Members, Their Rights, Responsibilities and Liabilities

Part 1

v     Definition of Member

As per Bye-law No. 3(xxiv) a “member” means a person joining in an application for the Registration of a Co-operative Society which is subsequently registered, or a person duly admitted to membership of a society after Registration and includes a Nominal and Associate or sympathizer member.

v     Classes of Members

(1)   Associate Members: Means a member who holds jointly a share of the society with others. His name does not stand first in the share certificate.

Joint names: Once an application is made for adding the name of the person as an associate/joint member as he has paid money towards the share and purchase of the flat jointly and he has made himself responsible jointly and severally along with the first named member, to pay the dues of the society, he cannot unilaterally withdraw himself from the same tripartite agreement.

An individual, a firm, a company or a body corporate, registered under any law for the time being in force, who/which is eligible to be an associate member and who/which has made an application in the prescribed form for such member by the committee.

There can be more than one Associate/joint member.

An associate member has the right to stand for election to the Managing Committee. This right can be exercised by an associate member; the associate member can attend the meeting and vote at it.

(2)   Nominal Member: Means a persons admitted to membership as such after registration in accordance with the Bye-laws [Section 2(19) (c)].

An individual, who is an employee of a firm, a company or any other body corporate registered under any law for the time being in force, or a sublettee, licensee or a care-taker, who/which is eligible to be a nominal member and who/which has made an application for such membership in the prescribed form applicable to him/it along with the entrance fee of Rs.100 is admitted as such member by the committee. He has no right to vote.

(3)   Sympathizer Member: Means a person who sympathises with the aims and objects of the society and who is admitted by the society as such a member.

Normally the role of a sympathiser member who is know for his specialization in the respective Co-operative field is to guide the society of which he is a sympathiser member, in accomplishing its objectives. In a Co-operative Housing Society there can be more than one Associate/joint member. Normally no sympathiser member is admitted.