Assessing Performance and Needs of Cooperative Boards of Directors

This report provides tools for assessing cooperative boards of directors. It contains information and exercises in assessing a board in three ways: (1) director’s selfassessment (assesses seven areas related to a director’s responsibilities and duties), (2) assessing the cooperative board as a single entity (assesses how well directors work together), and (3) assessing board meetings (measuring the productivity and effectiveness of meetings). Cooperative boards can use assessments to identify problem areas and weaknesses and subsequently devise programs, plans, and training methods to remedy them. An assessment should be conducted regularly. Improvements should be made and progress tracked.