> CI Corporate Structure

STRUCTURE OF THE CRYONICS INSTITUTE

CHARTER: The Cryonics Institute was chartered as a Michigan nonprofit corporation in 1976. Its term of existence is "perpetual," and of course long term stability is a fundamental objective.

The Articles of Incorporation plainly state that we freeze people in hope of eventual revival. These Articles were not just routinely filed; they were reviewed by the Michigan Attorney General's office before approval.

There were also meetings with Clinton Township officials, with our activities clearly understood, before purchase of our building there.

CI operated openly, with considerable publicity, for a quarter century, first in Detroit and now in Clinton Township. There had never been a legal challenge.

In 2003 an article was published in SPORTS ILLUSTRATED magazine claiming that the cryonics organization Alcor had mishandled the cryopreservation of baseball star Ted Williams. Despite the fact that the Cryonics Institute was not involve in the case, the media hype spurred the State of Michigan to place CI under a "Cease and Desist" order for six months. Finally the Michigan government decided to license and regulate the Cryonics Institute as a cemetery.

NONPROFIT COOPERATIVE: CI is a membership organization--a cooperative in which the members work together for mutual benefit, with the welfare of patients and prospective patients the first concern. The members set basic policy, and elect directors and officers. Members receive reports of the annual meeting, and of course invitations to attend the annual meeting and any other membership meetings that may be called, and at least annual financial statements.

Officers and Directors have never been paidfor being Officers or Directors, in line with our policy of getting maximum benefit from volunteer help. We hope for, and encourage, any assistance members can provide; but no member is compelled or required to contribute work. If the patient load and general work load become too heavy, our reliance on unpaid help could be modified. Currently we have two full time paid employees, neither of which is an officer or director.

FEES, DUES, RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES: The membership fee  under Option One remains at $1,250 for an individual, or $1,875 for two in the same household--additional close family members at $625 each if they join at the same time. There is no additional fee for minor children. For Option Two Membership, dues are $120 per year or $35 per quarter after a $75 initiation fee.

The membership fees confer eligibility to execute a Cryonic Suspension Agreement for human cryopreservation as well as eligibility to cryopreserve a pet or tissue/DNA sample. Membership fees are not refundable, whether paid in whole or in part; they constitute one of CI's sources of capital, used for such things as equipment and research.

For voting rights, a member must have a contract executed and funded. Option Two members have voting rights after three years, as long as their dues are up to date.

For information about becoming an Option One or Option Two Cryonics Institute Member, see Becoming a Member: the FAQ.