How many members does a Minnesota 308B cooperative need?
At least one: chapter 308B says a cooperative must have one or more members.
A 308B cooperative must have one or more members P1, § 308B.501, subd. 1. The statute sets no higher minimum that we found.
Membership size still matters. A cooperative with 50 or fewer members may have as few as three directors if prescribed in its articles or bylaws; otherwise the five-director minimum applies P1, § 308B.405. The member-meeting quorum has statutory minimums of 10 percent of total membership at 500 members or fewer and 50 members above 500. Member-adopted articles or bylaws may require more, not less P1, §§ 308B.525, 308B.535, subd. 3. Only members may adopt or amend a bylaw requiring a greater quorum or vote, and amendment uses the greater existing or proposed requirements P1, § 308B.241, subd. 5.
[OPINION] A one-member cooperative is legally possible but is unlikely to meet the purpose most people have in mind. See Define members and membership classes.
Statute sections referenced
- § 308B.241 BYLAWS.
- § 308B.405 NUMBER OF DIRECTORS.
- § 308B.501 MEMBERS.
- § 308B.525 QUORUM.
- § 308B.535 ACT OF MEMBERS.
Related
Sources
- P1 Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 308B (Cooperative Associations), Office of the Revisor of Statutes, State of Minnesota. revisor.mn.gov (primary; accessed October 15, 2026)