The following activities tend to illustrate a common business interest: Promoting higher business standards and better business methods and encouraging uniformity and cooperation by a retail merchants association, Educating the public in the use of credit, Establishing uniform casualty rates and compiling statistical information by an insurance rating bureau operated by casualty insurance companies under state authority, Establishing and maintaining the integrity of a local commercial market, Operating a trade publication primarily to benefit an entire industry, Encouraging the use of goods and services of an entire industry (such as a lawyer referral service whose main purpose is to introduce individuals to the use of the legal profession in the hope that they will enter into lawyer-client relationships on a paying basis), and Attempting to influence legislation germane to the common business interests of an organization's members. On the other hand, a hobby is not a business; thus, an organization that promotes the common interests of hobbyists does not qualify for exemption as a business league. Return to Life Cycle of a Business League (Trade Association)