Education and training
One of the most important functions of the Association is the training of directors and senior executives of cooperatives and mutuals, and those interested in this sector
“If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas.”
-- George Bernard Shaw
The focus of the training is on issues which do not necessarily arise within an investor-owned business, or for which there may be a different set of circumstances in member-owned businesses.
In particular, the Association offers governance training for directors of mutual and cooperative enterprises using The LEADing Board, a programme developed at the Unversity of Wisconsin specifically for cooperative directors.
Click here to download the contents of The LEADing Board.
This programme can be offered to an entire board, when and where needed, on two consecutive days or two days not more than three months apart, and with support from member businesses and charitable trusts is also offered for groups of up to 25 directors and potential board members from time to time.
An increasing number of government, advisory and private service providers who are seeking better appreciation of cooperative issues are attending these sessions.
Coming up
The LEADing Board – a two-day governance course for directors and potential directors of cooperatives and mutuals
29 & 30 March, 2012 • AgResearch Invermay, North Taieri
Click here for info on the course, the fee is $250 – to book a place click here to send an email or phone Robbie Burnside on 03 474 1345.
Sponsored by the Burnside Hart Cooperative Education Trust and the New Zealand Cooperatives Association, the presenter will be Peter Harris.
Massey University course: Cooperative Governance and Management
An advanced study of the theory and practises of cooperatives and mutuals. Emphasis is placed on the ownership and governance of cooperatives and their subsequent performance in meeting the conflicting demands placed on them through shareholder/supply or shareholder/buyer complexities.
The competitiveness of cooperatives in a global environment is explored through appropriate case studies, with particular attention being paid to global equity and consumer markets.
Offered on the Palmerston North campus, find more info on this course HERE.
Recent seminars
The Evolving Nature of Governance and Capital in Cooperative and Mutual Business
During this two day seminar, speakers from Australia, Canada and New Zealand who recognise that cooperative structure needs constant review offered different – and often differing – viewpoints on how co-ops and mutuals might develop their capital structure and improve their governance.
The speakers were:
- Abhy Maharaj & Christine Burr, Fonterra Cooperative Group, How Dairy Farmers Will Benefit From Trading Among Farmers
- Desiree Reid, Nuffield Scholar, How Dairy Cooperatives Grow For Farmers’ Benefit
- Jenny Morrison, LIC Shareholders Council, Governance with a Shareholders Council
- Jim McMillan, LBMX (Canada), Competitive Strategies for Co-ops: the North American Experience
- Kim DeGarnham, Company Secretary, Foodstuffs South Island, Recovering From Disaster – Not Only the Co-op but Ensuring Your Members Can Trade
- Murray Jagger, director LIC, Evolution of Shares in a Modern Co-op
- Peter Harris, former PSIS director, Effective Governance Through Strong Policy
- Richard Briggs, director, Lighthouse Lighting and former CEO, Orb Communications, Finding Sources of Income which do not Impact on Viability and Competitiveness
- Wally Newman, director, CBH Group (Western Australia), Turning the Tide on Demutualisation Tactics Against Your Cooperative
Around 50 people took part in this seminar, as presenters and audience. PDFs of the speakers’ presentations are available in the member area of this website.
The LEADing Board – a two-day governance course for directors and potential directors of cooperatives and mutuals
28 & 29 July, 2011 • AgResearch Invermay, North Taieri
Sponsored by the Burnside Hart Cooperative Education Trust and the New Zealand Cooperatives Association, the presenter was Professor Alan Robb.
The LEADING BOARD – Governing a Successful Cooperative Business
March 2011 • Wellington
A two-day seminar for current and potential directors of cooperative and mutual businesses.
Educating co-op members, directors and executives about how cooperatives operate differently from investor-owned firms is a key part of running a successful cooperative business.
The seminar had as its focus boardroom skills and expertise and how they are put into practice in member-owned businesses, and used The LEADing Board, a programme developed at the University of Wisconsin specifically for cooperatives.
Facilitator: Peter Harris. For many years a director of the financial services cooperative PSIS, Peter was a member of the Electricity Commission and was the Economic Advisor to the Minister of Finance from 1999 to 2003. He chaired the Ministerial Savings Product Working Group whose report was the founding document for what evolved into the KiwiSaver scheme. Peter spoke at the 2009 Cooperative Education Seminar in Wellington on the topic of “Revitalising A Sense of Belonging”.
2010 cooperative education seminar
MUTUALITY AT WORK: Ensuring a Successful Cooperative Business
This two day seminar examined what makes a member-owned cooperative or mutual business sustainable, one that serves more than a single generation of members. With almost 30 people present at any one time, it was a tremendous success.
We were very pleased that Green MP Dave Clendon was able to join us for a couple of the sessions, and that Labour MPs David Parker and Damien O'Connor were able to join us for discussions over lunch on the Thursday.
The speakers were:
- Alan Robb independent commentator on financial accounting, cooperatives, corporates governance and ethics – Postgraduate and Director Education for Cooperatives
- Arthur Flint Chief Financial Officer, NZPM Group (Plumbing World) – 46 Years and Going From Strength to Strength
- Bill McLeod Chairman, Ravensdown Fertiliser Cooperative – Taking Away the Geographical Boundaries
- Chris Knowles recently retired as Company Secretary, Foodstuffs South Island – 82 Years – Third Generation Grocers
- Chris Pearce Capital Structure Manager, Fonterra Cooperative Group – Consolidating the Change Process
- Gareth Fleming General Manager Marketing & Products, PSIS – A Cooperative Way of Banking
- Matt Farrington senior lawyer, Buddle Findlay – Developments in Financial Sector Law
- Fraser Bell Business Development Manager, College of Business, Massey University – Graduate Education in the Governance of Cooperatives and Mutuals
- Ramsey Margolis executive director, New Zealand Cooperatives Association – How the Cooperatives Association Supports Member Businesses
- Tom Jones Consulting Project Manager, Canadian software company LBMX Inc – Using Information to Better Manage Your Co-op
Guest after dinner speaker was Blue Read, who had recently stepped down from the role of Chairman of Fonterra Shareholders Council.
Complete information on the seminar is available here. PDFs of the presentations are available in the member area of the website.
2009 cooperative education seminars
Two seminars were held, each over two days, in Wellington during August 2009. The first, for cooperative directors and members, took place on Thursday 13 and Friday 14 August. Leading the workshops were:
- Alan Robb, speaking on mutuality in uncertain times
- Chris Cooper, Director of Learning and Development from the UK Cooperative College
- Don McFarlane, Chairman of CRT Cooperative and Director of both the New Zealand Blackcurrant Cooperative and the New Zealand Honey Producers Cooperative
- Strategic Pay Director Geoff Summers
- Member of the Electicity Commission Peter Harris, an economist with an extensive background in research, analysis, and advocacy who was formerly a director of PSIS
- Ramsey Margolis, Executive Director, New Zealand Cooperatives Association
- Russell Green, Chairman of Capricorn Society
- Tony O'Boyle, sheep and beef farmer who chaired Fonterra’s Shareholders Council from 2002 to 2005
A seminar for cooperative executives was then held on Thursday 27 and Friday 28 August. The people leading these workshops included:
- Alastair Hercus, parter, Buddle Findlay
- Alister Lawrence, CEO of NZPM Group (Plumbing World)
- Chris Cooper, Director of Learning and Development from the UK Cooperative College
- Craig Waterhouse, Commercial Manager of Farmlands Trading Society
- James Morrison, cooperative consultant
- Mike Kearney, General Manager of the NZ Blackcurrant Cooperative
- Janine Gould, director of Communicate Consultants
- Trent Bartlett, CEO of the Perth-based Capricorn Society
The promotional brochure for the seminars can be downloaded here. PDFs of some of the presentations are available for download in the member area of this website.
2008 cooperative education seminars
Why Some Cooperatives Succeed and Why Some Fail
A strategic one-day cooperative identity programme for directors and executive managers
July 2008, Wellington
facilitated by
Dr Chris Cooper MA Ed Mgmt (Open), EDSM, DMS (Henley), Cert Ed
Run in conjunction with the following day's seminar, this event is aimed at those responsible both for the governance and the strategic management of their cooperative as well as communicating the aims and ethos of the cooperative to existing, new and prospective members and the wider community.
It will also help to review at a practical level what cooperatives are about and how the application of these values can help in an increasingly tough and competitive market.
For more information download the programme.
Effective Cooperative Governance
A one-day workshop for current and future cooperative directors
August 2008, Wellington
facilitated by
Dr Chris Cooper MA Ed Mgmt (Open), EDSM, DMS (Henley), Cert Ed
Following on from the previous day's seminar, this governance workshop will ensure that cooperative directors have a thorough understanding of their roles and responsibilities in line with recognised codes on corporate governance and best practice.
This workshop offers participants the opportunity to discuss their role as director, governance and governance codes in detail, and to ensure that they have an understanding of governance issues as they affect a cooperative business.
For more information download the programme.
2007 cooperative education seminars
The Cooperative Advantage of Doing Business
November 2007 – a seminar for senior cooperative executives, Wellington
An opportunity for NZ co-ops to talk business with senior cooperative executives from all over Asia and the Pacific rim, it was opened by Minister of Commerce Hon Lianne Dalziel. The first day saw presentations from David Graham, Chairman of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, senior cooperative executives from Japan, India, Kuwait and Singapore and others. Workshop facilitators on the second day included Dr. Chris Cooper from the UK Cooperative College.
To find out more, download these documents: November ICA workshop flyer and the Invitation to NZCA members.
- Minister of Commerce Lianne Dalziel's speech is available here.
- David Graham's presentation is available here.
- the presentation from NZCA Executive Director Ramsey Margolis is available here.
The presentations by cooperative senior executives from Japan, Korea, Singapore, India, Sri Lanka and from Dr. Chris Cooper are available in the Members area.
This seminar was organised by the International Cooperative Alliance Regional Office Asia Pacific with support from IFFCO – the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative, and hosted by the New Zealand Cooperatives Association.
Protecting Your Cooperative
August 2007 – a one day seminar in Wellington
PDFs of presentations and other resources from this seminar are available in the Members area.
