1. Except as otherwise provided in subsection 2, this chapter governs the operation in this state of all unincorporated nonprofit associations formed or operating in this state.

Terms Used In Iowa Code 501B.4

  • association: means an unincorporated organization consisting of two or more members joined under an agreement that is oral, in a record, or implied from conduct, for one or more common, nonprofit purposes. See Iowa Code 501B.2
  • Governing principles: includes any amendment or restatement of the agreements constituting the governing principles. See Iowa Code 501B.2
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • State: means a state of the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, United States Virgin Islands, or any territory or insular possession subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. See Iowa Code 501B.2
 2. Unless the governing principles specify a different jurisdiction, the law of the jurisdiction in which an unincorporated nonprofit association has its main place of activities governs the internal affairs of the association.