Operating manuals ensure that an organization delivers consistent customer/member service based upon best practices. Manuals are used by leadership and staff for training and reference.

How do we keep directors engaged? “They lose steam. A few quit coming to meetings. The passion they expressed has waned,” are frequent plaints.

We’ve asked the Nominating Committee to conduct this brief interview so we can gauge volunteer satisfaction and make improvements.

Ever end a board meeting wondering if it was worth the time? Do the minutes demonstrate innovation and decisiveness in advancing the mission and goals?

Sample guide

Tasks for all of these groups unfold at a rapid rate. There is always too much to do, and not enough easy information. Each of these groups builds on the...

The purpose of this module is to provide a step-by-step guide for those seeking to start a new cooperative. This module is designed specifically for entrepreneurs and individuals who have...

Largely inspired by SIYB, the ILO’s global entrepreneurship and management training program for potential startups and existing small businesses, the ILO has developed a training package on cooperatives that is...

The club is the heart of the Toastmasters program. It provides the environment and support members need to develop their communication and leadership skills. Club officers support the club and...

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that a workforce, team, or any other group of people will perform better when it is motivated.

A basic responsibility of the board is to ensure its own renewal and development. The board development cycle outlined below is one way to describe the key steps in this...

Serving as a member of a cooperative Board of Directors often entails an experience that is mixed with rewards and anxieties.

Becoming a member of a nonprofit organization's board can be a meaningful way to explore how an individual's experience and expertise can be applied at the governance level in the...

This document describes the basic elements and responsibilities of nonprofit board service. It was developed for the Maine Association of Nonprofits through a contract with Starboard Leadership Consulting, LLC. All...

The manual provides guidelines on how to plan and conduct training activities. It discusses methods for assessing training needs and systems for organizing training in the field, with particular emphasis...

In this Learning Element, you will study the work of some co-operative shops. From their success or failure, you will learn:

You enter a nice shop. The first things that catch your attention are the attractive posters and price signs scattered throughout the shop. They function as "silent salesmen", and they...

Many co-operative trainers are recruited "from the field" with considerable experience and a solid knowledge of cooperation and business management. But for cooperative trainers, this is not enough. To work effectively...

With the rapid growth of towns and cities, there is a pressing need for urban dwellers to have access to affordable shelter that offers reasonable living conditions. The same need...

Most customers want to know the prices before deciding which goods to buy. And many want to read the prices themselves, rather than ask somebody else to tell them.

With the continual transition of volunteer leaders, an organizational chart is an ideal way to describe the dynamics and elements of an organization.

Throughout the Start. In COOP training, you will play the role of potential owner-members or the core group that will lead the setup of the cooperative. You will carry out...

Before accepting an offer to serve on a board, a prospective director should ask a few key questions.

When you saw an opportunity to make things even better, you decided to step up to the challenge and take on a more active role with your homeowners’ association