# Presentation: 050723

## Cooperatives: What They Are and the Role of Members, Directors, Managers, and Employees

**United States Department of Agriculture**
- Rural Business - Cooperative Service
- RBS Cooperative Information Report 11
- http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/rbs/index.html

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## WHAT COOPERATIVE EMPLOYEES DO

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Cooperative Employees

*Are the glue that binds *
*members*
*to their business!*

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Cooperative Employees

- Promote the cooperative
- Deliver supplies
- Handle members’ products
- Order and maintain inventories
- Keep accurate records
- Recommend products/services
- Handle complaints
- Represent the cooperative
- Maintain facilities

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Quality Cooperative Employees

- Understand the cooperative
- Know and follow policy
- Are well trained
- Are team players
- Keep supervisors informed
- Maintain assets
- Participate in the community
- Maintain personal appearance

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Quality Cooperative Employees

*Understand the cooperative*!
- Know the cooperative form of business and who the owners are
- Are able to answer questions adequately
- Do not reveal information that could help the competition

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Quality Cooperative Employees

*Follow cooperative policies and rules!*
- Know them well
- Implement them in a fair and equitable manner
- Seek guidance when there might be an exception

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Quality Cooperative Employees

*Respect all customers/members and treat them fairly!*
- Are polite and professional
- Do not offer special treatment for some - that might lead to ill will
- Offer services or products in a sense of “best-value” to all

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Quality Cooperative Employees

*Are well trained!*
- Understand operations, can perform required functions
- Can recommend the right products and services
- Understand the methods the cooperative uses to provide products and services

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Quality Cooperative Employees

*Communicate well!*
- Are articulate
- Keep supervisors and other employees informed of pertinent working issues and problems
- Listen to supervisors, other employees, and members

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Quality Cooperative Employees

*Properly maintain member-owner assets!*
- Facilities
- Equipment
- Inventory

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Quality Cooperative Employees

*Often participate in community activities*
- Service clubs
- Schools
- Youth groups
- Business organizations

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do

## Quality Cooperative Employees

*Maintain personal appearance! *
- Promote a positive, professional image of self and the cooperative

- USDA, RBS, CIR 11 Chapter 5 - What Cooperative Employees Do