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Guidelines for the Registration of a Society under the Co-operative Societies Act, Cap. 378A

1. The Co-operative Principles set out in section 4 of the Act and any modifications thereto, must be observed.
2. A Society may be formed by at least ten (10) persons.
3. The minimum age for membership, except in the case of a junior co-operative is sixteen (16) years.
4. A completed application in the prescribed form along with the application fee of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) must be presented to the Registrar of Co-operative Societies.
5. The application must be accompanied by three (3) copies of the proposed by-laws and a business plan.
6.  The business plan should state:
 

(a)      the business experience of the promoters;

  (b)      how the business will be carried on;
  (c)      the sources of funding;
  (d)      the sources of income; and
  (e)      financial projections for three (3) years.
7. The application will be analysed and the promoters will be informed of any corrections to the by-laws that may be required.
8. It is desirable that the Registrar or his representative meet with the promoters to sensitize them to the significance of co-operative activity; the benefits that redound therefrom; and the requirements of the Act and the Regulations.
9.  Training and guidance are also available to help the business become established and to ensure that the books are well kept.
10. It is advisable that the promoters familiarize themselves with the Act and the Regulations.
11. If the registration of the society is approved a registration fee is payable:
       Credit Union  $300.00
       Other co-operative $100.00
A registration certificate is issued to the society together with a copy of the registered by-laws upon payment of the fee.
12. Notice of the registration is published in the Official Gazette by the Registrar at the expense of the Society.
13. As soon as possible after the issuance of the certificate of registration, the directors must meet and attend to the business required by section 79 of the Act.  (See Appendix I)
14. Two months after registration, the first general meeting must be held to attend to the business required by section 85 of the Act.  (See Appendix II)
15. Every month the society must provide reports to the Registrar on the forms designed for the purpose.

Co-operatives Department
November 1996

For further information contact:
The Co-operatives Department
Tel: (246) 426-5270/429-8638
Fax: (246) 435-3139
Website:
www.commerce.gov.bb
E-mail:
coopsdept@caribsurf.com

 

 

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