(a) (1) Any member of a cooperative may bring charges of misconduct or incompetency against a director by filing with the secretary of the cooperative a written petition signed by 10 percent of the members or 25 members, whichever is less, specifying the charges and requesting removal of the director.
(2) The question of removal shall be voted on at the next regular or special meeting of the cooperative.
(3) Before the meeting is held, the director against whom charges are brought shall be informed in writing of the charges, and both the director and the member bringing the charges shall have an opportunity at the meeting to be heard in person or by counsel and to present witnesses.
(4) The removal of a director shall be by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members voting in person or by mail.
(b) (1) If the board of directors in its judgment finds that the best interests of the cooperative will be served, it may remove any officer of the cooperative.
(2) The removal of an officer does not prejudice any of his contract rights.
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