How is association membership determined in a cooperative setting?

In a cooperative setting, association membership is determined by the stockholders of the cooperative corporation. This is because, in a cooperative, individuals typically buy shares in the cooperative rather than owning their individual units in a traditional manner. Each member has a share in the corporation, which in turn owns the property. The rights and responsibilities regarding membership, including voting and participation in governance, are typically spelled out in the cooperative's bylaws.

This structure creates a collective ownership model where decisions are made democratically by the stockholders. The cooperative corporation fundamentally operates on the principle that the members (or stockholders) work together for mutual benefit, which directly relates to how membership and rights are allocated.

The other options do not correctly represent how membership is determined. Investors are not necessarily members of the cooperative; they may hold shares but that's not how membership is classified. Deeded title pertains to ownership rights, which do not apply in a cooperative setting where ownership is by share in the corporation. The association board, while important for management and governance of the cooperative, does not determine membership; rather, they operate within the framework set by the stockholders.