posted February 09, 2001 04:32 AM         

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Thank you John. I was hoping for something a little more elaborate. I suppose I should be more elaborate myself. I have heard lots of things lately about coops. Some people are talking in terms of «social economy». Others are saying that your model cannot be applied to cooperatives. Others are saying that Carver is not very familiar with the essence of what cooperatives are all about. That is why when I read your comments about «two characteristics», I sort of wondered what the consequences are if your are applying the model. Your short comment helps but I find it does not relate enough to the idea of «two characteristics».
Léon

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posted February 05, 2001 02:12 PM         

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Leon Richard,

Hello Leon, good to hear from you. The answer is ‘yes.’ A credit union’s ends will reflect what benefits are to be provided to members both in dollars (the shared profit) and in terms of what is better about members’ financial lives (low cost loans, easy access cash, etc.).

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posted February 05, 2001 11:23 AM         

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John,
I read your comments posted January 24. You state that «Credit unions and many co-ops have characteristics of both business corporations and nonprofit corporations.» What impact, if any, does this have on ends statements since members' benefit will be, at least partly, shared profit? In other words will the ends statements of a coop reflect these two characteristics?
Léon

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posted January 24, 2001 08:47 AM         

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Kerren,
Your first question is answered best by "The Opportunity for Re-inventing Corporate Governance in Joint Venture Companies," Corporate Governance - An International Review (Great Britain), Vol. 8 - No. 1 - January 2000, pp. 75-80 and "Un nouveau paradigme de gouvernance: un nouvel équilibre entre le conseil d'administration et le chef de la direction." Gouvernance: revue internationale (Canada), Vol. 1 - No. 1 Spring 2000, pp. 100-108 [English translation available from my office].

Your second question is addressed in three articles I co-authored with Miriam Carver: "Meeting the Challenge: Credit Union Survival Calls for Strong Governance and Strong Management." Credit Union Management, Vol. 22 - No. 4 April 1999, pp. 20-23. "Good to Go." Credit Union Management, Vol. 22 - No. 6 June 1999, p. 47-49. and "A Finely Tuned Instrument." Credit Union Management, Vol. 22 - No. 7 July 1999, p. 54, 56.

Credit unions and many co-ops (actually credit unions are a form of co-op) have characteristics of both business corporations and nonprofit corporations. As to the former, they must compete in a real market. As to the latter, they are similar to trade or professional associations/societies in that they exist for their members’ benefit, so that member benefit rather than financial performance per se is their “bottom line.”

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posted January 22, 2001 07:59 PM         

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Mr. Carver;

In "Boards that Make a Difference" you state "The model presented in these pages, with only slight alteration, is completely applicable to the governance of business corporations."

What is, and where do I find the information that would describe that "slight alteration"?

Would Credit Unions fall within your
definition of business corporations?

Thank you;

Kerren

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posted January 07, 2001 09:06 AM         

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There are four events planned in Atlanta this spring in which you or your colleagues might be interested. See the webpage on events or contact Ivan Benson for details:

March 23-24, 2001 - Introductory seminar. (good for refresher or new member orientation)
March 25-26, 2001 – Workshop on monitoring CEO performance.
April 2-6, 2001 - Policy Governance Academy for advanced training.
April 23-24, 2001 – Workshop on the management implications of the Policy Governance model.

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posted May 13, 2000 07:44 PM         

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Please use this topic "thread" for discussion of topics not covered in the established categories. If and when applicable, I will gather similar entries into an appropriate new topic.

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