Florida § 425.14 - Consolidation.

§ 425.14. Consolidation.

Any two or more cooperatives, each of which is hereinafter designated a “consolidating cooperative,” may consolidate into a new cooperative, hereinafter designated the “new cooperative,” by complying with the following requirements: (1) The proposition for the consolidation of the consolidating cooperatives into the new cooperative and proposed articles of consolidation to give effect thereto shall be first approved by the board of trustees of each consolidating cooperative. The proposed articles of consolidation shall recite in the caption that they are executed pursuant to this chapter and shall state: (a) The name of each consolidating cooperative, the address of its principal office, and the date of the filing of its articles of incorporation with the Department of State; (b) The name of the new cooperative and the address of its principal office; (c) The names and addresses of the persons who shall constitute the first board of trustees of the new cooperative; (d) The terms and conditions of the consolidation and the mode of carrying the same into effect, including the manner and basis of converting membership in each consolidating cooperative into memberships in the new cooperative and the issuance of certificates of membership in respect of such converted memberships; and (e) Any provisions not inconsistent with this chapter deemed necessary or advisable for the conduct of the business and affairs of the new cooperative; (2) The proposition for the consolidation of the consolidating cooperatives into the new cooperative and the proposed articles of consolidation approved by the board of trustees of each consolidating cooperative shall then be submitted to a vote of the members thereof at any annual or special meeting thereof, the notice of which shall set forth full particulars concerning the proposed consolidation. The proposed consolidation and the proposed articles of consolidation shall be deemed to be approved upon the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of those members of each consolidating cooperative voting thereon at such meeting; and (3) Upon such approval by the members of the respective consolidating cooperatives, articles of consolidation in the form approved shall be executed and acknowledged on behalf of each consolidating cooperative by its president or vice president and its seal shall be affixed thereto and attested by its secretary. The president or vice president of each consolidating cooperative executing such articles of consolidation shall also make and annex thereto an affidavit stating that the provisions of this section were duly complied with by such cooperative. Such articles of consolidation and affidavits shall be submitted to the Department of State for filing as provided in this chapter.