After a decade of hard work, the Prairie Food Co-op (PFC) in Lombard, IL, is in the final phases of construction of its food co-op as it draws closer to opening its doors later this year. CDS is always ready…

I wrote last month’s column with a mere three weeks under my belt as the new executive director. Now a seasoned veteran, I’m primed and excited to share with you some of CDS’s accomplishments in 2024 (while unapologetically cribbing from…

We also encourage you to support any of the co-ops participating in our fiscal sponsorship program, as they are all engaged in meaningful cooperative ventures in their communities and would welcome your helping hand!  You can donate directly to CDS…

Earlier this fall, Char Vrieze participated alongside several of our cooperative partners in Unlock your Business’s Future: Discover the Power of Employee Ownership, a webinar providing an overview of employee ownership options for business succession. Thanks to the University of Wisconsin…

Workshop for Cooperative Accountants: In January, Char will continue her work to educate on employer ownership conversions in collaboration with other cooperative colleagues, as part of a panel presentation to the National Society of Accountants for Cooperatives entitled The Cooperative Solution:…

We are excited to announce the selection of Leslie Watson as our new Executive Director. Leslie begins her new role this November, in close coordination with the previously announced retirement of outgoing Executive Director Kevin Edberg. The CDS Board selected Leslie following an extensive national search. “We…