Definition
In accordance with the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act, 1961 and its amendments
“ Member” refers to anyone who applies for membership in a cooperative society and is subsequently admitted, including nominal, associate, or sympathiser members.
A person joining an application is referred to as a proposer
Members are divided into four types, but no further definition is provided.
- Member
- Nominal Member
- Associate Member
- Sympathizer Member
Act of 1961 on Gujarat Cooperative Societies6
Sec 25
- As a nominal member, associate member, or sympathiser of a society of such class as may be prescribed, the following may be admitted:
- Associate and sympathiser membership in a society should not exceed 10% of its total membership.
- It is not the right of nominal, associate, or sympathiser members to share any profits or assets of the society in any form whatsoever. A nominal, associate, or sympathiser member shall have all the privileges and rights of a member and be subject to all the liabilities of a member, as stipulated in the bye-laws of the society, subject to the provisions of Section 28 sub-section (6).
Sec 28 (7)
No No nominal or sympathizing members shall have the right to vote, and no such member shall be eligible for membership on any committees or for appointment as a representative of any society.
The Gujarat Cooperative Rules Society was established in 1965
Membership in nominal, associate, and sympathiser societies is governed by Rule 13
- It is possible to become a nominal member of any society, regardless of class.
- Various types of societies, including those for the uplift of backward classes and schedule tribes, labour contract societies, forest labourers’ societies, processing societies and industrial societies are permitted to admit anyone as a sympathiser or associate member.
Housing, service, and commercial cooperatives are eligible to vote
Voting rights or the right to fight for election to the Managing Committee will not be available to the nominal member.
Laws & Bylaws
Nominal, Associate, and Sympathizer members may have additional definitions and rights in their Byelaws, but they will all have the preview sections above.
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