How many directors does a Minnesota 308B cooperative need?

The board must have at least five directors, except that a cooperative with 50 or fewer members may have three or more, as prescribed in the articles or bylaws ^{P1, § 308B.405}.

Chapter 308B also requires a chair, one or more vice-chairs, a records officer and a financial officer ^{P1, § 308B.475}. Unless the articles or bylaws provide otherwise, a majority of directors must be members, and a majority must be elected exclusively by patron members: these are distinct requirements, not necessarily the same directors. Patron-member directors must also hold at least half the board's voting power, or the specified alternative must prevent them from being a minority on issues ^{P1, § 308B.411, subd. 2(b)-(c)}.

The statute does not say whether the 50-member threshold is tested at election time or continuously. See Director and officer rules in Chapter 308B and Run board and member meetings.