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Good Governance Matters

Learn good governance in 6 weeks or less!

For a co-op to be successful, its members should be able to answer this basic question: who gets to decide what? This is governance. In this unique online course, you can learn how to do just that. Sign up to explore these three key ideas:

  1. Ensure people work well together. Know your role in the organization and understand how to ensure relevant voices are heard.
  2. Create a successful view of the future. Learn how to create an aligned understanding with stakeholders of the goals for an organization.
  3. Build legitimacy. Understand how decisions can be recognized as having authority by a majority of shareholders so that the organization maintains legitimacy.

Using real-world cases, this course will teach you how to practically apply these three concepts in the board room. These applications include understanding board structure and member engagement. Most importantly, you will better understand how to get the right people to make the right decisions. Get started today!

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Here’s what people are saying about Good Governance Matters

“I took part in the Good Governance Matters course in 2022 and found it to be informative and engaging. It provided me with an opportunity to hear from different types of cooperatives from all over Canada and I gained a greater sense of understanding around cooperative values and how they relate and weave together with good governance practices. The course moderators provided insightful perspectives and examples throughout that built on the shared experiences of the cohort. Useful follow up information was provided after each session which allowed me to dig into topics further, reflect on discussions and look for opportunities to enhance my governance practices. Thoroughly enjoyed my experience and would recommend it for anyone involved in a cooperative organization in Canada.” – Rachel Carswell, Governance Manager at Vancity Credit Union
“The Good Governance Matters course is a great investment in learning. Our competitive environments are changing, our communities and their demographics are changing, and the products and services our members expect from our co-operatives are changing. Making sure we have sound governance practices in place and that we are committed to good governance is key to any organization’s long-term sustainability. To me, the Good Governance Matters course is a learning accelerator – the instructors and course material are excellent, the break-out sessions provide great opportunities to discuss issues and options and to learn from the perspectives and experiences of the other participants, and the selected case studies make for interesting and challenging discussions. I strongly recommend that this course be part of every director’s learning development.” – John Stevenson, Board President at Sherwood Cooperative Association.

“Heather and the team at Co-operatives First are top-notch. Not only their knowledge but their understanding of the project. They have truly helped us along every step of the way. Their timely response and knowledge of the steps are extraordinary. They are forthcoming with information. This is one of the most knowledgeable and friendliest teams I have ever had the pleasure of working with.”

Weyburn Theatre

“Co-operatives First made the process of establishing our Artisan Co-operative a very clear and easy process. The expanse of available tools and resources provided by Co-operatives First answers many questions and lightens the workload. Greatly appreciate having the connections made with Trista and Kyle, they keep the co-operative moving forward.”

Nehiyawaskiy Indigenous Peoples Art Co-op

“Our experience working with the Co-operatives First team was absolutely fabulous. The staff was accommodating, knowledgeable and patient. It was truly a breath of fresh air to have such a wealth of skill and resources available to a non-profit. They were invaluable to our successful launch!”

Heart Linked Community Services Cooperative

“Working with Co-operatives First was fantastic! We are still new to the cooperative world, and we relied heavily on their advice and expertise when drafting our rules/bylaws, and our memorandum of association. The team has experience with many different cooperative models, so they provided advice on what has and hasn’t worked for other cooperatives. We wouldn’t have been able to incorporate without their help!”

Ananda Cooperative

“We have had a very positive experience with everyone at Co-operatives First. They have helped us in multiple ways. Right from the first step in knowing how to incorporate, how to set our business and offering ideas for us to help steer us in the right direction plus allowing us to really make our own decisions. If our decisions go off track, they have gently guided us back to where we needed to be. The Co-operatives first guys are always eager to answer questions, and give ideas to us that got us off the ground.”

South East Butcher Block