Introduction

Effective SACCO Governance and Board Leadership Excellence are the bedrock upon which successful and sustainable Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations are built. As member-owned financial institutions, SACCOs are entrusted with the savings and financial well-being of their communities, a responsibility that demands impeccable oversight, strategic direction, and unwavering ethical conduct from their leadership. A strong governance framework ensures transparency, accountability, and prudent risk management, while exceptional board leadership provides the vision and strategic guidance necessary to navigate complex economic landscapes, embrace technological advancements, and maintain member trust. The unique cooperative principles of SACCOs necessitate a governance model that balances financial performance with social impact and member participation, making specialized knowledge in this area indispensable. Without a commitment to SACCO Governance and Board Leadership Excellence, these vital institutions risk internal mismanagement, regulatory non-compliance, reputational damage, and ultimately, a failure to fulfill their mission of empowering members, underscoring the critical need for specialized training in this foundational domain. This comprehensive training course focuses on equipping professionals with the expertise to master SACCO Governance and Board Leadership Excellence.

This training course is meticulously designed to empower SACCO board members, supervisory committee members, senior management, and aspiring leaders with the theoretical understanding and practical skills necessary to effectively uphold and champion SACCO Governance and Board Leadership Excellence. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of cooperative principles in action, learn about the legal and regulatory frameworks governing SACCOs, explore best practices in board composition and effectiveness, and acquire hands-on experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and risk management from a governance perspective. The course will delve into topics such as fiduciary duties, ethical leadership, conflict of interest management, robust internal controls, succession planning for the board, effective communication with members, and the role of the board in driving digital transformation and innovation. By mastering the principles and practical application of SACCO Governance and Board Leadership Excellence, participants will be prepared to lead their cooperatives with integrity, ensure long-term stability, foster member confidence, and contribute significantly to the growth and resilience of the cooperative movement.

Duration: 5 Days

Target Audience

• SACCO Board Members (Directors)
• Supervisory Committee Members
• Audit Committee Members
• Credit Committee Members
• Senior Management (CEO, General Managers)
• Aspiring SACCO Leaders
• Internal Auditors
• Compliance Officers
• Legal Advisors to SACCOs
• Governance Professionals

Objectives

• Understand the fundamental principles of good SACCO governance and their importance.
• Learn about the roles, responsibilities, and legal obligations of SACCO board members.
• Acquire skills in strategic planning and oversight from a board leadership perspective.
• Comprehend techniques for effective financial oversight and risk management at the board level.
• Explore strategies for ensuring regulatory compliance and ethical conduct within the SACCO.
• Understand the importance of board composition, diversity, and continuous development.
• Gain insights into fostering member engagement and transparent communication.
• Develop a practical understanding of managing conflicts of interest and promoting accountability.

Course Content

Module 1: Foundations of SACCO Governance

• Defining SACCO governance and its unique cooperative principles.
• The importance of good governance for SACCO sustainability and member trust.
• Principles of good governance: transparency, accountability, participation, equity.
• The legal and regulatory framework governing SACCOs (general overview of cooperative laws).
• Benefits of strong governance for SACCO growth and resilience.

Module 2: Roles, Responsibilities, and Legal Framework of the Board

• Fiduciary duties and legal obligations of SACCO board members.
• Differentiating between the roles of the board (governance) and management (operations).
• Key responsibilities: strategic oversight, policy formulation, financial stewardship.
• Understanding personal liability and due diligence for board members.
• The role of board committees (e.g., Audit, Credit, Nominations).

Module 3: Strategic Leadership and Planning

• The board's role in developing and approving the SACCO's strategic plan.
• Aligning strategy with the SACCO's mission, vision, and cooperative values.
• Environmental scanning: assessing market trends, competition, and member needs.
• Setting strategic goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the SACCO.
• Monitoring strategic implementation and evaluating performance.

Module 4: Financial Oversight and Prudent Management

• Understanding SACCO financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow).
• Key financial ratios and performance metrics for SACCOs.
• The board's role in approving budgets, monitoring financial health, and ensuring liquidity.
• Capital adequacy requirements and management.
• Oversight of internal and external audit processes.

Module 5: Risk Management and Internal Controls

• Identifying and assessing key risks facing SACCOs (financial, operational, strategic, compliance, cyber).
• Developing and overseeing the SACCO's risk management framework.
• Establishing robust internal control systems to safeguard assets and data.
• The board's role in ensuring effective fraud prevention measures.
• Business continuity planning and disaster recovery oversight.

Module 6: Ethical Leadership, Accountability, and Transparency

• Cultivating a culture of integrity, ethics, and transparency within the SACCO.
• Developing and enforcing a strong Code of Conduct for board members and staff.
• Managing conflicts of interest effectively and maintaining independence.
• Whistleblower policies and mechanisms for reporting unethical conduct.
• Promoting open communication with members and stakeholders.

Module 7: Board Effectiveness, Composition, and Development

• Best practices in board composition: skills, experience, diversity.
• Recruitment, onboarding, and continuous professional development for board members.
• Effective board meeting procedures, agenda setting, and decision-making.
• Board evaluation processes: self-assessment and peer review.
• Succession planning for board leadership roles.

Module 8: Member Engagement, Regulatory Compliance, and Future Trends

• The board's role in fostering member participation and democratic control.
• Ensuring transparent communication with members on governance matters.
• Staying abreast of evolving regulatory requirements and compliance obligations.
• The board's role in overseeing digital transformation and technological adoption.
• Adapting governance practices to address future challenges and opportunities for SACCOs.

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.