President's Report - Winter 2025 - CCI Manitoba Chapter

Article from Volume 12, Issue Number 1, 2025

President's Report - Winter 2025

By John Popowich | Other articles by John Popowich | Regular Column

A journey in condominium management: My experience as a board member

Hello everyone. I hope you had an enjoyable and successful holiday season!

In this report I’m going to deviate from the usual topics in our newsletter and share a bit about my personal experience living in and managing my condominium, particularly as a board member.

In 2001, I purchased a condo in a 12-unit, townhouse-style, self-managed condominium built in 1977. At that time, I knew very little about condominiums, boards or their responsibilities. I was just excited about having a new home. My unit is a 1,200-square-foot, two-storey townhouse with 1.5 baths and four bedrooms on the second floor, plus a full basement — plenty of space for a single guy.

After attending my first Annual General Meeting, I quickly realized that I knew very little about condominium operations — and neither did the board. I received a handwritten income statement and most of the discussion centred on snow clearing. It became apparent that the board president was often overruled by her husband, who seemed to have the final say. This dynamic was frustrating for other board members, who confided in me their difficulties dealing with him.

Years later, I joined the board and, along with the other new members, admitted that we didn’t know much about running a condominium. In searching for more knowledge, I found the website of the Manitoba Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute, which led me and a fellow board member to enrol in its Level 1 and Level 2 courses. The courses were a game-changer, providing valuable insight into our roles and responsibilities. We quickly implemented what we learned, including setting up policies, publishing monthly financial statements, creating a five-year budget, and establishing a reserve fund.

Our first major challenge was addressing the building's aging roof, stucco and fences. With our newly created reserve fund, we didn’t have enough to cover the repairs. Following CCI’s guidance, we raised condo fees by 53 per cent for two years and then reverted to the previous rates plus 3 per cent. We communicated the reasons for the increases to unit owners, and the necessary work was completed without any further fee hikes.

Since then, we’ve faced occasional challenges, such as harassment from a unit owner and requests for bylaw changes. Through it all, CCI Manitoba has been an invaluable resource, offering guidance on how to handle issues effectively.

Today, our budget is balanced, our finances are stable and we’ve surpassed the reserve fund balance recommended in our study. We’ve managed numerous repairs while maintaining a healthy financial outlook, and I’m proud of the work we’ve accomplished.

That’s why I was excited to join the Board of Directors of the Canadian Condominium Institute and eventually serve as president of the Manitoba Chapter. Being part of this association has significantly expanded my knowledge, and it continues to be an incredible resource. The CCI is dedicated to improving its members’ understanding of condominium management, advocating for clearer regulations and ensuring our resources are accessible to everyone in the province.

We welcome your suggestions on how we can continue to grow and improve as the voice of condominiums across the province and the country.

Stay safe.

John Popowich is the president of CCI Manitoba and a director of the condo corporation where he lives.

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