A corporation formed pursuant to this article shall have the power to buy, sell, lease, and mortgage real estate, to build and operate wharves, boats, and other means of transportation and communication, to build, erect, and operate waterworks, electric lighting and power companies, libraries, schools, and parks, and to do any other lawful thing, incident to its purpose for the mutual benefit of its members and may admit other persons to participate in its benefits as it may see fit and upon conditions as it may impose.