Iowa Code 501A.1001 – Authorization, form, and acceptance of contributions
Subject to any restrictions in this chapter regarding patron and nonpatron membership interests or in the articles or bylaws, and only when authorized by the board, a cooperative may accept contributions, which may be patron or nonpatron membership contributions as determined by the board under subsections 2 and 3, make contribution agreements under section 501A.1003, and make contribution rights agreements under section 501A.1004.
Terms Used In Iowa Code 501A.1001
- Articles: means the articles of organization of a cooperative as originally filed or subsequently amended as provided in this chapter. See Iowa Code 501A.102
- Board: means the board of directors of a cooperative. See Iowa Code 501A.102
- Cooperative: means a business association organized under this chapter. See Iowa Code 501A.102
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- following: when used by way of reference to a chapter or other part of a statute mean the next preceding or next following chapter or other part. See Iowa Code 4.1
- Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
- Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
- Patron: means a person or entity who conducts patronage with the cooperative, regardless of whether the person is a member. See Iowa Code 501A.102
- person: means individual, corporation, limited liability company, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, or any other legal entity. See Iowa Code 4.1
- property: includes personal and real property. See Iowa Code 4.1
A person may make a contribution to a cooperative by any of the following:
A purported contribution shall not be treated or considered as a contribution, unless all of the following apply:
The determinations of the board as to the amount or fair value or the fairness to the cooperative of the contribution accepted or to be accepted by the cooperative or the terms of payment or performance, including under a contribution agreement in section 501A.1003, and a contribution rights agreement in section 501A.1004, are presumed to be proper if they are made in good faith and on the basis of accounting methods, or a fair valuation or other method, reasonable in the circumstances. Directors who are present and entitled to vote, and who, intentionally or without reasonable investigation, fail to vote against approving a consideration that is unfair to the cooperative, or overvalue property or services received or to be received by the cooperative as a contribution, are jointly and severally liable to the cooperative for the benefit of the then members who did not consent to and are damaged by the action to the extent of the damages of those members. A director against whom a claim is asserted under this subsection, except in case of knowing participation in a deliberate fraud, is entitled to contribution on an equitable basis from other directors who are liable under this subsection.