President’s Message Toronto and Area C
Canadian Condominium Institute/ Institut canadien des condominiums Toronto & Area Chapter 2800 14th Avenue, Suite 210, Markham, ON L3R 0E4 Tel: (416) 491-6216 Fax: (416) 491-1670 E-mail: info@ccitoronto.org Website: www.ccitoronto.org 2016-2017 Board of Directors PRESIDENT: Sally Thompson, M.Sc., P.Eng. (Chair, Ontario Caucus, Member, Education Committee Member, Conference Committee) Synergy Partners 1st VICE-PRESIDENT: Tania Haluk, RCM (Chair, Education Committee, Member, Marketing Committee, Member, Conference Committee) FirstService Residential
Focusing on the Positive doing and shared something personal. An upcoming trip to Cuba. A visit to a friend on the 18th floor. Friendly, welcoming faces everywhere.
2nd VICE-PRESIDENT: Marc Bhalla, Hons. BA, C.Med, (Chair, Communications Committee, Co-Chair, CondoSTRENGTH Committee, Member, Marketing Committee, CCI-N Liaison) Condo Mediators SECRETARY/TREASURER: Bob Girard, B.Comm, FCCI (Chair, Finance Committee, Member, Special Projects Committee, Member, Education Committee) YCC # 50 PAST PRESIDENT: Mario Deo, BA, LL.B. (Member, Legislative Committee) Fine & Deo Barristers and Solicitors Board Members Brian Antman, CPA, CA (Member, Membership Committee, Member, Finance Committee, Chair, Sponsorship Committee) Adams & Miles LLP Chartered Accountants Armand Conant, B.Eng., LL.B., D.E.S.S. Sorbonne (Chair, Legislative Committee, Co-Chair, Government Relations Committee) Shibley Righton LLP Brian Horlick, B.Comm., B.C.L., LL.B., ACCI, FCCI (Member, Special Projects Committee, Member, Communications Committee, Member, Conference Committee) Horlick Levitt Di Lella LLP Henry Jansen, P.Eng. ACCI (Chair, Tarion Committee, Member, Sponsorship Committee) Criterium Jansen Engineers Murray Johnson, RCM (Chair, Volunteer Resources Committee, Member, Conference Committee, Member, Tarion Committee) Brookfield Condominium Services Ltd. Sue Langlois (Chair, Marketing Committee, Member, Communications Committee, Member, Volunteer Resource Committee) Digi-Notice Ernie Nyitrai CCI (Hons) (Chair, Special Projects Committee, Co-Chair, CondoSTRENGTH Committee, Member, Volunteer Resources Committee) YRCC # 636 Vic Persaud, BA (Chair, Membership Committee, Member, Marketing Committee) Suncorp Valuations Ltd OPERATIONS MANAGER - Lynn Morrovat ADMINISTRATOR - Josee Lefebvre
The world of condominiums is full of stories of dysfunction and problems. Everyone has a horror story to tell about things that have gone wrong. Financial woes, internal turmoil and negative behaviours may make for a good story, but I can’t convince myself that they should be the first thing we think about when we think about condos. We need to make sure that we give more air-time to the great stories: the amazing condos where diligent boards, property managers and community residents work together to create a community that people love to come home to. I visited a building this morning that I would be proud to call home. Decentsized units, pleasant architecture and setting, excellent facilities and a well-tended building; in great condition despite being forty years old. Energy-saving initiatives have kept fees manageable. A recent nosmoking bylaw has solved longstanding odour transfer complaints. The board has their eye on the market-value of the units in the building. But more than that, every resident I met in an elevator greeted me, was interested in what I was
Similarly, the staff members were impressive. I heard a story from a building operator about how he collects unwanted liquor bottles and donates the money to local charities in the immediate neighbourhood. The board president was surprised to hear this story – obviously, no one was bragging about it, just quietly going about their business, doing the sorts of things that build goodwill and a strong community. I encourage board directors who are in these well-functioning buildings to step forward and share their stories. Apply for our Condo of the Year award. Or participate in our CondoSTRENGH program which provides a platform for directors to meet with other directors and share ideas. Many directors come to CondoSTRENGTH sessions with challenges they are facing and would benefit greatly from the experience of other directors who can share positive experiences. Let’s try to focus on the positive and work together to highlight our amazing condominium communities. And if your community isn’t currently functioning well, don’t give up – condos can work remarkably well. CCI is here to help you along the path.
Sally Thompson, M.Sc., P.Eng. CONDOVOICE SPRING 2017
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