Housing Cooperatives

Berendson Academy

By leveraging the abundant resources available on the Berendson Academy website and my personal site, you can enhance your skills and knowledge while actively contributing to your community.

Overview of Training Programs

At Berendson Academy, we are thrilled to provide essential training and resources for cooperative board members and community leaders. Our programs are designed for individuals involved in housing cooperatives, including board members, managers, and volunteers. The goal of these training programs is to empower participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to enable effective governance and foster vibrant cooperative communities.

What sets us apart is our commitment to making this education accessible; all resources and training classes on our site are completely free.

Berendson Academy
KEY BENEFITS

Training and Development

We are proud to offer a diverse range of training opportunities, all at no cost:

  • • Free Training Classes:
  • • Video Training:
  • • Training Manuals:

Next Generation

Another challenge is to engage with the next generation of membership. The cooperative business  model offers a unique opportunity for members to voice opinions and drive business decisions that ultimately deliver value back to them. This level of transparency and interaction should appeal to the next generation of business owners. The challenge has been in educating them on the benefits of the cooperative structure. Overall, opportunities are out there. Our services are as necessary as ever as evidenced by our growth. The only thing that stands in our path is having the staff to reliably and professionally respond.

Explore Our Resources

Discover a wealth of resources designed to support your cooperative journey:

• Documents & Manuals

Access over 1,500 documents and 120 manuals related to Coops. Welcome to our comprehensive library of cooperative guidebooks, your go-to resource for in-depth exploration and practical guidance on cooperative principles and practices. Whether you’re a cooperative enthusiast seeking a deeper understanding or a cooperative entrepreneur navigating the complexities of starting and managing a cooperative enterprise, our collection of guidebooks offers invaluable insights to support your journey. Dive into topics ranging from cooperative governance structures and legal frameworks to cooperative business planning, marketing strategies, and member engagement techniques.rative enterprises.

• Helpful Links:

Explore a curated list of educational materials, tools, and insightful articles tailored for cooperative board members.. • Over 100 links to cooperatives, professionals, universities, and other organizations that provide guidance and assistance. • Access to relevant documents including contracts, bids, and essential operational forms, facilitating effective information sharing and collaboration.

Articles and Publications

Explore a wealth of resources aimed at supporting your journey in cooperative management, community service, and faith-based initiatives. I have authored over 45 training manuals that provide invaluable insights into various aspects of cooperative living, conflict resolution, and community engagement.

• Cheat Sheets & Reports

Welcome to our concise yet comprehensive cooperative cheat sheet portal, designed to provide quick insights and practical tips across a myriad of cooperative topics. Whether you’re a busy professional seeking efficient solutions or a newcomer eager to grasp the essentials of cooperative principles, our cheat sheets offer condensed nuggets of wisdom to aid your understanding. From foundational concepts like the Rochdale Principles to practical guides on setting up a cooperative business, our cheat sheets distill complex information into easily digestible formats, making learning accessible to all.

• Information Sharing:

Find essential documents such as contracts and bids to streamline your cooperative operations.. In addition to these materials, you will find a selection of Request for Proposals (RFPs) and a sample disaster plan available on the Berendson Academy site. These resources are designed to help you start efficiently by building upon existing successful frameworks, ultimately reducing costs and improving outcomes.

Training and Development

Engage with our training and development offerings:
• Free Training Classes: Enroll in our new and updated online training courses, each valued at over $300, provided at no cost to participants.
• Video Training: Watch a variety of instructional videos that cover cooperative principles and best practices.
• Training Manuals: Access our comprehensive library of 45 updated training manuals, all available for free.

Cooperative Success. 

Cooperatives rely on the leadership of directors and staff.  From new training classes, portal of information links, and more it’s all here. We hope that you will find each of the courses offered a chance to enhance your skills, enrich your cooperative and allow you engage with fellow Cooperators to share your experience and form long lasting relationships

It's All About You

For over 24 years I have worked to set the standard when it comes to keeping Cooperatives up to date with the necessary information required to maintain and operate effectively. I have reinvented higher education for today’s working learner. In fact, I have made significant investments in our technology and services to bring you the best experience possible.
My goal in the development of educational programs has been to bring learning opportunities which would prove to be meaningful and practical experiences. It needs to continue to offer exciting, dynamic, and pertinent education.