C O - O P E R A T I V E H O U S I N G F E D E R A T I O N O F C A N A D A Minutes Meeting The Residence Inn by Marriott Hotel, Ottawa, Ontario Present Directors: Nicole Waldron, Myles Shaw, Pat McClain, Linda Campbell, Allison Ferris, Brian Eng, Louis-H. Campagna, David Boyde, Frank Wheeler, Angela Simpson, Jacky Durrie, Barb Dingwell, Dianne Brubaker, Méloée Prud homme, Lisa Berting, David Waters (Ontario Council) Regrets: Barb Millsap Staff: Nick Sidor, Nicholas Gazzard, Karla Skoutajan, Christine Seguin, Harvey Cooper, Karine Ethier A quorum being present and notice having been properly given, the chairperson, Nicole Waldron, called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. EDT on Saturday,. Karine Ethier recorded the minutes of the meeting. (Items are recorded in the same order as in the attached agenda. This may not be the exact sequence in which business was transacted at the meeting.) 1. OPENING BUSINESS 1. Consent Agenda Directors were in receipt of a consent agenda for the meeting. An error was identified in the draft board minutes of June 12, 2016. Ros Langer s name appears as a seconder, but did not attend the meeting. Staff will make the correction to the final minutes. Pat McClain/Linda Campbell THAT the consent agenda be adopted, including the amended board minutes of June 12, 2016. September 12, 2015
2 2. Business Arising Report Directors were in receipt of a business arising report from the last meeting. It was noted that the June 8, 2016 minutes asked staff to report back on lending and financial decisions for Essex Non-Profit Homes, as well as the nature of the Executive Director s authority. Both of these items will be included on the business arising report for November. The directors reminded staff that financial training had been included as a business arising item for a while now. Staff will try to include a short training session at an upcoming meeting. David Boyde/Méloée Prud homme THAT the receive the business arising report from the June 8, 2016 meeting, for information. 4. Executive Committee Report The Executive Committee had not met since the last board meeting. As a result, this item was removed from the agenda. 5. Ontario Council Report The Director, Ontario Region circulated an email to directors on the recent meeting of the Ontario Council. In her absence, the Managing Director, Ontario Region provided additional information, including: Ontario Region staff are engaging with municipalities concerning the federal co-op End of Operating Agreements and rent-geared-to-income funding Infrastructure funding in Ontario (SHIP) is available and we are monitoring the process for co-ops Ontario Council has supported the candidacy of Crystal McNerney for the board of directors, Ontario Co-operative Association (On Coop) Ontario Queen's Park reception will take place on October 18 Myles Shaw/Frank Wheeler THAT the Ontario Council report be received.
3 6. Director Reports Some directors provided an oral update on activities in their regions. Jacky Durrie (Alberta/NWT) Will attend the Goldeye Conference on September 23-25. Attended two co-op anniversaries (Heritage Hills and Sunnyhill) over the summer. Lisa Berting (British Columbia/Yukon) Attended the CHF BC/CHF Canada joint BBQ in June. Would like to receive details from staff on what benefits there are for co-ops in BC to be members of CHF Canada, other than the commercial insurance. Linda Campbell (Aboriginal Community) Will attend Village Canadien s 40 th anniversary on September 17. Brian Eng (at-large) Taking over as Executive Director of the CoAction Staff Association. Will be bringing questions and comments from interaction with staff to future board meetings. David Waters (Ontario Council President) Working with the staff associations to encourage co-op s to use staff association s website. Attended the CHFT Diversity Scholarship event on June 29. Angela Simpson (Nova Scotia) Provided details of co-ops use of CHF Canada s Asset Management Services, refinancing, and Housing Nova Scotia grant programs. Attended two meetings with Housing Nova Scotia. Will attend CHF Canada s fall education event on October 22. Memorandum of Understanding was renewed between CHF Canada and Housing Nova Scotia. Barb Dingwell (Prince Edward Island) Attended a meeting with new Minster of Housing. Asked for liaison person as co-op contact, as well as a letter in support of housing co-ops. Attended the annual co-op BBQ on August 25. 40 people attended from various co-ops in the region.
4 Will attend the fall education event on October 15. Two member loyalty awards will be presented at this event. David Boyde (Newfoundland/Labrador) Pushing for seniors development with the cities of St. John s and Mount Pearl. Frank Wheeler (Manitoba) After six years, approval of Village Canadien s refinancing loan. Big win, and thanks CHF Canada. Will attend the Manitoba fall education event on October 22. Two scholarships will be awarded that this event. Louis-H. Campagna (Quebec/Nunavut) Will attend CQCH s strategic planning session on September 24-25. Will attend International Co-op Summit on October. Reception to be hosted by CHF Canada at Coopérative du Quartier Petit Champlain. CHI directors invited to visit Coopérative La Grand Voile while they are in Quebec City. Myles Shaw (Saskatchewan) All BCA s through CHF Canada are now complete. Seven in total. Attended Esquire Co-op s mortgage burnings celebration in June. Attended a CHAS meeting in the summer. Will attend Regina Education Event (November 5) and Saskatoon Education Event (November 6). Was contacted by Cornwall Village which is currently a non-member. Referred co-op to CHF Canada. The co-op has put in an application for refinancing. Hope to see them become members before term ends in 2017. Allison Ferris (New Brunswick) Minister Duclos announced Saint John as first of six cities aimed at reducing poverty. Will attend Unified Saint John s first planning session at the end of September. Nicole Waldron (at-large) Attended Neilson Creek s 35 th anniversary on June 25.
5 Angela Simpson/Linda Campbell THAT the director reports be received. 2. Governance 1. Appointment of the Regional Director, Newfoundland/Labrador Directors were in receipt of a report recommending that David Boyde be appointed as the Regional Director, Newfoundland/Labrador. Staff reported that the Newfoundland/Labrador housing co-operative federation, CHANAL, was consulted and endorsed Mr. Boyde. Angela Simpson/Barb Dingwell THAT David Boyde of the Co-operative Housing Association of Newfoundland and Labrador (St. John s) be confirmed as Regional Director, Newfoundland/Labrador, to serve until next year s annual meeting. 3. Finance and Administration 1. Personnel Policy Amendments The directors were in receipt of a redlined version of a proposed amended Policy 2.5.1 Personnel Policy. Amendments to the policy include the creation of a new section on domestic violence leave, the inclusion of gender identity and expression in the definition of harassment/bulling, as well as some additional commentary around the definition of workplace sexual harassment, disclosure of information and written follow-up around any incidents in the workplace. Directors asked for financial abuse to be included in the definition of domestic violence abuse (section 11.6.2). Myles Shaw/David Boyde THAT the approve amended Policy 2.5.1: Personnel Policy, dated September 2016.
6 Louis-H. Campagna requested that the discussion regarding the Executive Director s hiring authority be noted in the minutes, as well as the Executive Director s pledge to consider that issue and report back to the board at their November meeting. 2. Personnel Matters The directors were provided with an oral report from the Executive Director on the recent announcement that Nick Sidor would be reducing his time at CHF Canada to three days a week beginning in October. Dianne Brubaker/Pat McClain THAT the receive an oral report from the Executive Director on recent personnel matters. 4. Sector Development 1. Aging in Place Committee Directors were in receipt of a written report from staff on the appointment of a representative from British Columbia. CHF BC s Aging in Place Committee will be considering a recommendation to CHF Canada s Aging in Place Committee at their meeting later in September. Staff are therefore recommending that the Board authorize the Executive Committee to make the appointment at their October meeting. Jacky Durrie/Angela Simpson THAT the Board authorize the Executive Committee to make an appointment to the Aging in Place Committee upon receipt of a recommendation from the CHF BC Aging in Place Committee. 5. Corporate Affairs 1. Government Relations The directors were in receipt of a report on CHF Canada s government relations program activities since the last board meeting. Staff provided additional information, including:
7 After six years, Village Canadien Co-op s refinancing loan of $3.9 million was finally approved. CHF Canada assisted the co-op in securing agreement from Manitoba Housing and Canada Housing and Mortgage Corporation National Housing Strategy consultations are moving forward. The Executive Director was invited to join the National Housing Collaborative to consider key housing policies and help advise them. Staff acknowledged the passing of Mauril Bélanger (Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Vanier) on August 16 Myles Shaw/Jacky Durrie THAT the receive and discuss the report from staff on CHF Canada s Government Relations Program. 2. Co-operative Enterprise Services Development The directors were in receipt of a report from staff providing an update on the recent activities undertaken by the five Enterprise programs. The two key tasks for the fall include a review of business measurements for Asset Management Services, as well as a full review of SpotLight sales. Directors requested a demonstration on SpotLight, as well as a report on key performance indicators of the Customer Relationship Management software (CRM) at an upcoming meeting. Frank Wheeler/Linda Campbell THAT the receive and discuss the report on CHF Canada s Co-operative Enterprise Services. 3. Applications for Membership The directors were in receipt of a report to staff on membership applications. Pat McClain/Barb Dingwell THAT the accept into membership in CHF Canada the following organization:
8 Organizational Associate MW Legal (Aurora, ON) 6. Other Business 1. Appointment to The Co-operators Regional Committee (Quebec) The directors were in receipt of a report recommending the appointment of Co-operators regional delegates in Quebec. David Boyde/Angela Simpson THAT the appoint Sandra Turgeon (Quebec, QC) as one of two CHF Canada delegates to The Co-operators regional committee in Quebec. 2. Greener Co-op MicroGrant Program The directors were in receipt of a report from staff providing an update on the administration of a MicroGrant program that offers grants to housing co-operatives to help green their communities. To date, 17 housing co-ops have received allocations from this grant. Louis-H. Campagna/Linda Campbell THAT the receive a report on the 2016 results of the Greener Co-op MicroGrant Program. 3. ICA Principles This agenda item was deferred until the November board meeting. Staff will circulate guidance notes that have been created by the International Co-operative Alliance. These Guidance Notes give detailed guidance and advice on the practical application of the Principles to co-operative enterprise and will help directors in their discussions.
9 There being no further business to conduct, the chairperson, Nicole Waldron, declared the meeting closed at 3:33 p.m. EDT on Saturday,. CERTIFIED to be the minutes of a meeting of the of CHF Canada held on. Chairperson Recording Secretary