54-146. Directors; election.

(a) The affairs of the association shall be managed by a board of not less than three directors, elected by the members or stockholders from their own number. The bylaws may provide that the territory in which the association has members shall be divided into districts, and that the directors shall be elected according to such districts. In such case the bylaws shall specify the number of directors to be elected by each district, the manner and method of reapportioning the directors and of redistricting the territory covered by the association. The bylaws may provide that primary elections should be held in each district to elect the directors apportioned to such districts, and the result of all such primary elections must be ratified by the next regular meeting of the association.

(b) The bylaws may provide that one or more directors may be appointed either by the Director of the Agricultural Extension Service or by such public official or public board or commission as may be designated by the bylaws. The directors so appointed need not be members or stockholders of the association, but shall have the same powers and rights as other directors.

(c) An association may provide a fair remuneration for the time actually spent by its officers and directors in its service. No director, during the term of his office, shall be a party to a contract for profit with the association differing in any way from the business relations accorded regular members or holders of common stock of the association, or to any other kind of contract differing from terms generally current in that district.

(d) When a vacancy on the board of directors occurs, other than by expiration of term, the remaining members of the board, by a majority vote, shall fill the vacancy, unless the bylaws provide for an election of directors by districts. In such case the board of directors shall immediately call a special meeting of the members or stockholders in that district to fill the vacancy: Provided, that this subsection shall not apply to the director or directors appointed under the provisions of subsection (b) of this section: Provided further, that any vacancy occurring in the office of a director appointed under subsection (b) of this section shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment was made.