WASHINGTON-The National Cooperative Business Association received a grant of $15,000 from the Nationwide Foundation's George and Gladys Dunlap Cooperative Leadership Fund to conduct a pilot survey of governance practices of Ohio cooperatives. The Ohio Credit Union System has pledged an additional $2,000 to the study. "If we are to grow stronger as a sector," NCBA President and CEO Paul Hazen said, "we need to address the most pressing education and training issue facing cooperatives and that is co-op democratic governance." NCBA is partnering with the Mid America Cooperative Council and the Ohio League to conduct a Web-based survey of Ohio cooperative executives on governance practices. The survey will cover nominating procedures, board and committee make up, member participation and outreach practices, and voluntary compliance with the provisions of new federal rules on corporate governance.