The Oklahoma Credential Cooperative Director program is designed to give cooperative directors a basic understanding and knowledge of their responsibilities in and out of the board room. 

The program is a two session program with one session each year. 

The topics covered our: Director Legal Liability, Understanding the Cooperative Business Model, Business and Strategic Planning, Holding Effective Board Meetings, An Effective Decision Maker in the Board Room, Financial Management, Board and Manager Evaluations, and Clear Board Policies. 

Both of the sessions use the same material prepared by the OACC and the Bill Fitzwater Cooperative Endowed Chair at Oklahoma State University.

Oklahoma Credentialed Cooperative Director Training: A Commitment to Excellence

Phil Kenkel
Bill Fitzwater Cooperative Chair
OSU Department of Agricultural Economics

An effective board is a key ingredient for a successful cooperative. The corporate legal environment adds to the challenge of a director. The Sarbanes Oxely Act, “raised the bar” for boards of publicly traded firms and these expectations are likely to trickle down to all firms including cooperatives. In Iowa, members of an agricultural cooperative sued the board of directors on the grounds that the directors did not undergo sufficient training to be “financially competent”. Failures of Oklahoma cooperatives further highlight the importance of a strong and competent board. In this competitive and legal environment it is essential that cooperative directors have the knowledge, skills and legal background to make informed and prudent decisions.

Following the lead of other industries, the Oklahoma Cooperative Council, the Bill Fitzwater Chair Program at Oklahoma State University and The Triangle Companies have developed the Oklahoma Credentialed Cooperative Director program (OCCD). The curriculum provides directors with the competencies needed for today’s competitive and legal environment. The credentialed program also provides documentation of the board members achievement. The OCCD committee has a standing offer to present the certificates to your directors completing both sessions at your local cooperatives annual meeting.

The OCCD combines a structured curriculum with discussion of important current issues. The OCCD courses are organized in two sessions (fall and spring) allowing most board members to receive certification within a year. The courses are being offered both at Enid Oklahoma, and through interactive two-way video, at convenient regional locations throughout Oklahoma. The program is open to all cooperative board members. Directors completing the two day curriculum will receive the OCCD certification. We are also offering advanced programs for directors who have completed the credentialing process.

To date over 125 directors have completed become credentialed under the OCCD program. Over 100 more are in progress. Many cooperatives have every member of their board credentialed. Over one hundred and seventy directors have completed advanced OCCD programs. My goal is for every cooperative director in Oklahoma to become an Oklahoma Credentialed Cooperative Director. I would encourage every cooperative director to join me in this effort.