cooperative enterprises in the empire state

[nibot]

As I am due to become a resident of the State of New York in a nigh five days, I thought it would be a good time to start learning the law of the land. I've been at this for all of two minutes, and I've already found something interesting: New York State has official recognization for co-ops.

(c) The terms "cooperative," "cooperative association" and "cooperative corporation" mean a corporation organized under this chapter, or heretofore organized under any special or general law of this state, for the cooperative rendering of mutual help and service to its members. A cooperative shall be either a general cooperative, a membership cooperative, an agricultural cooperative as defined in article six of this chapter or a worker cooperative as defined in section eighty-one of this chapter.

(d) A cooperative corporation shall be classed as a non-profit corporation, since its primary object is not to make profits for itself as such, or to pay dividends on invested capital, but to provide service and means whereby its members may have the economic advantage of cooperative action, including a reasonable and fair return for their product and service.

(e) The term "member" means the holder of a membership in a cooperative, whether evidenced by a certificate of membership or by a certificate of stock or by other authorized means of identification. The term includes a member association or corporation as provided in this chapter.

(j) The term "cooperative," "cooperation" or any abbreviation, variation or similitude thereof, shall not be used as or in a name except by a corporation defined in this chapter. Any cooperative corporation may sue for an injunction against such prohibited use of the term. A violation of this prohibition is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars.

Alright, I just need to find four other interested individuals, and I can solicit a charter from the State... w00t!

When I moved to Sweden, the migrationsverket sent me all kinds of yummy info on how to be Swedish, including such gems as "You do not own your wife or children. You may not beat them." (paraphrased). I wonder if NYS will send me any snazzy info on how to fit in.

Comments

[nibot.livejournal.com]

Forget co-ops. We can found a benevolent order! Unfortunately it's not clear whether we're permitted to start a new one entirely. The following benevolent orders are officially recognized by the State of New York:

1. A lodge of Free and Accepted Masons duly chartered by and installed
according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of
Free and Accepted Masons of the State of New York;
2. A chapter of Royal Arch Masons duly chartered by and installed
according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Chapter of
Royal Arch Masons of the state of New York;
3. A council of Royal and Select Masons duly chartered by and
installed according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand
Council of Royal and Select Masters of the state of New York;
4. A commandery of Knights Templar duly chartered by and instituted
according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Commandery
of the state of New York;
5. A consistory, chapter, council or lodge duly chartered by and
instituted according to the general rules and regulations of the Supreme
Council of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern
jurisdiction of the United States;
6. A lodge of Odd Fellows, duly chartered by and installed according
to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the
Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the state of New York;
7. A Temple of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine duly chartered by and
instituted according to the general rules and regulations of the
Imperial Council of the Ancient Arabic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic
Shrine for North America;
8. A lodge of the Knights of Pythias, duly chartered by and installed
according to the general rules and regulations of the Grand Lodge of the
Knights of Pythias of the state of New York;
9. A post of the Grand Army of the Republic, chartered and installed
according to the regulations of that organization;
10. Any lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks duly
chartered by and installed according to the regulations of that
organization;
11. Any subordinate lodge, tribe or other body of any benevolent or
fraternal order or society incorporated under and pursuant to the laws
of this state;
12. A council of the Knights of Columbus chartered and instituted by
the National Council of the Knights of Columbus, pursuant to the
constitution and laws of said order;
13. Any high court, subordinate court, or companion court of the
Independent Order of Foresters chartered and instituted by the Supreme
Court of the Independent Order of Foresters pursuant to the constitution
and laws of said order;
14. A tribe of the Improved Order of Red Men, duly chartered by and
instituted according to the general rules and regulations of the Great
Council of the Improved Order of Red Men of the state of New York;
15. The Supreme Council of the Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the
Enchanted Realm, or a subordinate grotto duly chartered by and
instituted according to the general rules and regulations of said
supreme council;
16. Any subordinate lodge of the Order of American True Ivorites
chartered and instituted in accordance with the regulations of the Grand
lodge of the Order of American True Ivorites;
17. Any subordinate aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles chartered
and instituted in accordance with the regulations of the grand aerie of
the Fraternal Order of Eagles;
18. Any subordinate council of the Junior Order of United American
Mechanics under the jurisdiction of the national council of such order.
19. Any local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America chartered and
instituted in accordance with the regulations of the head camp of the
Modern Woodmen of America.
20. The Supreme or Cosmopolitan Council of the Brotherhood of the
Commonwealth.
21. A tent of the Knights of the Maccabees of the World, duly
chartered and instituted according to the general rules and regulations
of the supreme tent of the Knights of the Maccabees of the World:
22. Any subordinate lodge of the Loyal Order of Moose, duly chartered
and instituted in accordance with the constitution and laws of the
supreme lodge of the world, Loyal Order of Moose.