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 Building a productive co-op board Building a productive co-op board

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...

Article  Board Training
Cover Image Building an Effective Marketing Plan Workbook Building an Effective Marketing Plan Workbook

Marketing provides the opportunity to build awareness of Extension’s programs and services; it also helps you to understand your customers’ needs and provides information to them in a more impactful...

Article  Coop Management
Cover Images Building Condition Assessment & Reserve Fund Study Building Condition Assessment & Reserve Fund Study

The Agency has developed these guidelines to help your co-op understand the content of your draft Building Condition Assessment & Reserve Fund Study

Article  Coop Finance
Cover Image Building-Effective-Partnerships-guide Building-Effective-Partnerships-guide

The plan was to bring together people who work and volunteer in these two sectors, to network, discuss common goals and interests, and explore the potential for greater collaboration and...

Article  Board Responsibilities
Cover Image Built for Success 10 Steps to a Well Established Committee Built for Success 10 Steps to a Well-Established Committee

Committees consist of homeowners who volunteer their time and efforts to consider, investigate, and take action on tasks that require group oversight.

Article  Coop Committees
Cover Image Bullies in the Boardroom Bullies in the Boardroom

Joining a board should be an honor. It is an opportunity to use leadership skills and tact to advance a shared mission. The boardroom environment should be a place of...

Article  Board Problems
Cover Image But I thought the board wanted this But I Thought the Board Wanted This

High-spirited and eager-to-contribute board members often voice ideas with enthusiasm and good intentions.

Article  Board of Directors
Cover Image CAI Lawsuit Corporate Transparency Act Exemption FAQ CAI Lawsuit Corporate Transparency Act Exemption FAQ

The Anti-Money Laundering/Corporate Transparency Act, enacted in 2021, requires entities to report their business ownership information annually to the Department of the Treasury or face strict penalties.

Article  Coop Transparency Act
Cover Image Calling a Special Meeting of Shareholders Calling a Special Meeting of Shareholders

The following outlines the procedures for calling a special meeting of shareholders. Enclosed are copies of documents which you can use for your meeting.

Article  Board Meeting Board
Cover Image CAM Confessions What I Wish Board Members Knew CAM Confessions What I Wish Board Members Knew

Understanding the relationship between a community association manager (CAM) and the association's board of directors can be tough.

Article  Should I Join the Board?
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 Carbon monoxide and your HDFC Carbon monoxide and your HDFC

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is a highly toxic and potentially fatal gas that is odorless, colorless, and almost undetectable by humans until serious symptoms occur, and even then, it is often...

Article  Coop Emergency Preparedness
Cover Image Career Defining Decisions Career Defining Decisions

The board is ready to update its strategic plan. The planning task force inquires about facilitators, and the CEO says he’ll do it, rationalizing that it will save money and...

Article  Coop Strategic Planning
Cover Image Case Studies of Housing Projects with Operating Case Studies of Housing Projects with Operating

This research documented promising practices of federally assisted housing projects that have transitioned to a post-subsidy environment and continued to provide affordable housing.

Article  Coop 101
Cover Image Championing the Strategic Plan Championing the Strategic Plan

The board wrapped up its retreat, drafted a strategic plan, and intended to officially adopt it at the next meeting.

Article  Coop Strategic Planning
Cover Image Chasing Squirrels Chasing Squirrels

If you’ve heard it once, you’ve heard it dozens of times at board meetings: “I just have a question.”

Article  Board Leader
Cover Image Checklist Implementing Strategic Plan Checklist Implementing Strategic Plan

Planning a retreat is an important activity for every organization. During the retreat, Enthusiasm builds for new programs and growth schemes.

Article  Coop Strategic Planning
Cover Image Checklist Roles Responsibilities Checklist Roles Responsibilities

Basic board roles and responsibilities are the foundation for a successful board. BoardSource has designed this checklist to help you quickly remind yourself of your key responsibilities.

Article  Board Responsibilities
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 Co-op Improvement Program Co-op Improvement Program

The first year of our initiative to stabilize affordable housing & protect community ownership

Article  Coop Starting a Coop
Cover Image Cooperative Secretary Role Profile Co-operative Secretary Role Profile

An example role profile for a co-operative secretary

Article  Board Secretary

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.