(a) The incorporators of a cooperative shall sign, acknowledge, and file with the Department, articles of incorporation. The articles of incorporation shall include:
(1) The name of the cooperative;
(2) The name, address, and state of residence of each incorporator;
(3) A statement of the purposes of the cooperative;
(4) The municipal area of its principal office in the State; and
(5) The name and address of its resident agent in the State.
(b) (1) If the cooperative is organized with capital stock, the articles of incorporation shall state:
(i) The number of shares of stock;
(ii) The par value of each share of stock; and
(iii) The aggregate par value of all shares of stock.
(2) A cooperative may not issue stock without par value.
(c) If the cooperative is organized without capital stock, the articles of incorporation shall state whether the property rights of its members are equal or unequal and, if unequal, the rule by which the property rights of members, including members admitted after the original organization, are to be determined.
Structure Maryland Statutes
Title 5 - Special Types of Corporations
Subtitle 5 - Agricultural Cooperatives
Section 5-502 - Purposes of Incorporation
Section 5-503 - Who May Incorporate; Capital Stock
Section 5-504 - Powers in General
Section 5-505 - Articles of Incorporation -- Execution; Contents
Section 5-506 - Articles of Incorporation -- Amendment
Section 5-507 - Corporation May Be Converted Into Cooperative
Section 5-509 - Payment by Subscriber Before Certificate of Stock or Membership Issued
Section 5-510 - Use of Term "Cooperative" in Corporate Name
Section 5-512 - Management of Cooperative; Number and Qualifications of Directors
Section 5-513 - Original Directors; Election and Term of Successors
Section 5-514 - Election of Directors by Districts
Section 5-515 - Vacancies on Board of Directors
Section 5-516 - Compensation and Contracts of Officers and Directors
Section 5-517 - Required and Permitted Officers
Section 5-518 - Removal of Director and Officer
Section 5-522 - Contracts With Members
Section 5-523 - Membership in Another Cooperative
Section 5-524 - Transactions With Other Cooperatives
Section 5-525 - Patronage Distributions
Section 5-526 - Operating on Nonprofit Basis
Section 5-527 - Consolidation, Merger, Share Exchange, Transfer of Assets, or Dissolution
Section 5-528 - Payment When Another Business Is Purchased
Section 5-529 - Audit of Financial Statement of Cooperative Handling Raw Agricultural Products
Section 5-530 - Cooperative and Marketing Agreements Not in Restraint of Trade
Section 5-531 - Application of Maryland General Corporation Law