November 19, 2001

Cooperative Directors Training Program Set for Dec. 10-11 in Fargo

The Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives at North Dakota State University is sponsoring a training program for directors of cooperatives Monday and Tuesday, Dec. 10 and 11 at the Doublewood Inn in Fargo.

Registration for the 1 ½ day program is due by Nov. 30. The program runs from 11 a.m., Dec. 10 to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 11. Cost is $200 for the first representative from an organization, $375 for two, $525 for three , $650 for four and an additional $100 for each person more than five. The fee includes all materials, and meals during the program. For more information, contact Quentin Burdick Center director Bill Nelson at (701) 231-1016, bill.nelson@ndsu.nodak.edu or assistant director Frayne Olson at (701) 231-7688, folson@ndsuext.nodak.edu.

The program entitiled, "Roles and Responsibilities of Cooperative Directors – Dos and Don’ts" will focus on the responsibility of the directors to members, management and the cooperative business. Topics will include director rotation and evaluation, conflict resolution, policy vs. management, confidentiality, conflict of interest, member education, and use of outside directors.

Keynote speaker for the program is Robert Hensley, an attorney from Dorsey and Whitney and past attorney for Tri-Valley Growers. Hensley will speak and the challenges and responsibilities of a cooperative director.

Other speakers include David Barton, director of the Capper Center for Cooperatives, Roger Ginder, cooperative specialist and member for the board of directors for Land O’Lakes, Dave Roche, CEO of Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative, Jim Horvath, CEO of American Crystal Sugar, Steve Noack, of Gunhas Law Firm and David Swanson of Dorsey and Whitney, LLP.

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Source: Bill Nelson, (701) 231-1016, bill.nelson@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu