2007 Minnesota Code
Chapters 300 - 319B Corporations
Chapter 308A Cooperatives
Section 308A.131 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.

308A.131 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.
Subdivision 1. Contents. (a) The incorporators shall prepare the articles, which must include:
(1) the name of the cooperative;
(2) the purpose of the cooperative;
(3) the principal place of business for the cooperative;
(4) the period of duration for the cooperative, if the duration is not to be perpetual;
(5) the total authorized number of shares and the par value of each share if the cooperative is
organized on a capital stock basis;
(6) a description of the classes of shares, if the shares are to be classified;
(7) a statement of the number of shares in each class and relative rights, preferences, and
restrictions granted to or imposed upon the shares of each class, and a provision that only common
stockholders have voting power;
(8) a statement that individuals owning common stock shall be restricted to one vote in
the affairs of the cooperative or a statement that the cooperative is one described in section
308A.641, subdivision 2;
(9) a statement that shares of stock are transferable only with the approval of the board;
(10) a statement that dividends on the capital stock and nonstock units of equity of the
cooperative may not exceed eight percent annually;
(11) the names, post office addresses, and terms of office of the directors of the first board;
(12) a statement that net income in excess of dividends and additions to reserves shall be
distributed on the basis of patronage, and that the records of the cooperative may show the interest
of patrons, stockholders of any classes, and members in the reserves; and
(13) the registered office address of the cooperative and the name of the registered agent, if
any, at that address.
(b) The articles must always contain the provisions in paragraph (a), except that the names,
post office addresses, and terms of offices of the directors of the first board may be omitted after
their successors have been elected by the members or the articles are amended in their entirety.
(c) The articles may contain other lawful provisions.
(d) The articles must be signed by the incorporators.
Subd. 2. Filing articles. (a) The original articles must be filed with the secretary of state.
(b) The fee for filing the articles with the secretary of state is $60.
Subd. 3. Presumption in filing articles. When the articles of incorporation have been
filed with the secretary of state and the required fee has been paid to the secretary of state, it is
presumed that:
(1) all conditions precedent that are required to be performed by the incorporators have
been complied with;
(2) the cooperative has been incorporated; and
(3) the secretary of state shall issue a certificate of incorporation to the cooperative.
History: 1989 c 144 art 1 s 10; art 3 s 3,4; 1991 c 205 s 12; 1995 c 150 s 1; 1998 c 401 s 46