Governance Training Series for New Directors

101: Roles and Responsibilities of Directors – in person

January 14, 2025, 10a.m. – 3:30p.m. | Cottage Grove, WI

This session will focus on what cooperative governance is (and isn’t) and how as a director you can best fulfill your responsibilities to the cooperative in this role. In addition to the big picture, we will discuss specific tools that can help make directors and the board more effective. Learning objectives include:

• Understanding of primary responsibilities and standards of conduct for cooperative directors
• Familiarity with core cooperative and board documents and how they help you fulfill your responsibilities
• How to use tools like a board calendar and committees to help the board be most effective
• Comfort with cooperative finance terms and clarity on financial information you should be receiving
• Practice thinking through cooperative governance scenarios

102: Finance Basics for Directors – Webinar

January 29, 2025, 9:30a.m. – 11:30a.m. | Zoom Webinar

Monitoring the financial health of the organization is often the most intimidating responsibility assigned to co-op directors—but it doesn’t have to be! This session will provide an overview of cooperative finance.

Learning objectives include:

• Understanding the unique features of co-op finance
• Deeper understanding of the financial responsibilities of a cooperative director
• Reading and understanding financial statements and reports
• Questions boards should be asking about the co-op’s financial picture

This session will be recorded and shared with registered attendees.

103: Tools for Governance Success – in person

February 11, 2025, 10a.m. – 3:30p.m. | Cottage Grove, WI

Learn tools for improving the way your board meets its responsibilities to the cooperative and membership.

Learning objectives include:

• Types of policy and how to develop them
• The purpose and process for conducting a General Manager/CEO evaluation
• The purpose and process for a board evaluation
• Understanding of tools that can be employed in the board room including agendas, meeting roles, Roberts Rules of Order, and executive session
• Understanding of facilitation and decision-making tools that contribute to productive board processes

Registration

Registration open now.

Register Here

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.

While scholarship awards will be prioritized for those able attend all three training sessions in the series, we understand schedules may not allow attendance for every session. If you are unable to attend the entire series, please tell us which session(s) you plan to attend. Scholarship applications are open now and close December 10, 2024. Scholarship recipients will be notified by December 17, 2024. Please contact Abby Grott at agrott@wisc.edu for more information.

Apply for a Scholarship

Payment methods

All tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. Eventbrite accepts all major credit cards. When registering, be sure that the zip code you enter matches the zip code associated with the credit card you use.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Refunds are available up to 7 days before event and must be made through Eventbrite. Please contact Abby Grott at agrott@wisc.edu if there are any issues.

Questions about Registration?

Please contact Abby Grott at agrott@wisc.edu.