co-operative management conference...• deadline and course maximum: registration deadline is april...

Co-operative Management Conference

June 6–8, 2018

Are you looking for new ideas and information to strengthen your co-op management skills? Would you like to meet and network with other co-op managers? Join us for the 2018 Co operative Management Conference—the only national professional development opportunity for managers and staff of housing co-operatives! One of many of CHF Canada’s annual meeting events and activities, our 2018 CMC program includes

events and workshops for both new and experienced managers.

CMC events and highlights• Planning your stay: Most of the CMC events and

workshops will be held at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC.

• Check out these great discounts and opportunities to expand your co-op’s training:

– If your co-op is registering two or more participants, the second and subsequent participants are half price.

– Young managers can take advantage of reduced fees with the Think Young discount (link).

• CMC registration:

– Wednesday, June 6, 9:30 a.m. at the Victoria Conference Centre.

– Pick up your AGM bag, name tag, workshop confirmation, general meeting registration and local information.

– Please note that only CMC participants will be able to register between 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Other AGM participants may register beginning at 11 am.

• Opening Plenary Lunch:

– Wednesday, June 6, 11 a.m. at the Hotel Grand Pacific Ballroom.

– Coffee will be served at 11 a.m. and lunch begins at noon.

• Co-op Staff and Managers Reception:

– Wednesday, June 6, 5 p.m. at the Hotel Grand Pacific Ballroom West.

• Co-op Staff and Managers Lunch:

– Friday, June 8, 12:30 p.m., at Old Spaghetti Factory, 703 Douglas Street, Victoria.

– This optional networking event is hosted by the Ontario Co-op Housing Staff Associations Network. Don’t forget to buy your ticket when you register online.

Co-op Managers Reference GroupCHF Canada would like to thank the members of the Co-op Managers Reference Group:

Sandi Enns, Judith Sainsbury, David McFarlane and David Waters, for their valuable contributions to this year’s Co-operative Management Conference.

Main Events

Co-op Staff/Managers LunchFriday, June 812:30–1:30 p.m.

Old Spaghetti Factory, 703 Douglas Street, Victoria

$30

Attend this optional lunch for discussions and networking with your peers. This energetic and exciting opportunity for co-op managers to share

useful ideas and knowledge with others is hosted by the Ontario Co-op Housing Staff Associations Network. Don’t forget to buy your ticket when you register online!

Co-op Managers and Staff ReceptionWednesday, June 65–6 p.m.

Hotel Grand Pacific Ballroom West

Relax with some refreshments after your first day at this informal get-together. Meet other managers and staff from across Canada and network with sector organizations that support co op housing.

Sponsored by Iler Campbell and Institute of Housing Management (IHM)

Opening Plenary LunchWednesday, June 611 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

Hotel Grand Pacific Ballroom

All CMC participants are welcome to attend the Opening Plenary Lunch. It’s a great opportunity to receive updates on important issues for co-op managers and staff. This year, you will also elect one representative to the Co-op Managers Reference Group for a two-year term. The Opening Plenary Lunch is included in your registration fee, and you will receive a ticket in your registration package.

Sponsored by Prentice Yates & Clark

CHF CANADA 2018 AGM CO-OPERATIVE MANAGEMENT CONFERENCE VICTORIA 1

Institute of Housing Management (IHM)The Institute of Housing Management offers an accreditation program for property managers. Co-op managers can get a head start on property management training. The IHM program includes five compulsory courses and one elective course. The compulsory courses are:

• Property and building administration• Building maintenance for property managers• Strategic and financial planning for property managers• Human relations for property managers• Tenancy Law in Ontario

To learn more about the Institute of Housing Management, visit www.ihmcanada.net.

Core courseBuilding maintenance for property managers (June 4–8, 2018)

For the 11th year, IHM will offer one of its core property management courses, Property and building administration for property managers, as part of the Co-operative Management Conference.

Elective coursesMaking your dollars go the distance (June 4-6, 2018)

Marketing your co-operative community (June 6-8, 2018)

For the fifth time, we will also present two IHM elective courses, Making your dollars go the distance and Marketing your co-op community. Both courses provide a half-credit towards your IHM accreditation.

Certificate program coursesP1 Building maintenance for property managers

(IHM core course)Institute of Housing Management certificate program

James Mellor

This course is designed to give the managers involved in the field of property management a general understanding of the principles of multi-unit residential building construction and the various systems within buildings, such as the plumbing, electrical, HVAC, building envelope and fire-safety systems. Emphasis is placed on preventive maintenance, repair/replacement of various building components, inspections, safety, compliance with regulatory requirements and contract administration.

Course schedule

This course begins on Monday morning, continues all day Tuesday through Thursday, and ends on Friday morning. When you register for this course you will be registered for all the sessions.

Monday, June 4: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 5: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 6: 9–10:30 a.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 7: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m.

Friday, June 8: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Registration and course details

• Fees: Course fees are included in your CMC registration. An additional $100 fee is required to cover the cost of course materials and instruction. You will be invoiced for the additional fee once you have registered for the course.

• Deadline and course maximum: Registration deadline is April 30. There is a maximum of 30 participants, first come, first served. A minimum of 20 registrations must be reached by April 1 for the course to be offered.

• Course materials: In May you will receive the course materials and pre-work instructions. It is important to provide a civic mailing address for courier delivery of course materials so you can complete the pre-work before the course.

• Exam: There will be a written exam (closed book) on the morning of Friday June 8, 2018.

• Course location: This course will be presented at the Hotel Grand Pacific, and we recommend that you reserve your accommodation there.


P2 Making your dollars go the distance (half credit IHM elective)

Institute of Housing Management certificate program

Philip Eram

As property managers, we are expected to be jacks of all trades who can somehow make the funding available to us deliver the best outcome for our housing communities. Finding the right balance between needs and wants, and ensuring that operational demands are met and that residents are satisfied is a talent and skill that property managers, particularly in the non-profit housing sector, must develop.

During this course, we will explore effective methods and simplified systems to make our housing dollars go further. We will review the concept of budgeting, what is really important in the financial statements and how we can keep track to ensure we don’t lose track. Participants will:

• review the basics of budgeting—what’s really important in the financial statements

• learn how to monitor and keep spending on track with the budget

• better understand financial information through a simplified process to help property managers remain focused

• use financial data to effectively say no and prioritize spending needs versus wants.

Course schedule

This course begins on Monday continues Tuesday, and wraps up Wednesday morning. When you register for this course you will be registered for all sessions.

Monday, June 4: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m.

Tuesday, June 5: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m.

Wednesday, June 6: 9–10:30 a.m.


• Fees: Course fees are included in your CMC registration. An additional $100 fee is required to cover the cost of course materials and instruction. You will be invoiced for the additional fee once you have registered for the course.

• Deadline and course maximum: Registration deadline is April 30. There is a maximum of 24 participants, first come, first served. A minimum 20 registrations must be reached by April 30 for the course to be offered.

• Course materials: In May you will receive the course materials and pre-work instructions. It is important to provide a civic mailing address for courier delivery of course materials so you can complete the pre-work before the course.


P3 Marketing your co-operative community (half credit IHM elective)

Institute of Housing Management certificate program

Philip Eram

This training is ideal for managers of co-op housing communities who want to learn proven methods and successful approaches to achieving 100% unit occupancy and improving member satisfaction and retention. You will learn simple and successful marketing and member retention techniques, including how to:

• effectively advertise and communicate your message• increase your co-op’s status as a first choice for applicants• reduce member turnover and improve retention• promote your co-op’s benefits and stand out in a

competitive environment• improve member satisfaction• maximize positive word-of-mouth advertising• enhance your co-op’s community image and reputation• increase awareness and understanding of member needs

and community demographics.

Course schedule

This course begins on Wednesday afternoon, continues all day Thursday, and wraps up Friday morning. When you register for this workshop you will be registered for the entire session.

Wednesday, June 6: 1:30–4:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 7: 9 a.m.–12 p.m. and 1:30–4:30 p.m.

Friday, June 8: 9 a.m.–12 p.m.


• Fees: Course fees are included in your CMC registration fee. An additional $100 fee is required to cover the cost of books and instruction. You will be invoiced for the additional fee once you have registered for the course.

• Deadline and course maximum: Registration deadline is April 30. There is a maximum of 24 participants, first come, first served. A minimum of 20 registrations must be reached by April 30 for the course to be offered.

• Course materials: No preparation work is required for this course. The course manual will be available at the beginning of the course.


Institute of Housing Management (IHM) continued


Workshop registration tips• The CMC is specifically focused on the training needs of co-op managers. In order to attend the CMC, you

must be a co-op manager or staff member and register in this category.

• Make sure you choose workshops to fill all time slots. If you do not select workshops for all time slots, you will have to sign up onsite. Many workshops are full by then.

• There is a limit on how many people can attend each workshop, on a first-come, first-served basis. So don’t delay. Register online today.

• CMC participants also are welcome to register for any workshops in the Member Education Forum (MEF). Check out the MEF workshop program for a complete list of workshop times and descriptions.

Workshop topicsMake sure to check out the topic streams below to help you choose the right balance and be on your way to sustaining the long-term viability of your co-op’s business and community. Whether you are a new manager or staff member, need a refresher or are interested tackling emerging issues, we’ve got you covered!

Supporting governanceP3 Marketing your co-operative community (IHM course)

P4 Handling difficult conversations with members

P12 Supporting good governance

P14 Good member service

P23 This is your co-op manager calling

P31 Ontario eviction refresher

Co-op management and finances

Sponsored by The Agency

P2 Making your dollars go the distance (IHM course)

P5 Managing your arrears

P11 Long-term financial planning

P21 Young managers roundtable

P34 Investment options for housing co-ops

P32 Social media and new technology

Planning and asset managementP1 Building maintenance for property managers

(IHM course)

P6 Making your planning tools work for your co-op


P22 Managing capital projects

P33 Trash talkin’

Healthy communitiesP13 Violence and harassment investigation

P16 Smoking and cannabis in co-ops

P26 Human rights and your co-op

Development and government relationsP15 Ready for action: Growing the sector (part one)

P25 Ready for action: Growing the sector (part two)

P24 Social housing modernization and the National Housing Strategy (Ontario)

P35 Co-ops in the National Housing Strategy era

P36 Managing change and co-op development

CMC workshops


CMC workshops continued

P4 Handling difficult conversations with membersSupporting governance

Jennifer Threndyle

Learn how you can handle challenging conversations and deal with emotional interactions with your members. Knowing how to handle difficult conversations, such as providing bad news or negative feedback, is critical in maintaining and strengthening your relationships with members and board members.

P5 Managing your arrearsCo-op management and finances

Judy Shaw

Managing arrears is an essential part of sound financial management. High arrears are time-consuming for both the 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 use to collect arrears.

P6 Making your planning tools work for your co-opPlanning and asset management

Moderator: David Howard

Panelists: Halina Kuras, Emily Rude and David Spackman

We all know how important it is to have the right planning tools at your disposal. We’ll look at the difference between the raw data you get in a BCA and the information you need to implement a capital plan. We’ll hear from asset management experts on how they take the engineer’s report and turn it into something that makes sense for a co-op community in the long-term.

Wednesday, June 6 1:30–4:30 p.m.

l Supporting governance l Co-op management and finances l Planning and asset management

l Healthy communities l Development and government relations


P11 Long-term financial planningPlanning and asset management

Halina Kuras

How much does your co-op know about its financial future? Do you know how changes in your operating costs, the housing market and capital repairs will affect your co-op? And what are your options for future refinancing? You’ll need to have a long-term financial plan for your co-op that forecasts reserves and operating results, cash flows and financing requirements.

P12 Supporting good governanceSupporting governance

Anjala Kulasegaram

Supporting good governance is one of the Core Management Standards but what does it actually involve? We will discuss the manager’s role and share ideas on how co-op managers can support the board and members in their quest for good governance.

P13 Violence and harassment investigationHealthy communities

Jennifer Threndyle

The investigation of violence and harassment incidents is a core activity within a healthy and safe workplace. It is also a requirement under provincial safety legislation and human rights codes. We’ll cover the purpose and benefits of an investigation, legal reporting requirements, the steps of an effective investigation, communication methods, documenting, and report writing. You’ll be equipped with the essential knowledge, skills and tools to effectively address issues of violence and harassment in the workplace.

P14 Good member serviceSupporting governance

Denise McGahan

Co-ops of every kind are organized to provide services to their members. In our case, the service is housing, which can make a huge difference in the quality of life of our members. So how do we know if we’re serving our members? And how can we involve our members in a discussion about what we can do better? Join us for an engaging discussion on how your co-op can:

• best meet the service needs of your members• communicate in a clear and timely manner and• adopt the new Good Member Service Charter.

Note: This is a joint workshop open to both members and managers of co-ops.

P15 Ready for action: Growing the sector (Part 1)Development and government relations

Jada Basi and Karen Brodeur

Is your co-op ready to take part in growing the co-op housing sector? Do you have some specific project ideas about how your co-op can get involved and lead change? Are you passionate about this issue and want to learn and network with other co-op members? This full-day session is for you! As a small group we will learn about the critical path to development, your role in the process, how to identify specific opportunities and challenges, and how to engage your co-op members in the process and work with local stakeholders.

Note: This is a full-day session open to both members and managers of co-ops.


Thursday, June 7 9 a.m.–12 p.m.




P16 Smoking and cannabis in co-opsHealthy communities

Moderator: Peter Gesiarz

Presenters: Celia Chandler and Grant Haddock

The new federal legislation on growing and using cannabis is just around the corner, and it will have implications for housing co-ops. You may be wondering, what will this mean for your co-op? Join our legal experts Celia Chandler LLP and Grant Haddock LLP as they tackle smoking and cannabis questions such as:

• Will the new cannabis legislation allow members to grow plants in their units?

• How do co-ops address the issue of second-hand smoke?• How can co-ops balance the rights of all its members? • What kinds of policies related to smoking are helpful

and effective?



Thursday, June 7 9 a.m.–12 p.m. continued




P21 Young managers’ roundtableCo-op management and finances

Moderators: Anjala Kulasegaram and Cynthia Mitchell

Are you a young (under 35) co-op manager and looking to connect with other young co-op managers? This session is for you! Join your colleagues from across Canada for this fun, low-key workshop where we’ll discuss the ups and downs that come with being a manager of a housing co-op. You’ll have a chance to share your experiences and hear from others.

P22 Managing capital projectsPlanning and asset management

Housing Services Corporation representative

Do you have a roof replacement, new windows, siding, flooring or other major renovations in your future? With limited funds for capital repairs, the co-op needs to ensure funds are spent wisely. The work needs to be done right, on time and on budget. We’ll talk about the manager’s role in hiring consultants, bidding and award processes, and contract administration.

P23 This is your co-op manager callingSupporting 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 learn more about:

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


Development and government relations

Simone Swail

The Ontario Ministry of Housing will be holding a consultation on social housing modernization that could change the relationship between HSA co-ops, services managers and potentially even our members. By June, the Ontario and federal governments will likely have signed an agreement on the National Housing Strategy. Hear from the experts about what’s being considered for social housing modernization, and what all the new funding means for co-ops in Ontario.

Note: This is a joint workshop open to both members and managers of co-ops in Ontario.

P25 Ready for action: Growing the sector (Part 2)Development and government relations

Jada Basi and Karen Brodeur

Is your co-op ready to take part in growing the co-op housing sector? Do you have some specific project ideas about how your co-op can get involved and lead change? Are you passionate about this issue and want to learn and network with other co-op members? This full-day session is for you! As a small group we will learn about the critical path to development, your role in the process, how to identify specific opportunities and challenges, and how to engage your co-op members in the process and work with local stakeholders.

Note: This is a full-day session open to both members and managers of co-ops.

P26 Human rights and your co-opSupporting governance

Celia Chandler

Is your co-op aware of its human rights obligations? What steps can your co-op take to be proactive about potential human rights and prevent complaints? Join us to hear from co-op legal expert Celia Chandler, a partner at Iler Campbell LLP, and explore practical suggestions about how co-op boards can meet their duty to accommodate co-op members.



Thursday, June 7 2–4:30 p.m.




P31 Ontario eviction refresherSupporting governance

Keith Moyer

The new eviction system has been in place for four years. For some, it’s starting to become old hat, but sometimes problems come up. We’ll provide a high-level overview of the new system and review some common pitfalls that co-ops have experienced.

P32 Social media and new technologyCo-op management and finances

Moderator: Lee Pepper

We see new technological advances every day (or maybe even every hour)! How do we bring new technology into our co-op without being techies or breaking the bank? We’ll look at some practical ways to move with the times and modernize your co-op office, your board practices and your co-op’s presence in the community. You’ll learn some tips to start increasing efficiency, improving communication and reducing paper.

P33 Trash talkin’Planning and asset management

David Spackman

Part of being a housing provider is dealing with damaged, dirty, abandoned or even seriously “trashed” units. Besides being disappointing, dealing with trashed or abandoned units can be both difficult and expensive. Join us while we talk trash about how to:

• reduce the chances of a unit being abandoned or trashed• deal with a unit that is trashed or abandoned, including

regaining possession• deal with the physical damages, and cover and reclaim

the cost of repairs and• document the co-op’s claim for damages.

P34 Investment options for housing co-opsCo-op management and finances

Derek Ballantyne

For some, making investment choices can seem complicated and daunting. Co-ops are increasingly required to be financially savvy and more self-sufficient, and managing non-real estate assets is a critical part of this. We’ll examine investment basics and key investment concepts and review the considerations co-ops may have in making investment decisions. Whether you need an introduction to investing or just a refresher, you will leave with a good overview of:

• managing your investments• capital reserves• asset classes, and sector and investment types and• mutual funds and other funds.



Friday, June 8 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.




P35 Co-ops in the National Housing Strategy eraPlanning and asset management

Doug Wong

The National Housing Strategy’s release in November 2017 outlined the Government of Canada’s desire to get back into housing. But what does this mean for co-ops? And how can we harness the power of our membership to ensure the co-op model plays a significant role in the development of new affordable housing during the next decade? We’ll provide an update on where we stand with the National Housing Strategy and how our movement of a quarter-million strong can influence policy.

Note: This is a joint workshop for both members and managers of co-ops.

P36 Managing change and co-op developmentDevelopment and government relations

New ideas and projects come with many challenges for everybody involved. Sometimes what seems like a positive step forward to some can feel threatening or impossible to others. The process of growing co-op housing involves more than the mortar and bricks of constructing new homes. It also means engaging with our co-op members to ensure they feel part of the change and support the outcomes, which ultimately may affect their homes too. Join us to discuss how to engage productively with co-op members on the impact of development on their co-op.



Friday, June 8 10:30 a.m.–12 p.m. continued




Workshop leaders

Jada Basi is Manager of Housing and Community Planning at CitySpaces Consulting.

Karen Brodeur is Program Manager, Co-operative Services (Atlantic) at CHF Canada.

Celia Chandler is a lawyer at Iler Campbell LLP in Toronto, and specializes in issues primarily geared to housing providers.

Philip Eram, B.Sc., F.I.H.M., is President of Precision Property Management Inc.

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

Grant Haddock is Founder of Haddock & Company Lawyers in Vancouver, and specializes in a client base of housing co-operatives, strata corporations and contractors.

Joe Hayes is a consultant with Encasa Financial.

David Howard is Program Manager, Refinancing at CHF Canada.

Halina Kuras is Director of Finance and Operations at COHO Management Services Society.

Anjala Kulasegaram is a co-op advisor at the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto.

James Mellor, F.I.H.M., is Director of operations for Precision Property Management Inc.

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

Cynthia Mitchell is Program Manager, Member Engagement at CHF Canada.

Keith Moyer is Manager, Co-operative Services at CHF Canada (Ontario Region).

Lee Pepper is Communications Co-ordinator at CHF Canada.

Emily Rude is Asset Management Advisor at Co-operative Housing Federation of British Columbia.

Judy Shaw is a co-op consultant and a CHF Canada workshop leader.

David Spackman is Program Manager, Co-operative and Asset Management Services at CHF Canada.

Simone Swail is Manager, Government Relations at CHF Canada (Ontario Region).

Jennifer Threndyle is the AODA Specialist at Workplace Safety and Prevention Services.

Doug Wong is Program Manager, Policy and Government Relations at CHF Canada.


Workshop schedule at a glancel IHM course l Supporting governance l Co-op management and finances l Planning and asset management


Monday, June 4 and Tuesday, June 5

9 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

P1 Building maintenance for property managers (IHM course)


Wednesday, June 6

9–10:30 a.m.



1:30–4:30 p.m.


P3 Marketing your co-operative community (IHM course)

P4 Handling difficult conversations with members

P5 Managing your arrears

P6 Making your planning tools work for your co-op

Thursday, June 7

9 a.m.–12 p.m.




P12 Supporting good governance

P13 Violence and harassment investigation

P14 Good member service

P15 Ready for action: Growing the sector (part 1)

P16 Smoking and cannabis in co-ops

Thursday, June 7 continued

1–4:30 p.m.



2–4:30 p.m.

P21 Young managers’ roundtable

P22 Managing capital projects

P23 This is your co-op manager calling


P25 Ready for action: Growing the sector (part 2)

P26 Human rights and your co-op

Friday, June 8

9 a.m.–12 p.m.



10:30 a.m.–12 p.m.

P31 Ontario eviction refresher

P32 Social media and new technology

P33 Trash talkin’

P34 Investment options for housing co-ops

P35 Co-ops in the National Housing Strategy era

P36 Managing change and co-op development


Contact usNational Office

311–225 Metcalfe StreetOttawa, ON K2P 1P9

Tel: 613.230.2201Fax: 613.230.2231

Toll-free: 1.800.465.2752

Ontario Region313–720 Spadina Avenue

Toronto, ON M5S 2T9Tel: 416.366.1711Fax: 416.366.3876

Toll-free: 1.800.268.2537

Vancouver Office220–1651 Commercial Drive

Vancouver, BC V5L 3Y3Tel: 604.879.4116Fax: 604.879.4186

Toll-free: 1.877.533.2667

Manitoba OfficeBox 124

30–360 Main Street, Unit 13BWinnipeg, MB R3C 3Z8

Tel: 204.947.5411Toll-Free: 1.888.591.3301

Nova Scotia OfficeSuite 405

202 Brownlow AvenueDartmouth, NS B3B 1T5

Tel: 902.423.7119Fax: 902.423.7058

Toll-free: 1.866.213.2667

www.chfcanada.coop chfcanada


co-operative management conference...• deadline and course maximum: registration deadline is april...

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