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Building Better Boards: Two Governance Training Opportunities
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Effective governance is the cornerstone of every successful cooperative. Strong boards lead to strong businesses, and continuous learning ensures directors are well-equipped to guide their organizations. Next month, we’re excited to offer two tailored training opportunities designed to strengthen cooperative leadership at all levels:
1. Governance Training Series for New Directors
For new directors, stepping into the boardroom can be both exciting and overwhelming. This training is designed to equip newly elected directors—or those who haven’t had formal training—with the tools they need to succeed.
What You’ll Learn:
- The fundamentals of cooperative governance and director responsibilities.
- How to build positive relationships between the board and management.
- Practical strategies to contribute to a productive and forward-thinking board.
Who Should Attend:
- Newly elected directors from all sectors.
- Directors who have not received prior cooperative board training.
📅 Dates: January 14, January 29, February 11
📍 Location: Alcivia Cooperative, Cottage Grove, WI
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2. Agricultural Cooperative Director Training
For directors in agricultural cooperatives, the stakes are high, and the challenges are unique. This advanced training is designed for experienced directors seeking to deepen their governance expertise and address issues specific to agricultural cooperatives. This training is developed with Dr. Michael Boland from University of Minnesota and the Land O'Lakes Member Services Team.
Training Topics:
- Multidimensional Governance & Developing your Co-op Leadership Toolbox
- Learning from Experience: Implementing and Reflecting on Cooperative Governance Improvements
- Agricultural Outlook for Minnesota in 2025
- What you Know and Don’t Know as a Director
- Insights from the Top: Navigating Major Changes in Cooperatives
Who Should Attend:
This training is designed for agricultural cooperative directors. Cooperative senior leadership is also welcome to attend.
📅 Dates: January 7-8, 2025
📍 Location: Crystal Valley Cooperative, Mankato, MN
Don’t miss these opportunities to strengthen your leadership and contribute to the long-term success of your cooperative!
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Los Volcanes Cooperative Launches in Madison
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Madison has welcomed an exciting addition to its cooperative landscape with the launch of Los Volcanes, a worker-owned cooperative specializing in custom screenprinting, embroidery, and sewing. Founded by a group of Latiné workers, Los Volcanes emerged from a shared vision of creating dignified jobs and building collective power within their community.
The cooperative was born out of necessity and resilience. Many founding members previously faced workplace challenges, including unfair treatment and exploitative practices, but they turned these struggles into an opportunity to shape a business centered on equity and collaboration. With guidance from Worker Justice Wisconsin’s cooperative incubation program, Los Volcanes has become a reality, continuing the region's strong tradition of cooperatives as tools for economic empowerment.
Los Volcanes operates out of a new location in Middleton, WI, where members democratically manage the business and share its profits. Their services cater to local businesses and organizations seeking high-quality, custom designs with a community-first ethos.
The cooperative hosted an open house to celebrate its launch, featuring food, guest speakers, and a tour of their space. The event highlighted the importance of cooperatives in fostering local ownership and supporting workers from marginalized communities to overcome barriers in traditional business environments.
As they grow, Los Volcanes aims to inspire others to consider the cooperative model as a means of building inclusive and sustainable local economies. For more details, visit Worker Justice Wisconsin’s website or Los Volcanes' Middleton location.
This new cooperative joins the growing movement to create equitable business alternatives, strengthening Madison's reputation as a hub for innovative, worker-owned enterprises.
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Worker-owners of Los Volcanes each holding a portion of the ribbon from their cooperative launch. Photo courtesy of Worker Justice Wisconsin.
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In Brief: Resources and Updates
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UWCC's Maynard Featured on the Collaborative Farming Podcast
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We’re thrilled to share that Kelly Maynard, one of our team of cooperative development specialists, was recently featured on the Collaborative Farming Podcast. During the episode, Kelly shared practical advice and tools for folks interested in going into cooperative farming. Listen to to the episode.
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Forestry Cooperative Grants Available
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UWCC is pleased to invite proposals to receive $5,000 to $25,000 to fund the development of Wisconsin-based cooperatives or cooperative groups (e.g., associations, networks, and informal collaborations) in the following areas: forest management, forest-related products, biomass energy, forest-owner policy initiatives, and support for existing forestry cooperatives or associations. Proposals must be submitted by February 15, 2025. See the announcement and application for more details.
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Employee Ownership Webinar Recording Available
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The recording of the webinar "Unlock Your Business's Future: Discover the Power of Employee Ownership" is now available. Hosted in partnership with Cooperative Development Services, Northcountry Development Foundation, Minnesota Center for Employee Ownership, and the Wisconsin Center for Employee Ownership, the webinar is intended for business owners considering employee ownership. The webinar explores how transitioning to employee ownership can be a powerful way to secure a business’s future while rewarding its workers.
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Governance Training for New Directors
January 14 and February 11, 2025
Madison, Wisconsin
Finance Webinar - virtual - January 29, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. CT
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Outstanding board leadership is a critical component of being a successful cooperative business. Great boards don’t just happen, they are built and honed. Governance training is critical to developing a productive and forward-thinking board and ensuring a positive relationship between the board and management.
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Agricultural Cooperative Director Training
January 7-8, 2025
Mankato, Minnesota
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Join fellow ag co-op directors for a highly interactive program highlighting the latest issues impacting farmer cooperatives.
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Webinar:
Exploring the Cooperative Business Model in Rural Wisconsin
January 22, 2025
12:00 - 1:15 p.m.
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This informational webinar on cooperative business 101 is designed for economic developers and business educators in Northern Wisconsin.
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CCMA 2025: Save the Date!
May 29 - 31, 2025
Duluth, Minnesota
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Join food cooperative directors, management, staff, and sector allies for a conference focused on highlighting issues impacting the cooperative movement.
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