This is the
VOICE OF SUNNYHILL
Submitted by Rachel Rose for the Social Committee
There is a unique Jane's Walk happening on Prince's Island Saturday, May 5th at 10:00 am. Join local author Shaun Hunter and special guests for a literary walk along the river. If anyone from Sunnyhill would like to join let's meet in front of the Curling Rink at 9:45 am and head over together!!
More details here....
https://www.janeswalk.calgaryfoundation.org/walks/reading-the-bow-river/
Submitted by Rachel Rose for the Social Committee
The Social Committee will be providing tables as well as signs and balloons to help advertise in the area. There will be two locations for members to set up their tables, the Circle Garden (across from the Little Library) & the Driveway of unit 783 on 3rd street across from the Curling Club.
If you would like to reserve a full table (or part of a table depending on how much stuff you have) please contact Rachel Rose from the Social Committee at 587-433-9386, rachelroseconsulting@gmail.com or drop by unit 807 and she will assign you table!
Once you have your table you will then be responsible for setting up your table and managing sales. Any money made will be for you to keep!
If you have a few quality items that you would like to donate we will be collecting items for a donation table. The proceeds of this table will go towards Sunnyhill’s annual charitable donation towards Rooftops Canada. Donations will be accepted the evening of May 11 from 3-8 pm in unit 807. Please call Rachel if you would like to arrange another time to drop things off.
Submitted by Jacky Durrie
Read the latest edition of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada eNews newsletter
Also...
CHF Canada’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Tim Ross to the position of Executive Director, effective June 11, 2018.
“Tim is a forward-looking leader with an accomplished track record,” said CHF Canada President, Nicole Waldron. “With his appointment, we will push harder, lead change and build on our success in order to serve our members and movement.”
Tim brings years of leadership experience in housing and homelessness focused membership organizations. He joined CHF Canada’s government relations team in 2016 and has served as CHF Canada’s Director, Strategic Affairs since 2017. Prior to moving to Ottawa, Tim worked as the Executive Director of the New Brunswick Non-Profit Housing Association and as the Interim Executive Director of the Canadian Housing and Renewal Association.
Asked about his new role, Tim commented, “We have all the ingredients for continued success: a vibrant membership, a future-focused board, committed staff and engaged partners. CHF Canada has the credibility, connections and resources needed to respond to opportunities that will lift our movement to new heights.” Tim looks forward to meeting with members and partners in the coming months, and at the upcoming 50th anniversary Annual General Meeting in Victoria, BC.
Outside of work, Tim enjoys travel, skiing, reading and keeping up on current affairs. He is a self-described Trekkie and music fan.
“The board would also like to take this opportunity to thank Karla Skoutajan for serving as our Acting Executive Director since September 2017,” said Nicole Waldron. “We wish Karla the best in her retirement.”
The Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada is the national voice of the Canadian co-operative housing movement. Its members include over 900 non-profit housing co-operatives and other organizations across Canada. More than a quarter of a million Canadians live in housing co-ops, in every province and territory.
How to contact Tim Ross:
Email: tross@chfcanada.coop
Telephone: 1-800-465-2752, extension 222
Twitter | LinkedIn
Inquiries:
Nicole Waldron, nwaldron@chfcanada.coop
Karla Skoutajan, kskoutajan@chfcanada.coop
Submitted by Andrea Bergen
There were 2 exciting announcements made at the SACHA AGM that pertain to Sunnyhill:
1) Telus has been brought on as a bulk purchase partner to SACHA. The deal with SHAW is dead.
a. 50% off each month on any Optic TV and internet product
2) SACHA has a remaining balance from the money that they had fundraised for the 2 Co-ops that were affected by the flood in 2013. It was decided that the money would be split between the 2 Co-ops. Sunnyhill received a cheque for $6,215.50. The Board is considering options to bring to membership.
Submitted by Cindy Schnee
The Grounds Committee have had two merlin/kestrel houses made and we intend to install them when the snow is gone. We also plan on creating some interpretive signs. We are also having some bat houses made. A representative from the Alberta Community Bat Program attended a Grounds committee meeting to help us decide where to place these houses, again with interpretive signs. Two members of the Grounds committee attended a workshop put on by the Alberta Native Bee Council. Watch for our bumblebee houses to appear on the Grounds. Also watch for a workshop to make more bumblebee houses!
For more information:
Alberta Community Bat Program: http://www.albertabats.ca/
Alberta Native Bee Council: https://www.facebook.com/Alberta-Native-Bee-Council-178029658913775/
Submitted by Rachel Rose
The Social Committee invites you to an Easter egg hunt! Children and the young of heart welcome. Chocolate egg's and hot chocolate will be provided. Please bring a mug.
Submitted by Belle Auld and Rose Ing, Education Committee
At the January General Meeting, the Education Committee hosted a discussion about toys being left in the common area. Keeping the Co-op principals in mind, members decided to not pursue building an enclosure in the common area.
Instead we are asking that members not leave outgrown toys destined for donation in the common area. If you would like to donate a toy, please donate it to a specific parent so that we can avoid orphaned toys and keep our common area tidy.
Thanks
Submitted by Jackie Durrie
I thought the co-op might be interested in dreaming up or realizing a project in order to apply for this grant.
From Co-operative Housing Federation of Canada Website
Would you like your co-op to have a positive impact on the environment? Want to decrease your consumption of non-renewable resources and save money while doing it?
Maybe you’d like to start a community garden, install a few rain barrels, or explore adding solar panels or a roof garden to your building? Maybe a little extra money could help you move your project forward.
The Greener Co-op Microgrant program was launched in 2016 and CHF Canada is offering it again for a third year. Projects that received funds in the past range from lighting retrofits, gardens, dual flush toilets, e-bike charging stations and bike storage, solar panels for powering gardening tools, and more.
This program will fund small projects – anywhere from $500 to $4,000 – that reduce greenhouse gases, improve air quality, help co-ops adapt to climate change and inspire others with best practices.
Funds are very limited, so apply early! Download the flyer and application form. Once funds have run out, we will post a message on the program webpage.
Housing co-ops are eager to make their communities more sustainable and many co-ops like Corktown Co-operative Homes in Hamilton, Ontario expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to receive a microgrant: “On behalf of the co-op, thank you for the grant that allowed the co-op to provide security for the members’ bikes somewhere other than their units.”
Cougar Canyon Co-operative in Delta, BC installed exterior LED lights and shared this comment from its members: “Many members have commented on how bright it is and how pleased they are with the extra sense of security as well as the energy savings and lower costs to be seen on the co-op’s hydro bill.”
Rebecca Hunt, the Garden Project Coordinator for Westwood Co-op Place in Niagara Falls, ON spearheaded a community garden that brought more than vegetables. This excerpt from Rebecca’s final report says it all: “In terms of community building, the garden became a space where people gathered almost on a nightly basis. Many people started new friendships and new interactions were made between neighbors.”
You can read more about the community garden and the other 13 projects with this list of 2017 microgrant recipients.
When CHF Canada’s staff, board and council travel across the country to visit our members we generate greenhouse gases. To make up for this, we have set aside funds that offset our carbon emissions – funds that can help green your co-op! With additional contributions from the Agency for Co-operative Housing, CHF BC, Co-op Cost Cutters, and the Housing Services Corporation, CHF Canada’s Greener Co-op Microgrant helps co-ops implement projects that will make communities greener.
The Greener Co-op Microgrant application and reporting process is quick and easy. Qualified applications will be funded on a first-come-first-served basis while funds last. All CHF Canada member co-ops qualify except those that have already received a grant in previous years.
For more information, please contact Julie LaPalme at jlapalme@chfcanada.coop.
Submitted by Rachel Rose
Please join your neighbours for a Spring Fling potluck dinner. The Social Committee will be providing ham, potatoes, and beverages. Please bring a meal item to share, a list of its ingredients and plates and cutlery for yourself. We look forward to an evening of food and connection to welcome spring together!
Submitted by Rachel Rose
Guess who is turning 40 this year? This year marks Sunnyhill Housing Co-operatives 40th Birthday and we need help planning for this special birthday party! The Social Committee is putting together a sub committee to plan for this special occasion. We will need help with everything from ideas, to logistical support, to grocery shopping. This is a great way to pitch in for just a short bit! If you would like to join please contact Rachel from the Social Committee in #807 or at rachelroseconsulting@gmail.com
Photos and idea submitted by Cindy Schnee
Do you recognize any of these? Match the Sunnyhill wintry scenes with their flowery doppelgangers.
Submitted by Andrea Bergen
This information can also be found on the SACHA website http://www.sacha-coop.ca/events.html
Submitted by Mia Rushton
The City of Calgary Parks department has launched a citizen science project to help identify and quantify the wild animals in our city spaces. Visit Calgary Captured to contribute and get a glimpse of the creature we share our parks with.
Here are a few images I've come across recently:
A coyote, white tailed deer and a racoon.
https://www.zooniverse.org/projects/calgary-captured/calgary-captured
Submitted by Jacky Durry
Hello,
This is how they keep making new co-ops in BC. This is the most recent of a series of new co-ops dating back to the athlete’s village from the winter 2010 Olympics.
A combination of setting up a land trust from CHFBC, a close relationship with other non-profit housing associations, hard work and good relations with the municipal government, a good relationship with a developer, who is willing to work with so many moving pieces, a co-op community and financing.
From the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC:
CHF BC and the Community Land Trust are proud to announce the opening of Railyard Housing Co-op at 95 East 1st Avenue in Vancouver.
The 15-storey 135-unit building was developed by Concert Properties as part of its 6.4 acre Southeast False Creek site, The Creek. The Community Land Trust was selected by the City to own and operate the site through the new Railyard Housing Co-op. A pre-registration list to apply to the new co-op filled quickly and the co-op is not currently accepting applications.
The new co-op’s focus will be on affordable homes for a mix of families with children and singles or couples. The unit mix includes 44 two-bedroom and 29 three-bedroom suites. The rest of the building is a mix of one bedroom and studio apartments. Some units have been designed for complete accessibility. The co-op also includes two in-home childcare units. More than half of the co-op’s suites will be affordable to households with annual incomes between $25,000 and $55,000.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with the City and Concert Properties to offer so many affordable homes to families in the Southeast False Creek community," said Thom Armstrong, executive director of CHF BC and the Community Land Trust. "The community land trust model is an ideal fit with the City's new Housing Vancouver strategy, and we look forward to our next opportunity to work together."
CHF BC and the Community Land Trust welcome Railyard Housing Co-op and its new members to the co-op housing sector!
Submitted by Jacky Durry
Hey all,
Here’s a link that may interest you.
The recording of our popular webinar held last week with Adam Vaughan is now available online.
Adam Vaughan is the MP for Spadina-Fort York and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. As such, he is one of the key architects behind Canada’s new National Housing Strategy. He is also a strong advocate for co-operative housing.
Among several important topics he touched upon in this one-hour webinar, Vaughan said that eligible Section 95 housing co-ops will be hearing from CMHC about the 2018 subsidy extension in the next couple of weeks.
Asked by CHF Canada Director, Strategic Affairs Tim Ross about the potential for more co-op housing development, Vaughan said that co-ops should get into “build mode” and pitch for as much of the new federal funding as possible. "Co-ops don't have to replicate the previous model,” he added. "We're diversifying the toolkit and the financial supports to make a whole new generation of opportunities materialize."
CHF Canada thanks Adam Vaughan for this open and helpful discussion with housing co-op members and supporters.
Cheers,
Jacky
What: Sunnyhill Garage Sale
When: Saturday, May 12 (The busiest day of the CBC Book Sale at the Curling Club!)
Who: Sunnyhill will provide tables. Any member who would like to participate can sign up for a table or choose to share a table with another member depending on their needs. Each table will then be responsible for setting up and managing sales. Any money made will be for the members to keep.
One table will be reserved for donations of quality items. A group of volunteers will manage this table and all of the profits will then be put back into the Social Committee fund and/or donated to charity. Anything not sold will then be donated to charity.
Where: Two locations: The Circle Garden & the Sidewalk on 3rd street across from the Curling Club (we will ask for volunteers on 3rd street who don’t mind having the sidewalk and/or driveway used for this.)
How: The Social Committee will provide signage and advertise the sale. We will also manage table sign up, distribution and the donation table.
Submitted by Rachel Rose
Are You Interested in Playing Board Games?
The Social Committee is starting a monthly board game club. All levels of interest and skill are welcome to join! If you would like to learn more please email the Social Committee Chair Rachel at Rachelroseconsulting@gmail.com or call at 587-433-9386.
Join the Social Committee for a St. Patricks Day Pub night at the Curling Rink. Watch the website, look for the posters, and keep an eye on the facebook group for official date and time once they have been determined. We hope you can join us for a fun relaxed evening!
Submitted by Andrea Bergen
The Buildings Committee would like to welcome Nathan Erickson of #12 Sunnyhill Lane to the Committee, we are very glad to have him.
The Committee continues to meet on the 3rd Wednesday of every month. Always looking for new Members to join the Committee.
The Buildings Committee has purchased 6 space heaters for use if Members have furnace issues that cannot be rectified immediately. These heaters are located in the garage. The Emergency Buildings Committee Member have a key to the garage and their contact information can be found on the phone list. Please also remember to never leave space heaters unattended.
Information submitted by Belle Auld on behalf of the Education Committee
Some of us senior Sunnyhill residents may be interested in the services that this (relatively) new co-op – the Calgary Aging in Place Cooperative – offers.
Here is information from their website (http://www.calgaryaginginplace.ca):
“Essentially, our role at CAIP is to find services needed to stay in your own home. Whether it is house cleaning, handy persons, snow removal, lawn-care, a plumber or an electrician, we find the services for you. Then, we negotiate the best rate possible.”
CAIP services that Sunnyhill residents may be interested in include:
Services are then billed to you by CAIP - not directly from the service provider.
Membership with the Calgary Aging in Place Cooperative is $60.00/year.
Here is a link to the membership form:
http://www.calgaryaginginplace.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/CAIP-Membership-Application-Form.pdf
Their phone number is 403-774-7247.
Another service offered through CAIP is the Personal Injury Prevention for Seniors. Information on their website says:
“It is a FREE educational and interactive offering, featuring information for seniors on stretching for longevity, how to safely enter or exit a tub or shower, standing defensively, and carrying items without strain or injury. Book now by email pips@calgaryaginginplace.ca
The 60 or 90 minute program is free of charge to groups of 20 or more. For information about CAIP or to book your program contact us by phone 403-774- 7247 ext 1 or by email at pips@calgaryaginginplace.ca.”
