Eleven villages were selected to research the definition of rural collective economic organization and its membership. The results showed that related economic functions vanished with the change of their roles. The designation of membership is determined by rural collective economic organization themselves with diversified standards, and has little relationship with census register or career. Coupled with documentary, the conclusion can be drawn that rural collective owned land and benefit bondage are key elements impacting the definition of rural collective economic organization and its membership. Some measures shall be taken to accelerate the reform of rural collective owned land. And rural collective economic organization shall be evolved towards modern enterprise system, with admittance and quit mechanisms.