Advanced Co-operative Governance Program

January 10, 17, and 24, 2024 (+ January 31 for non-CRS participants)

Program Overview

Foster your skills in governance with the Advanced Co-operative Governance Program

Designed by the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives and The Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy and with the support of Federated Co-operatives Limited, the Advanced Co-operative Governance program gives directors the knowledge and understanding to govern their co-operatives with confidence. Following are some of the topics we look at from a uniquely co-operative's perspective. They include:

  • Working with and being mindful of interdependencies among co-operatives; 
  • Fiduciary care and duty of care;
  • Establishing a positive culture through understanding board dynamics, communication behaviour, and personality types and biases;
  • Human resources stewardship and financial stewardship; and
  • Performance measures, compliance monitoring, and risk management

These virtual sessions use a combination of online self-study and live webinar sessions that connect you with experienced facilitators and fellow co-operative directors. The Winter 2024 offering of Advanced Co-operative Governance has three compulsory live sessions: January 10, 17 and 24, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 12:00pm (Saskatchewan time or Central Standard Time). Non-CRS participants are also required to participate in a fourth live session on January 31 on advanced co-operative financials (see more below)

Upon completion of Advanced Co-operative Governance (program attendance and passing an exam), Directors will be recognized as leaders obtaining the Co-opDirector.D designation.

The Director Development Program Series 3 (DDP3)

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In partnership with Federated Co-operatives Limited, this program is also called, “Director Development Program (DDP) Series 3: Advanced Co-operative Governance” and is offered to board members in the Co-operative Retailing System (CRS) who are striving to keep their local co-ops central to their communities’ wellbeing while also contributing to the vitality of the CRS across Western Canada.

Pre-requisite for DDP Series 3

To enrol in DDP Series 3: Advanced Co-operative Governance, participants must have already completed DDP Series 1 and DDP Series 2. 

For more information about DDP Series 1 and 2 please contact Stan Yu (stan.yu@usask.ca). 

Daily Agenda

Day 1: January 10 Day 2: January 17 Day 3: January 24 Day 4: January 31 
(only for non-CRS participants)
  • Governance in Co-operatives 
  • Clarity of Purpose 
  • Thinking about Governance Frameworks 
  • The Challenges of Human Resources Stewardship 
  • Financial Stewardship Review 
  • Performance Measures & Compliance Monitoring 
  • Key Considerations in Governance Evaluation 
  • Reporting Beyond Statutory Reporting Requirements 
  • Advanced Risk Management 
  • Fiduciary Duty & Duty of Care – a Co-operative Perspective 
  • Liability 
  • Establishing a Positive Culture: Board Dynamics 
  • Establishing a Positive Culture: Communication 
  • Behaviour: Understanding Biases 
  • Personality Types & Responsibilities 
  • Attributes of High Performing Boards 
  • Key Financial Statements
  • Budget and Audit
  • Financing
  • Taxation
  • Equity

Program Facilitators

The Advanced Co-operative Governance Program is being facilitated by:

Marc-André Pigeon

Marc-André Pigeon 

Director and Strategic Research Fellow, Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives; and Assistant Professor, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy

Read complete biography

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Dionne Pohler

Associate Professor, Edwards School of Business, University of Saskatchewan; and Co-operative Retailing System Chair in Co-operative Governance

Read complete biography

Registration

Winter 2024 Offering  – January 10, 17, and 24, 2024

In order to create a conducive virtual learning environment, there are limited course seats.

Program cost $1,800 per person + GST & PST (Exam and certification included).

Contact Us

For more information about the Advanced Co-operative Governance Program, please contact Stan Yu at stan.yu@usask.ca