In order to run an effective Cooperative Business, ongoing education is needed. Boards and membership turnover therefore knowledge of roles and responsibilities has to be learned and expanded. While some new Board members may have served on a non-profit or corporate board, they need to know the specifics of being an effective cooperative board member.
Cooperative Member Training
Members need to understand their rights and responsibilities when they join a cooperative. They often need to go over their role at the Annual Meeting.
Laulima Center Presentation
Tim O’Connell’s Power Point
Board Director Training Board Directors need annual training to train new directors about their responsibilities and add to the skill set of existing directors. Taking the time to do this annually ensures better oversight of the cooperative business.
Director Resource Handbook Tim O’Connell’s detailed encyclopedia of coop Board Director resources and exercises.
Board Policy Tim O’Connell explains how to develop board policies for cooperatives. After the by-laws, these policies shape the actions of the Board.
Cooperative Managers Effective cooperatives are clear about the line between the Board’s role of guiding direction and policy and the Manager’s day-to-day business responsibility.
Cooperative Employees The role of a cooperative employee explained by Tim O’Connell.
Board Profile Grid When developing your Board each year, look at the multiple skills and affiliations your Directors bring to the Board in one easy chart. Especially useful for forming a Steering Committee to develop a cooperative.
Cooperative Finance Board Directors have a legal fiduciary duty to perform on behalf of the cooperative, yet come to the role with different levels of preparation. This training helps to put the whole Board on the same page. Finance-Taxtest Take a test to see if you understand coop taxes.
Patronageslide Cooperatives share profits it the end of the year as a patronage dividend. This slide helps cooperative members understand how the profit is divided.