A. Each incorporator of a cooperative shall be a member thereof but no other person may become a member thereof unless such other person agrees to use communication services furnished by the cooperative when it is made available through its facilities, except as otherwise provided in the bylaws. Membership in a cooperative may be evidenced by a certificate of membership which shall not be transferable, except as provided by the bylaws. The bylaws may prescribe additional qualifications and limitations in respect of membership, provided that ownership of shares of stock, if any are authorized, shall not be a condition of membership in the cooperative.

B. In case the issuance of shares of stock is provided for in the articles of incorporation, ownership thereof shall be evidenced by share certificates. No share of stock shall be issued except for cash, or for property at its fair value, in an amount equal to the par value of such share of stock.

C. Membership and share certificates shall contain such provisions, consistent with this act and the articles of incorporation of the cooperative, as shall be prescribed by its bylaws.

D. Each member who purchases communication services in the ordinary course of business of the cooperative is a patron of the cooperative, except the use of inter-exchange access, payment of inter-exchange access fares or settlements, or the purchase of equipment does not qualify a member or other person as a patron. The bylaws of the cooperative may provide other circumstances where a member or other person will not qualify to be a patron.

Laws 1953, p. 486, § 9; Laws 1991, c. 135, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.