The following modules have been developed to provide farmers, fishers and foresters with a foundational understanding of co-operatives and how working together in a co-op can increase the profits, efficiency, and value of participating businesses and the agricultural sector as a whole.
Course introduction (10 minutes)
An introduction to the six modules and the value of forming a co-operative.
Module 1 – What is a co-operative? (30 minutes)
The legal structure of a co-operative, the seven principles that all co-operatives around the world ascribe to and what being a member of a co-op actually means.
Module 2 – What it means to be a member of a co-operative (15 minutes)
What active membership is, the ownership and powers of each member and the value that co-operative membership provides.
Module 3 – Planning the business of a co-operative (30 minutes)
How to set up your co-op, starting with an idea and taking it through to having the framework to develop a business plan.
Module 4 – Decision making and control in a co-operative (20 minutes)
The rules of a co-operative, how members have an equal say, the role and responsibility of the board, decision making and meetings and key office holder roles and what they mean.
Module 5 – Measuring and reporting a co-operative’s activities (15 minutes)
What is required for a co-operative to have sound financial management practices whilst meeting compliance standards.
Module 6 – Understanding co-operative capital and raising funds (30 minutes)
The options unique to co-operatives to raise capital and the regulatory framework that sits around them.
Next steps (5 minutes)
A course overview and next steps to consider with links to relevant resources and support.
CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
At the completion of the Co-operative Foundations course you will be able to print a unique certificate of completion for your records which shows the equivalent hours of CPD. You must complete all of the quizzes to complete the course and receive your certificate.
Need help?
If you have questions or would like more information or support to plan, start or run a co-op, please get in touch with the Co-operative Farming team.
If you require technical support, please contact the website support team. Please also try logging out (under My Account) and logging back in.