Institute of Housing Management Certificate Program Elective

Workplace Leadership

Philip Eram, FIHM

Once you have taken a number of courses and have a solid understanding of co-op processes, come learn how your decision-making might play out in the real world through group case studies. Also a great networking opportunity with others! Registered participants can submit various cases to be selected for discussion and study.

*For IHM Certificate Program participants only.

Philip A. Eram is an accredited property manager with the Institute of Housing Management, serves on the IHM board and chairs the IHM education committee. He is also the president of Precision Property Management Inc.

Workplace Leadershhip

Sonia Byrne

Thursday, June 11
9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

In this dynamic and engaging talk, Sonia will explore how we handle demands, priorities, obligations, change, stress and anger in the workplace. This guided experience of practical tips, activities and methods will address personal and environmental stress as well as mindfulness in the workplace.

Sonia Byrne, CHRL, is a global conscious leadership consultant and organizational effectiveness coach.

Supporting Governance

Jennifer Threndyle

Outsourcing work to contractors is a common co-op practice. Do you know your health and safety responsibilities as they relate to hiring outside contractors?

Through the use of various activities and checklists, you will learn about the key elements that must be in place before you hire a contractor.

Jennifer Threndyle is a workplace safety prevention services consultant and an accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act specialist

Assets and Environmental Sustainability

Donna Mayer

As part of the National Housing Strategy, the federal government introduced SEED funding and Co-investment funding. These two programs have streams for preservation, repair and renewal, and new construction. Eligible housing co-ops can now access funds to help with pre-development activities, long-term planning work, new construction costs and repairs and renewal of existing co-op homes. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is also releasing new grants and loans this Spring, through the Sustainable Affordable Housing stream of the Green Municipal Fund. The intention is that these various funding streams are complimentary. We’ll hear from CMHC and FCM representatives who work with the programs to learn about navigating the ins and outs of who is eligible, how to apply and some of the challenges of accessing funding. Join us to learn how these funds can benefit qualifying co-ops and support the growth and sustainability of the sector.

Donna Mayer is Advisor, Sustainable Affordable Housing with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

This session is a joint workshop between the Member Education Forum and the Co-operative Management Conference.

Assets and Environmental Sustainability
Ofelia Guanlao

Making our co-op homes accessible and adaptable enables members of all ages and disabilities to stay longer in co-op communities. But how do we go about identifying and tackling accessibility and aging-in-place issues in our co-ops? Get useful tips on how to design for accessible and adaptable homes.

Ofelia Guanlao is Program Manager, Asset Management Services for CHF Canada.

This session is a joint workshop between the Member Education Forum and the Co-operative Management Conference.

Supporting Governance

Peter Gesiarz

Co-ops in Ontario have been using a new eviction system since 2014. The purpose of eviction law reform was to make evictions fairer, faster and cheaper for co-ops and affected members. Six years later, we continue to learn from our experiences. Join us to network, share your challenges and hear about best practices for co-ops when it comes to evictions.

Peter Gesiarz is Program Manager, Co-operative and Planning Services, at CHF Canada (Ontario Region).

Planning and Finances

Viola Bardhoshi, CPA, CA

The end of your operating agreements with CMHC will have an impact on accounting policies and treatments. We will go over the accounting changes using sample financial statements. We will discuss why a co-operative needs to improve and revamp some of the policies related to these changes as well as educate its members about the upcoming changes.

Viola Bardhoshi is a chartered accountant and manager, Prentice Yates and Clark.

Workplace Leadership 

Denise McGahan 

As co-op housing members, you take pride in the positive role you play in your co-op community, in your surrounding neighbourhood and in the larger community. However, it can be challenging to explain how co-ops function and why we do things the way we do. The Co-op Act, the International Co-operative Principles and your co-op bylaws and policies spell it all out, but they don’t make it any easier to explain the essentials to new members or people on the street. Using practical ideas and activities, we’ll talk about how you can become a strong co-op advocate—so that your members and your community understand and appreciate the co-op difference.

Denise McGahan is Program Manager, Member Services (Southwestern Ontario), at CHF Canada.

This session is a joint workshop between the Member Education Forum and the Co-operative Management Conference

Supporting Governance

Denise McGahan

What co-op managers report, write and say has a big impact. Well thought out communication is one of the keys to a successful co-op. Come to this workshop to talk about:

• writing reports and letters
• giving oral reports
• general communication in the co-op.

Denise McGahan is Program Manager, Member Services (Southwestern Ontario), at CHF Canada.

Planning and Finances

Diane Kirke

Managing arrears is an essential part of sound financial management. High arrears are time-consuming for both board and staff – and can lead to financial difficulty. We’ll talk about how your co-op can keep arrears low by creating a culture where co-op members pay on time and in full. We’ll also discuss techniques to collect arrears.

Diane Kirke is Director of Finance at Homestarts Inc. and a CHF Canada workshop leader.

Workplace Leadership

Janine Macdonald

This session will help you handle challenging conversations and learn to deal with emotional interactions. Knowing how to handle difficult conversations, such as providing bad news or negative feedback, is critical to maintaining and strengthening relationships with members and board members.

Janine McDonald is the coordinator of Peterborough Co-operative Homes in Peterborough, Ontario, and a CHF Canada workshop leader.

Assets and Environmental Sustainability
Moderator: Patricia Tessier

Quebec has a long and colourful history of co-operation leading to a well-established co-operative housing movement and sector. The first housing co-operative in Estrie, Quebec, in 1941 was not only owned collectively, but built collectively. Today, Quebec has an approach to co-operative housing that is based on a unique history and hindsight, which has led to many dynamic and inspiring models. We invite you to come and meet representatives of Quebec housing co-operatives as they speak of their journey, culture and future plans. This is a unique opportunity to draw inspiration from Quebec
co-op stories.

Patricia Tessier is Director of Member Services for CHF Canada.

This session is a joint workshop between the Member Education Forum and the Co-operative Management Conference

Workplace Leadership

Shawn Conway

Co-op managers have to deal with many conflicts during their work. This workshop will deal with:

• Interest-based versus disciplinary/power-based approaches to resolving issues with members
• Quick intervention models for dealing with conflict
• Active listening tools and practices
• Working with people with histories of mental illness
• Getting your message across and setting boundaries.

Shawn Conway is a qualified mediator and consultant for CHF Canada, with many years’ experience in communities and housing co-operatives.

Planning and Finances

Do you work for a federal co op in Ontario, P.E.I., Alberta or B.C.? If you have questions about the 2017 Rent Supplement Agreement or the Agency’s on-line Rent Supplement Claims System, this workshop is for you. You’ll get an overview of current rules and information about administering rent supplements, calculating housing charges and using the online rent supplement system developed by the Agency for Co-operative Housing. Bring your questions and we’ll make sure you get them answered.

Presented by: The Agency for Co-operative Housing

Assets and Environmental Sustainability

Moderator: Tracy Geddes

This interactive marketplace forum will have some of our co-op sector professionals and industry leaders on hand to discuss and answer your most pressing questions. You’ll meet and network with members, managers and staff from across Canada. This fun, informal workshop will give you an opportunity to hear from dynamic guest speakers from various fields, such as law, finance, insurance, accounting, engineering, building, design, property maintenance, management and more.

This session is a joint workshop between the Member Education Forum and the Co-operative Management Conference.

Assets and Environmental Sustainability

Moderator: Jovette Fournier

The co-operative housing movement is experiencing an exciting period of renewal and transformation. Co-ops are taking stock, planning for the future and renewing their properties to better meet the needs of current and future members. Meanwhile, in response to a growing housing crisis across the country, the federal government introduced the National Housing Strategy in 2017. For the first time in decades, there are new federal funding opportunities for co-operative housing renewal and growth across the country. Join Tim Ross, CHF Canada’s Executive Director, and special guests to discuss opportunities for co-op housing renewal and transformation across the country.