February 6, 2003

Cooperative Leaders Roundtable Set

The Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives at North Dakota State University is sponsoring a leaders roundtable titled, "Should Your Cooperative Seek Non-Member Equity Capital?" March 20-21 at the Best Western Yankee Square Inn in Eagan Minn.

Bill Nelson, Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives director, says there has been a recent need for additional equity for cooperative operations and expansion. "The possibility of the need being met by non-member equity capitol has been the focus of discussions and actions by cooperatives and changes in state cooperative statutes," he says.

The purpose of the program is to examine the various forms of non-member equity of capital. Topics covered will include direct investment to joint ventures, the operational changes necessary for cooperatives to attract non-member equity capital, the changes in variability and risk relative to income generation and allocation, and new challenges in cooperative governance and management.

Keynote speakers will provide background and highlight some of the issues concerning these topics. The speakers include James Baarda of the USDA’s Rural Developement Cooperative Services, Mike Cook of the University of Missouri, Robert Doane of CoBank, and Chris Peterson of Michigan State University. Participants in the program will work in groups to identify and discuss issues. Participants will reconvene and each roundtable will summarize their discussion.

Registration is $275 per person. This includes meals and coffee breaks but excludes lodging. Lodging arrangements can be made by contacting the Best Western Yankee Square Inn directly at (800) 624-2888.

Registration must be received by Feb. 21 and include your name, cooperative represented, address, phone, email, and a check for the proper amount.

It can be sent to:

Quentin Burdick Center For Cooperatives
P.O. Box 5636
Fargo, ND 58105-5636

For more information contact Bill Nelson, director, at (701) 231-1016 or Frayne Olson, assistant director, at 701-231-7688 or email them at ndsu.qbcc@ndsu.nodak.edu .

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Source:  Bill Nelson (701) 231-1016, bill.nelson@ndsu.nodak.edu
Writer:  Deana Oe (701) 231-8371, deana.oe@ndsu.nodak.edu
Editor:  Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu