An association may provide for the payment of expenses, necessary in the performance of its service to its members, by the creation of a working fund or otherwise, through fees, dues, assessment, or charges for the services, to be fixed and collected in such manner as may be prescribed in the bylaws or by agreement. Such fees, dues, assessments or charges shall be limited to the amounts necessary to meet expenses already incurred, or as reasonably estimated as essential to be incurred, by the association in conducting its operations. Whenever any association shall find that it has accumulated funds in excess of those necessary to meet expenses already incurred, or reasonably estimated as essential to be incurred, by it in conducting its operations, it shall return such excess to or deduct it from future fees, dues, assessments or charges of the members who contributed to such excess, in the proportions of their respective contributions.

Laws 1917, c. 22, p. 69, § 17; Laws 1923, c. 181, p. 317, § 17.