MEMBERS AND MEMBERSHIPS
181.0601(1)(1)
Criteria and procedures. The articles of incorporation or bylaws may establish criteria or procedures for admission of members.
181.0601(2)
(2) Consent required. A person may not be admitted as a member without the person's consent.
181.0601 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0602
181.0602
Consideration and certificates. Except as provided in its articles of incorporation or bylaws, a corporation may admit members for no consideration or for such consideration as is determined by the board. A corporation may issue certificates evidencing membership in the corporation.
181.0602 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0603
181.0603
No requirement of members. A corporation is not required to have members.
181.0603 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0610
181.0610
Differences in rights and obligations of members. All members shall have the same rights and obligations with respect to voting, dissolution, redemption and transfer, unless the articles of incorporation or bylaws establish classes of membership with different rights or obligations. All members shall have the same rights and obligations with respect to any other matters, except as set forth in or authorized by the articles of incorporation or bylaws.
181.0610 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0611(1)(1)
When authorized. Except as set forth in or authorized by the articles of incorporation or bylaws, a member of a corporation may not transfer a membership or any right arising from a membership.
181.0611(2)
(2) Adoption of restrictions. If transfer rights have been provided, no restriction on them shall be binding with respect to a member holding a membership issued before the adoption of the restriction unless the restriction is approved by the members and the affected member.
181.0611 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0612
181.0612
Member's liability to 3rd parties. A member of a corporation is not, as a member, personally liable for the acts, debts, liabilities or obligations of the corporation.
181.0612 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0613
181.0613
Member's liability for dues, assessments and fees. A member may become liable to the corporation for dues, assessments or fees. An article of incorporation or bylaw provision or a resolution adopted by the board authorizing or imposing dues, assessments or fees does not, of itself, create liability.
181.0613 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0614
181.0614
Creditor's action against member. 181.0614(1)
(1)
Final judgment required. A proceeding may not be brought by a creditor to reach the liability, if any, of a member under
s. 181.0613 to the corporation unless final judgment has been rendered in favor of the creditor against the corporation.
181.0614(2)
(2) Intervention and joinder. A creditor of the corporation, with or without reducing the creditor's claim to judgment, may intervene in a creditor's proceeding brought under
sub. (1) to reach and apply unpaid amounts due the corporation. Any member who owes an amount to the corporation may be joined in the proceeding.
181.0614 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0620
181.0620
Termination, expulsion and suspension. 181.0620(1)(1)
Termination of membership. Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, membership shall be terminated by death, voluntary withdrawal or expulsion, and thereafter all of the rights of the member in the corporation or in its property shall cease.
181.0620(2)
(2) Expulsion and suspension. Members may be suspended or expelled in the manner provided in the articles of incorporation, or in the bylaws, if the articles so provide. If no provision is made in the articles of incorporation, a member may be expelled, or suspended for a specific period of time, by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the members entitled to vote, or of two-thirds of the directors if there are no members entitled to vote.
181.0620(3)
(3) Liability. A member who has been expelled or suspended may be liable to the corporation for dues, assessments or fees because of obligations incurred or commitments made before expulsion or suspension.
181.0620 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0622
181.0622
Purchase of memberships. A corporation may purchase the membership of a member who resigns or whose membership is terminated for the amount and pursuant to the conditions set forth in or authorized by its articles of incorporation or bylaws. A corporation may not make a payment under this section that violates
s. 181.1302 (1).
181.0622 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0640(1)(1)
Role of delegates. A corporation may provide in its articles of incorporation or bylaws that delegates have some or all of the authority of members.
181.0640(2)
(2) Permissible provisions. The articles of incorporation or bylaws may include provisions relating to all of the following:
181.0640(2)(a)
(a) Dividing the membership into geographical or other districts or units.
181.0640(2)(b)
(b) Determining the number of delegates to be elected in each district or unit. This determination may be made from time to time by the board of directors.
181.0640(2)(c)
(c) The characteristics, qualifications, rights, limitations and obligations of delegates, including their selection and removal.
181.0640(2)(d)
(d) Calling, noticing, holding and conducting meetings of delegates.
181.0640(2)(e)
(e) Carrying on corporate activities during and between meetings of delegates.
181.0640(2)(f)
(f) Providing for the election or appointment of district or unit committees and officers.
181.0640 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0670
181.0670
Limited liability of volunteers. 181.0670(1)
(1)
Definition. In this section, "volunteer" means an individual, other than an employee of the corporation, who provides services to or on behalf of the corporation without compensation.
181.0670(2)
(2) Limited liability. Except as provided in
sub. (3), a volunteer is not liable to any person for damages, settlements, fees, fines, penalties or other monetary liabilities arising from any act or omission as a volunteer, unless the person asserting liability proves that the act or omission constitutes any of the following:
181.0670(2)(a)
(a) A violation of criminal law, unless the volunteer had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful or had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.
181.0670(2)(c)
(c) If the volunteer is a director or officer of the corporation, an act or omission within the scope of the volunteer's duties as a director or officer.
181.0670(2)(d)
(d) An act or omission for which the volunteer received compensation or any thing of substantial value instead of compensation.
181.0670(2)(e)
(e) Negligence in the practice of a profession, trade or occupation that requires a credential, as defined in
s. 440.01 (2) (a), or other license, registration, certification, permit or approval, if the volunteer did not have the required credential, license, registration, certificate, permit or approval at the time of the negligent act or omission.
181.0670(3)(a)(a) Except as provided in
par. (b), this section does not apply to any of the following:
181.0670(3)(a)1.
1. A civil or criminal proceeding brought by or on behalf of any governmental unit, authority or agency.
181.0670(3)(a)2.
2. A proceeding brought by any person for a violation of state or federal law if the proceeding is brought under an express private right of action created by state or federal statute.
181.0670(3)(a)3.
3. Claims arising from the negligent operation by a volunteer of an automobile, truck, train, airplane or other vehicle for which an operator's permit, license or insurance is required.
181.0670(3)(b)
(b) Paragraph (a) 1. and
2. does not apply to a proceeding brought by or on behalf of a governmental unit, authority or agency in its capacity as a contractor.
181.0670 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
MEMBER MEETINGS AND VOTING
181.0701
181.0701
Annual and regular meetings. 181.0701(1)
(1)
Annual meetings. A corporation with members shall hold annual meetings of members at a time stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws.
181.0701(2)
(2) Membership meetings. A corporation with members may hold regular membership meetings at the times stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws.
181.0701(3)
(3) Place of meetings. Annual and regular membership meetings may be held in or outside of this state at the place stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws. If no place is stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws, the corporation shall hold annual and regular meetings at the corporation's principal office.
181.0701(4)
(4) Matters considered at annual meetings. At the annual meeting, an officer shall report on the activities and financial condition of the corporation and the members shall consider and act upon such other matters as may be raised consistent with the requirements of
s. 181.0705.
181.0701(5)
(5) Matters considered at regular meetings. At regular meetings the members shall consider and act upon such matters as may be raised consistent with the requirements of
s. 181.0705.
181.0701(6)
(6) Failure to hold meeting. The failure to hold an annual or regular meeting at a time stated in or fixed in accordance with a corporation's bylaws does not affect the validity of any corporate action.
181.0701 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0702(1)(1)
When held. A corporation with members shall hold a special meeting of members if any of the following occurs:
181.0702(1)(a)
(a) A special meeting is called by the board or any person authorized by the articles of incorporation or bylaws to call a special meeting.
181.0702(1)(b)
(b) Members holding at least 5% of the voting power of a corporation, or such other percentage specified in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, sign, date and deliver to any corporate officer one or more written demands for the meeting describing one or more purposes for which it is to be held.
181.0702(2)
(2) Record date. The close of business on the 30th day before delivery of the demand for a special meeting to any corporate officer is the record date for determining if the percentage requirement of
sub. (1) (b) has been met.
181.0702(3)
(3) If notice not given. Notwithstanding
sub. (4), if a notice for a special meeting demanded under
sub. (1) (b) is not given under
s. 181.0705 within 30 days after the date on which the written demand is delivered to a corporate officer, a person signing the demand may set the time, and, subject to
sub. (4), the place, of the meeting. The person signing the demand shall give notice under
s. 181.0705.
181.0702(4)
(4) Place of meeting. A corporation may hold a special meeting of members in or outside of this state at the place stated in or fixed in accordance with the bylaws. If no place is stated or fixed in accordance with the bylaws, a corporation shall hold a special meeting at the corporation's principal office.
181.0702(5)
(5) Scope of meeting. Only those matters that are within the purpose described in the meeting notice required by
s. 181.0705 may be conducted at a special meeting of members.
181.0702 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0704
181.0704
Action by written consent. 181.0704(1)
(1)
When permitted. Unless limited or otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation or bylaws, action required or permitted by this chapter to be approved by the members may be approved without a meeting of members if the action is approved by members holding at least 80% of the voting power, or a different percentage, not less than 50%, specified in the articles of incorporation or bylaws. The action must be evidenced by one or more written consents describing the action taken, signed by the required number of members, and delivered to the corporation for inclusion in the minutes or filing with the corporate records. All signatures on the written consent shall be dated and, in determining whether the required number of members have signed the consent, only those signatures dated after the date of the most recent meeting of the members may be counted.
181.0704(2)
(2) Record date. If not otherwise determined under
s. 181.0160 or
181.0707, the record date for determining members entitled to take action without a meeting is the date on which the first member signs the consent under
sub. (1).
181.0704(3)
(3) Effect of consent. A consent signed under this section has the effect of a meeting vote and may be described as such in any document filed with the department.
181.0704(4)
(4) Notice requirements. Written notice of member approval under this section shall be given to all members who have not signed the written consent. If written notice is required, member approval under this section shall be effective 10 days after such written notice is given.
181.0704 History
History: 1997 a. 79.
181.0705(1)(1)
When required. A corporation shall give notice of meetings of members as provided in its bylaws or, if the bylaws are silent, in a manner that is fair and reasonable.
181.0705(2)
(2) In general. Any notice that conforms to the requirements of
sub. (3) is fair and reasonable. Except for matters referred to in
sub. (3) (b), other means of giving notice may also be fair and reasonable when all of the circumstances are considered.
Section 181.0141 applies to notices provided under this section.
181.0705(3)
(3) Notice safe harbor. Notice is fair and reasonable if all of the following conditions exist:
181.0705(3)(a)
(a) The corporation notifies its members of the place, date and time of each annual, regular and special meeting of members not more than 60 days and not less than 10 days, or, if notice is mailed by other than first class or registered mail, 30 days, before the meeting date.
181.0705(3)(c)
(c) Notice of a special meeting includes a description of the matter or matters for which the meeting is called.
181.0705(4)
(4) Adjourned meetings. Unless the bylaws require otherwise, if an annual, regular or special meeting of members is adjourned to a different date, time or place, notice need not be given of the new date, time or place, if the new date, time or place is announced at the meeting before adjournment. If a new record date for the adjourned meeting is or must be fixed under
s. 181.0707, notice of the adjourned meeting must be given under this section to the members of record as of the new record date.
