President’s Report

What has gone on in the last year?

For me as a new President, it has been rather stressful, trying to meet the standards set by Bill over the last several years. I continue to marvel at how much can be achieved by a small group of volunteers on a modest budget, but now have a better idea of how much those volunteers do.

Much of our effort has been devoted to our educational activities, not just the seminars and mini-forums, but also the day-to-day answering of questions we get through telephone calls to the office and by e-mail. We don’t keep a count but I would guess that we field ten to twenty enquiries each week. There are lots of problems out there, often confusion about the extent and limitations of the powers of Strata Councils and the responsibilities and privileges of owners. We can often help (though the most prudent response in some cases is: see a lawyer). We have kept the office open for three hours a day and five days a week, thanks to the generosity of the directors with their time.

We have on several occasions responded to invitations from member stratas to send a couple of directors to attend a potentially difficult Council meeting. The presence of impartial outsiders tends to maintain a proper decorum and often helps in finding solutions to difficult problems.

These consulting services are provided free of charge and fees for the seminars and mini-forums are set so that we at least break even.

We have prepared a Strata Council Instruction Manual, which has been well received. It is now being supplied to new member stratas when they sign up, and is available to other member stratas at a modest cost.

We have also produced four issues of the Condo Chronicle, thanks to Karl Gregg and the Editorial Committee.

We have not done as much as we might in liaison with Government in the last year. We have been reactive rather than pro-active, as we should be. We have responded to requests for our inputs to initiatives of the Home Owners Protection Office and to the Superintendent of Real Estate. In January, we invited Ron Dowle to join the Board and he has begun to take on this important role.

What will this year hold?

The Board will continue to be challenged to improve our financial status. We need to increase membership and to improve the profitability of the Condo Chronicle by finding more advertising revenue. I am confident that we will be able to do this. We also need to find new Board members to take some of the load off the present incumbents. If you are interested in improving your knowledge of condo governance, there is no better way than to be involved in the everyday running of your Association. Give us a call at 604-538-8888 between 12:30 and 3:30 pm.