The association may, on the seventh day thereafter, commence to do business. The association shall be a body corporate, and shall do business as a corporation. No member of the association shall be liable for any amounts because of his or her membership in the association other than his or her assessments as provided in the articles of association and the bylaws of the association. The business of the association shall be conducted so as to preclude any distribution of income, profit or property of the association to the individual members thereof except in payment of claims or indemnities or upon the final dissolution of the association, but the association may pay dividends to its members as long as the association has a positive surplus both before and after any such dividend is declared.