Co-op Academy 
Tailored to address the unique challenges and highlight best practices of starting and managing a cooperative enterprise for emerging cooperative leaders. Click here to apply today!     

National and regional experts in the cooperative business sector will lay the foundation of cooperative business best practices in a presentation format followed by opportunities for questions. Topics include the cooperative advantage,  governance, financial modeling, legal structures, funding your project, human resources, marketing, and branding and more! 
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The 8 sessions will be virtual due to COVID19 with the potential for an in person closing session should conditions improve.  Click here to view additional program details.
 
Cooperative Leaders Forum 
A collaborative learning opportunity designed for teams who recently completed the Co-op Academy and experienced cooperative business stakeholders leading their community’s cooperative development efforts.

These virtual peer-to-peer discussions designed for participants to share, inspire, and learn from one another. Each session will be a facilitated conversation led by cooperative development specialists. Topics will range from leadership transition and business continuity, roles and responsibilities, hiring a general manager, power dynamics, financial resilience, membership engagement, and refreshing policies and bylaws.
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The 8 sessions will be virtual due to COVID19 with the potential for an in person closing session should conditions improve. Apply Today!

Cooperative Leadership Conference 
Advanced educational experience to support leaders within a cooperative business. Participants will include board members, general managers, and co-op members.

Learn cooperative business strategies to strengthen your co-op, leverage your energy and resources, improve marketing power, and implement transparent control over business decisions. Topics including marketing, leadership succession planning, engaging in difficult decisions, strategic planning, capitalizing infrastructure, and expansion of the solidarity economy.

This day long program will be a combination of presentation, Q&A, and working group formats. Apply Today
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KDC is a tiny organization with a big impact, thanks to our strong volunteer Board of Directors consisting of leaders from multiple cooperative, economic development, non-profit, government, educational, and agricultural organizations. We are currently looking to fill two open seats. At this phase of our growth, we are specifically looking for individuals who will bring at least one of the following skills to our organization: finance, fundraising, marketing, and human resources. Enthusiasm for the mission is a crucial qualification, and we will be especially thrilled with candidates who have board experience and/or experience in the cooperative economy.

Keystone Development Center is an equal opportunity provider and employer and does not discriminate on any basis including sexual orientation, race, creed, color, religion, gender identification, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or familial status.

​Board Member Requirements

1. Demonstrate commitment to and understanding of the mission of KDC.
2. Have a passion for or professional experience related to KDC programs and management.
3. Provide leadership and experience in a related field such as:​

• Professional experience with the food industry (farming, food service, food processing),
• Non-profit governance, fundraising or financial management, or
• For-profit business development and financial management.