Discover a wealth of best practices and knowledge on cooperatives through our live and recorded webinars. Please see our UWCC Events page for upcoming webinar offerings.
CO-OPS 101
This webinar provides an overview of cooperative basics including:
- What is a cooperative?
- Cooperative history in the United States and Wisconsin
- Why do people form cooperatives?
- Types of cooperatives
- Cooperative principles
- How are cooperatives different from other businesses?
- How to start a cooperative?
Pathways to Employee Ownership
Governance Webinars
Roles and Responsibilities of Co-op Directors
This session focuses on the different functions performed by directors including fiduciary and oversight responsibilities. We review the relationships between the board, management, and members.
Decision–Making Tools for the Board Room
The top function of the board of directors is to make good decisions that are the best for the cooperative and its members. This session will take a deeper look at strategies that enhance cooperative decision-making abilities. We will explore a range of both process and closure tools that can increase participation and overcome common sticking points in reaching a decision.
Tools for an
Effective Board
Learn about strategies for developing an efficient board including meeting agendas and facilitation, committees, and maintaining a healthy board culture. Learn key elements of effective decision making.
Elements of Board Oversight
One of the fundamental roles of the board of directors is to hire, oversee, and evaluate the co-op’s CEO or general manager. In many co-ops, the manager and board function effectively as a leadership team and serving the different functions of strategy versus execution. This session reviews best practices and pit falls for effective board oversight, including: supporter versus enforcer roles, effective oversight, and strong policy/arm’s reach governance.
Onboarding with Purpose: Systems and Strategies for Successfully Integrating New Directors
This webinar by UWCC Executive Director Courtney Berner will explore the ins and outs of director onboarding, a critical component of sustaining a healthy and productive board of directors. The webinar will address why orienting new directors is so important and offer tangible ways cooperatives can improve their own director onboarding and education programs.
Cooperative Finance 101
This session will provide an overview of cooperative finance including defining terms, reading financial statements, questions boards should ask and tools for monitoring financial performance including reports and key indicators.
Cooperative Board Self Evaluation
Board evaluations are a critical component of maintaining a healthy, functioning board of directors, however they often fall to the backburner. This session will explore why and how to conduct board evaluations. It will also explain different methods for conducting board evaluations and their respective advantages and disadvantages.
Cooperatives and Community Needs
Cooperatives & Community Care Needs
Many communities find that the lack of affordable or available childcare is a barrier to attracting and retaining workforce talent. Supporting the care needs of seniors who are aging in place may also present challenges for a community. This webinar highlights how communities in rural Wisconsin and North Dakota are using the cooperative model to address their child and senior care needs.
Cooperatives & Business Succession Strategies
Over the next two decades, an estimated 70% of privately held businesses will change hands, many as a result of retiring baby boomers. Who will take over these businesses, and will they remain in their communities? This webinar presents the conversion of businesses to cooperatives owned by the employees as one effective method for retaining businesses, jobs, and wealth in local communities.
Cooperatives & Community Broadband Needs
In the past, the cooperative model was used to successfully provide electric and telecom services to rural areas where low population densities could not provide the return on investment that larger investor-owned utilities required. This webinar highlights how two cooperatives have used partnerships to meet broadband needs, and the challenges and successes they have encountered.