Shared challenges in board governance have perennially driven co-ops to establish shared resources and services. Consultants and collaboration around governance and leadership development have been key to building cooperative identity and local community impact.

From the early days of the Cooperative Board Leadership Development (CBLD) program, consultants serving co-op boards and other mission-driven organizations have been asking the question, “What resources do our clients need?”

Years of providing ongoing support to scores of cooperative grocery boards of directors has led to a deep and constantly evolving understanding of what resources board leaders, both new and experienced, will find helpful. Each board is itself a work in progress, requiring leadership practices, periodically renewed training, and preservation of institutional memory through its policies and documents. Co-op boards and Columinate governance consulting have led to the creation of field guides to board actions.

Michael Healy has been a CBLD consultant since 2000, and has written numerous field guides and articles on board governance. He pays attention to the questions his clients ask. “I keep a running list, and I notice if I’m answering the same question more than once, which inspires me to create practical, useful tools for board leaders.” Michael is aware that he usually works directly with only one or two board members from each co-op. The field guides and other resources are a way for everyone on the board to get value out of the CBLD program and benefit from the experience that CBLD consultants share.

CBLD field guides start with an overview of the topic, including why it matters and how it fits into the bigger picture. Then, there are usually some practical steps to take, followed by strategic questions or resources for further conversation. Michael explains, “It’s not just about me telling you what to do, but encouraging you to ask questions and have conversations with your board, and think together about how to work through things.”

In working with co-op boards over extended periods, Healy recommends several resources each week to his clients. Here are a handful of articles he recommends on the regular:

• “Key Financial Indicators,” by Michael Healy
• GM report support
• “Appreciating the Diversity of Member Needs and Motivations,” by Marilyn Scholl
• “Video Field Guide: The Always Appoint Principle,” by Michael Healy and Mark Goehring

The Columinate library is vast, and CBLD consultants support their clients by acting as a librarian and recommending resources that could be helpful. Please reach out to your CBLD consultant if you need help finding something or are looking for recommendations.