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 3 - The Structure of Cooperatives


The Structure of Cooperatives unit teaches the traditional areas that classify cooperatives by financial, geographical, control, and functional structures. The unit also explores a variety of other structural arrangements modern cooperatives are using in today's changing economic environment.

Teaching Tools:
Instructor's Unit Overview and Discussion Guide
Unit 3 PowerPoint Slides
Quiz 3
Quiz 3 Answers

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 3: 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 3: The American System of Business



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