative Associa
tion, 41411th Ave., Ashland.
Cooperative Services, Maple. _

Fuel oil, other petroleum products, auto tires
and accessories.
Fuel oil, other petroleum products, farm ma- Cold storage, fish
marketing.
chinery.
Fuel oil, other petroleum products, auto tires Educational de
partment.
and accessories.
Propane gas„........................................................ Insurance (agency)
insulation and
weatherstripping,
»
trucking.
Fuel oil, other petroleum products, auto tires
and accessories, tractors, farm machinery.
Petroleum products.............. ..............-................... Trucking.
Dairy and meat products, automobiles, fuel oil, Educational de
other petroleum products, auto tires and ac partment, auto
cessories, farm machinery. M an u factu res: repair, cold stor
age, recreation
Butter, cheese, meat products.
(park),mortuary,
marketing.
Petroleum products, auto tires and accessories,
hardware, farm supplies.
Fuel oil, other petroleum products, auto tires
and accessories.
Fuel oil, other petroleum products, lumber and Implement repair.
building material, farm supplies and ma
chinery.

i “ Farm supplies," as here used, includes feed, seed, fertilizer, boxes and other containers, insecticides,
binder twine, etc.

Appendix K.—Consumers’ Cooperation: A Selected List of
References1
V. S.
Fundamentals of consumer cooperation. Superior, Wis., Cooperative Publishing
Association, 1941. 120 pp., chart. (7th ed., revised.)

A lanne,

Booklet intended for study groups, educational committees of cooperative associations, and
similar organizations.

----- Manual for cooperative directors. Superior, Wis., Cooperative Publishing Asso
ciation, 1938. 208 pp.

Exposition of matters on which cooperative directors should be informed: General administra
tion ; qualifications of board members; what directors should know about cooperative principles,
bookkeeping, financial statements, parliamentary procedure, etc.; how to analyze an income
and expense statement and a statement of assets and liabilities; discussion of the various controls
(margins, expenses, inventories, etc.).
B arou , N.

Cooperative insurance. London, P. S. King & Son, Ltd., 1936. 391 pp.

An analysis of the nature, elements, and shortcomings of popular insurance, and a discussion of
insurance on the cooperative basis. Contains chapters on cooperative insurance by agricultural
and consumers’ cooperative associations, labor organizations, and employees’ organizations.
C arr -S a u n d e r s , A. M.; F lorence , P. S argant ; and P e e r s , R obert .

Consumers’ cooperation in Great Britain. An examination of the British coopera
tive movement. London, George Allen & Unwin, Ltd., 1938. 556 pp., maps.

This detailed study covers many points of interest hitherto almost entirely neglected—ad
ministration of both retail and wholesale associations, general questions of democratic control,
the place of federal associations in the cooperative structure, working conditions in cooperatives,
points of efficiency and of inefficiency of the cooperative movement, and its future possibilities.
C h ilds , M arquis W.

Sweden, the middle way. New Haven, Yale University Press, 1936. 171 pp.

A description of the Swedish cooperative movement and its accomplishments, in relation to the
whole Swedish economy.
C onsum er D istr ibu tio n C orporation .

Manager’s manual for cooperative food stores. New York, 11 West 42d St., 1940.
Various paging.
C ooperative L eag ue of the U nited S tates . Literature and Film Department (525
West 76th Street, Chicago, 111.).
A short history of the Cooperative League of the U. S. A., by Dr. James P. Warbass. 1946. 40 pp., chart, illus.

Brief account of the formation of the League and of its activities, written by one of its founders
and its president for the first 25 years of its existence.

-------- The Cooperative League of the United States—Its program and purpose.
15 pp. (n.d.)
-------- Bethlehem and Rochdale: The churches and consumers’ cooperation, 18841944, by Benson Y. Landis. 1944. 62 pp.
-------- Cooperative education, by Dr. James P. Warbasse. 1947. 32 pp.
-------- Cooperative medicine: The cooperative organization of health protection, by
Dr. James P. Warbasse. 1946. 62 pp.

1 Most of the publications here listed may be obtained from either the Literature and Film Department
of the Cooperative League (525 West 76th St., Chicago, 111.) or the Cooperative Publishing Association
(Box 2000, Superior, Wis.).

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS COOPERATIVES

C oo perative L e a g u e of th e U nited S tates — Continued
---------The value of consumer cooperation to organized labor, by James Myers. 1943.
48 pp*, charts, illus. (2d ed.)
-------- Objectives of consumers7cooperation, by Murray D. Lincoln. 1946. 14 pp.
---------Primer of bookkeeping for cooperatives, by Werner E. Regli. 1937. 40 pp.
---------Problems of cooperation: A study of the deficiencies of the cooperative method
of economic organization, and the difficulties in the way of its expansion, by Dr.
James P. Warbasse. 1940. 100 pp.
C ow ling , E llis .

Cooperatives in America, their past, present, and future. New York, CowardMcCann, Inc., 1938. 206 pp.

Recounts briefly the development of Rochdale cooperatives in England and in other European
countries, and shows how the American movement was built on the efforts of early farmers’
organizations and on those of immigrants from countries where cooperatives had thrived. The
account of present-day cooperatives in this country includes a chapter on the struggle in the
farmers’ organizations between the consumer and producer points of view, and one analyzing the
factors of strength and weakness. The latter contains an enlightening account of the overlapping
in the cooperative wholesale movement.
D a n e n b e r g , E l sie .

Get your own home the cooperative way. New York, Greenberg, 1949. 182 pp.,
illus.

Account of housing cooperatives and their experiences and accomplishments in some 75 places.
Also contains information on how to organize a housing association and on the various means of
financing such an association (including FHA and veterans’ housing measures).
D a n ie l s , J o h n .

Cooperation—An American way. New York, Covici-Friede, 1938. 399 pp.

Traces the development of the cooperative movement, beginning with the mutual insurance
associations formed as early as 1820, continuing with the various Grange cooperative ventures of
the 70’s and 80’s, the developments of the later nineteenth century, and those of the present time.
The presentation of the various types of associations, local and federated, commercial and educa
tional, as part of a unified movement, shows how each fits into the picture.

-------- American cooperatives. Yesterday—today—tomorrow. New York, New
Leader Publishing Association, 1945. 39 pp., illus.
Friendly critique of consumers’ cooperatives in the United States.
F ow ler , B ertram B.

The cooperative challenge. Boston, Little, Brown & Co., 1947. 265 pp. $2.75.

Describes various aspects of the cooperative movement—cooperative discussion groups, develop
ment of petroleum cooperatives from a single local association in 1921 to an international trading
association in 1946, electricity cooperatives, farmers and organized labor in the cooperative move
ment, cooperative medical care, cooperative burial associations, etc. The last chapter is a friendly
but critical analysis of the whole consumers’ cooperative movement in the United States, showing
its faults and weaknesses.
F r eu n d lic h , E mmy .

Housewives build a new world. London, International Cooperative Women’s
Guild, 1936. 142 pp.

An account of the formation, development, and activities of the International Cooperative
Women’s Guild and its affiliates in various countries.
K a llen , H orace M.

The decline and rise of the consumer: A philosophy of consumer cooperation.
New York, D. Appleton-Century Co., Inc., 1936. 484 pp.

Traces the position of consumers under capitalism under “producer” doctrines, such as those
of Robert Owen, and as a pressure group in the producer world. Shows the gradual emergence
of the idea of the “primacy of the consumer” through the development of consumers’ coopera
tion. Of particular interest to American readers are the chapters on the history of the coopera
tive movement here—among the fanners and among the industrial workers—and future possi
bilities

APPENDIX K— BIBLIOGRAPHY

K erch er , L.

C.; K e b k e r , V. W.; and L ela n d , W. C., Jr. (R. S. V a ile , editor.)
Consumers’ cooperatives in the North Central States. Minneapolis, University
of Minnesota Press, 1941. 431 pp., map, illus.

Detailed accounts of 18 local and federated associations in the North Central States, suitable
for classroom use.
L e w is , R u ssell K .

How to organize a health cooperative. St. Paul, Minn., Health Center Services
Committee (180 Snelling Avenue N.), 1948. 126 pp., bibliography, charts.

Includes chapters on the preliminary health survey, incorporation of the association, mem
bership drive, publicity program, prepayment contract, financing, planning and building a hos
pital, and the Cooperative Health Federation of America. Appendixes give summary descrip
tions of typical prepayment plans in large and small communities
P ackel , I srael .

The law of the organization and operation of cooperatives. Albany, N. Y., Mat
thew Bender & Co., 1947. 389 pp. (2d ed.) $7.50.

Revision of an earlier (1940) edition, incorporating many additional court decisions affecting
cooperatives, and a considerable expansion of the discussion of taxation of cooperatives.
P itts , N athan A l v in .

The cooperative movement in Negro communities of North Carolina. Washing
ton, Catholic University of America Press, 1950. 201 pp.

R andall , H arlan , and D aggett , C lay .

Consumers’ cooperative adventures. Whitewater, Wis., Whitewater Press, 1936.
646 pp., charts, illus.

Intended for classroom use. Gives case histories of selected cooperative associations.
S h adid , D r . M ichael .

Principles of cooperative medicine, (n. p., n. d.) 129 pp.

Discussion of the principles on which cooperative prepayment medical-care plans operate, the
essential requirements of a hospital association, and how to organize such associations. Appendixes
contain membership application form, articles of incorporation and bylaws for a medical-care plan.
The author was the founder, and for many years the medical director, of a pioneer hospital associa
tion on the cooperative plan.
[Stu d en t C o o peratives .]

Answering your questions about campus co-ops. Kansas City, Consumers Co
operative Association, 1949. 5-p. folder.

U n ited S tates . Department of Labor. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Consumers’ cooperatives in 1949: Operations and developments, by Florence E.
Parker. Washington, 1951. 33 pp. (Its Bulletin No. 1013.)

Annual report, covering the year 1949. Data cover retail distributive, local service, and in
surance associations, credit unions, federations (wholesales, service federations, and productive
federations), as well as discussions of developments in the various branches of the cooperative
movement, and the legal developments (laws and court decisions) in 1949.

----------------------------- International aspects of the cooperative movement. 11 pp.
(Its Serial No. R. 1660, Rev.)
---------------------------- Nonprofit housing projects in the United States. Washington,
1947. 91 pp. (Its Bulletin No. 896.)

Describes 20 nonprofit housing projects, using self-help and other procedures adaptable for use by
other groups.
---------------------------- Operations of cooperative burial associations, 1939. (Its Serial

No. R. 1216.)

Describes how cooperative burial associations operate and finance their business. The statistics
given in this pamphlet relate to 1939; for data for 1949, see Bulletin No. 1013, above.

----------------------------Organization and management of cooperative and mutual hous
ing associations (with model bylaws). Washington, 1946. 65 pp. (Its Bull. No.
858.)

Covers preliminary planning, site selection, site and house planning, financing, membership rela
tions, etc.

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

U n ited S ta tes . Farm Credit A dm inistration . Cooperative Research and Service D ivi
sion.

Cooperative frozen-food locker plants—organization and operation. By S. T.
Warrington and Paul C. Wilkins. Washington, 1946. 82 pp., bibliography,
maps, plans, illus. (Its Circular C-127.)
Intended for the use of groups wishing to organize and operate a cold-storage locker and pro
cessing plant. Describes organizing procedure, financing, plant design, selection of personnel,
bookkeeping, and elements of expense.

— ------------------------ Cooperation for rural health, by Helen Johnston. Washington,
1948. 55 pp., illus. (Its Miscellaneous report 123.)
Describes a number of health cooperatives and their problems
----------------------------Managing farmers' cooperatives, by Kelsey Gardner. Washing
ton, 1939. 12 pp. (Its Circular E-21.)
Written for farmers’ organizations, but equally applicable to urban consumers’ cooperatives.
-----------------------------Sizing up your cooperative, by J. E. Wells, Jr. Washington,
1939. 13 pp. (Its Circular E-18.)

Gives 9 factors to be taken into consideration in "sizing up" a farmers’ cooperative. These are
equally applicable to consumers’ cooperatives.
-------- Housing and Home Finance Agency. Federal Housing Adm inistration .
New aids for cooperative housing, by Warren J. Lockwood. (In Insured Mortgage

Portfolio, Second Quarter, 1950, pp. 6-8.)

Discussion of the aids provided for cooperative housing under the National Housing Act of 1950
and regulations adopted under it.

----------------------------- A kit of tools for cooperative housing. Washington, 1950.
Various leaflets.

A collection of valuable information for groups wishing to undertake cooperative housing with
FHA insurance. Contents include the following: Cooperative housing projects (general information);
A guide to cooperative housing; Cooperative housing insurance—Administrative rules and regulations
under section 213 of Title II of the National Housing Act; and various forms used in the application
and processing of applications for insurance. Kits may be obtained fromlocal FHA offices.
U nited S tates . Rural Electrification Adm inistration .

A guide for members of rural electric cooperatives. Washington, 1950. 24 pp.
------------- -----Electricity for the farm through REA. Washington, 1941. 23 pp.,
map, illus.

Tells how the REA program works, how farmers can organize to obtain electric power cooperatively,
and what has already been accomplished under the program.

------------------ Telling the co-op story: An educational handbook for rural electric co
ops. Washington, 1949. 71 pp., bibliographies, illus. (U. S. Department of Agri
culture Miscellaneous Publication No. 685.)
Discusses the various ways m which members and the public can be told about REA cooperatives
and their advantages.

------------------ A telephone for your farm: Answers to questions about the rural tele
phone loan program. Washington, 1950. 16 pp.

Tells how to go about organizing an association for the operation of a cooperative telephone system,
under the Federal law authorizing loans to such associations.
-------- Social Security Agency. Bureau of Federal Credit Unions.
Credit Committee handbook. Washington, 1941. 40 pp. (Its Circular No. 27.)

----------------------------Handbook for Federal credit unions. Washington, 1947. 54 pp.
------------------------------Suggestions for annual meetings of Federal credit unions.
Washington, 1939. 33 pp.
W a r ba sse , D r. J am es P.
Cooperative democracy through voluntary association of the people as consumers.
New York, Harper & Bros., 1947. 324 pp. (5th ed.)

"A discussion of the cooperative movement, its philosophy, methods, accomplishments, and
possibilities, and its relation to the State, to science, art, and commerce, and to other systems of
economic organization,” by the former president of the Cooperative League of the United States.
For other publications by the same author, see under Cooperative League of the United States.

Index
A
Page

Accounting_______________________ ____ _________ _____________ _____
33
Advantages possible through cooperative method__________ ____ _____ 6,32,33
Assessments or fees to meet organizing expenses___________________ 6, 43, 44, 55
Auditing committee (See Committees.)
Auditing, requirements, under District of Columbia law_____ _____ ________ 80
Auditing services for cooperatives_______________________________________ 34
B
Bonding of cooperative employees handling money
Bureau of Federal Credit Unions_____________
Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce_______
Burial associations___________ ____ ___________
Business activities, possible______________________
Business, desirable volume of___________________
Business management committee (See Committees.)
Business practices............................................................
Bylaws______ ______________ ______ _________
Bylaws, amendment of_________________________

______ 9, 32, 45, 62, 72, 80
____ 3, 48 (footnote 10), 87
_________________
27
____________ 3, 49, 67-69
3, 48, 49, 52, 67, 70, 74
__________________________21, 22

___________ 9, 29, 30-33
.................. 7, 8, 11, 52-72
........ 8, 63, 65, 69, 72, 76

Capital, certificates of indebtedness as method of financing_________ 22, 23, 37, 58
Capital, loan_____ _______________________ 14, 15, 37, 55 (footnote 15), 57, 65
Capital, preferred stock as method of financing______________ 22 (footnote 27)
Capital, preliminary, sources of___________________________ 6, 43, 44, 55, 82
Capital, requirements per member------------------------------- 22, 23, 44, 53, 55, 67, 75
Capital, return on (interest)_________________ 9, 15, 22 (footnote 27), 53, 57, 65, 78
Capital, revolving fund________________________________________________37, 58
11
Capital, share, considerations regarding_________________________________
(footnote 12), 13, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 37, 48, 50, 53, 57
Capital, share, redemption or withdrawal of____ 13, 14, 15, 37, 54, 55, 56, 57, 67, 78
Capital, share, transfer of_____________________________________ 14, 55, 56, 78
Committees------------------------ 7, 8, 15, 16, 19, 38, 39, 40, 59 (footnotes 37, 40), 63, 65
Auditing committee________________________________ 7, 34, 40, 45, 63, 65
Business management committee___________________________________40, 65
Education committee_________________________________ 7, 38, 39, 63, 65
Grades and quality committee_____________________________________ 40, 45
Incorporation committee__________________________________________ 7, 8
Inventory committee______________________________________ 7, 34, 40, 45
Library and literature committee________ __________________________ 39, 40
Membership committee_____________________________________7, 8, 39, 45
Nominating committee_______________________________________7, 15, 38
Recreation committee____________________________________________
39
95

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

C—con.
Plage

Committees—Continued
Women’s committee______________________________________________
39
Young people’s committee_________________________________________ 39
Commodities handled, factors to consider________________ 4, 20, 21, 23, 25, 45, 46
Competition_____ __________ ____________________________________ 2, 32, 50
Contract arrangements for discounts on purchases________________________ 3, 48
Cooperative Health Federation of America_______________ 49 (footnote 11), 86
Cooperative League of the USA______________ 1, 6, 19, 39, 41, 45 (footnote 4), 86
Corporation law, incorporation under__________________ ____ ___________ 10, 55
Courses for education and training of cooperative employees___________ 6, 34, 41
Credit, considerations governing extension of__________________ 9, 29, 30, 46, 62
Credit, cost of granting____________________________________________ 26, 29, 30
Credit, undesirability of cooperative’s receiving, from wholesalers__________
30
Credit Union National Association__________________ 3, 48 (footnote 10) 86

D
Debts, liability of members, for associations_________________________ 43, 64, 79
Debts owed to association by members______________________________ 37, 57, 79
Delegate representation at meetings__________ _____________________ 61, 72, 77
Delivery, considerations governing______________________________________31, 47
Delivery, cost of---- ---------26
30
Delivery, credit in connection with_____________________________________
Depreciation_________________________________________________________ 35
Directors_______________ ____ -.......... 15, 16, 17, 44, 45, 61, 62, 68, 71, 77, 78, 85
Discount arrangements by cooperative--------------------------------------------------3, 48
Discounts for cash, advantage to cooperative from------------------------------------21, 30
Discrimination against cooperatives_________________________
32
Discussion or study groups, uses of, in cooperative organization-------- 1, 39, 42, 48
Dissolution 6 t cooperative_________ _____________________________ 63, 65, 81
District of Columbia Cooperative Law___ ________________8 (footnote 3), 74-83
Donations by cooperative. _________________________________ 58 (footnote 31)
Dues, monthly membership, in medical-care cooperative----------------------------- 70
E
Educational fund, accruals from sales to nonmembers--------------------------- 37, 63, 80
Education committee (See Committees.)
Education, funds for____________________________________ 37, 58, 63, 65, 69, 79
Education in cooperation---------------------------------------------------------- 6, 36, 40, 41
Employees, bonding of__________________________________ 9, 32, 45, 62, 72, 80
Employees, education and training of---------------------------------------------- 6, 34, 41
Employees, prohibited from holding office in employing cooperative------------62
Employees, unionization of___________________________________________ 29
Employees, value of, in cooperative program and business------------------ _ 28, 29, 31
Employment policies, cooperative---------------------------------------------------17, 26, 29
Equipment and fixtures, investment needed for------------------------------ 21, 22, 24, 25
Equipment and fixtures, used, factors to consider------------------------------------27

INDEX

97
Page

False statements regarding cooperative*., penalty for, under District of Columbia
Law----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------81
Farm Credit Administration_____________________________26 (footnote 29), 87
Farm groups as possible source of members______________________________
4
Fees, application, to meet organizing expenses_____________________ 6, 43, 44, 65
Fees, membership or admission______________________________ 43, 53, 64, 67, 70
Fees, filing--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8, 75, 76, 28
Financing a cooperative_____ 6, 11 (footnote 12), 13, 14, 15, 20-24,37,44,48, 50, 53
Fixtures and equipment, investment needed for___________________ 21, 22, 24, 25
Fixtures and equipment, used, factors to consider_________________________ 27
G
Gasoline service stations (See Petroleum associations.)
Goods handled, factors to consider_____________________ 4, 20, 21, 23, 25, 45, 46
Grades and quality committee (See Committees.)
I
Income tax, Federal, factors to consider-----36 (footnotes 37, 38), 53 (footnote 5)
Incorporation, articles of--------------------------------------------------- 8, 10, 11, 67, 68, 75
Incorporation, articles of, amendments to....................- _____ ______________
76
Incorporation committee (See Committees.)
Indebtedness of association, limitation on________________ ______________
68
Information, cooperative, sources of------------------------------------------------ 8, 86, 87
Informing the membership-----------------------------------------------------------------40
Inheritors, rights of___________________________________________________ 54
Interest on capital stock----------------------------— 22 (footnote 27), 53, 57, 65, 78, 79
Inventory committee (See Committees.)
Inventory of goods----------------------------------------------------------------- 21, 22, 25, 34

L
Labor unions as possible source of members--------------------------------------------- 3, 4
Labor unions, relations with------------------------29
Laws, cooperative, where to obtain copies----------------------------------------------8
Lay-out, equipment, and maintenance of store---------------------------------------- 27, 32
Library and literature committee (See Committees.)
Losses, operating------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36
M
Mail, voting by.....................................................................................................9, 61, 67
Management, considerations regarding-------------------51
Manager, duties of..................................- ----------------- ------------------------- 16, 28, 65
Manager, necessary qualifications for_---------------------------------------------- 8, 27, 28
Manager, reports to board of directors___________ _______ ___________ 28, 84, 85
Medical-care cooperatives___________________________ 3, 59 (footnote 35), 70-72
Meetings, membership, regular................................................. 18,19, 59,60, 64, 71. 76
Meetings, membership, special-................................................ 18, 60, 61, 64, 71, 76
Meetings, quorum for------------------- ------------------------------- -------- 18, 59, 64, 71

ORGANIZATION OF CONSUMERS’ COOPERATIVES

M—con.
Members, expulsion of_________________
Members, number for successful operation.
Members, rights and duties of__________
Membership application________________
Membership committee (See Committees.)
Membership, desirable characteristics for_.
Membership, evidence of_______________
Membership, powers and authority of____
Membership, principles governing-............
Membership qualifications______________
Membership, sources of________________
Merchandise, buying of________________
Merger with another cooperative________

Page

54, 55, 56, 60, 64, 70, 79
- _____ 12, 13, 21-23
_______________________ 54
_________________53, 54
--------------------- 1, 2, 43
_____ 55, 67, 69, 70, 78
____ 18, 19, 59, 60, 70
_________________ 9, 12
____ 9, 12, 53, 64, 70, 78
__________ 3, 4, 43, 50
_______________________ 32
_______________________ 63

N
Name of cooperative.,---------------------------------------------------- 11, 52, 64, 67, 81, 82
National Association of Housing Cooperatives____________________________ 86
Nepotism, prevention of---------------------------------------------------------------------- 28
Net W orth ________
35
Neutrality, political and religious__________ ________________________ 9, 19, 53
Nominating committee (See Committees.)
Nonmembers, patronage refunds to____________________ 12, 37, 38, 53, 58, 79, 80
Nonprofit organization, considerations regarding incorporation a s.__________
11
Nonstock organization, considerations regarding incorporation as. _10, 53 (footnote
5), 75
O

Officers______________________________ 17, 18, 44, 45, 61, 62, 63, 65, 68, 72, 77, 78
Oil associations (See Petroleum associations.)
Operating expenses___________________________________________ 25, 26, 35, 51
Organizations as cooperative members____________________ 52, 53, 54, 70, 77, 78
Organization, cost of, sources of funds for____________________________ ___
6
Organizers, desirable qualifications for_________________________________ 2, 6, 8
Organizers, remuneration of__________________________________________7
P
Parking space..............................................
Patronage refunds....................................
Petroleum associations_______________
Powers of cooperative________________
Preliminary steps preceding organization
President, duties of__________________
Price policy_________________________
Principles, cooperative_______________
Proxy voting_______________________
Publicity, mediums of-----------------------

____________________________ 27, 31
9,12, 35, 36, 37, 47, 48, 58,65,68, 69,79
_________________________ 3, 23-25
11 (footnote 11), 52, 53, 67, 70, 74, 75
____________________________ 2,44
___ - _______________ 17, 62, 65, 68
____________ 30, 31, 35, 47, 59, 68, 69
_________________________ 9, 44, 74
___________________ 10,61,64,71,77
_____________________ 28, 39, 41, 42

INDEX

Page
Quality of goods____________________________________________ 8, 32, 33, 40, 85
Quorum for membership meetings______________________________ 18, 59, 64, 71
R
Records of patronage_____________________________________________ 35, 47, 58
Recreation committee________________________________________________
39
Recreation in connection with cooperative_________________ 19, 33, 38, 39, 42, 49
Referendum vote_____________________________________________________ 78
Reports, annual, required under District of Columbia Cooperative Law______80, 81
Representation, proportional___________________________________________ 1(1
Reserves, provision for________________________ 9, 35, 36, 47, 57, 58, 63, 65, 68, 79
Rural Electrification Administration__________________________
87
S
Savings, distribution of_________________________ 35-38, 57, 58, 65, 68, 74, 79, 80
Savings, possible, by cooperative effort--------------------------------- 4, 6, 20, 35, 45, 46
Savings, possible uses for--------------------------------------------------------------------- 36-38
Secretary, duties of___________________________________________ 18, 62, 63, 65
Securities and Exchange Commission, should be consulted_____ 13 (footnote 15)
Social aspects of cooperation__________________________________ 19,33, 38, 39,42
Stock turn-over___________________________________________________ 20, 21, 22
Store associations______________________________________________3, 4, 20-23
Store space or size______________________________________________ 22, 27, 85
Supply, sources of, for cooperatives___________________________ 4, 32, 46, 48, 51
T
Taxation of cooperatives, under District of Columbia Cooperative Law______ 82
Terms of office, directors______________________________ 15, 44, 45, 61, 68, 71, 77
Treasurer, duties of------------------------------------------------------------------- 18, 63, 65
Turn-over of inventory---------------------------- -----------------------------------20, 21, 22
V
Vice president, duties of----------------------------------------------------------------------18, 62
Volume of business, desirable, considerations regarding____________________ 21, 22
Voting_________________________________ 9, 10,19,20, 54,55,60,61,64,71,77,78
W
Wages, bonuses on-----------------------------------------------------------29 (footnote 32)
Wages in cooperative employment-------------------------------------------------------- 26, 29
Women's committee____________________________________ _____ _______
39
Y
Young people in cooperatives

39
i t U. S . GOV ERN M ENT PR IN TIN G O FF IC E : 1951— 949596

Full text of Organization and Management of Consumers' Cooperatives : Bulletin of the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, No. 1024

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