A co-op's democratically elected board of directors embodies both the strengths and a potential Achille's heel of the cooperative structure. Boards can change their composition annually, bringing fresh energy and perspectives to governance responsibilities. But changes to the co-op board underscore the need for continuity in leadership and policy development. Board training is essential for sustaining the organization's direction and furthering its mission. 

Addressing these fundamental needs, the Cooperative Board Leadership Development (CBLD) program has opened its enrollment for 2026. This will be CBLD's 23rd year of providing board support, annual retreats, and a wealth of online webinars and resources. 

Jade Barker became the new coordinator of the CBLD program in late 2025, and a recent conversation with her made evident her enthusiasm for the work and the services provided. Barker praised the CBLD consultants—there are twelve at present—stating that she still draws on the wisdom she received from the CBLD consultants who supported her when she was a co-op board president.  

Key features 

Reviewing the CBLD program, Barker commented on its key elements: 

*An annual agreement: this conforms to the typical board cycle while encouraging regular contact between the consultant and the client co-op.  

*Annual retreats: Either in-person or virtual, depending on which program participants select, these retreats are vital for encouraging open discussions and reflections on board responsibilities and the state of the co-op. Board retreats can contribute a great deal to trust building and team building—among the "four pillars" of board governance. 

*Interactive: CBLD clients have unlimited access to interactive online CBLD roundtables and webinars. These events connect participants with other cooperators from around the country. 

*Resources: While Columinate Library resources are open source, and available to anyone with an interest, the CBLD Academy, an on-demand training resource, is limited to participants in the CBLD program. Barker highlighted two courses that she considers essential for directors: the Virtual CBL 101 (Cooperative Board Leadership 101), and the Financial Training for Boards. Explorations in Policy Governance is a newer series created due to popular demand for a more nuanced approach to understanding Policy Governance.  (All CBLD events can be accessed here.) 

A further strength of the CBLD program includes the ability to access cooperative innovation nationally through members of the CBLD team. CBLD consultants pool their knowledge through internal internet forums and during monthly optional "water cooler" calls where they share challenges and ask for and offer support. 

Almost two hundred unique organizations have participated in the CBLD program since its inception.  Typically, about 90 organizations register in any given year. In the last two years, over 1,100 people nationwide have attended CBLD trainings. And while there is always some turnover among clients, most co-ops have remained with the CBLD program from year to year, a testament to its enduring value.