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Inside:Nside: Ccameoameo Hhousingousing Cco-Opo-Op Ttsunamisunami Reliefrelief Oontariontario Cco-Opso-Ops Ffightight Fforor Ttheirheir Hhomesomes

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Inside:Nside: Ccameoameo Hhousingousing Cco-Opo-Op Ttsunamisunami Reliefrelief Oontariontario Cco-Opso-Ops Ffightight Fforor Ttheirheir Hhomesomes IInside:nside: CCameoameo HHousingousing CCo-opo-op TTsunamisunami RReliefelief OOntariontario cco-opso-ops ffightight fforor ttheirheir hhomesomes Spring 2005 $3.00 guest editorial BY MIKE ALSOP New president outlines goals t last November’s to co-ops, and we are in the At the same time we will continue annual general meeting, process of arranging meetings to provide opportunities for A members elected a new with MPs. members to have input and set the board of directors and I had direction of the Federation. We the privilege of being chosen as Member input, such as last year’s want to promote co-op leadership president of CHF BC. communications survey and the and a positive environment for member feedback session at the volunteers. The board has been busy. We AGM, has been very helpful and continue to wage the struggle illuminating. It was in directors’ Last, but not least, we will to resolve the leaky co-op crisis minds at the board’s annual promote the development of new and seem to be making progress. planning session where we housing co-ops and encourage This despite challenges such as discussed direction for the year co-ops whose mortgages negotiating extended land leases, ahead. will expire to continue as fi nding solutions for those few viable, mixed-income co-op co-ops that don’t fi t into the The three greatest challenges communities. general framework for CMHC, we face are: fi xing leaky co-ops, and overcoming other potential solving the Section 95 subsidy With hard work, dedication and roadblocks to keep the process crisis and promoting good the continued support of our moving. management within our co-ops members and staff, I believe and the sector as a whole. we can achieve our goals. I look The issue of Section 95 subsidy forward to working with you. has taken on an urgency and a We will also continue to direction in the last few months. promote membership in the Since the special meeting Federation, support election in October that laid out the campaign activities, expand the severity of the issue, we have, education program to meet our with CHF Canada, launched members’ needs and ensure that the campaign. We’ve sent out our communication program campaign materials and postcards supports our goals and activities. Mike Alsop is president of CHF BC and a member of Misty Ridge Housing Co-op. 2 SCOOP SPRING 2005 contents FEATURES 14 In the spotlight: Cameo Housing Co-op This Victoria co-op is dedicated to community. 14 22 Opinion In an era of government inaction, View Court Co-op member Peter Royce proposes how the co-op sector could finance new co-ops on its own. COLUMNS 5 Up front with Letters, Hot dates, On the Net and news from BC’s co-op housing sector. 10 Diversity in action explains how to be an inclusive community. 15 News you can use introduces core management 21 standards for housing co-ops. 17 Education events 18 Commercial services Co-op notices are published separately. 19 Nuts + Bolts tackles bi-fold doors. Co-op notices are available at 20 International covers tsunami relief efforts by Canadian www.chf.bc.ca (in the ‘Co-op co-operatives. Directory’), by calling 604.879.5111 (toll-free 1.866.879.5111) or by email to 21 The new view covers co-op youth who took their own [email protected]. You can get a free initiative to help Tsunami victims. printed copy by visiting our offices at 200-5550 Fraser Street in Vancouver or 23 National Ontario co-ops are fighting the province’s 410-1105 Pandora Avenue in Victoria. Social Housing Reform Act, and they need our support. On the cover: Spring blossoms at Charleston Terrace Housing Co-op. Photo courtesy of Bonnie Nicol. hot dates Mark your calendars for upcoming co-op housing events you don’t want to miss. Mainland 5 Vancouver Island 12. SCOOP SPRING 2005 3 SCOOP is published quarterly by CHF BC to provide a link between housing co-ops and the Federation, and a forum for opinion. SCOOP’s content does not necessarily represent CHF BC policy. Publication of an advertisement does not imply endorsement of the product or service. SCOOP is distributed free to all households in CHF BC member co-ops. ISSN 1206-2766 Printed on recycled paper with 10% post-consumer waste, using environmentally-friendly vegetable inks. Subscriptions $12 per year (includes GST) Editor Scott Jackson [email protected] Design EGO Creative Solutions [email protected] Printing Broadway Printers [email protected] CHF BC board of directors President Mike Alsop, Misty Ridge [email protected] Vice president Wes Hosler, Lore Krill [email protected] Treasurer Suzann Zimmering, Quebec Manor [email protected] Secretary Dianne Cook, Creekside [email protected] Directors Georgia Andrews, Whattlekainum [email protected] Doreen Aquino, Dundee Court [email protected] Glen Armstrong, Pine Ridge [email protected] Candice Bunting, Cameo [email protected] Gino Gamboa, Terra Nova [email protected] Victor Mogollon, Collingwood Village [email protected] James Quaife, Tyee [email protected] Diane Winkler, Mau Dan [email protected] Co-operative Housing Federation of BC www.chf.bc.ca Vancouver 200-5550 Fraser Street, V5W 2Z4 Tel: 604.879.5111 Fax: 604.879.4611 Toll-free: 1.866.879.5111 [email protected] Victoria 410-1105 Pandora Avenue, V8V 3P9 Tel: 250.384.9444 Fax: 250.384.0349 [email protected] 4 SCOOP SPRING 2005 up front hot dates Come and get all fired up about co-op housing at these idea. Legal actions are expensive LETTERS mainland events: and the outcome is never certain. And if you start a legal action Apr 2 Dear SCOOP: and aren’t successful, the court Spring Education may decide that you should pay Conference (see p.17) I’ve heard it said that a member the co-op’s legal expenses on top can’t sue the co-op because it of your own. 11 would be like suing yourself. Is Joint delegates forum this true? In any dispute between member 23 and co-op, there are almost Opening Doors door- Co-op member, always better remedies than painting party (see p.15) name withheld legal action. You’ll save time and money if you look for other ways 30 Many people think this is true, to resolve the problem. After all, Semi-Annual General Meeting (see p.20) but it’s not. Your co-op is a it’s “co-operative” housing. person in law, and one person May 4 can certainly sue another. But CHF BC staff take hundreds of calls Networking night – each year from members looking for Community building hold on. Just being able to sue information or advice. Let us know if you your co-op doesn’t make it a good need our help; that’s what we’re here for. (see p.17) June 16-18 CHF Canada AGM, Edmonton WANTED chip rates We want your co-op photos, stories, questions and Rates effective March 1, articles for SCOOP. After all, it’s your magazine! 2005, and subject to change. REWARD: Fantastic prize! CCEC – variable 1.45% CCEC – fixed 2.15% All entries qualify for a fantastic prize draw. 12-month Coast Capital 2.0% Send submissions to CHF BC, Attention: SCOOP, (Vancouver Island) 200–5550 Fraser Street, Vancouver BC V5W 2Z4 or Prospera (formerly 1.25% email [email protected]. Fraser Valley) VanCity 2.193% SCOOP SPRING 2005 5 Good news information to affected co-ops didn’t have personal insurance for provincial soon. For more information, to replace their belongings. call Eileen Tiessen, Manager, Although donations from the co-ops Program Operations at BC community and other co-ops Housing, 604.439.4142. helped, it was no substitute for Last year BC Housing cut insurance. replacement reserve funding Three co-op fires to Provincial Housing Program Many co-ops make personal (formerly Homes BC) co-ops highlight need insurance mandatory, and by half. This reduction was for personal some purchase insurance scheduled to last two years. insurance for members and include Our members passed a resolution at the November December was a diffi cult the cost in housing charges. annual meeting calling on BC month for several housing In light of these recent fi res, the inside scoop we urge co-op members to Housing to end the cuts and co-ops struck by fi re: directing CHF BC to press the Greenland, Desert Breeze and get insurance and to review issue. CHF BC has learned the Maples. Thankfully, none their accident prevention that full replacement reserve of the fi res was catastrophic and emergency plans. A good funding for provincial co-ops – all three were contained so place to start looking is the will be restored, retroactive to that only one or a few units Memberguard program offered January 1, 2005. BC Housing were damaged. But in each by The Co-operators and up front will send more detailed case there was a member who sponsored by CHF Canada. 6 SCOOP SPRING 2005 up front Federal budget Housing co-ops have CHF BC joins ignores PM’s been pushing the federal Co-op Radio government for a national housing pledge rent supplement program In the spirit of the sixth co-op for co-ops and other non- On February 23, 2005 principle – co-operation profi t housing, and programs – exactly one year after Paul among co-ops – CHF BC has to build or renovate new joined Co-op Radio.
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