Instructor's Guide

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Local Unit - Cooperatives in Wisconsin

Unit 1 - The American Enterprise System

Unit 2 - Cooperative Business Principles

Unit 3 - The Structure of Cooperatives

Unit 4 - Finance and Taxation of Cooperatives

Unit 5 - The Cooperative Business Team: Members and Directors - Policy & Control

Unit 6 - The Cooperative Business Team: Manager and Employees - Coordination & Operations

Unit 7 - Mini Cooperative Business Experience

Reference List (Reports & PowerPoint Presentations)

In each unit, the instructor follows the discussion guide, using corresponding PowerPoint slides, handouts (exercises in some cases), and references. The Instructor may administer a quiz to complete the unit where applicable and discuss answers

Revision Information

Unit 1 - The American Business Enterprise System


The American Business Enterprise System teaches the student how businesses are organized in the United States, identifies the characteristics of each form of business, and discusses how the members and/or owners benefit from each.

Teaching Tools:
Instructor's Unit Overview and Discussion Guide
Handout 1
Quiz 1
Quiz 1 Answers
Unit 1 PowerPoint Slides

Teacher References:
CIR 55: Co-ops 101
CIR 5: Cooperatives in Agribusiness
CIR 11: Cooperatives: What They Are and the Roles of Directors, Members, Management, and Employees (chapter 1)
CIR 11 Chapter 1 PowerPoint
CIR 45, Section 1: The American System of Business

Student References:
CIR 5: Cooperatives in Agribusiness
CIR 11: Cooperatives: What They Are and the Roles of Directors, Members, Management, and Employees (chapter 1)
CIR 45, Section 1: The American System of Business



Understanding Cooperatives Instructional Program
Developed by: Rural Development - Cooperative Programs, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Cooperative Programs Website