UW Center for Cooperatives
Fostering critical thinking and understanding about cooperatives.

Cooperative Directors 103: Tools for Governance Success

May 11, 2023, 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. CT

Compeer Financial, Sun Prairie, WI

This is the third course in our Governance Training Series for New Directors. Attendees will learn about strategies for developing an efficient board including meeting facilitation, how to use committees, what to expect as a director, etc. Attendees will have the opportunity to tackle multiple scenarios with other participants to practice utilizing the tools and information presented. We hope you will join us!

Agenda

9:30 a.m.   Registration and Refreshments
10:00 a.m. What Activities Should You Expect As a Board?

Using the lens of the board calendar, we will explore a number of tools that you and your board can employ to fulfill your responsibilities to the co-op and work effectively and efficiently together:

  • Board Calendars – laying out the big picture for the year
  • Board Committees – their role, how to create them and ensure they serve the Board’s need
  • Board Policy – why we develop it, examples of types, and an opportunity to practice policy development
12:00 p.m.   Lunch (included with registration)
1:00 p.m.  Tools for Governance Success

  • General Manager/CEO Evaluation – fulfilling a key oversight role
  • Board Evaluation – why it is important and ways to get it done
2:30 p.m.  Board Meeting Best Practices

  • Board Meeting Agendas and Minutes – what should (and shouldn’t) be in them
  • Roberts Rules of Order – the why and the how
3:30 p.m.   Q&A and Adjourn

Trainers

Courtney BernerCourtney Berner headshot
Executive Director, UW Center for Cooperatives

As Executive Director, Courtney develops research, outreach, and education programs on cooperatives and provides support to new and established cooperatives in a wide range of industries. Her areas of expertise include cooperative education, business development, cooperative finance and governance, and innovative uses of the cooperative model.

Kelly Maynardphoto of kelly maynard
Cooperative Development Specialist, UW Center for Cooperatives

Kelly Maynard is part of the team of Cooperative Development Specialists at the Center, focusing her work on supporting food and agricultural enterprises in rural communities. She enjoys working with diverse groups as they refine their cooperative business proposition and she prioritizes facilitation and learning about group process and governance in the early stages of cooperative development.

Registration & Logistics

Registration

  • $100/attendee
  • Registration cost includes program, materials, coffee break, and lunch.

Register

Scholarships
There is a limited number of scholarships available for cooperatives with demonstrated need for financial assistance, which may include:

  • Board members or organizers from start-up cooperatives
    Board members from emerging cooperatives that are in the process of becoming operational and already incorporated as a cooperative
    Board members from established cooperatives that have limited financial capabilities.

Please contact Kelly Maynard at Kelly.Maynard@wisc.edu for more information.