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Membership Application

Fill out the membership application to join our cooperative and contribute to our community of farmers and businesses. Review bylaws below.

contact information

strongertogetherfarmcoop@gmail.com

Welcome to STRONGER TOGETHER FARM CO-OP!

BYLAWS OF STRONGER TOGETHER FARM CO-OP

ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. Name

The name of this cooperative shall be STRONGER TOGETHER FARM CO-OP.

Section 2. Purpose *(QUESTION SHOULD OUR PURPOSE BE MORE SPECIFIC THEN THE VISION STATEMENT)

The purpose of this cooperative is to create sustainable, innovative and community-driven agricultural cooperative that empowers farmers, enhances local food security, and fosters environmental stewardship while ensuring economic prosperity for all members.

ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Eligibility

Membership in this cooperative is open to any person, partnership, corporation, or legal entity engaged in agricultural activities and who agrees to comply with these bylaws and any other rules and regulations adopted by the cooperative.

Section 2. Application for Membership

An eligible person or entity may apply for membership by submitting an application at anytime of the year to the Board of Directors who will present the application to the members at a scheduled meeting to vote on application approval. Applications can be obtained from anyone entity of the Co-op. Application should be submitted electronically, by mail, or hand delivered.

Section 3. Rights and Responsibilities of Members

Active members have the right to participate in the governance of the cooperative, receive dividends, and use the cooperative's services. Active members are responsible for complying with the bylaws and supporting the cooperative's objectives.

Section 4. Termination of Membership

Membership may be terminated by voluntary withdrawal, death, or dissolution of a member, or by a decision of the Board of Directors for just cause, including failure to comply with the bylaws or engage in cooperative activities, or persistent inactivity without extenuating circumstances.

Section 5. Membership attendance

Members are required to attend 50% of the meetings quarterly in order to be considered an active member. Inactive members may be re-instated to active status upon achieving above mentioned required meetings the following quarter after returning to regular attendance. (Absences that are counted as justifiable excuses include but not limited to death, illness, hospitalization, etc.) A member is considered inactive after 3 consecutively missed meetings, excluding the justifiable excuses mentioned above.

ARTICLE III: MEETINGS OF MEMBERS

Section 1. Meeting

The Meetings of members shall be held on the dates voted on by the members and held online at specified virtual designation or in person location. The purpose of the meetings is to review the cooperative's activities and conduct other business.

Section 2. Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors or by a petition signed by at least 50% of the active members. Notice of special meetings shall be sent to each member and state the purpose of the meeting.

Section 3. Quorum

A quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the members shall consist of 50% of the active members.

Section 4. Voting

Each member shall have one vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of the members. Proxy voting is allowed. (Your vote can only be sent by a member of the Co-op).

Section 5. Annual Meeting

The purpose of the annual monthly meeting is to elect directors, review the cooperative's activities, and conduct other business. Location and date shall be determined at a regular meeting by members. The meeting will be schedule at a time and place selected by the board. Note Annual meeting will take the place of two monthly meetings

ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. Composition and Election

The Board of Directors shall consist of 6 members to include: CEO/President, Vice President, CFO/Treasurer and Secretary, and any active member elected by the members at the annual meeting ). Directors and officers shall serve for a term of 1 year term. Can be re-elected for two consecutive terms then sit out 1 year then can be re-elected.

Section 2. Powers and Duties

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the overall governance and management of the cooperative, including setting policies, overseeing operations, and ensuring the cooperative's financial health.

Section 3. Meetings

The Board of Directors shall meet at least biannually at a time and place determined by the Board. Special meetings may be called by the President or by 50% of the directors.

Section 4. Quorum

A majority of the directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Section 5. Compensation

Directors may not receive compensation for their services as determined by the membership at this time.

Section 6. Removal

A director may be removed from office by a vote of 51% of the active members at a special meeting called for that purpose.

Section 7. Vacancies

Vacancy will be filled by vote, nomination, or volunteer, which then final decision will be voted on by active members at a special meeting. Should the vacancy occur during the year active members can volunteer or nominate candidates.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers

The officers of the cooperative shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Compliance Officer position. Officers shall be elected from among its members.

Section 2. Duties of Officers

- President: Presides over meetings, represents the Co-op, and ensures the execution of Board decisions.

- Vice President: Assists the President and assumes their duties in their absence.

- Secretary: Maintains minutes of meetings, oversees records, and manages correspondence.

- Treasurer: Manages the Co-op’s finances, including the preparation of financial reports.

-Chief Marketing Officer: oversees the planning, development and execution of the Co-op’s marketing and advertising initiatives.

-Chief Compliance officer: ensures the Co-op is in compliance with its outside regulatory and legal requirements as well as internal policies and bylaws.

Section 3. Term of Office

Officers shall serve for a term of 2 year and may be re-elected after sitting out one year. This process can be a repeated cycle.

Section 4. Removal

Officers may be removed by 50% vote of the active members for just cause at a special meeting called for that purpose.

Section 5. Vacancy

Vacancy will be filled by vote, nomination, or volunteer, which then final decision will be voted on by active members at a special meeting. Should the vacancy occur during the year active members can volunteer or nominate candidates.

ARTICLE VI: COMMITTEES

Section 1. Standing Committees

The Board of Directors may establish standing committees as needed, such as Finance, Membership, and Marketing Committees.

Section 2. Special Committees

The Board of Directors may appoint special committees for specific purposes.

Section 3. Committee Operations

Committees shall operate under the direction of the Board of Directors and report to the Board regularly.

ARTICLE VII: FINANCES

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the cooperative shall begin on July1 and end on June 30.

Section 2. Financial Management

The Board of Directors shall oversee the financial affairs of the cooperative, including the preparation of annual budgets and financial statements.

Section 3. Audit

The financial records of the cooperative shall be audited annually by a certified public accountant.

ARTICLE VIII: DISTRIBUTION OF SURPLUS

Section 1. Surplus Allocation

Any surplus generated by the cooperative shall be allocated to the members in proportion to their patronage, after deducting reserves for operating costs, capital expenditures, and other needs.

Section 2. Dividends

Dividends on member shares may be paid out of surplus as determined by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX: AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendment Process

These bylaws may be amended by a vote of 50% of the active members at an annual or special meeting, provided that notice of the proposed amendment has been given to all members at least 15 business days prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE X: DISSOLUTION

Section 1. Voluntary Dissolution

The cooperative may be dissolved by a vote of 50% of the active members. Upon dissolution, any remaining assets after the payment of liabilities shall be distributed to the remaining active members equally.

Section 2. Involuntary Dissolution

In the event of involuntary dissolution, the Board of Directors shall oversee the liquidation of assets and distribution of proceeds in accordance with applicable laws.

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ARTICLE XI: MISCELLANEOUS

Section 1. Indemnification

The cooperative shall indemnify its directors, officers, and members against any liability incurred in the performance of their duties to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Section 2. Conflict of Interest

Any director, officer, and/or member who has a financial interest and/or any form of kickbacks in a matter before the Board must disclose the interest and abstain from voting on the matter.

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Membership BYLAWS