I 



COOPERATIVE ORGANIZATION BUSINESS METHODS. 7 



iorm of a wholesale department which deals in a number of Imes 

 of merchandise such as are generally handled by wholesale grocei-s 

 and commission houses; and in the case of grain elevators, Imnber 

 and coal and other supplies have been dealt in as side lines. These 

 enterprises are engaged in not only to aid the members in buying 

 these commodities at better prices, but to provide work for the 

 office force when it is not engaged in the work of the regular ship- 

 ping season. One of the large organizations in New England has 

 established a fertilizer plant in connection with its already ex- 

 tensive dealings in growers' supplies, the business thus created war- 

 ranting the retention of the entire office force throughout the year. 



THE SECRETARY. 



The duties of the secretary are usually clearly defined in the by- 

 laws of the organization. He is the recording officer and keeps the 

 corporation books, the minute book, the stock-certificate book, the 

 stock ledger, and the transfer book. He also has charge of, and is 

 responsible for, the seal of the organization. 



Various matters involving corporate procedure constantly arise, 

 and for the proper discharge of his duties the secretary should keep 

 himself full}' posted. A digest of the statutes of the State relating 

 to corporations, a manual of parliamentary law, and a book on 

 corporate procedure will be found of much assistance. A corporate 

 calendar will also be found of great convenience. This is a calen- 

 dar of the dates of the meetings of the directors and stockholders 

 and of the dates on which notices for the same must be nuiiled. 

 It is a comprehensive record of the important coi'porate formalities 

 that must be attended to at fixed periods, such as the filing of re- 

 ports, etc. By the use of such a book the secretary can tell at a 

 glance what cor])orate duties require his attention. 



It has been foimd advisable by some of the larger organizations 

 to confer the titles and duties of .secretary and treasurer upon 

 officers other than nieml)ers of the board of directors. Often the 

 office manager is made both secretary and treasurer, by which ar- 

 rfing(.'ment there is no delay in securing signatures to papers when 

 needed and tlie office foi'ce has tlie necessary authority to complete 

 all business loutine. 



RECORDS OF MEETINGS. 



Corporate meetings, both of shareholders and directors, being 

 held for delib(u-ative j)urj)Oses, should be conducted accoi-ding to 

 parliamentary u.sages. The recojd of these jueetings is the best 

 evidence of the action taken, and otlier evidence is not admi.ssible 

 until it is shown that the rcfoi-ds can not be obtained. 



