I. Membership shall be available on a voluntary basis to all persons who can utilize the services of the association and who are willing to accept membership responsibilities. Membership shall be available without any social, political, racial, or religious discrimination, and without any discrimination based upon age, sex, disability, or marital status.
II. An association may set membership criteria based upon geographical boundaries, membership in or affiliation with another organization, or other criteria not inconsistent with paragraph I. Patronage may also be restricted to the members of a cooperative association.