IHMnews Volume 24, Summer 2005
INSTITUTE OF HOUSING MANAGEMENT
Canadian Publications Mail Agreement # 40739009
E N H A N C I N G T H E K N OW L E D G E A N D S K I L L S O F P RO PE R T Y M A N AG E M E N T P RO F E S S I O N A L S
The 2005 IHM Annual Educational Conference held in Huntsville
Inside President’s Message ..............................................................2 IHM Board of Directors..........................................................2 Conference Report................................................................3 Member Profile .....................................................................6 IHM Chapter Update.............................................................7 IHM Southwestern Chapter Workshop ..................................7 New Members and Graduates...............................................8 President’s Commentary........................................................8
President’s Message
The Ethics of Managing Greg Grange, B.A., F.I.H.M.
As Property Managers we recognize that “professionalism” may be a product of our competence, professional, and personal beliefs. Ethics concern themselves with moral rights and wrongs and perhaps more specifically with a person’s moral obligation to society. Professional ethics is a foundation of property management and decision-making which affects tenants lives. The ability to make decisions in business is either simplified or complicated by five major factors: legislation or regulation, professional ethics or ethical codes, social pressures, accountability, and balancing a manager’s personal needs with the standards of the employer. I view two factors, professional ethics and balancing personal needs, and the standards of the employer, as the priority issues for property managers.
The IHM “Code of Professionalism and Ethical Business Practices,” (the ‘Code’) sets professional values, principles, and ethical standards to guide property managers and their decision-making process. The question arises whether such a code is merely a window dressing or is it strictly enforced? To assure that, IHM does reserve the right to rescind a members’ designation should it be determined a member acted in a manner contrary to the ‘Code’. As President, I view that dilemma as a simple matter…your resolution of ethical behaviour is left to peer review where ethical standards and your individual conscience apply. The second factor of tension between personal standards and needs of the organization can complicate a property manager’s tasks enormously. As a property manager, you have a clear-cut mission: 100% occupancy, no arrears, monitoring costs, and high tenant satisfaction. As a citizen and as a property manager you have a commitment to ethical conduct
and avoid harming the community at large. The IHM’s ‘Code’ confirms and spells out your obligations and responsibilities to the public at large. Use the ‘Code’ as the underlying principle in everyday decisions and you will be successful and admired by your peers. I believe that in today’s complex working environment with ever increasing corporate scandals, there is intensified pressure for adherence in practice to commonly accepted moral standards and raising adherence to ethical and legal standards. IHM’s Code of Professionalism and Ethical Business Practices is meant to do just that. Display the Code, Read It, and Practice It! And by doing so you will not only be professional you will be the ‘Best of the Best’.
Kindest regards, Greg Grange, B.A., F.I.H.M. President
2005 Board of Directors PRESIDENT
TREASURER
Greg Grange, B.A., F.I.H.M. Mgr., Housing Division City of Kingston 216 Ontario Street Kingston, ON K7L 2Z3 Tel: (613) 546-4291 ext. 1265 Fax: (613) 546-3004 E-mail: ggrange@cityofkingston.ca
William J. Corrigan, A.I.H.M. Chair: Finance Committee Williams and McDaniel 66 Macdonell Street, Suite #301 Guelph, ON N1H 2Z6 Tel: (705) 788-7690 Fax: (705) 788-0928 E-mail: billco@cogeco.ca
VICE-PRESIDENT
DIRECTORS
Mary Pinto, A.I.H.M. Chair: Membership Committee Regional Municipality of Waterloo Planning, Housing & Community Services 150 Frederick Street, 8th Floor Kitchener, ON N2G 4J3 Tel: (519) 575-4789 Fax: (519) 743-6527 E-mail: pimary@region.waterloo.on.ca
Lee Campbell, A.I.H.M. Co-Chair: Communications Committee Kingston Frontenac Housing Corporation Manager, The Social Housing Registry 471 Counter Street, Suite 100 Kingston, ON K7M 8S8 Tel: (613) 546-5591 Fax: (613) 546-9375 E-mail: lcampbell@cityofkingston.ca
SECRETARY Deborah Filice, A.I.H.M. Co-Chair: Communications Committee Halton Community Housing Corp. 690 Dorval Drive, 7th Floor Oakville, ON L6K 3X9 Tel: (905) 825-6000 Ext. 4414 Fax: (905) 849-3568 E-mail: filiced@region.halton.on.ca
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Joan Cranmer, F.I.H.M. Chair: Education Committee Victoria Park Community Homes 155 Queen Street North Hamilton, ON L8R 2V7 Tel: (905) 527-0221 Fax: (905) 527-3181 E-mail: dcranmer@cogeco.ca
James Mellor, A.I.H.M. Chair: Conference Committee Windsor-Essex County Housing Corporation 945 McDougall Street P.O. Box 1330 Windsor, ON N9A 6R3 Tel: (519) 776-4631 Ext. 14 Fax: (519) 776-5510 E-mail: jmellor@wechc.com
Harry Popiluk, F.I.H.M. Chair: Marketing Committee Victoria Park Community Homes 155 Queen Street North Hamilton, ON L8R 2V7 Tel: (905) 527-0221 Ext.215 Fax: (905) 527-3181 E-mail: hpopiluk@vpch.com Don White, A.I.H.M. Chair: Nominations Committee Toronto Housing 267 Jarvis Street Toronto, Ont. M5B 2C2 Tel: (416) 981-5959 Fax: (416) 981-5960 E-mail: Don.White@torontohousing.ca
CANDIDATE REPRESENTATIVE Lynn Alexander Candidate Representative Property Manager The Regional Municipality of Durham Social Services Dept. – Housing Services Division 2 Simcoe St. South, 2nd Floor Oshawa, ON L1H 8C1 Tel: (905) 434-5011 Fax: (905) 434-1943 E-mail: Lynn.alexander@region.durham.on.ca
ADMINISTRATORS: Lynn Morrovat (Administrator)
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Josee Lefebvre Ext. 255 (Administrative Assistant) IHM Office 2175 Sheppard Ave. East, Suite #310 Toronto, ON M2J 1W8 Tel: (416) 493-7382 Fax: (416) 491-1670 Email: ihm@taylorenterprises.com
IHM News
Conference Report
Conference Report Submitted by: Lee Campbell, Chair 2005 IHM Annual Educational Conference
As 2005 Conference Chair, I am pleased to report on the success of this years’ conference. The 2005 IHM Annual Educational Conference “The Power of Knowledge… Through IHM” was held in Huntsville at the Holiday Inn Hidden Valley from April 26th to 29th, 2005. Twenty-four delegates attended the Pre-conference session “ Conflict & Negotiation: Styles, Tips and Strategies”, presented by Catherine Burr. This session provided a number of techniques for dealing with conflict situations and helped participants to identify their own styles. I know I will refer to these techniques in my daily life – a worthwhile session for sure!! Almost 100 delegates attended the conference in total. The Committee selected sessions based on feedback received from delegates in the prior year. Evaluation sheets and general consensus shows that the sessions were well-received and beneficial to the audience. Past experience shows that IHM members always enjoy a chance to network and socialize with their colleagues and this year’s “Meet, Greet and Eat” proved a success as evidenced by the comments from participants. Our banquet entertainer, Mark Crocker, a ventriloquist from “Crock of Laffs” certainly held true to the title by providing us with an hour of laughs and entertainment. Some folks are urging us to bring him back next year……..a sure sign of success!!!
Presenter, Catherine Burr examined various conflict styles and examined what works, when and why.
The Conference wound up with a powerful and thoughtprovoking message from the keynote speaker, Dave Franklin, a retired RCMP officer who compares hostage situations to living in a violent and abusive relationship. Those who had the pleasure of hearing Dave speak, I am sure, will agree that they gained a different perspective and insight into others’ lives. If you didn’t attend this session and get the opportunity to hear Dave speak, I highly recommend it! Overall, I feel that the Conference went extremely well – many thanks to the Conference Committee, made up of Don Brisson, Lola Dudley, Susan Earle, Mary Gabes and mary Pinto, delegates, speakers and sponsors for making this year’s Conference a success.
Ventriloquist Mark Crocker and sidekick Chester provided some hilarious after dinner entertainment after the Banquet.
IHM President, Greg Grange surprised the crowd with some hidden talents as a ventriloquist!
We are looking forward to next year’s Conference which will be held in mid-May in response to members’ recommendations that we move the date to mid-month. See you next year in Windsor……..date and theme to be announced.
Summer 2005
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Conference Report
Awards Luncheon The 2005 IHM Annual Educational Conference “The Power of Knowledge…Through IHM” was held in Huntsville at the Holiday Inn Hidden Valley from April 26th to 29th, 2005.
A Ten Year Service Pin are presented to: Catherine Hubble by IHM President, Greg Grange.
Five Year Service Pins are presented to: (l to r) Francyne Givogue, Don Brisson, Zeljka Budjinski, Lee Campbell, Deborah Parker, Doug Spitzer, Lynn Alexander, and John Bellsmith, by IHM President, Greg Grange (far right).
An Accreditation Pin and certificate are presented to John Bellsmith by Education Chair, Joan Cranmer.
In recognition for having served as Director, outgoing Director Vickie Pocock, receives an appreciation plaque from Greg Grange on behalf of the Institute.
Twenty Five Year Service Pins are presented to: Mary Garbes (left) and Joan Cranmer (right), by IHM President, Greg Grange (centre).
Fifteen Year Service Pins are presented to: Kevin O’Hara (left) and Gwen McAllister (right), by IHM President, Greg Grange (centre)
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IHM News
Conference Report
Conference Highlights
Panelists, Connie VanSickle, Chuck Dowdell and Darlene Cook (l to r) provided an interesting look at Property Management Best Practices.
To the Membership It is with the greatest honor that I wish to thank the membership and the Board of Directors for your endorsement as your President for a further two year term. Together we have elevated the professional status of IHM to new heights. With a busy agenda ahead, the next two years will formalize a blueprint for excellence which will enhance our partnerships and broaden the IHM accreditation status. Kindest regards Greg Grange, FIHM President IHM Summer 2005
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Feature
Member Profile – Barb Butler Barb Butler graduated from high school in Scarborough with a diploma in Business & Commerce. She initially found employment in the accounting, marketing research, and secretarial fields, however quickly found office work too repetitive and not stimulating. So she returned to school to study nursing, and graduated from St. Michael’s School of Nursing in Toronto. Barb’s nursing employment included working at a General Hospital, Walk-In Clinic and also working with children with special needs. Barb enjoyed nursing and loved working with a great team of health care providers and caring for people by providing comfort, care, promoting well-being and maintaining the patients dignity. To this day she remains registered with the College of Nurses. It was in 1989 that Barb moved to Haliburton County to accept a position as Administrator of a small municipal Non-Profit with 2 Senior Buildings. It was there that she discovered there was very much to learn and began taking courses with the Institute of Housing Management. In 1993 she became Accredited with the Institute. Barb recalls that it was the Institute, which initially laid the foundation for what has proven to be an exciting career in property management. While in rural Ontario, Barb had the opportunity to work with a Board of Directors to develop, build and rent-up the first family housing in the County. In 1995, she accepted a position in Kingston with the Kingston and Frontenac Housing Authority as a Property Manager. She remembers that as an incredible learning experience and notes she was very fortunate to work with a Housing Manger that allowed for personal growth and encouraged independent thinking.
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At that time, Barb realized she needed to know more to meet the challenges of being a Property Manager and began to study part-time at St. Lawrence College where she completed the Ontario Management Development Program in Business Management Skills. Barb has enjoyed learning the Tenant Protection Act and sharing that knowledge with new staff and other housing providers. In 2003 she received a secondment to Town Homes Kingston to serve as the Acting General Manager and was subsequently hired as General Manager in 2004. Barb enjoys the fact that each day brings new challenges and learning opportunities and is a firm believer that safe, affordable, adequate housing is a fundamental necessity. Without appropriate housing, people require increased medical care and children cannot go to school and learn if they have unsuitable or no housing. On a personal note, Barb is a single parent with a son and daughter and is therefore naturally empathetic to single parents. Her daughter has graduated from college and is
now working in group homes. Her son is completing an apprentice in carpentry. Barb says her children have been her greatest pleasure in life along with numerous furry friends. Barb enjoys many hobbies including iceskating. She decided to learn to skate as an adult and took lessons to perfect her skills. She now skates with the adult synchronized skating team. She derives great pleasure from volunteering each week skating with Special Olympics. “The children are incredible and so are their parents and I have learned so much from them. Their encouragement and acceptance of each other continues to amaze me,” she says. “I enjoy what I do because I believe in Social Housing and I have met other like minded people during my career that continue to encourage and support me. Social Housing is so much more than bricks and mortar. A sense of humor is absolutely necessary and people must also be able to laugh at themselves.”
IHM News
Feature
IHM Chapter Update IHM Chapters are located throughout the Province and offer local training sessions, workshops and social activities for IHM members and others. Below is a list of the Chapter Executives for each Chapter. If you would like further information on upcoming Chapter activities in your area, or would like to become involved with the local Committee, please contact the IHM Administration office. Southwestern Chapter: Chair: Dorothea Kehrer Vice-Chair: Vickie Pocock Secretary/Treasurer: Heather Fisher
Southern Chapter: Chair: Harry Popiluk Vice-Chair: Joan Cranmer Secretary/Treasurer: Donna Thompson
Central Chapter: Chair: Vice-Chair: Secretary/Treasurer:
Lynn Alexander Deborah Parker Terry McErlean
Eastern Chapter: Chair: Vice-Chair: Secretary/Treasurer:
Greg Grange Lee Campbell Cathy Hubble
The Annual IHM Chapter Breakfast held at the April Conference offers wonderful networking opportunities for members.
IHM Southwestern Chapter Workshop The Southwestern Chapter of the IHM was pleased to present a workshop entitled “How not to Make the Same Mistake Twice” on Wednesday March 9th, 2005. The session, held at the Lambton Shared Services Centre, Housing Services Department attracted more than 25 participants from the Sarnia, Windsor and St. Thomas area. The session was an overwhelming success with the participants who enjoyed a day full of ideas, movies and humour. This popular session offered participants the opportunity the learn new tools and techniques to evaluate their behaviour, so that they can reach their desired outcomes. Answers to such questions as “What can I do when I am not getting the results I want?”,
Summer 2005
“Who is responsible for change and continuous improvement in my workplace?”, and “What paradigms do I find in my workplace that really need to changed and what can I do about it?” were discussed and explored. Feedback from those who participated included comments such as: • “Liked the stories and use of humour throughout.” • “Good presentation, kept my interest, informative.” The Southwestern Chapter organizers would like to acknowledge the generous support from Odyssey Construction who provided lunch.
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IHM News
New Members & Graduates New Candidate Members Tzvetan Anguelow Christine Bond Paula Crane Salisha Farouse Catherine Jones Marika Koiou Vitaly Lashhakov Daniela Nicolescu Danielle Veenendaal New Accredited Members John Bellsmith Adel Janssen New Corporate Members The Corporate Smile Building Maintenance Karen Archer Tony Bitonti Violeta Kocalev Fernanda Oliveira Human Relations Margaret Smith Property & Building Administration Sue Anderson Arlene Apnar Ludmila Berezovska Tony Bitonti Evgueni Chestodalov Cristia Chirculescu Jacqueline Cooper Lauraine Cyr Mimoza Gega Sandra Humphries Petronela Ionescu Fjoralba Jano Violeta Kocelev Sean Lachapelle Vitaly Lashakov William Leo Xia (Shirley)Li Nurije Lica Christina Lourenco Vladimir Markovic Eduart Memelli Iuliana Motoc Roy T. Mullen Stefania Nae
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Heng Hok Ng Terry R. Orsatti Benjamin (Ben) Peleg Evelina Petritaj Matiur Rahman Rebecca Rawlings Bashkim Shkalla Ulrich Sodenkamp Dragan Stojkovic Zheni Terziev Charlene Thornhill Tomas To, Sorin Tomesc Danielle Veendendall Mircea Vranceanu Alexey Yurev Strategic & Financial Planning Claudia Amoraritei Sanja Arpadzic Alexandrina Besir Denise Bryan Lucia Cha Radu Chereji Mary Clancy-Taha Dana Gal Ovidiu Gal Ashton Harripaul Margarita Heczko Ron Hendrix Dragana Kostic Jensen Lo Cheryl Lyons Gerald McBride Adrian Milosan Stefania Milosan Tatiana Poleshchuk Steven J. Racco Trevin Rajapakse Michael Ramdharry Nick Salaris Jason M. Shrubsall Vito Simone Dumitru Stef Sokol Taullaj Djordje Todorovic Anguelov Tzvetan Irina Yalysheva Program Completion Certificates John Bellsmith Dritan Rexho
President’s Commentary
Careers and Our Lifecycle As many IHM members, including myself, approach that magic age or combination of years/age, and are considering retirement options, we should reflect on our careers in property management in relationship with the life cycle. Certain events do occur somewhat predictable over the course of a career. To those new IHM recruits, just beginning an exciting path in property management, such things as “midlife crisis” and “career plateau” would have only limited meaning. The property management career has various phases… in the early stages of our career (age 16-22), we have pulled up roots, finished education and considered commitments for the future; in the provisional adulthood stage (age 22-29), we have reviewed our progress and decided to stick with it or move on; in the transition period (age 29-32), we have settled down; between (age 32-39) everything is subordinated to the job and career advancement; to the second transition or mid-life crisis (age 39-43), do-I-stay-or-do-I-go; and finally the reestablishing period (age 43-50) in which as property managers we experience a sense of contentment and gratification in our past experience, our career interest remain high but we are open to life’s finer personal experiences. When we reach that “career plateau” (50+), which is where I am at, as experts we should share our life’s experiences with the shining stars and property managers in waiting, who will be our successors. I think the new candidates in the provisional stage working toward IHM accreditation and designation status are more worldly and street wise, than those of us who have now reached the plateau and reflect on our earlier years. Many of you as members are seasoned professionals and have much to offer by way of collective experience to give back to those who are entering this fine profession. Your continued support and dedication to IHM is one way of doing that. And I thank you for your commitment! Greg Grange, B.A., F.I.H.M. President
IHM News