General Cooperative Issues

What is a Cooperative?
Steps to Start a Cooperative
Keys to Success
Basic Steps to Starting a Co-op
The Need for Good Recordkeeping
Cooperative Principles
Cooperative Terms
General Rules for Success
Business Terminology  
Legal Issues in the 21st Century

By-Laws

By-Laws Checklist
Are Your By-Laws Current?
1001 Questions Concerning Your By-Laws
Sample By-Laws
More Sample By-Laws

The Feasibility Study

The Feasibility Study
Feasibility Study Outline
Feasibility Study and Business Plan  - Implementation Considerations
Sample Feasibility Consultant Selection Criteria
The Business Plan
The Feasibility Study vs. the Business Plan
The Cooperative Feasibility Process
Writing Your Business Plan

Articles of Incorporation

Sample Articles of Incorporation

Marketing Agreements

Sample Marketing Agreement
Another Sample Agreement
Marketing Agreement Fact Sheet
Components of a Marketing Agreement

Consumer Cooperative

Sample Consumer Cooperative Articles of Incorporation
Sample Consumer Cooperative By-Laws

Membership Application

Sample Membership Application

Organizational Agreement

Sample Organizational Agreement

Producer Survey

The Producer Survey
Sample Producer Survey

Financial Issues

Financing Your Cooperative
Retained Earnings

Board of Directors

Directors Resource Handbook
Board of Directors Policy Handbook
Building a Productive Board

Personnel Information

Sample Personnel Policies
Mechanics of Writing Policy
Internal Controls
Internal Control Handbook
Use of Committees in Co-ops
Sample Work Safety Policies

Georgia Specific Information

Filing Instructions in Georgia
Georgia Cooperative Marketing Act
Georgia Health Plan Cooperative Act
Sample Articles of Incorp. in GA