D.C. Code § 29-1005.01 Members.
29-1005.01. Members.
To begin business, a limited cooperative association shall have at least 2 patron members unless the sole member is a cooperative.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
Members.
D.C. Code div. V, tit. 29, ch. 10, subch. V
in effectD.C. Code § 29-1005.02 Becoming member.
29-1005.02. Becoming member.
(a)
If a limited cooperative association is to have only one cooperative member upon formation, the cooperative becomes a member as agreed by that cooperative and the organizer of the limited cooperative association. That cooperative and the organizer may be, but need not be, different persons. If different, the organizer acts on behalf of the initial cooperative member.
(b)
If a limited cooperative association is to have more than one member upon formation, those persons become members as agreed by the persons before the formation of the limited cooperative association. The organizer acts on behalf of the persons in forming the limited cooperative association and may be, but need not be, one of the persons.
(c)
After formation of a limited cooperative association, a person becomes a member:
(1)
As provided in the organic rules;
(2)
As the result of a transaction effective under subchapter XV of this chapter or Chapter 2 of this title;
(3)
With the consent of all the members; or
(4)
As provided in § 29-1012.02(3).
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720; Mar. 5, 2013, D.C. Law 19-210, § 2(j)(4)(A), 59 DCR 13171.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.03 No agency power of member as member.
29-1005.03. No agency power of member as member.
(a)
A member is not an agent of a limited cooperative association solely by reason of being a member.
(b)
A person’s status as a member does not prevent or restrict law other than this chapter from imposing liability on a limited cooperative association because of the person’s conduct.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720; Mar. 5, 2013, D.C. Law 19-210, § 2(j)(4)(B), 59 DCR 13171.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.04 Liability of members and managers.
29-1005.04. Liability of members and managers.
(a)
A debt, obligation, or other liability of a limited cooperative association is solely the debt, obligation, or other liability of the limited cooperative association. A member or manager of the limited cooperative association is not personally liable, directly or indirectly, by way of contribution or otherwise, for a debt, obligation, or other liability of the association solely by reason of being or acting as a member or manager of the association. This subsection applies regardless of the dissolution of the association.
(b)
The failure of a limited cooperative association to observe formalities relating to the exercise of its powers or management of its activities and affairs is not a ground for imposing liability on any member or manager of the association for any debt, obligation, or other liability of the association.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720; Mar. 5, 2013, D.C. Law 19-210, § 2(j)(4)(C), 59 DCR 13171.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.05 Right of member and former member to information.
29-1005.05. Right of member and former member to information.
(a)
On reasonable notice a member may inspect and copy, at the principal office or a reasonable location specified by the limited cooperative association, required information listed in § 29-1001.10(a)(1) through (8) during regular business hours. A member need not have any particular purpose for seeking the information. The association shall not be required to provide the same information listed in § 29-1001.10(a)(2) through (8) to the same member more than once during a 6-month period.
(b)
On reasonable notice, a member may inspect and copy, at the principal office or a reasonable location specified by the limited cooperative association, required information listed in § 29-1001.10(a)(9), (10), (12), (13), (16), and (18) during regular business hours, if:
(1)
The member seeks the information in good faith and for a proper purpose reasonably related to the member’s interest;
(2)
The demand includes a description with reasonable particularity of the information sought and the purpose for seeking the information;
(3)
The information sought is directly connected to the member’s purpose; and
(4)
The demand is reasonable.
(c)
Not later than 10 business days after receipt of a demand pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, a limited cooperative association shall provide, in a record, the following information to the member that made the demand:
(1)
If the association agrees to provide the demanded information:
(A)
What information the association will provide in response to the demand; and
(B)
A reasonable time and place at which the association will provide the information; or
(2)
If the association declines to provide some or all of the demanded information, the association’s reasons for declining.
(d)
Not later than 10 business days after a limited cooperative association receives a demand made in a record, a dissociated member may have access to information to which the person was entitled while a member if the information pertains to the period during which the person was a member, the person seeks the information in good faith, and the person satisfies the requirements imposed on a member by subsection (b)(2) of this section. The association shall respond to a demand made pursuant to this subsection in the manner provided in subsection (c) of this section.
(e)
Not later than 10 business days after receipt by a limited cooperative association of a demand made by a member in a record, but not more often than once in a 6-month period, the association shall deliver to the member a record stating the information with respect to the member required by § 29-1001.10(a)(17).
(f)
In addition to any restriction or condition stated in its organic rules, a limited cooperative association, as a matter within the ordinary course of its activities and affairs, may impose reasonable restrictions and conditions on access to and use of information to be furnished under this section, including designating information as confidential and imposing nondisclosure and safeguarding obligations on the recipient. In a dispute concerning the reasonableness of a restriction under this subsection, the association shall have the burden of proving reasonableness.
(g)
A limited cooperative association may charge a person that makes a demand under this section reasonable costs of copying, limited to the costs of labor and material.
(h)
A member or dissociated member may exercise rights under this section through an agent or, in the case of an individual under legal disability, a legal representative. Any restriction or condition imposed by the organic rules or subsection (f) of this section applies both to the agent or legal representative and the member or dissociated member.
(i)
The rights stated in this section shall not extend to a person as transferee.
(j)
The organic rules may require a limited cooperative association to provide more information than required by this section and may establish conditions and procedures for providing the information.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720; Mar. 5, 2013, D.C. Law 19-210, § 2(j)(4)(D), 59 DCR 13171.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.06 Annual meeting of members.
29-1005.06. Annual meeting of members.
(a)
Members shall meet annually at a time provided in the organic rules or set by the board of directors not inconsistent with the organic rules.
(b)
An annual members meeting may be held inside or outside the District at the place stated in the organic rules or selected by the board of directors not inconsistent with the organic rules.
(c)
Members may attend or conduct an annual members meeting through any means of communication if all members attending the meeting can communicate with each other during the meeting.
(d)
The board of directors shall report, or cause to be reported, at the association’s annual members meeting the association’s business and financial condition as of the close of the most recent fiscal year.
(e)
Unless the organic rules otherwise provide, the board of directors shall designate the presiding officer of the association’s annual members meeting.
(f)
Failure to hold an annual members meeting shall not affect the validity of any action by the limited cooperative association.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720; May 2, 2025, D.C. Law 25-324, § 303, 72 DCR 754.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.07 Special meeting of members.
29-1005.07. Special meeting of members.
(a)
A special meeting of members shall be called only:
(1)
As provided in the organic rules;
(2)
By a majority vote of the board of directors on a proposal stating the purpose of the meeting;
(3)
By demand in a record signed by members holding at least 20% of the voting power of the persons in any district or class entitled to vote on the matter that is the purpose of the meeting stated in the demand; or
(4)
By demand in a record signed by members holding at least 10% of the total voting power of all the persons entitled to vote on the matter that is the purpose of the meeting stated in the demand.
(b)
A demand under subsection (a)(3) or (4) of this section shall be submitted to the officer of the limited cooperative association charged with keeping its records.
(c)
Any voting member may withdraw its demand under subsection (a)(3) or (4) of this section before receipt by the limited cooperative association of demands sufficient to require a special meeting of members.
(d)
A special meeting of members may be held inside or outside the District at the place stated in the organic rules or selected by the board of directors not inconsistent with the organic rules.
(e)
Members may attend or conduct a special meeting of members through the use of any means of communication if all members attending the meeting can communicate with each other during the meeting.
(f)
Only business within the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of a special meeting of members shall be conducted at the meeting.
(g)
Unless the organic rules otherwise provide, the presiding officer of a special meeting of members shall be designated by the board of directors.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720; May 2, 2025, D.C. Law 25-324, § 304, 72 DCR 754.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.08 Notice of members meeting.
29-1005.08. Notice of members meeting.
(a)
A limited cooperative association shall notify each member of the time, date, and place of a members meeting at least 15, and not more than 60, days before the meeting.
(b)
Unless the articles of organization otherwise provide, notice of an annual members meeting need not include any purpose of the meeting.
(c)
Notice of a special meeting of members shall include each purpose of the meeting as contained in the demand under § 29-1005.07(a)(3) or (4) or as voted upon by the board of directors under § 29-1005.07(a)(2).
(d)
Notice of a members meeting shall be given in a record unless oral notice is reasonable under the circumstances.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.09 Waiver of members meeting notice.
29-1005.09. Waiver of members meeting notice.
(a)
A member may waive notice of a members meeting before, during, or after the meeting.
(b)
A member’s participation in a members meeting shall be a waiver of notice of that meeting unless the member objects to the meeting at the beginning of the meeting or promptly upon the member’s arrival at the meeting and does not thereafter vote for or assent to action taken at the meeting.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.10 Quorum of members.
29-1005.10. Quorum of members.
Unless the organic rules otherwise require a greater number of members or percentage of the voting power, the voting member or members present at a members meeting shall constitute a quorum.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.11 Voting by patron members.
29-1005.11. Voting by patron members.
Except as otherwise provided by § 29-1005.12(a), each patron member shall have one vote. The organic rules may allocate voting power among patron members as provided in § 29-1005.12(a).
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.12 Determination of voting power of patron member.
29-1005.12. Determination of voting power of patron member.
(a)
The organic rules may allocate voting power among patron members on the basis of one or a combination of the following:
(1)
One member, one vote;
(2)
Use or patronage;
(3)
Equity; or
(4)
If a patron member is a cooperative, the number of its patron members.
(b)
The organic rules may provide for the allocation of patron member voting power by districts or class, or any combination thereof.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.13 Voting by investor members.
29-1005.13. Voting by investor members.
If the organic rules provide for investor members, each investor member shall have one vote, unless the organic rules otherwise provide. The organic rules may provide for the allocation of investor member voting power by class, classes, or any combination of classes.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.14 Voting requirements for members.
29-1005.14. Voting requirements for members.
If a limited cooperative association has both patron and investor members, the following rules shall apply:
(1)
The total voting power of all patron members shall not be less than a majority of the entire voting power entitled to vote.
(2)
Action on any matter shall be approved only upon the affirmative vote of at least a majority of:
(A)
All members voting at the meeting unless more than a majority is required by subchapters IV, XII, XIV, or XV of this chapter or the organic rules; and
(B)
Votes cast by patron members unless the organic rules require a larger affirmative vote by patron members.
(3)
The organic rules may provide for the percentage of the affirmative votes that must be cast by investor members to approve the matter.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.15 Manner of voting.
29-1005.15. Manner of voting.
(a)
Unless the organic rules otherwise provide, voting by a proxy at a members meeting shall be prohibited. This subsection shall not prohibit delegate voting based on district or class.
(b)
If voting by a proxy is permitted, a patron member shall appoint only another patron member as a proxy and, if investor members are permitted, an investor member shall appoint only another investor member as a proxy.
(c)
The organic rules may provide for the manner of, and provisions governing, the appointment of a proxy.
(d)
The organic rules may provide for voting on any question by ballot delivered by mail or voting by other means on questions that are subject to vote by members.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.16 Action without a meeting.
29-1005.16. Action without a meeting.
(a)
Unless the organic rules require that action be taken only at a members meeting, any action that may be taken by the members may be taken without a meeting if each member entitled to vote on the action consents in a record to the action.
(b)
Consent under subsection (a) of this section may be withdrawn by a member in a record at any time before the limited cooperative association receives a consent from each member entitled to vote.
(c)
Consent to any action may specify the effective date or time of the action.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
D.C. Code § 29-1005.17 Districts and delegates; classes of members.
29-1005.17. Districts and delegates; classes of members.
(a)
The organic rules may provide for the formation of geographic districts of patron members and:
(1)
For the conduct of patron member meetings by districts and the election of directors at the meetings; or
(2)
That districts may elect district delegates to represent and vote for the district at members meetings.
(b)
A delegate elected under subsection (a)(2) of this section shall have one vote unless voting power is otherwise allocated by the organic rules.
(c)
The organic rules may provide for the establishment of classes of members, for the preferences, rights, and limitations of the classes, and:
(1)
For the conduct of members meetings by classes and the election of directors at the meetings; or
(2)
That classes may elect class delegates to represent and vote for the class in members meetings.
(d)
A delegate elected under subsection (c)(2) of this section shall have one vote unless voting power is otherwise allocated by the organic rules.
(July 2, 2011, D.C. Law 18-378, § 2, 58 DCR 1720.)
Source: Council of the District of Columbia (code.dccouncil.gov)URL: https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/titles/29/chapters/10/subchapters/VFetched: 10/21/2026