Berendson Academy – Cooperative Education and Support

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Search 1,388 free articles, guides, books, reports, journals, cheat sheets and sample forms for housing cooperatives. Every resource is free to read and download.

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cover Image 2017 Changes to Wisconsin Cooperative Law – Chapter 185 Cooperative Corporations 2017 Changes to Wisconsin Cooperative Law – Chapter 185 Cooperative...

Cooperatives differ from other business entities in their ownership and operational structure. Cooperatives are owned and controlled by their members. Members use the cooperative to meet their own needs for...

Reports  Coop Legal
Cover Image 4 Things to consider before removing a board member 4 Things to consider before removing a board member

Occasionally, a board member needs to be removed from the board

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image A conversation about Income Verification A conversation about Income Verification

Each assisted household declares its total monthly income, before deductions, to the co-op office.

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image A Guide to Nonprofit Board Service in Oregon - Office of the Attorney General A Guide to Nonprofit Board Service in Oregon – Office...

Thank you for serving as a director of a charitable nonprofit corporation. Oregonians rely heavily on charitable corporations to provide many public benefits, and our quality of life is dependent...

Reports  Coop Legal
Cover Image Accommodating the Disabled Member Accommodating the Disabled Member

What are the legal obligations a cooperative housing association owes to disabled members who seek changes in the policies or rules of the Cooperative because of the member’s medical condition?

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Antitrust Status of Farmer Cooperatives The Story of the Capper- Volstead Act Antitrust Status of Farmer Cooperatives The Story of the Capper-...

The Capper-Volstead Act provides a limited exemption from antitrust liability for agricultural producers who market their products cooperatively.

Reports  Coop Legal
Cover Image Association Essential Documents Association Essential Documents

The core documents to maintain a nonprofit organization.

Cheat Sheets  Coop Legal
Cover image Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation Key Similarities and Differences Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation Key Similarities and Differences

When starting a nonprofit, founders must be careful that their excitement for the organization’s work does not overshadow careful attention to legal requirements.

Cheat Sheets  Coop Legal
Cover Image Can a Co-op Director be Held Personally Liable for Discrimination Can a Co-op Director be Held Personally Liable for Discrimination

The Appellate Division, First Department decision in the case of Alphonse Fletcher, Jr. et v. The Dakota, Inc., et al. continues to be the subject of much discussion in the...

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Can I be held personally liable for actions taken in my capacity as board member Can I be held personally liable for actions taken in...

Courts are generally reluctant to impose personal liability on board members who work on behalf of the building in a voluntary capacity.

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Cannabis Legalization and CHF Canada Housing Cooperatives Cannabis Legalization and CHF Canada Housing Cooperatives

Your CHF Canada Commercial Insurance Program coverage does not prevent you from allowing members to smoke or grow cannabis in their units, subject to legal limits. It is important to...

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Choosing a Legal Structure for Your Housing Coop Choosing a Legal Structure for Your Housing Coop

This guide is for you if your goal is to own property as a group in order to create stable housing for a community of people.

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Converting to a Cooperative Converting to a Cooperative

Converting non-cooperative businesses to cooperatives is an empowering decision for workers and consumers, and a realistic and sound business choice.

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Coop Law for Dummies Coop Law for Dummies

This article will teach and remind you of the answers to the following dozen issues:

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Cooperative Governing Documents Cooperative Governing Documents

Many of these documents, though signed years ago, bind the cooperative to other entities for extended periods of time

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Creating Sound Legal Community Rules Creating Sound Legal Community Rules

Every co-op or condo has rules and regulations that have been established to define the board’s authority and limitations of power, as well as outline the rules governing the community, residents,...

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Document Destruction Document Destruction

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act addresses the destruction of business records and documents, making intentional document destruction a process that must be carefully monitored.

Article  Coop Legal
Cover Image Effective Governance Keeping your Records Straight Effective Governance Keeping your Records Straight

This resource explains why it is essential for boards to maintain accurate records and provides practical suggestions on how to achieve this effectively.

Guides  Coop Legal
Cover image Every Board Must Have Documents Every Board Must Have Documents

Some of the documentation is legally required, while some is simply helpful to have. Some documents should be available to the public while others must be kept confidential.

Cheat Sheets  Board Leader, Board New Board Training, Coop Legal
Cover Image Guidelines for Cooperative Legislation 3 Revised Edition Guidelines for Cooperative Legislation 3 Revised Edition

These new developments are multiple and include a general trend in the harmonization of law, the emergence of international regulations that directly impact enterprises, new regional cooperative legislation, and regional...

Books  Books Portal, Coop Legal
Cover Image Guiding Principles and Board Values Guiding Principles and Board Values

Organizations develop guiding principles from inception. Founding leaders instill their values. Through time, culture, and environmental changes, the ideals evolve.

Cheat Sheets  Coop Legal

About the library

What you will find

Our Download Center is a one-stop hub for cooperative knowledge, curated from trusted cooperative and housing organizations. Whether you want research-based insight or practical management tools, it supports informed decisions and effective leadership.

Governance and legal frameworks

Understand your duties, responsibilities and ethical obligations.

Financial and business planning

Learn strategies to keep your cooperative strong and sustainable.

Operations and maintenance

Gain insights into maintaining property value and community trust.

Marketing and member engagement

Explore proven ways to build community participation and satisfaction.

Sector-specific studies

Dive into focused research on housing, agriculture, finance and more.