Governance - USDA

USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Report 155, 21 pp., 1997. Discusses the decision-making process when members’ needs are diverse, including the importance of consensus building and well-defined policies and procedures. Background reading for decision making in co-operatives.

USDA, Agricultural Cooperative Service, Report 1, section 7, 29 pp., revised 1993. Discusses the roles and responsibilities of members in supporting the co-operative.

USDA, Agricultural Cooperative Service, Report 21, 68 pp., revised 1992. Basic outline for planning and holding an annual members’ meeting. Suggestions for the type of information that should be presented. Discusses the importance of advertising and providing educational features and entertainment to attract and interest members.

USDA, Agricultural Cooperative Service, Report 16, 32 pp., 1993. Emphasizes the differences between managing a co-operative and an investor-owned corporation. Highlights the relationship between board and members and the role the manager plays in engaging members in the ownership of the co-op. Communication is stressed.

USDA, Agricultural Cooperative Service, Report 14, 45 pp., 1992. Discusses the role of directors in a co-operative, what to look for in selecting directors, methods by which directors are chosen, and the division of responsibility between management and board.

USDA, Rural Business-Cooperative Service, Report 1, section 8, 38 pp., revised 1997. Reviews the role and function of management, including the accounting and control systems that assist management in running the business. Identifies the division of responsibilities between management and board.