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Public Relations Department 432 North Lake Street Madison, WI 53706 608-262-9871 608-262-8404 (fax) 608-265-9317 (TTY)Training for cooperative board directors
Cooperatives are common in Wisconsin communities, whether they are agricultural farm supply, marketing or service cooperatives. As with any business, the changing farm structure, new environmental regulations, fluctuating commodity prices and other factors affect the ability of the cooperative business to meet the needs of its members.
Director workshops for boards of directors are offered throughout the state each year to enhance the skill level of cooperative boards of directors working in this challenging business environment.
The workshops are offered by the Educational Cooperative Alliance, which includes the University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives, the Wisconsin Federation of Cooperatives, the Minnesota Association of Cooperatives and Cooperative Development Services. The training is co-sponsored by Co Bank, a lender to agricultural cooperatives and a workshop presenter.
Four day-long workshops will cover topics important to directors in carrying out their responsibilities. Upon completion of the workshop, completion plaques are given to the director and his or her cooperative.
Workshop #1 covers board management responsibilities, board structure, developing policies, and selecting and evaluating the manager.
Workshop #2 covers financial statements, control tools, and financing and equity redemption polices.
Workshop #3 includes the changing business environment and how to prepare for and implement structural changes such as mergers and joint ventures and strategic planning.
Workshop #4 includes board evaluation, effective communications and how to market the cooperative advantage.
Scheduled workshops are:
Workshop #1 -- March 13 at Marshfield
Workshop #2 -- March 12 at Wausau
Workshop #3 -- March 6 at Barron
Workshop #4 -- March 7 at Eau Clare
This series of one-day workshops is also being offered as a three-day workshop package in La Crosse July 17 ?19.
For more information and to register, contact Dawn Danz-Hale at 608-262-3981.
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File: Cooperatives
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