Understanding Cooperatives
Unit 6 - The Cooperative Business Team: Manager and Employees - Coordination & Operations


Handout 6.3 - Decisionmaking in a Cooperative 
 

Members

Board of Directors

Manager

  • Selection and election of directors
  • Change articles of incorporation
  • Change bylaws
  • Consolidation with another cooperative
  • Merger with another cooperative
  • Dissolution
  • Sale of major assets
  • Recall directors
  • Adoption of resolutions

 

  • Selection and compensation of general manager
  • Purchase of major fixed assets
  • Credit policy
  • Selection of auditor and attorney
  • Levels of long- and short-term debt
  • Lines of major business activity
  • Policy on affiliation with regional cooperative
  • Authority given to management
  • Long-term or strategic plans
  • Approval of budget
  • Equity management
  • Cash patronage refunds
  • Sources of short- and long-term credit
  • Long-term leases and contracts

 

  • Maintenance of fixed assets
  • Selection and compensation of employees
  • Interpretation of government regulations
  • Day-to-day operations
  • Marketing of products for members
  • Allocation of expenditures within budget approved by board
  • Inventory management
  • Personnel assignments and evaluation
  • Credit decisions (within board policy)
  • Setting pricing and margins within budget and board policy
  • Accounting and management information
  • Patron complaints

 


Rural Development USDA: Understanding Cooperatives - Unit 6  [Back to Unit 6]