Section 3. Seven or more persons, residents of the commonwealth, may associate themselves as a corporation, association, society, company or exchange, to conduct within the commonwealth any agricultural, dairy or mercantile business on the co-operative plan. The word ''co-operative'' shall form a part of the name of the corporation, and, for the purposes of this and sections three A to nine, inclusive, the words ''association'', ''company'', ''exchange'', ''society'' and ''union'', shall have the same signification and shall import a corporation. The corporation shall be formed as provided in chapter one hundred and fifty-six B, with shares having par value, and shall be subject to the provisions thereof so far as consistent with said sections.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 157 - Co-Operative Corporations
Section 1 - Co-Operative Business Corporation
Section 2 - Distribution of Earnings or Profits; Sinking Fund; Limitation Upon Shares Held
Section 3 - Co-Operative Agricultural, Dairy or Mercantile Associations; Name
Section 3b - Direct-Charge Cooperatives
Section 4 - Capital Stock; Powers; By-Laws; Meetings
Section 5 - Investment of Reserve Fund
Section 6 - Apportionment of Earnings
Section 8 - Use of Word Co-Operative in Connection With Other Businesses; Penalty
Section 9 - Fee for Filing Articles of Organization
Section 11 - Powers of Corporations Organized Under Sec. 10
Section 12 - First Meeting; Selection of Directors
Section 13 - Scope of By-Laws; Amendment or Repeal of By-Law
Section 15 - Amendment or Alteration of Articles of Organization
Section 16 - Marketing Contracts Between Corporation and Members
Section 17 - Marketing Contracts; Provisions for Liquidated Damages; Injunction for Breach