Officer Elections
Within a well-functioning democracy, the process by which we choose our leaders is at least as important as whom we choose. The quality of the conversation we have about elections, board culture and leadership qualifications [...]
Precautions and Protections: Summarizing legal responsibilities of cooperative boards
By Thane Joyal, Dave Swanson 153 March - April - 2011 As cooperative directors, it's important that we know our jobs. Some parts of that job are personal to us: we bring interests, skills, and [...]
Hiring for Motivational Fit
Why do some people enjoy a job and stay with it for years while others seem unhappy and leave—or stay on but complain, come to work late, and call in sick more than others? Why [...]
Why Rehash the Old When You Can Start New? Try Fresh Start Bylaws
It is the duty of boards to keep the co-op’s bylaws up to date on behalf of the membership, yet board members sometimes feel it is an overwhelming and potentially tedious task. That’s why CDS [...]
Bill Gessner to Be Inducted into Co-op Hall of Fame
Bill Gessner likes working with people, and most of the time, you’ll find him wherever groups are creating plans for the future. Throughout his career, Bill has worked with hundreds of food co-ops and many [...]
Enact the Empowerment Stream to Build Shared Values
Looking to the Cooperative Principles, it is clear that cooperatives are by design set up to be empowering organizations. From the first principle to the last, from open membership to concern for community, all [...]
Case Study: Member Forums Key to Functioning Empowerment Stream
Lexington Cooperative Market Buffalo, N.Y. Year founded: 1971 Number of members: 6,500 Equity investment: $80 Number of staff: 75 Retail square feet: 4,500 For many years the leadership at Lexington Cooperative Market in Buffalo, N.Y., [...]
The Rochdale Pioneers: Roots of the Cooperative Movement
Explore the history of the modern-day cooperative, delve into societal trends, gain understanding of the economic and religious forces at work and let Todd Wallace weave the pieces together for you in this riveting story-telling [...]
