Customized Governance Services

Modular governance programs, flexible solutions, and a custom-fit governance program that builds clarity, cohesion, and supports member engagement that evolve with your organizational priorities.

  • Support as you need it. Have questions on governance, compliance and regulatory policies, Ascend Governance can be your go to place!

    • Leadership interviews and policy/document review relating to coop governance

    • Custom governance scorecard for cooperative environments

    • Summary report with insights and visual mapping of governance health

    • Assessment of Board policies and actions

  • Modernize cooperative bylaws through an inclusive and transparent process.

Governance Counseling

Co-Designed Governance Services

Election Management

    • Review of existing election processes and systems.

    • Vendor liaison.

    • Application assistance.

    • Vetting of all candidates.

    • Rotation planning.

    • Timeline planning.

Engagement & Recruitment

    • Governance role clarification.

    • Communication protocols.

    • Member/stakeholder mapping.

    • Management and staff by-in on engagement processes.

    • Member informational sessions to gain involvement.

Board Development

  • Foster trust and shared understanding of the cooperative’s governance composition and expectations between elected leaders and executive management.

    • Pre-session values discovery and role clarity planning

    • Alignment summary report and ongoing practice guide

  • Strong governance creates enduring impact. It ensures that decisions made today uphold values, protect member equity, and lay the groundwork for long-term resilience and succession.

  • In cooperatives, legacy is built through participation. When governance encourages member voice and forward-thinking leadership, it strengthens the cooperative’s identity for decades to come.

Governance FAQs

  • Ascend Governance brings you governance expertise with a human touch. Questions are part of your governance project, not extra.

    Ascend Governance builds a long-term trusting relationship with clients through coaching, facilitation, and co-creation with boards and members.

    Ascend Governance customizes engagement governance services to meet your specific needs and desires for a lasting legacy.

    Ascend Governance is affordable. Organizational needs drive services, not a standard template of services.

  • Governance is the system by which organizations are directed, controlled, and held accountable. It includes the structures, processes, and relationships that guide decision-making, ensure transparency, and align actions with mission and values.

    In cooperatives and member-led organizations, governance is not just about rules — it’s about shared leadership, ethical stewardship, and strategic alignment with member priorities.

    Governance is needed to drive resilience and sustainability — helping organizations adapt to change and stay mission-focused

  • Fostering engagement opportunities for members or stakeholders by hosting organizational events, creating advisory councils to help shape policies or services, and providing a continuous feedback loop to improve outcomes.

  • An organization should review the bylaws or operating documents every two to five years as good practice. Shifts in economy may require you to review on an annual basis. Ask Ascend Governance on how to assist with a self-examination checklist for document and policy review.