A chairperson should be chosen who has some experience in facilitating business meetings. Use parliamentary procedures to promote orderly and democratic deision making. Plan meetings in advance, set an agenda, and stick to it. Follow sound business practices. Standard accounting practices should be followed, financial reports should be prepared and presented to the board, the membership must be kept informed, and the board and managers should engage in long-term strategic planning.
Good management is necessary to control costs and monitor finances.
Forge links with other cooperatives. Alliances with other cooperatives may be valuable sources for supplies or marketing outlets. Try to learn from their mistakes if they have been in business longer than your co-op. Obtain a membership in national or state cooperative associations. An understanding of not only the tangible factors such as financial risks, costs and benefits to potential members must be reached, but the less tangible factors such as mutual respect, trust and confidence in the group leadership must be established.