South Western Ontario Fall Regional Education Event

Saturday, November 4th, 2023 8:30 am - 4:00 pm

Registration: 8:30 am – 9:00 am
Best Western Plus Lamplighter Inn & Conference Centre, 591 Wellington Road South, London ON

Theme: Strengthening our Co-op Housing Communities

At this event we are going to look at key foundations for co-op housing and discuss how we can build on those to strengthen our co-ops. This day of learning has been developed with something for everyone. Whether you are a member, director or manager each session will have something for you. So let’s come together to learn from each other how we can strengthen our co-op communities to ensure their success well into the future.

Agenda

Time	Activity	Location
8:30-9:00am	Registration
9:00-10:00am	Plenary Session	Crystal Ballroom South
10:00-10:15am	Break	Crystal Ballroom South
10:15am-12:00pm	Morning workshops	Cambridge, Canterbury, Royal Palm
12:00-1:00pm	Lunch	Crystal Ballroom South
1:00-2:15pm	Afternoon workshops	Cambridge, Canterbury, Royal Palm
2:15-2:30pm	Break	Crystal Ballroom South
2:30-3:30pm	Afternoon workshops	Cambridge, Canterbury, Royal Palm

Morning Workshops: (Choose 1 of 3)

1. Bread & Butter &…By-laws?? Facilitated by Renée Kominek
   Bread & butter (or margarine) are staples in many homes, but in housing co-ops we need to add by-laws to that list of staples. Join us in this session to discuss the who, what, when, where, why and how about by-laws.
   • Who do by-laws apply to and who do they not apply to?
   • What by-laws do we need?
   • When by-laws are outdated?
   • Where do members access by-laws?
   • Why do we have by-laws?
   • How to adopt or amend by-laws
   
   Renée Kominek has been a Manager of a housing co-op in Southwestern Ontario for the past 18 years and has been delivering workshops for CHF Canada to members in Southwestern Ontario and across Canada for the past 10 years.
2. Open and Voluntary Membership – How’s that working in your co-op? Facilitated by Dawn RichardsonOpen and Voluntary Membership is the first Co-operative Principle. It tells us that membership in our co-ops should be open to anyone who is willing to accept the responsibilities of membership. What does that mean exactly? Do we have to accept everyone who applies? Applicants always agree to everything we discuss with them when they are applying. How do we know for sure the applicant will accept the responsibilities of membership once they move in? During the workshop we will cover these questions as well as: Criteria for membership and the Human Rights Code, , Information Sessions/Interviews for applicants, Recommendations to the board, Orientation of new members. 
   Dawn Richardson, MSEd, Program Manager for Co-op & Planning Services Ontario Region, CHF Canada. Dawn is an experienced facilitator and workshop leader within the co-op housing sector. She started her career in co-op housing in 1990 and began delivering workshops in 1996. Her roles in the sector have included co-op property management, non-resident board member, as well as positions in development and member services at the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto.
3. I just want my job to be easier! Facilitated by Denise McGahan
   Whether you are a member, director or manager of a housing co-op, wouldn’t it be nice to have one tool that can help you plan for the co-op’s future. No more searching for audits, operating budgets, capital budgets, and BCAs, in order to build a plan for the future. What if all that information was in one document? And what if it also contained recommendations specifically for your co-op? Wouldn’t that make your job easier? In this session we are going to take a guided tour of an Asset Management Plan so you can see firsthand how this tool can and will make your job of planning your co-op’s future easier!
   
   Denise McGahan, Program Manager of Co-op & Planning Services Southwest Ontario Region, CHF Canada.
   Denise has been in her current position with CHF Canada for 17 years, serving housing co-ops in Southwestern Ontario. She is an accomplished workshop leader and facilitator with a background in accounting and over 35 years in the co-op housing sector. This experience has included various volunteer positions as a member of a housing co-op and a career as a housing co-op manager, workshop leader and consultant.

Afternoon workshops: (Choose 1 of 3)

1. Minutes are flying by! Facilitated by Renée Kominek
   Do you ever wonder why we approve the minutes? Is it just a formality? Is it something we do quickly so we can get on to the “real business” of the meeting? Whether you are responsible for taking the minutes or approving them, this workshop is for you! We will discuss:
   • why we take minutes
   • what should be included in the minutes to ensure the co-op’s corporate records are complete and accurate.
   • what attachments should be included with the minutes
   • tips on formatting minutes so they are easier to prepare, read and understand
   • What we should be looking for when we approve the minutes of a previous meeting.
   
   Renée Kominek has been a Manager of a housing co-op in Southwestern Ontario for the past 18 years and has been delivering workshops for CHF Canada to members in Southwestern Ontario and across Canada for the past 10 years.
2. Are you a good Boss? Facilitated by Denise McGahan
   The relationship between the board and the co-op’s management staff is vital for efficient, smooth-running co-op operations. But being an employer can be a new role for directors who have not had previous experience supervising staff. Find out the most important things to know, including your legal obligations. Leave with practical ideas for how to be a better employer.
   
   Denise McGahan, Program Manager of Co-op & Planning Services Southwest Ontario Region, CHF Canada.
   Denise has been in her current position with CHF Canada for 17 years, serving housing co-ops in Southwestern Ontario. She is an accomplished workshop leader and facilitator with a background in accounting and over 35 years in the co-op housing sector. This experience has included various volunteer positions as a member of a housing co-op and a career as a housing co-op manager, workshop leader and consultant.
3. Hey, my neighbour won’t play by the rules! Facilitated by Dawn Richardson
   In this workshop we will look at the issue of neighbour-to-neighbour conflict in a housing co-op and discuss the responsibility of the board and members in resolving it. Whether you are a member, director or manager in your co-op, this workshop will have something for you. Let’s get together and discuss strategies for ensuring a healthy co-op community!
   
   Dawn Richardson, MSEd, Program Manager for Co-op & Planning Services Ontario Region, CHF Canada.
   Dawn is an experienced facilitator and workshop leader within the co-op housing sector. She started her career in co-op housing in 1990 and began delivering workshops in 1996. Her roles in the sector have included co-op property management, non-resident board member, as well as positions in development and member services at the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto.

Register

Questions:

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

Event:
Denise McGahan, Program Manager, Co-op & Planning Services, Southwestern Ontario, CHF Canada
dmcgahan@chfcanada.coop
519.453.0999 / 800.644.3949