More results...

Generic filters

cooperative governance

How CBLD Strengthens Boards and Leaders

By |2026-01-14T18:20:22-05:00January 14th, 2026|

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.

Read More

Reimagining Your Board’s Work

By |2024-09-16T15:12:51-04:00September 3rd, 2024|

Have you ever felt like your board is in a rut? Maybe it seems that all you do at meetings is hear reports about operational or committee activities. Or maybe you notice that your board engages in robust dialogue during your day-long retreats, but your monthly meetings seldom include this sort of conversation. Maybe you have begun to wonder what value you—individually or collectively—are adding to the organization.

Read More

Financial Dashboards Field Guide: Focusing on Key Indicators

By |2024-01-22T17:45:07-05:00January 22nd, 2024|

A dashboard can help boards of directors pay attention monthly to key indicators of financial health. This dashboard review can occur in between the quarterly monitoring reports on the board’s "financial conditions" policy. A dashboard is intended to supplement, not replace, monitoring reports; those reports are the place for more detailed information about the key indicators and the longer-term trends.

Read More

CBLD Field Guide: Handling Board Resignations

By |2024-01-30T12:43:01-05:00January 22nd, 2024|

Over the years I have worked with and served on governing boards, I have observed many director resignations, some sudden and unexpected, others more drawn-out and planned; some fiery and dramatic, and others typically routine. I myself resigned from a board I had served on for many years!

Read More

Meet Molly Phipps: Putting Her Passions to Work

By |2024-01-03T15:44:41-05:00January 3rd, 2024|

Molly Phipps, welcomed to the Columinate consultant team in 2023, has centered her career around three key passions: food, people, and the natural environment. As a result, this warm and analytical cooperator’s resume exhibits an eye-catching variety of job titles, including evaluation and research associate, farmer’s market manager, board member, and lab manager. The breadth of Phipps’ experience and her leadership in planning/evaluating strategy are sure to generate a positive impact for co-ops in the grocery industry as well as for resident-owned communities in manufactured home parks.

Read More

Board Training Evolves: Enter CBLD Academy

By |2023-11-16T15:28:27-05:00October 31st, 2023|

This fall, consultants at Columinate will launch CBLD Academy, an on-demand learning loaded with revitalized and accessible content. Cooperators can expect three courses within the “Foundation Series” at the outset, with more courses planned to round out this base of co-op training. “It's a natural and a march towards progress in how we provide a framework for learning about the co-op business model,” said Leslie Watson, governance at Columinate.

Read More

Agency and Stewardship: Understanding the board’s dual roles

By |2023-09-01T16:26:25-04:00September 1st, 2023|

Why do boards of directors exist? We take a lot for granted when we think about serving on the board of an organization. If asked, we might describe the role as being one of a fiduciary, entrusted with its care, and we might be aware that being a member of a board confers responsibilities for the success of the organization in some fashion or another.

Read More

Prompts from a Racial Equity Challenge: A Tool for Board Engagement

By |2024-03-27T15:55:54-04:00June 27th, 2023|

I serve as a co-chair of the board of directors of PFC Natural Grocery and Deli in Kalamazoo, Michigan, a co-op that identifies as being anti-racist. Dismantling systemic oppression is an ongoing journey. As the primary organizer of our board’s work together, I aim to make sure we are holding ourselves accountable for this work. I don’t want it to get lost or forgotten amidst all of our other roles and responsibilities.

Read More

Mining the Library: “What Resources Do Our Clients Need?”

By |2023-05-05T20:04:37-04:00March 22nd, 2023|

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?”

Read More

Board Trainings Tackle Trust and Conflict: January webinars build leadership skills

By |2023-05-05T20:04:43-04:00January 9th, 2023|

Welcome to 2023! As your co-op board of directors reflects on the past year and refreshes for the upcoming one, don’t forget that Columinate’s Cooperative Board Leadership Development program (CBLD) is here to support your work. For nineteen years, this award-winning program has been a resource to co-op boards across the country, providing monthly consulting, facilitated board retreats, and a robust lineup of engaging, relevant webinars. In January, CBLD is kicking off its fresh slate of webinars with sessions focused on building trust and navigating conflict.

Read More
This website uses cookies and third party services. Settings ACCEPT

Tracking Cookies

Basic analytics and user activity tracking.

Third-party Content

Required for Youtube videos and other off-site content.