Berendson Academy – Cooperative Education and Support

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Cover Image Fiduciary-Duty-of-Boards Fiduciary-Duty-of-Boards

This is the fundamental legal, or statutory, duty of board members. It is called the duty of loyalty, or more commonly, the fiduciary duty. “Fiduciary” is an old English word...

Cheat Sheets  Coop Finance
Cover Image Finance Committee Fundamentals Finance Committee Fundamentals

Does your organization have one finance committee that carries out all of the duties associated with financial oversight? Or do you have separate finance, audit, and investment committees?

Cheat Sheets  Coop Finance
Cover Image Financial Policy Guidelines and Example Financial Policy Guidelines and Example

Developing and adopting a written financial policy is a valuable practice for any nonprofit organization, regardless of its size. Financial policies clarify the roles, authority, and responsibilities for essential financial...

Cheat Sheets  Coop Finance
Cover Image Financial-Statement-Review-Questions- Financial Statement Review Questions

The Chartered Accountants of Canada recommend the following questions be used by a Board of Directors in reviewing their financial statements.

Cheat Sheets  Coop Finance
Cover Image For Every Action There is a Reaction For Every Action There is a Reaction

Welcome to the Board. You'll be attending meetings where nearly every call for action will begin with the phrase, "I make a motion ... "

Cheat Sheets  Board of Directors
Cover Image Giving & Receiving Criticism Giving & Receiving Criticism

Successful organizations are characterized by strong chief executive–board chair partnerships — partnerships founded on respect and trust and focused on serving as each other’s sounding board, as each other’s champion…and,...

Cheat Sheets  Coop Conflict Resolution
Cover Image Governance Efficiencies Governance Efficiencies

In a regional webinar on good governance, the chief elected president said, “Bob taught us these practices years ago. We adopted them and now have a more efficient board.”

Cheat Sheets  Coop Governance
Cover Image Governing In a Time of Crisis-10 Action Items for Board Governing In a Time of Crisis-10 Action Items for Board

Your mission and values should guide all your decisions and how you maintain relationships with each other. It’s especially important that equity and inclusion remain priorities; even when making quick...

Cheat Sheets  Coop Governance
Cover Image Guide to Better Governance Guide to Better Governance

The concept of board governance is vague. Directors may find themselves on boards, but their knowledge of good governance is limited. This guide offers smart practices and takes governance from...

Cheat Sheets  Coop Governance
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
Cover Image Handling Conflict during Board Meetings Handling Conflict during Board Meetings

Because meetings depend on interaction among people with different values, perspectives, and communication styles, it is almost inevitable that conflict will sometimes occur.

Cheat Sheets  Board Meeting Board, Coop Conflict Resolution
Cover Image Hierarchy of Governing Documents Hierarchy of Governing Documents

A guide to the origin, purpose, and application of seven governing documents for exempt organizations in the USA, listed in order of hierarchy.

Cheat Sheets  Coop Legal
Cover Image House to Homesafe space House to Home safe space

The topic of Indigenous mobilization has resulted in decades of studies that show that little has been done to address why Indigenous people are choosing to relocate to urban areas,...

Cheat Sheets  Coop Affordable
Cover Image Housing Need Demand Study Template Housing Need Demand Study Template

BC Housing considers the needs of all municipalities in the province during deliberations on the location of new affordable housing projects. The objective of such broad-based decision-making is to ensure...

Cheat Sheets  Coop Affordable
Cover Image How Do I Find New Leaders How Do I Find New Leaders

Whether seeking directors for the board. Volunteers for the committee or industry leaders to serve on allied boards; the critical step is to ask. Nearly every volunteer member who flattered...

Cheat Sheets  Board of Directors
Cover Image How to Conduct a Chief Executive Performance Assessment in 10 steps How to Conduct a Chief Executive Performance Assessment in 10...

There is no single method for conducting a chief executive assessment; however, boards and chief executives are more likely to find the assessment constructive if it is implemented in a...

Cheat Sheets  Coop Management
Cover Image I Survived a Year on a Committee I Survived a Year on a Committee

Last year, I cringed when I was asked to serve on a committee. Before I said "yes," I was determined to learn how to be a good committee member. You...

Cheat Sheets  Coop Committees
Cover Image Implementing the Strategic Plan Implementing the Strategic Plan (Bob Harris Article)

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

Cheat Sheets  Coop Strategic Planning
Cover Image Income Limits Explained-UHAB Income Limits Explained-UHAB

Below are some guidelines on the significance of income limits to your HDFC. Note: any figures quoted regarding the current AMI are from 2005.

Cheat Sheets  Coop 101

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.