WHAT CONNECTS US #cooperativemodel VÉRONIQUE BLIN – The cooperative farming model is both singular and demanding. (...) The performance of a cooperative, and therefore its success, is directly determined by high-quality governance with clear roles for everyone – both elected representatives and operational staff – and a focus on appropriate attitudes and interpersonal skills.. MARIE GAILLIOT – Against the backdrop of increasingly complex and unstable economic and agricultural conditions, it’s imperative that our cooperative model has solid and stable governance if it’s to thrive in the long term. (...) This also gives it credibility and legitimacy in the eyes of the public authorities and the banks, who are watching the situation closely. The forum in Reims on 6 February 2023 featured Marie Gailliot (left), farmer and winegrower, Board member, President of the Mazagran section, member of the Board As everyone knows, Committee and Supervisory Board of VIVESCIA Industries, and leader of the governance good quality governance working group also comprised of three other elected representatives, since autumn 2021 and Véronique Blin (right), winegrower, President of Terroirs & Vignerons de Champagne, board has a direct influence member and chair of the governance commission of La Coopération Agricole. on a cooperative’s performance, and #training #renewal therefore its success. MARIE GAILLIOT –The issues of succession planning, VÉRONIQUE BLIN training, and injecting new energy into our governance bodies – these are top priorities, and they’re very much on the agenda of the VIVESCIA governance working group that I’ve been leading #governance #goodpractice for the last 15 months, working alongside my three elected colleagues. VÉRONIQUE BLIN – I’ve followed the development of this VÉRONIQUE BLIN – Training is very important for HCCA guide with interest. It complements the statutory side of things with recommendations on good practices elected representatives, because being on the in the governance of agricultural cooperatives. Its main board of a cooperative isn’t something you can strength is that it provides a tangible baseline and learn as you go along. To effectively represent suggests indicators for each cooperative to adopt. The the cooperative members, you need an in-depth self-assessment tool is exactly that: it helps you ask the understanding of the issues we discuss at board meetings, which can be extremely complex. So we right questions and take stock of where you are now. It’s also a general handbook, giving practical guidance have to arrange training pathways that match the that – I think it’s fair to say – can be applied to all aspects needs of new board members and 昀椀t the context of life. That’s why I’d encourage everyone to read it... of their business. Another major issue, in my and to put it into practice within their own cooperative view (...) is the question of succession planning. organisation. We still sometimes see older members on the boards struggling to make space for their younger counterparts. (…) SCAN THE QR CODE TO FIND OUT MORE La gouvernance des coopératives agricoles, une question clé pour notre avenir collectif ! 20230201_VIVESCIA_Mag06_Gouvernance-V3.indd 120230201_VIVESCIA_Mag06_Gouvernance-V3.indd 1 03/05/2023 16:19:2803/05/2023 16:19:28 19