ASSOCIATION

association.  1.  The  process  of  mentally  collecting  ideas,  memories,  or  sensations.  2.  A

gathering  of  people  for  a  common  purpose;  the  persons  so  joined.  3.  An  unincorporated

organization that is not a legal entity separate from the persons who compose it. • If an association

has  sufficient corporate  attributes, such  as  centralized  management,  continuity  of  existence, and

limited  liability,  it  may  be  classified  and  taxed  as a  corporation.  —  Also  termed  unincorporated

association; voluntary association. [Cases: Associations    1. C.J.S. Associations §§ 2–3, 8.]

beneficial association.See benevolent association.

benefit association.See benevolent association.

benevolent association.An unincorporated, nonprofit organization that has a philanthropic or

charitable purpose. — Also termed beneficial association; benefit association; benevolent society;

fraternal society; friendly society. [Cases: Charities    39. C.J.S. Charities § 60.]

homeowners’  association.  1.  An  association  of  people  who  own  homes  in  a  given  area  and

have  united  to  improve  or  maintain  the  area’s  quality.  2.  An  association  formed  by  a  land

developer or homebuilder to manage and maintain property in which the developer and the builder

own an undivided common interest. • Homeowners’ associations — which are regulated by statute

in many states — are commonly formed by restrictive covenant or a declaration of restrictions. —

Also spelled homeowners association.

nonprofit association.A group organized for a purpose other than to generate income or profit,

such  as  a  scientific,  religious,  or  educational  organization.  [Cases:  Charities    1,  39,  46.  C.J.S.

Charities §§ 2–3, 60, 62–63.]

owners’ association.See OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION.

professional  association.  1.  A  group  of  professionals  organized  to  practice  their  profession

together,  though  not  necessarily  in  corporate  or  partnership  form.  2.  A  group  of  professionals

organized  for  education,  social  activity,  or  lobbying,  such  as  a  bar  association.  —  Abbr.  P.A.

[Cases: Attorney and Client    31. C.J.S. Attorney and Client §§ 8–9.]

trade  association.An  association  of  business  organizations  having  similar  concerns  and

engaged in similar fields, formed for mutual protection, the interchange of ideas and statistics, and

the establishment and maintenance of industry standards. • A trade association may be composed

of  members  of  a  single  industry  (e.g.,  the  Chemical  Manufacturers  Association)  or  members

having a common interest  or purpose (e.g., the Consumer Mortgage Coalition). Among the joint

actions that a trade association often takes are collecting industry data, advertising, marketing, and

engaging in public relations and government relations.[Blacks Law 8th]