Governance Solutions

A modular, modern governance framework tailored to your needs, enhancing clarity, alignment, and stakeholder engagement evolving seamlessly as your organizational priorities grow.

  • A flexible, personalized governance support model offering:

    • quick access to expertise, document updates

    • policy guidance, and

    • general or specific board support.

    Ascend Governance is your organization’s dedicated governance help desk — responsive, reliable, and governance expertise when you need it.

  • An in‑depth evaluation of cooperative governance through

    • leadership interviews

    • policy and document analysis, and

    • a tailored governance scorecard

    Your final report includes actionable insights, visual diagnostics, and a review of Board policies and behaviors.

  • Turning complex bylaws and formation documents into modern, clean, compliant tools that strengthen board-decision making.

Governance Counseling

Co-Designed Governance Services

Board Election Strategy & Administration

    • Manage the nomination process (open call, petition, committee‑driven, etc.)

    • Prepare candidate packets, disclosures, and required documentation

    • Provide guidance to candidates on expectations, roles, and responsibilities

    • Develop an election timeline aligned with bylaws and statutory requirements

    • Clarify eligibility rules, nomination pathways, and voting methods

    • Create a governance‑aligned election framework that supports stakeholder trust & is compliance & policy aligned

    • Coordinate ballot design (paper, digital, hybrid)

    • Oversee distribution, collection, and secure handling of ballots

    • Manage third‑party voting platforms or vendor relationships

    • Conduct a debrief with leadership

    • Provide recommendations for future improvements

    • Update election procedures based on lessons learned

Stakeholder Engagement & Advocacy

    • 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.