Join other board directors, CEOs, and managers from across the cooperative business community for a one-day workshop to examine, discuss, network, listen and share ideas on current issues critical to a cooperative business.
The Cooperative Issues Forum is unique in its concept and scope. The program includes experienced, talented directors and managers from many different cooperative business sectors who will share their "front-line" knowledge in panels and presentations. Experts in cooperative accounting, governance, and finance will also be part of the program.
"Operating on a cooperative basis" presents opportunities and challenges that are shared by all. Regardless of your cooperative's size, or the type of business you are in, the Forum will provide you with fresh ideas and new perspectives to bring back to your business.
Program
| 8:30 - 9:30 | Registration and morning refreshments |
| 9:30 - 9:45 | Introduction Brent Hueth, Associate Professor and Director, University of Wisconsin Center for Cooperatives |
| 9:45 - 10:45 | Best Practices in Governance Focus: Strategic planning with cooperative boards Paul J. Kundert, President & CEO, UW Credit Union, Madison John McNamara, Accounts Manager, Union Cab Michelle Shry, General Manager, People’s Food Co-op, La Crosse |
| 11:00 - Noon | Cooperative Governance for the 21st century Martin Lowery, Executive Vice President, External Affairs, NRECA |
| Noon - 1:00 | Lunch |
| 1:00 - 2:15 | Equity and Capitalization: Alternative Approaches Experts tackle equity and capitalization choices and dilemmas. Joel J. Dahlgren, Attorney, Stoel Rives LLP David Barton.Professor, Kansas State University |
| 2:15 - 3:00 | Legal, Tax and Accounting Update Panelists provide updates on legal issues, new auditing standards, the proposed FASB rules, risk assessment and internal controls. Mary Griffin, Senior Policy Advisor, National Cooperative Business Association Jeff Brandenburg, Assurance Partner, Clifton Gunderson LLP David P. Swanson, Attorney, Dorsey & Whitney LLP |
| 3:15 - 4:00 | Best Practices in Governance – Continued Focus: Director perspectives on best governance practices, including director recruitment and development, training the board Larry Becker, Director, Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative Ann Hoyt, Director, UW Credit Union, and Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison Bob Topel, Vice-Chair, Foremost Farms USA and Director, Farmers Health Cooperative |
| 4:00 - 4:45 | Best Practices in Governance - Continued Director perspectives on best governance practices, including managing risk effectively, CEO succession Bob Bass, First Vice-Chair, CHS, Inc., David T. Lathrop, Independent Advisor on Cooperative Board Governance, Corporate Finance, & Risk Management Tom Schomisch, Director, Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin, Madison |
| 4:45 - 5:45 | Reception A chance to informally network and discuss the issues of the day |
The fee for the one-day workshop is $175. Register by May 16th to take advantage of the early registration rate of $155. Register now.
For program questions: Anne Reynolds, Assistant Director, 608-263-4775, atreynol@wisc.edu
Madison Marriot West Hotel and Conference Center: (608)831-2000.