Northeastern Ontario Manager Fall Regional Education Event

Friday, October 13th, 2023 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Agenda

Time	Activity
8:30-9:00am	Registration
9:00-9:15am	Opening remarks
9:15am-12:00pm	Workshop 1
12:00-1:00pm	Networking lunch
1:00-2:00pm	Workshop 2
2:00-4:00pm	Workshop 3

Registration: 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Northbury Hotel and Conference Centre, 50 Brady St., Sudbury, ON

Opening 9:00-9:15am

Land acknowledgement and message from the CHF Canada Board

9:15am-12:00pm Workshop 1

Having Difficult Conversations with Members, with Janine Macdonald
This session will help you handle challenging conversations and learning to deal with emotional interactions. Knowing how to handle difficult conversations such as providing bad news or negative feedback is critical in maintaining and strengthening our relationships with members and board members.

Janine MacDonald, Co-op Manager
Janine has 28 years of experience as a co-op manager and currently works at two Section 95 co-ops in Peterborough. Over the years, she has learned a thing or two about bad contractors, long-term planning, bat guano, leaking roofs and basements, and lobbying governments. For 10 years Janine lived in a co-op, and her kids still refer to it as “the best place we ever lived.” She is happy to share her experiences with others so they might find their silver lining in the chaos.

Networking Lunch 12:00-1:00pm

Enjoy a buffet lunch and the company of other co-op managers from Northeastern Ontario.

First Afternoon session 1:00-2:00pm

Providing good consumer service, with Peter Gesiarz and René Daoust
Co-ops of every kind are organized to provide services to their members. Our service is housing, and our success can make a huge difference in our member’s quality of life. So how do we know if were getting it right? And how can we involve our members in a discussion about what we could do better? Join us for an engaging workshop where we’ll discuss:
• how your co-op can best meet the service needs of your members
• how to communicate in a clear and timely manner and;
• why your co-op should adopt a Member Service Charter

Peter Gesiarz, Regional Manager, Ontario, CHF Canada
Peter has over 30 years of housing sector experience. He has worked with Tim Welsh Consulting Inc., Community First Development Inc., The Agency for Co-operative Housing, Champlain Valley Mutual Housing Federation, Guelph Campus Co-op, Marketview Housing Co-op and Ujamaa Housing Co-op. He was also a member and president of Bread and Roses Co-operative Homes Inc. Peter has been with CHF Canada for eight years.

René Daoust, Program Manager, Co-op and Planning Services, National, CHF Canada
René has been involved in the co-operative housing sector for more than 35 years at many levels, first as a member, then as an administrator and as a federation employee since 2000. With CHF for 15 years, René plays an active role in promoting sound management.

Second Afternoon session 2:00-4:00pm

Why Building Condition Assessments and Asset Management Plans are essential to your co-op’s success! with Ofelia Guanlao
How often do I need to do a building condition assessment? What is an asset management plan? Why does my housing co-op need one? How will it help us in our long-term planning? Join this workshop to learn:
• the difference between an asset management plan and a building condition assessment,
• the simple ABCs to understand an asset management plan,
• the benefits of an asset management plan.

As co-ops reach end of mortgage (EOM), CHF Canada can help you develop a road map to keep your co-op sustainable and thriving that includes understanding your needs, prioritizing your objectives, and creating a realistic and achievable plan for your co-op now and into the future.

Ofelia Guanlao, Senior Program Manager of Asset Management Services, CHF Canada
Ofelia has over 16 years of experience in energy management, property management and multi-residential buildings. She possesses the skills and knowledge to transform co-operative homes to be more comfortable, energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable. She is a certified Project Management Professional and a LEED Green Associate and holds a Building Operator Certification from the Northwest Energy Efficiency Council and an MBA.

Register

Questions:

Registration:
Deirdre Bain, Education Program Coordinator
education@chfcanada.coop
613.230.2201

Event:
Peter Gesiarz, Regional Manager, Ontario
pgesiarz@chfcanada.coop
416.366.1711 ext. 236 / 800.268.2537 ext. 236