Article from Volume 7, Issue Number 3, 2020

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President's Report - Summer 2020

By Maureen Hancharyk | Other articles by Maureen Hancharyk | Regular Column

As I prepare to write my final report for this past fiscal year of July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020, I go through all of the past reports of the 2019- 2020 year and try to give you a snapshot of past activities as well as a few hints of what to expect in the coming fiscal year. Year end committee reports are also included in this newsletter edition.

Last year’s report began by saying how rewarding and fun it is being involved in CCI. While I cannot dispute this, I ask myself, how much fun have we all had in the past few months?

Very challenging times for everyone, families, businesses, individuals, essential service workers and so too for volunteer organizations, condominium corporations, property managers and indeed all those who work in the condominium industry. Hats off to all of you for getting through these past few months and for doing such a great job under circumstances none of us could have ever imagined.

CCI has been challenged not only by the pandemic, but other issues as well. Our fifteen member Board of Directors has significantly reduced in size due to several resignations.

At this time, I do wish to thank Patricia Berry, Petr Kos, Debbie Buckingham, Jane Lecours and Susan Gagne for their commitment to our CCI, Manitoba Chapter. We miss you and wish you all well in your future endeavours.

That being said, we wish to encourage anyone who is interested in participating on our CCI Board of Directors. We encourage those with an interest in learning more about the condominium industry and others that may wish to offer their already knowledgeable expertise and experience from many years of living or working in the condominium community.

I cannot even begin to articulate the vast amount of knowledge I have personally gained by being a director of CCI, Manitoba Chapter and I certainly started out as a novice unit owner knowing next to nothing about condominiums.

It has been and continues to be a very rewarding experience and I wish to thank everyone for allowing me that opportunity, mentors, fellow members and all those who I have come to know in these past few years.

The CCI Manitoba Chapter bylaws allows for fifteen directors of which every year, five terms expire.

The term for a Board Director is three years.

Condominium owners are always welcome and encouraged to run for election, as are those who work as business partners and professionals in the community.

Elections are held yearly at our Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Board orientation takes place following the AGM and before the next scheduled Board meeting.

Team building sessions are usually held throughout the year. This allows newly elected CCI Board members to transition into the role as well as assisting them in getting to know veteran Board members and being welcomed as one of the team.

The Board meets monthly from September to June and all Board members are strongly encouraged to participate on at least one CCI Manitoba Chapter Committee. The President is included in all of the committees as ex officio.

This past year, meetings have continued to be held monthly, however, since April, all of the meetings of the Board and CCI committees have been held on Zoom. When September begins, we will determine what is the best way for us to meet under whatever public health guidelines are in place at that time.

The AGM was scheduled for September 23, 2020 and was looking like it might even rival last year's meeting that was held at the Arctic Exhibit at the Assiniboine Park Zoo. After much deliberation about what restrictions may be in place in the fall related to the pandemic, we have changed the date to Thursday, October 8, 2020 and will hold the meeting virtually. It was a very hard decision to make, but we thought it would be the wisest approach. Please save the date and join us for the AGM. Look for notices in future email blasts and on the website with much more information on how to attend and participate.

I wish to thank all of the CCI Board members who must be commended for their commitment to our organization.

They attend monthly Board meetings, respond to members queries, attend and chair CCI committee meetings, participate in monthly Lunch and Learns and attend CCI National Leaders Forums and other CCI events.

Thanks also to the Executive Committee, Krista Corley, Vice President, and Lori Ricard, Treasurer. The Secretary position is currently vacant. As per the CCI bylaws, the Executive Committee meets regularly to assist the President with the general management and supervision of the affairs and operations of the Chapter. The Executive Committee also acts as the Finance Committee.

Thanks also to Deniz Fraas, our previous Chapter Administrator who resigned effective March 30, 2020. We are extremely grateful to welcome back in our midst, a familiar face, Millanne Baxter who previously worked as our Chapter Administrator. Millanne took over the position at the height of the pandemic and has helped us immensely. We can’t thank Millanne enough for stepping into the role and making the transition so much easier for all of us.

At the outset of this report, I mentioned the challenges for us during these times. Lunch and Learns cancelled, Board and committee meetings held virtually, condominium corporations looking to us for advice on pandemic related issues affecting condominiums, issues around rescheduling and holding the AGM virtually, Presidents Forums not held and the CCI National Spring Leaders Forum cancellation.

As we look ahead, planning is difficult as no one knows at this time what the coming year will bring and indeed if things will ever be done the way they once were.

As all organizations have had to do, we have adapted and are grateful that our challenges are small compared to the many challenges others have faced.

So enough about challenges. I must say that we cannot lose sight of the amazing job we, including all of our members, property managers and others did to fight the budget proposal the City of Winnipeg put forward to stop garbage collection at condominiums.

Property Managers helped us engage our members in lobbying city councillors and speaking out in the media. It was a very successful campaign that we definitely can claim as a victory.

The city in early March withdrew the proposal but we learned, “you can take on city hall” and you can win. Thanks to all of you

Maureen Hancharyk

President, CCI MB Chapter

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