IHM News - Summer 2015

Volume 60, Summer 2015

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement # 40739009

ENHANCING THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS

Inside President's Message ... 2 Changes to WHMIS are Coming ... 3 Mental Health - Psychosocial Risk Factors in the Workplace ... 5 Home Weatherization Program helps Local Family Stay Warm ... 6 You Know You’re a Property Manager When… ... 7 Housing and Health Care ... 8 Highlights of the 2015 IHM Conference ... 10 Human Relations for Property Managers 5-Day IHM In-Class Course Registration ... 12 NEW! One Day Workshops to Enhance Professional Skills... 13 Member Profile Anne-Marie Cheung... 13 IHM Certificate in Property Management & Course Completions ... 14 New Members... 14 IHM Board of Directors ... 15

Mental Health Psychosocial Risk Factors in the Workplace

P r e s i d e n t ’s M e s s a g e

Greetings IHM Members, Common sense, is an often used expression, but is there anything common about common sense?

IHM is quickly approaching our 40th Anniversary, four decades of providing education, training and mentorship in the property management sector. The Institute of Housing Management has and continues to be a leader in providing the education that Property Managers need to effectively manage building and housing assets as well as that crucial relationship between landlord and tenant. To become an accredited member of IHM, Property Managers must first complete the education requirements and acquire five years experience directly in property management, a lesser number of years will be considered if the candidate is being directly supervised by an existing AIHM or FIHM member.

Why is experience important and why is common sense important? They are critical because a fundamental professional property management skill is the understanding that issues need to be balanced appropriately. As property management professionals you know you cannot separate managing tenancies and tenant relationships from property and asset maintenance, or do either without considering financial impacts. All three aspects must be balanced; managing finances, tenancies/people, and maintenance in balance is a core property management skill and it requires experienced common sense.

Common sense requires experience; this is not a new concept. Around 2,360 years ago Aristotle discussed ethics and virtues and one concept in particular relates to common sense, it is practical wisdom. To be brief, common sense requires practical wisdom and this wisdom must include insight into what will be a good solution and, critically, an understanding of what is required as a good solution given a particular situation. Many IHM members will understand that one situation can be quite different from another even if they seem similar to the unexperienced, and this is why experience is needed along with the practical knowledge to formulate good solutions applicable to each circumstance.

Not everyone has practical wisdom and no-one can have enough of it. However, as professional property managers we strive to balance our financial, people and maintenance management skills together to fulfill our mandates. The experience required for IHM accreditation is intended to ensure members have the basic common sense skills needed for those in our profession.

And, of course, we should always continue to strive for improvement and the ongoing expansion of our own skills and abilities. IHM is your association providing accreditation and education, and our conferences and connections with each other helps us all increase our practical wisdom – it is, after all, a matter of common sense.

All the best to all of you this summer,

Kevin O’Hara, MPA, FIHM, CMM III IHM President

IHM News • Summer 2015

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Celebrating 40 Years!

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Feature

Changes to WHMIS are Coming Reprinted from IHSA.ca Magazine, Vol 13, Issue 1

A

fter many years of discussion and proposed implementation timelines, it seems as though the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for hazardous materials in the workplace will finally arrive in Canada and Ontario.

For some 25 years, Ontario workplaces have used the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS) to inform workers about the dangers of controlled products. WHMIS is fundamental to a worker’s right to know about hazards in the workplace.

Problems with WHMIS Canada’s WHMIS standard came into effect in 1988. Since then, our trade with countries that don’t have systems like WHMIS has increased, and new products (and hazards) have been introduced. There are differences in how other countries classify chemicals, develop Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs), and organize their labels. This can cause confusion and make it difficult to enforce and to comply with the WHMIS standard. Ultimately, this confusion threatens the health and safety of workers both here and abroad.

What is GHS? In 1992, the United Nations created an international system for classifying and identifying workplace chemical hazards in a consistent way. This system came to be known as the Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labelling of Chemicals, or GHS. GHS has three main elements: 1. Classification of Chemicals GHS sets out standard rules for classifying chemicals. Chemicals are classified

IHM News • Summer 2015

into one of three hazard groups: health, physical, or environmental. However, Canada is not expected to adopt the environmental hazard group. Within the hazard groups, new classes of hazards are expected, such as explosives, combustible dusts, and simple asphyxiants.

Although GHS does not recognize biohazardous materials (currently Class D3 under WHMIS), this category will likely be retained by Canada.

2. Safety Data Sheets GHS will also require the use of newly designed Safety Data Sheets (SDSs), which will replace the current MSDSs. Although the differences are not expected to be extreme, there are some. The SDS will have 16 sections, whereas WHMS has 9. Much of the information for the SDS is already contained in the MSDS, but it is better organized and clearer. The SDS must also list the sections in a specified order, use the words

“Danger” or “Warning”, post or describe hazard symbols, and include hazard statements.

3. Labels GHS-compliant labels contain hazard symbols and signal words and list hazardous ingredients. Some of the symbols such as those that stand for skin irritation, cancer/germ cell, aspiration hazard, and explosives are different from those used in WHMIS. (See next page for pictograms.) Perhaps the most notable change, however, will be the removal of the distinctive hatched border.

GHS in Canada Many countries have already adopted GHS into their existing legislation. In fact, the United States has started incorporating GHS into its Hazard Communication standard. At the federal level in Canada, amendments will have Continued on page 4

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to be made to the Hazardous Products Act and the Controlled Products Regulation, which set out requirements for suppliers of controlled products. At the provincial level, the WHMIS legislation must also be amended to require that proper hazard information be obtained by employers and given to workers in a way that is consistent with GHS. When will the new system take effect?

Health Canada, which is in charge of managing GHS implementation, has

Proposed changes to Hazardous Products Act and Controlled Products Regulation published in the Canada Gazette, Part I. This gives various interested parties a final opportunity to review and comment on the proposed changes to the legislation before it is enacted.

Final amendments to the federal legislation to be published in the Gazette, Part II before receiving Royal Assent and becoming law.

Amendment to Hazardous Products Act and Controlled Products Regulation come into force.

IHM News • Summer 2015

expressed a strong interest in aligning and synchronizing the implementation of GHS in Canada with the United States. The following tentative schedule has been proposed.

After GHS comes into force in 2015, there will likely be a transition period to allow workplaces time to convert from WHMIS to GHS. In addition, provincial WHMIS legislation will also have to be amended to incorporate the GHS requirements.

What can workplaces do to prepare for GHS? Workplaces in Ontario should continue complying with the current WHMIS legislation. This includes training workers and providing labels and MSDSs. GHS Safety Data Sheets: Workplaces in Ontario may already be receiving GHScompliant Safety Data Sheets from their suppliers. Although the use of the sheets is permitted, employers must ensure that workers are trained to understand the new style of SDS. GHS labels: Some workplaces may already be receiving GHS labels; however, the use of these labels in place of WHMIS labels in the workplace is not yet permitted.

Review inventory: With the expected implementation of GHS in Canada likely to be only a few years away, workplaces should consider reviewing their inventory and minimizing unnecessary chemicals in the workplace. This can help them make the transition from WHMIS to GHS. The transition to GHS is expected to result in much activity in the coming year. Check back with IHSA for more updates as new information becomes available. â–

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Feature

Mental Health - Psychosocial Risk Factors in the Workplace

By Carola Mittag

T

he emergence of Canada’s new National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the spring of 2013 was a landmark step forward. Understanding the relatively new voluntary standards is a challenge for organizations who don’t know where to begin.

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Recognition & Reward Involvement & Influence Workload Management Engagement Balance Psychological Protection Protection of Physical Safety

When the culture is visualized and approached in this way, we have already begun to eliminate psychological and physical risk factors as opposed to dealing with them after they have been created and embedded in the work environment.

Not the desirable solution!

The Standard is not about preventing mental illness, but more about preventing mental injury in the workplace.

When approximately 500,000 people are absent from work each week, part of it is that 25-33% are off work because of perceived or real interpersonal issues in the workplace. The issues are causing so much stress that the workers don’t want to be in their workplace. This Standard is about safety first, preventing mental health injury. The Standard is 100% focused on mental health and the thirteen organizational factors that help organizations identify the hazards and assess and control the risks while also reducing the stigma around psychological health and safety in the workplace.

The 13 organizational factors that impact organizational health, the health of individual employees and the financial bottom line, including the way work is carried out and the context in which work occurs, are: 1. Psychological Support 2. Organizational Culture 3. Clear Leadership & Expectations 4. Civility & Respect 5. Psychological Job Fit 6. Growth & Development

IHM News • Summer 2015

The document is organized and designed to complement and build upon existing occupational health and safety rules that govern workplace practices in many organizations.

There is overwhelming evidence that psychologically healthy and safe workplaces bring with them significantly lower rates of absenteeism, higher productivity and other related cost savings that make the business case for a positive shift toward a motivated workplace.

So what is the start point for a psychologically safer and healthier workplace?

Leaders lead. They ask their people to richly imagine their future in a supportive environment where the mission is clear and everyone has each other’s backs. That is the start line for the journey to a sustainable, highly engaged, enabled and accepting organization.

The safest places to work are those in which everyone looks out for each other. At the core of psychologically and physically safe and healthy workplaces are people doing the right things because they share the same values.

This becomes the birth of a culture which evolves into a working environment that supports all those who work within it. It converts into the path forward toward a sustainable, mentally and physically healthy and safe workplace.

The National Standard is meant to focus on not only preventing harm but also improving health. It attempts to help organizations move positively along a mental health continuum.

Carola Mittag is CEO of Workplace Safety Group, experts in workplace health and safety. Workplace Safety Group has designed training programs specifically for the housing sector.

Email: carola@workplacesafetygroup.com ■

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Feature

Home Weatherization Program helps Local Family Stay Warm Submitted by Union Gas

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hen Hamilton resident Paul found out that he could insulate his home free of charge through the Union Gas Home Weatherization Program, he didn’t hesitate. “The house gets really hot in the summer and really cold in the winter, so I hoped it would help my heating bill in the long run,” he explained.

Taking advantage of the program, which he learned about through a Union Gas community service partner, was a painless process for the homeowner. After

IHM News • Summer 2015

meeting the Home Weatherization Program’s eligibility criteria, he was put in touch with an authorized Union Gas contractor. “They got the ball rolling,” said Paul. An energy assessment of his house was scheduled, and a certified energy adviser confirmed that the attic, exterior walls and basement of his home were under-insulated.

Within days, the team arrived to insulate the home. From start to cleanup, the work was completed in a sin-

gle day. There was no charge for any part of the program – energy assessment, labour or materials. And the difference in home comfort was felt almost immediately. For Paul, living on a tight budget in an older home, the no-cost improvements were more than welcome, and he has already recommended the program to a friend.

“I couldn’t believe this program. I am going to be more comfortable but I am also going to save money, so it’s kind of a double offer.”

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“I couldn’t believe this program. I am going to be more comfortable but I am also going to save money, so it’s kind of a double offer.”

If you are a non-profit owner or manager responsible for townhouses, duplexes, or single family homes, you could be eligible for free weatherization from Union Gas.

For more information about the Union Gas Home Weatherization Program, click here: https://uniongas.com/weatherization To contact a Union Gas Commercial Account Manager, click here: http://www.uniongas.com/business/co ntact-us/account-manager-search

There is a limit to the number of applications accepted every year. Union Gas pays all costs associated with this program.

House must be built before 1975 and require more insulation. Proof of income eligibility is required. This article does not necessarily represent the views of the Institute of Housing Management (IHM), nor does it imply IHM endorsement of the article’s subject or findings. ■

You Know You’re a Property Manager When…

• you check the fire alarms in a hotel room; • when you get upset about leaking faucets; • you check the TSSA certification in elevators;

We’re always looking for more of these comments. Send to the Newsletter Committee at ihm@associationconcepts.com

IHM News • Summer 2015

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Feature

Housing and Health Care

By John Wilhoit Jr.

T

he economics of multifamily housing is something I understand. The economics of health care is a complete mystery to me.

However, I believe the two have a strong correlation going forward.

Apartment rents are a component/percentage of household income. So is medical care. As costs of discretionary items increase (as a percentage of income – things like health care), the location of housing will become more of a focal point.

Multifamily housing close to job centers and transportation hubs is usually more expensive than apartments at further distances from these points.

Well, that’s fair; multifamily housing that is closer to jobs requires less money for transportation.

Easy trade-off. Easy to understand.

There is no such trade when it comes to health care.

According to the Depart of Labor, in 2007 housing represented 32% of consumer discretionary income. Health care represented 28% Can that be true? The two things necessary to sustain life are food and shelter. How is it a single discretionary item could possibly be such a big percentage of income???

The American middle class has more to consider however. Consider these facts: • Many states tax food. Food costs continue to rise often as a function of fuel costs and speculation (did you know both Coke and Pepsi buy corn futures because their products no longer use sugar – they use corn syrup).

• Transportation to our place of work is a necessity. No transportation, no work. We cannot drive a car without state-mandated “must have” auto insurance.

IHM News • Summer 2015

Recently we’ve been in a zero percent inflation environment. This doesn’t seem to slow the increase in health care costs, however. Here is where I see housing and health care colliding:

Increases in health care costs continue to Erode Disposable Income With medical expenditures taking up a greater percentage of disposable income, this leaves less income for housing. Certainly, we could say the same thing for food, fuel costs or utilities as all impact disposable income.

But health care is the one item where it comes down to your money or your life. Moving to a less expensive location does nothing to impact this costs. From the Los Angeles Times: Another big California health insurer has stunned individual policyholders with huge rate increases

— this time it’s Blue Shield of California seeking cumulative hikes of as much as 59% for tens of thousands of customers March 1. Blue Shield’s action comes less than a year after Anthem Blue Cross tried and failed to raise rates as much as 39% for about 700,000 California customers.

By Duke Helfand, Los Angeles Times (2011) Even though the costs of housing (shelter) has remained stable or decreased in recent years, some how health care costs increases year after year.

Why? One objective of health care reform is to bring health care to a greater percentage of the population. This is a good thing. Politics aside, my belief is care should not be denied to anyone in need. As a Capitalist, however, I recognize we must determine a methodology to pay for said care. Here is another way of saying Health Care will impact housing:

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With greater access to medical care Life Spans will increase

service. The real short list: Food, shelter, utilities, medical, transportation.

Again, another pending collision between health care and housing….. Where are all these people going to live? Where are we on the development path of seniors care versus day care?

I have questions. Yes, our standard of living is better than previous generations. But at what costs? Note the costs of housing is correlated to household income. Many households have two incomes. Is this now a mandated necessity to maintain housing affordability for a middle class standard of living?

Is the residential housing complex (owners, operators and builders) prepared to convert student housing to assisted living as demographics dictate changes? (Sidebar: In some states prison construction is greater than school construction- a damning reflection on our society).

Now that we are living longer concurrent with spending a greater percentage of our income on medical care- what’s the end game? It seems the list of “necessities” gets only longer starting with food and shelter-and some would add cell phone

IHM News • Summer 2015

expand to lower costs environments, like clinics and in-home treatment through the utilization of technology.

Mr. Wilhoit is the author of two books: How To Read A Rent Roll: A Guide to Understanding Rental Income and Multifamily Insight Vol 1 – How to Acquire Wealth Through Buying the Right Multifamily Assets in the Right Markets.

Multifamily Insight Vol 2 is set for release in 2015. www.multifamilyinsight.net ■

One suggestion to remedy spiraling medical costs is proffered by Clayton Christensen author of the book Disrupting Class. (http://www.claytonchristensen.com/) Doctor Christensen suggest that the high costs of medical care as provided by high costs environments (like hospitals) should not be torn down.

Instead, the provision of medical services should

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Highlights of the 2015 IHM Conference What our delegates had to say…

“Excellent, well run conference. Thank you to ALL for the outstanding event!”

“I enjoyed the two educational tracks – very beneficial” “Great opportunity to connect and network with people” “The tradeshow provides an excellent opportunity to discuss products and services. I enjoyed the hands-on setting”.

It was a success from beginning to end, and it all started on…

Monday, April 13 was the beginning of the 5day in-class course module – Building Maintenance for Property Managers. This core course was taught by Jim Mellor who received excellent feedback from the students.

Pre-Conference Ronna Warsh & Wendi Eizenga - Dare to Dream See All the Possiblities

IHM News • Summer 2015

That offered two distinct educational tracks – Building Management & Administration and Building Maintenance. Each track was dedicated to the issues of most importance to IHM members and other delegates.

The official opening…

The 2015 Annual Education Conference kicked off with an opening lunch on Wednesday, April 15. President, Kevin O’Hara, welcomed delegates to the conference and thanked everyone for their support.

We were honoured to have Sonya Mays, Senior Advisor to the Emergency Managers of Detroit, Michigan, and Executive Director of Housing and Children’s Services Debbie Cercone from the City of Windsor, as our keynote speakers.

Bill Labute presenting on Myers Briggs

Building Management & Administration featured sessions on Community Partnerships, Myers Briggs, Tenant Insurance, Credit Counselling/Financial Fitness, Hoarding, as well as CHC Financial Administration.

The Building Maintenance Track offered Fire Safety/Fire Plans, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, Controlling Energy Use to Reduce Operating Cost, Managing Your Electrical Systems Risks, Asset Planning/Building Condition Audit and Exterior Building Retrofit.

Vice President Jim Mellor & Students for 5-day in-class Maintenance Course

Wednesday, April 15 was dedicated to our pre-conference workshop – Dare to Dream – See All the Possibilities, presented by Ronna Warsh. This was a very interactive workshop and the 20 plus participants enjoyed every minute of it.

Outstanding business sessions…

President Kevin O'Hara opening speech

Guest Speaker for Opening Luncheon - Sonya Mays

Camela Battisti presenting Community Partnerships Continued on page 11

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And a terrific closing speaker…

John Lee speaking on Fire Safety and Fire Plans

The concept of two educational tracks was introduced in 2013 and was a continued success this year - the topics were right on and the speakers were professional and experts in their field.

Friday’s keynote speaker, lawyer David McNevin, ended the conference on a high note with his presentation “Humor in the Workplace”. David engaged the audience as he discussed how stress is a major aspect of everyday business life and offered attendees some helpful hints on how to relieve stress through humor without crossing the line.

5 year Membership Recipients

15 year Membership Recipients

Revitalizing Detroit…

One of the many highlights of the 2015 conference was the insight on the revitalization of Detroit, Michigan from Sonya Mays.

Sonya shared the many challenges Detroit is currently facing and provided some insight on what the future will hold for Detroit.

Tradeshow 20 year Membership Recipients

Lots of networking…

The days were busy but the evening events were casual and provided lots of time for networking and camaraderie. Wednesday allowed delegates to try their luck at the Casino or simply catch up with old friends.

Thursday night’s Dinner & Entertainment with the “Big Louis & The Band” had delegates dancing the night away.

2015-16 Board of Directors

Thank You to Our Distance Learning Instructors

Social Butterflies of the evening

Thank you to our 2015 Conference Committee

Social Butterflies of the evening

Now it’s time to mark the dates for next year’s 40th Annual Educational Conference at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Richmond Hill, Ontario April 13 - 15, 2016.

Dancing the Night Away!

IHM News • Summer 2015

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Human Relations for Property Managers Sign Up Today for a 5-Day IHM In-Class Course!

IHM is pleased to announce that the Human Relations for Property Managers course (one of the four core courses within the Institute’s Certificate In Property Management program) will be offered in a 5-day in-class format.

IHM students are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity for an in-class learning environment outside of a community college.

Property Managers must develop the analytical and behavioural skills related to supervision of employees. In addition, they must also interact with tenants, owners, sub-contractors and the general public. Topics will include decision making, leadership, delegation, team building, motivation, counselling and coaching, evaluation, discipline, personnel procedures, recruitment, public relations, client/tenant services, owner/board liaison and business ethics.

The course will be offered in a rigorous five-day format at the IHM office in Markham, ON. The final exam will be written onsite at the end of the course and students will be notified of their final mark within two weeks of the course.

Human Relations for Property Managers /PWFNCFS t BN QN UI "WFOVF 4VJUF .BSLIBN 0/ SPACE IS LIMITED - Last Day to Register is 'SJEBZ 0DUPCFS UI No refunds will be provided after Monday October 26th, 2016.

Note: IHM will courier the course manual in advance. Students will be required to read and complete certain chapters from the manual prior to the course, so strict adherence to published registration deadlines will be observed.

$PTU

.FNCFST (plus HST) /PO .FNCFST (plus HST)

'FFT *ODMVEF Course manual, handouts, breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks.

Non-Members – Register for membership today, and receive 14 months membership through to December 2016. Sign-up online at www.ihmcanada.net or contact Laura Fairley, at 416-493-7382 ext 144 for further details.

For a list of benefits of membership with IHM please visit the website at XXX JINDBOBEB OFU Nearby Hotel Accommodations: )PNFXPPE 4VJUFT CZ )JMUPO 5PSPOUP .BSLIBN 50 Bodrington CourtMarkham, ON L6G 0A9 For reservations call - 905-752-5601 Be sure to mention promotion code: #0003019121 Special Rate - Studio Room: $125.00 plus HST Guest will receive daily complimentary hot breakfast and Welcome Home reception featuring a light meal and beverage (Monday - Thursday Evenings)

To register, please complete this form or register online at www.ihmcanada.net.

HR

Name: ____________________________________________________________________________ P Member P Non-Member Organization: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________________________________________________ Prov: ____________ Postal Code: ________________ Phone: __________________________________________ Email: _______________________________________________________ Method of Payment P Cheque

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Signature: __________________________________________ Printed Name: ____________________________________________ Institute of Housing Management, 2800 14th Avenue, Suite 210, Markham, Ontario L3R 0E4 Tel: (416) 493-7382 Ext 144 | Toll Free: (866) 212-4377 | Fax: (416) 491-1670 | email: ihm@associationconcepts.ca

IHM News • Summer 2015

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NEW! One Day Workshops to Enhance Professional Skills

P

eople in the Property Management field know that work days always include coping with multiple priorities and demands, dealing with deadlines, managing neverending conflicts, and completing numerous forms and reports. So who has time to update skills and learn about smarter and better tools and techniques for improving performance and achieving effective outcomes?

Taking two, three or more days away from a property manager’s daily duties is difficult and sometimes results in workflow backlog and missed opportunities. Many housing and property management staff have expressed that taking time away from the job itself is the main obstacle to updating, upgrading, or refining professional skills and knowledge.

However, individuals who do not take time to sharpen and enhance

professional skills may be out of touch with industry trends and best practices, may risk losing opportunities which help to improve outcomes, and may fail to provide effective value and service for a client.

Participants who complete three oneday workshops will receive one elective credit towards accreditation in IHM’s Property Manager Certificate Program.

Your Input matters To help solve this problem, IHM has developed a series of highly focused Property Management training workshops that require just one day to complete. These workshops are designed to provide industry-specific training on essential subjects including Marketing, RGI Program and Calculations, Landlord and Tenant Board Process Management, Dispute Resolution, and Pest Control Management.

In just one day participants will gain valuable insight on the subject matter from experts. The learning process will be customized to meet the needs of the participants and reflect real world case studies and problem solving.

IHM invites all members to submit ideas for workshops. Based on member feedback, IHM will develop oneday training workshops facilitated by expert speakers and instructors and focused on specific job demands, requirements, and expectations.

Members may submit workshop ideas by email to: info@ihmcanada.net.

Watch for more details about upcoming one-day workshops in the Fall of 2015.

Phil Eram, B.Sc., A.I.H.M. Co-Chair IHM Education Committee

Member Profile

Anne-Marie Cheung, AIHM Anne-Marie Cheung was recently elected to the IHM Board of Directors and was appointed to the position of Conference Committee Member.

Anne-Marie is a Property Manager with Housing York Inc. since 2000. She is responsible for the management and maintenance of over 600 multi-unit residential buildings for seniors and families. She handles tenant relations, controls budget spending, supervises unionized staff and ensures all established legislation, policies and procedures are followed.

Anne-Marie is an accredited member of IHM, in addition to two other designations as a Certified Municipal Manager III and a Registered Social Worker. Since joining IHM, she is an active participant in the annual conference and has completed all courses within the IHM program.

Anne-Marie sees many opportunities for the growth of IHM including expanding beyond its Ontario border into other provinces, and assisting members with continuing education and knowledge. ■

IHM News • Summer 2015

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Education

Membership

IHM Certificate in Property Management & Course Completions Building Maintenance for Property Managers

Strategic and Financial Planning for Property Managers

Jyoti Metha Michelle Twis

Scott Wylie

Property & Building Administration

Human Relations for Property Managers

Michael Bouchard Lindsay Carroll Diana Figueiredo Yen Nguyen Camelia Suciu Morgan Yirka

Arthur Ash Tamie Beasley Kevin Laurin Teri MacNeil Russel Saffer

Congratulations to IHM’s Program Completion Students Tamie Beasley

Marco Dias

Congratulations to IHM’s New Honourary Candidate Members Sunitha Jayalal, AIHM (C) Liisa Taskila, AIHM (C) u u u

Congratulations to IHM’s New Candidate Members Consuelo Bonilla Carlene Doeman Dragan Krstik Charlaine La Marre Judith Anne Laird Wadeney Lockhart Louis Vezer u u u

Congratulations to IHM’s Newest Corporate Member Nepean Housing Corp. u u u

CALLING ALL PROPERTY MANAGERS… We know that a Property Manager’s job can be both challenging and interesting. How often have you come to work with your day all planned in your head only to have something unexpected come along? We are looking for some stories to share with your colleagues in the Property Management field.

Congratulations to IHM/OMMI Member Awarded the “IHM Professional” Enhancement with their CMM Gwen Enright, AIHM, CMM III u u u

If you have an interesting story that you would be willing to author, please contact the Newsletter Committee at ihm@associationconcepts.ca

Join the Institute of Housing Management on

Facebook and LinkedIn to participate for free in the conversations, and gain education, information awareness and access to expertise by and for our members.

Visit our website at: ihmcanada.net to gain access IHM News • Summer 2015

The Go-To Institute to gain expert training.

IHM: four decades of quality education, accreditation and professional affiliation.

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Feature

Clutter Image Rating

By International OCD Foundation - Hoarding Centre

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n our work on hoarding, we’ve found that people have very different ideas about what it means to have a cluttered home. For some, a small pile of things in the corner of an otherwise well-ordered room constitutes serious clutter. For others, only when the narrow pathways make it hard to get through a room does the clutter register.

To make sure we get an accurate sense of a clutter problem, we created a series of pictures of rooms in various stages of clutter – from completely clutter-free to very severely cluttered. People can just pick out the picture in each sequence comes closest to the clutter in their own living room, kitchen, and bedroom. This requires some degree of judgment because no two homes look exactly alike, and clutter can be higher in some parts of the room than others.

Still, this rating works pretty well as a measure of clutter.

In general, clutter that reaches the level of picture #4 or higher impinges enough on people’s lives that we would encourage them to get help for their hoarding problem. These pictures are published in our treatment manual (Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring: Therapist Guide, Oxford University Press) and in our self-help book (Buried in Treasures: Help for Compulsive Acquiring, Saving, and Hoarding, Oxford University Press).

Continued on page 16

IHM News • Summer 2015

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Clutter Image Rating Cont’d.

2014-2015 Board of Directors EXECUTIVE

DIRECTORS

President Kevin O'Hara, MPA, FIHM, CMM III Supervisor, Area Operations, Waterloo Region Housing 235 King Street East, 6th Floor Kitchener, ON Canada N2G 4N5 Tel: 519-575-4800 Ext. 1218 Fax: 519-893-8447 Email: kohara@regionofwaterloo.ca

Marketing/Membership Chair Kris Boyce, AIHM Greenwin Inc. 19 Lesmill Road, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 2T3 Tel: 416-322-4006 Fax: 416-544-4895 E-mail: kboyce@greenwin.ca

Communications Co-Chair Kathy Harris, AIHM, CMM III Project Manager Facilities Design & Development, Asset Management Regional Municipality of Halton 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville, ON L6M 3L1 Ph: 905-825-6000 Ext. 7507 Fax: 905-825-3879 Conference Co-Chair Deborah Parker, AIHM Girl Guides of Canada 50 Merton Street, Toronto, ON M4S 1A3 Tel: 416-487-5281 Ext. 209 Fax: 416-487-5570 Email: parkerd@girlguides.ca

Vice President & Education Committee Member Jim Mellor, AIHM 17199 Regional Road 50, Palgrave Ontario L7E 0K7 Tel: 519-996-6006 Email: jmellor5225@gmail.com

Conference Committee Member Anne-Marie Cheung, AIHM Housing York Inc. 1091 Gorham Street, Unit 104, Newmarket, ON L3Y 8X7 Tel: 905-898-1007 x 72701 Fax: 905-895-5724 E-mail: anne-marie.cheung@york.ca

Past President & Education Co-Chair Deborah Filice, B.A., R.S.S.W., FIHM, CMM III Professor, Humber College Email: deborah.filice@humber.ca Email: filicedaf@cogeco.ca

Education Committee Member Ed Cipriani, AIHM, MAATO Region of Halton 1151 Bronto Road, Stoney Creek, ON Tel: 905-825-6000 Ext. 7355 Fax: 905-825-8274 Email: ecpm@skyline.net

CANDIDATE REPS Communications Co-Chair Francesca Filice, B.A., IHM(C) Hamilton East Kiwanis Non-Profit Homes Inc. 281 Queenston Road, Hamilton, ON L8K 1G9 Tel: 905-545-4654 Ext. 233 Fax: 905-545-4884 Email: Francesca.Filice@Kiwanishomes.ca

Treasurer/Conference Co-Chair Lynn Alexander, AIHM Region of Durham Housing Services P.O.Box 623, Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 Tel: 905-666-6222 Fax: 905-666-6225 Email: Lynn.alexander@durham.ca

Education Co-Chair Phil Eram, B.Sc., AIHM Precision Property Management Inc. 22 Goodmark Place, Suite 22, Toronto, ON M9W 6R2 Tel: 416-675-2223 Fax: 416-675-0170 Email: pgsd@cogeco.ca

Education Committee Member Lana Nwaokoro Community First Developments Inc. 2171 Avenue Rd., Suite 303, Toronto, ON M5M 4B4 Tel: 905-507-8939 Email: swetlana.nwaokoro@hotmail.com

IHM OFFICE: Carolyne Vigon, Operations Manager Laura Fairley, Education Coordinator

IHM News • Summer 2015

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www.ihm-canada.com

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