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Code Of Conduct For The Board Of Directors Of An Agricultural Cooperative

Please Read our General Disclaimer and Business Law Disclaimer.

• As a Board Member I will remember that a Board of Directors are not individuals, nor are they partnerships (two or more individuals). They are a collective legal personality created for a specific purpose, as stated in the Bylaws and Articles of Incorporation of the Cooperative.
• The Board of Directors is a team, and decisions must be made as a team, a "collective legal personality".
• Board Members have no individual authority except that which has been formally given by the authorization of the Board of Directors.
• A Board Member's authority, except when the Board of Directors is in formal meetings, is equal only to the rights and authority of any individual Member of the Cooperative.
• Board Members may communicate with employees of the Cooperative on the same basis as any other Member of the Cooperative. However, the Board of Directors and each Board Member will, at all times, be aware that employees of the Cooperative report to the General Manager and will not enter into, or encourage, discussions concerning employee relations, job status, wage or salary levels or management issues concerning the Cooperative.
• Only the Board of Directors as a whole has the authority to govern.
• The strengths and abilities of the Board of Directors lie in the combined strength and ability of its individual Members.
• When a Board Member acts as a volunteer to help get jobs done, the Board Member is acting as a volunteer and individual under the supervision and control of staff and not as a Board Member.
• A Board Member that commits to a particular decision before engaging in discussion with staff and other Board Members can harm the Cooperative=s programs and jeopardize a personal reputation.
• Policy development is never an individual matter... it is based on the best collective wisdom and experience of the Board of Directors and staff of the Cooperative.
• Board Members must respect corporate decision-making and not publicly air personal disagreements with a decision made by the Board of Directors. Any decision made by a majority of the Board of Directors should be supported as being the considered judgment of the Board of Directors acting as collective legal personality.
• If a Board Member strongly disagrees with a major decision made by the Board of Directors, a formal "minority report" may be filed and made a permanent part of the records of the Cooperative or a Board Member may ask the secretary of the Board of Directors to record the Board Member's vote on the issue. A Board Member disagreeing with the majority of the Board of Directors has the right and duty to present further evidence and argument to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has the duty of reconsidering the decision upon presentation of proper evidence.
• A Board Member is expected to set an example of personal integrity and ethical practice which provides a standard of conduct for all company personnel.
• A Board Member never expects nor promotes special favors for himself, relatives or friends. A Board Member does not expect special privileges because of being a Board Member.
• A Board Member will support the Cooperative in both voice and patronage.
• A Board Member will attend Board meetings, prepare for meetings by reviewing materials submitted prior to the meeting, and stay abreast of industry trends that could affect the Cooperative.

Accepted By:

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Board Member

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Date