Submitted by Jackie Durrie
Grounds and Grants
Submitted by Don McCabe on behalf of Grounds Committee
The Grounds Committee is pleased to give a heads-up to Members that Pam and Cindy prepared and submitted applications for two grants for improvements to our yards and green spaces, and if successful, there will be lots of landscaping activity over the next 2-3 years.
Sunnyhill Co-op supports the development of permaculture and native species in our yards, common areas and public-use areas. These principles were the basis of the grant applications
Members are encouraged to contact the Grounds Committee or any of its members for more information, and the Committee will update y’all when we have news.
Board Games Event
Submitted by Bonnie Robinson on behalf of the Social Committee
Board Games Event
When: Sunday March 3rd 2019 2:00pm-4:00pm
Where: The Calgary Curling (Blue Room)
What: Board Game Social
Why: Cause it's fun, Karen.
It's time to dig those weird ancient looking board games out of the attic and release the men trapped inside!
Join the Social Committee for a fun afternoon of fun and fun! Bring your favourite games or try a new one. Don't like games? Just pop in for snacks and socializing. What a fun time!
**Brownie points to any who actually bring Jumangi.
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Planning and Development Information Session
Submitted by Eric Moschopedis on behalf of Planning and Development
Planning and Development Information Session
Thursday February 21
7 PM - 9 PM
Curling Club, Blue Room
Planning and Development has spent the last several months developing a 60 year financial analysis as part of our lease negotiations with the City of Calgary. The analysis functions as a valuable planning tool for SHC that can assist in our long-term housing choices and brings together our overall operations, capacity to borrow, and different development scenarios. Planning and Development worked with members from other committees to scrutinize our Building Condition Assessment (BCA) and annual operating budget and this work has been integrated into the context of a long term plan.
Planning and Development will be holding an open committee meeting to share the analysis with the membership. The meeting will walk folks through the document and will provided an explanation of our financial outlook. The analysis is multifaceted and dense. Drink some coffee before coming!
Looking forward to seeing you all soon.
Gazing Out Your Window
Submitted by Cindy Schnee
What do you see out your kitchen window? The big one not over the sink?
Call for Volunteers for Smoking Policy Task Group
Submitted by Andrea Bergen
February 11, 2019
Dear Members:
At its February 5th meeting, the Board discussed progress, to date, in developing a smoking policy for Sunnyhill. We concluded that we currently have a busy agenda: we are in budget season, we are transitioning to a new Board at the Spring AGM, we are in the middle of lease discussions with the City and developing financing scenarios and applications with CMHC, and we are refreshing our Member Handbook and Policies. With all this going on right now, we are not sure that we are adequately prepared to stage a fulsome member discussion on the topic.
Our intention, then, is to pick this discussion up at the June Board meeting. If you are interested in being part of a small task group to bring this policy to completion please contact the office.
Cooperatively:
Sunnyhill Board of Directors
Robert's Rules on Basic Motions
Submitted by Andrea Bergen
ROBERT’S RULES ON BASIC MOTIONS
Even though it’s the nature of meetings to have more said than done, Robert’s Rules helps keep things on track by requiring that no discussion be undertaken until somebody proposes an idea for action. It’s through motions that everything your group ever accomplishes gets its start. The length of time you discuss something and the ultimate decision your group makes are both based on your members’ use and understanding of the nature of the different types of motions, their relationships to each other, and how the different motions are best used as your tools for effective decision-making.
REMEMBER:
Until a motion is made, seconded, and stated by the chair, no discussion is in order. This rule of “motion before discussion” saves valuable meeting time. When you start off with a definite proposal — “I move that . . .” — your group discusses the motion’s merits and all the details necessary to make a decision. And during the discussion, you and the other members are free to alter your motion as much as necessary before reaching the final decision. This process is much more productive than just starting off jabbering about some vague idea hoping to work it out as you go, and then getting around to making a motion summarizing what you think you may have just proposed.
A main motion introduces a new subject for discussion and action. A main motion says: Let’s do this about that. The main motion is the starting point on the way to making a group decision.
Secondary motions offer different approaches to consider in the discussion of the main motion. A secondary motion says: Let’s do that this way. Secondary motions fall into one of the three classes:
Subsidiary motions apply directly to a pending main motion (or pending secondary motion) and help the group arrive at a final decision on the main motion. A subsidiary motion says: Let’s do this along with the main motion.
For example, the motion to Refer the main motion to a committee. You use it when you don’t want to spend all night talking about something that could be done at another time by people who are interested in working out the details.
Privileged motions deal with things relating to the comfort of the assembly or other situations so important they may interrupt pending business and must be decided immediately by the chair or by the members without debate. A privileged motion says: Let’s do this even though there is a pending main motion.
Incidental motions are motions that generally deal with procedures and help process other motions. An incidental motion says: Let’s do this to better handle the pending motion. You use incidental motions to help the group go about conducting its business in meetings.
A restorative motion seeks to put things back to where they were. A restorative motion says: Let’s undo this and maybe do that instead.
Reference: Robert’s Rules for Dummies
Save Energy, Save Money, Save the Environment
Submitted by Rose Ing
The Education Committee would like to invite Sunnyhill Housing Co-op members to an educational workshop presented by EmPower me. Empower me is a free energy conservation program supported by Energy Efficiency Alberta, Enmax and the City of Calgary.
Empower me’s 90 minute workshop provides education and mentorship on how to reduce energy bills. The program provides important information about energy efficiency, water usage and recycling. As an added bonus, you will receive a basket of energy saving products worth about $90 when you bring in a copy of electricity or natural gas bill.
The workshop will be held on Sunday March 10, 2019 at the Curling Club from 1:30 – 3:00 pm. Please note that workshop will be limited to a maximum of 15 participants. To ensure that there will be enough energy saving kits for households in attendance, please RSVP to the Sunnyhill office by March 1, 2019.
For further details, please refer to the attached poster.
New Alpha House Needle Response Team
Submitted by Belle Auld
This is from the Sunnyside newsletter:
Community Safety
New Alpha House Needle Response Team
In January 2019, Alpha House launched a Needle Debris Program supported by grant funding from the Government of Alberta in response to growing public concern about needle debris and to create a more efficient and cost-effective response to this issue. The program will focus on having a response line where Calgarians can call to report if they have found needles on private or public property. The team will also be doing pro-active sweeps in the community looking for needle debris and providing training on how to discard of needles safely.
Hours of operation are 8:00am – 6:00pm. Needle debris can be reported to Alpha House at (403) 796-5334 or needle@alphahousecalgary.com.
CHF Canada - Call for Candidates
REMINDERS FROM THE BUILDINGS COMMITTEE
Submitted by Andrea Bergen
Please ensure that if you are having any electrical or plumbing work done in your unit that it must be done by a certified Electrician/Plumber.
Portable Space Heaters – Please ensure that if you are using these space heaters that you keep them away from any furniture, clothing, and bedding; and never leave them unattended.
Valentines Crafternoon Event!
Submitted by Gabriela Orban on behalf of the Social Committee
January Skating Party
Submitted by Rachel Rose
Join the Social Committee for a fun afternoon of skating and outdoor fun just a few blocks away. Hot chocolate and donuts provided as a warm up. Don't have skates? No problem join for the company or even a play in the snow. Everyone is welcome!
Education Committee Meeting
Submitted by Belle Auld
The next Education Committee meeting is January 9, 2019.
CHF Canada e-News
Submitted by Jacky Durrie
An FYI from Grounds
Submitted by Pamela Boyd
“Willful waste makes woeful want.”
As a result of our very successful recycling and composting habits we are showing a marked decrease in garbage and need for the big garbage bins. At last week’s General Meeting, membership voted in Ground’s new waste disposal plan. On January 4 the city will be taking away our big garbage bins and BluPlanet will be delivering new, smaller garbage bins along with larger recycling bins and larger compost bins. Each garbage enclosure will contain; 1 garbage bin, 2 recycling bins, 1 compost bin - which will all fit in the existing enclosures. Additionally there will be two big recycling bins; one at the bottom of Sunnyhill Lane and one by the garage. So….when you find there is not enough room in the bin for your stuff, you can find a bigger recycling bin either at the bottom of Sunnyhill Lane or by the garage. Please use them. Remember, Blue Planet charges us an additional fee for any recycling left outside the bin, or for boxes not collapsed.
And then there’s Christmas - you may want to save up your recycling till the new bins arrive on January 4th. We don’t want to be charged for a Christmas mess just as we’re about to make things better.
Our BluPlanet recycling guy Nelson Berlin
Submitted by Pamela Boyd
From the Green Calgary Association newsletter:
This week, your Every Action Counts - Action Ambassador is Nelson Berlin, BluPlanet Recycling
Nelson Berlin is the Business Development Manager at BluPlanet Recycling. His passion for sustainability and social change drove him to join the organization straight out of university 5 years ago. This passion and the corporate mission of BluPlanet push their aligned goals of changing how we view waste in Calgary and Canada. He believes that as Canadians we need to strive to not only be better at directing our waste to the right outlets but reducing our consumption and wasteful behaviour.
On the weekends you can find Nelson and his wife roaming the mountains in search of new hikes and scrambles or at the shared woodshop space (Fuse 33) building custom furniture for their small condo.
Nelson talks about keeping plastics out of the compost.
Nelson shows how to separate your recyclables.
Thank you for reading!
How will you take action this week? Let us know on social media using #EveryActionCounts, or email us: lex@greencalgary.org
Green Calgary is a charity that delivers award-winning environmental education.
Your donations support our important work in the community, including:
Educating more than 10,000 children and youth each yearConnecting with more than 60,000 Calgarians in person each year at events and education programsProviding access to online resources for more than 150,000 people each year Please donate.
CHF Canada eNews
Submitted by Jacky Durrie
Make sure your federal co-op responds to CMHC survey on subsidy
Housing co-ops with federally-administered operating agreements recently received a survey from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC).
CMHC wants your co-op’s input on the program that will continue subsidies to low-income co-op households from 2020 to 2028. This program is called the Federal Community Housing Initiative, Phase 2 (FCHI-2).
CHF Canada urges co-ops to reply to the survey because CMHC needs to hear the co-op point of view. In a briefing note sent last week to every federally-administered co-op, we have laid out some issues that co-ops and local federations have raised. Here are some of the key issues to consider while completing the survey:
We want the new program to subsidize low-income units without a burdensome regulatory and administrative system.
The government should, at a minimum, maintain the same level of support for the same number of households.
Co-ops whose operating agreements expired before April 2016 were not offered agreement extensions. CMHC should re-enroll these co-ops in FCHI-2 so more vulnerable Canadians can have a place to live.
Co-ops need government to play an ongoing role in providing support to low-income households. We do not want subsidies to be phased out after 2028.
FCHI-2 be delivered as a rent supplement. Rent supplements meet deep member need and are easier to administer.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: Douglas Wong, Program Manager, Policy and Government Relations at dwong@chfcanada.coop.
Video footage of the AGM plenary Vision Panel now online
For those who missed CHF Canada’s 50th anniversary Annual Meeting in Victoria last spring, or for those who’d like to review a session that many participants said was a valuable highlight, we’ve produced a video of the Vision Panel keynote session now available on CHF Canada’s YouTube channel.
There is both a short 3-minute highlights video and a one hour video covering the entire panel discussion. Both videos include captions in English or French.
The Vision Panel, sponsored by Vancity Credit Union, was a special exploration of Canada’s urgent housing needs. Held during the anniversary plenary and moderated by co-op member Darrah Teitel from Abiwin Housing Co-op in Ottawa, it featured panelists Margaret Pfoh (Aboriginal Housing Management Association), Paul Kershaw (Generation Squeeze) and Shachi Kurl (Angus Reid Institute).
We hope you will share these videos with members of your co-op to rally support for action on the goals and objectives of our new shared vision of “Co-op Housing for All”.
If you would like to receive a link to download a high resolution version of the video to show at a co-op meeting, contact CHF Canada’s Program Manager, National Communications, Scott Jackson at sjackson@chfcanada.coop.
Preston Heights Co-op celebrates successful refinancing and renovations
It's a special day when a Member of Parliament, a Mayor, a city councillor and many municipal election candidates turn up at a co-op event. When the event marks the complete replacement of the co-op's roofs, siding and doors, along with newly renovated kitchens and bathrooms in every one of the co-op's 40 homes, it's exceptional!
On October 19, Preston Heights Housing Co-op in Cambridge Ontario, built in 1984, had plenty to celebrate. After almost a year of construction, members gathered for a barbeque, live band, clown performance, and face painting for the children. They also used the occasion to tell the co-op's story in person to local politicians.
"We were chasing mold for the whole eight years I have lived here," says Bailey Kohls, the co-op's treasurer. "There were so many leaks from our roofs and siding. Our units were in bad shape and we didn't have nearly enough in our reserves to fix them. So, we had to get a new mortgage; we had no choice."
"It has just been fabulous. We were cooler this past summer. The new kitchens and bathrooms are fantastic, and I am so excited."
Co-op manager Allan Steinwell has worked at Preston Heights for four years. Using CHF Canada's Refinancing Program, Allan co-ordinated the work by the board to arrange its new $3.1 million mortgage. After paying out the existing CMHC mortgage, the co-op had $2.1 million to invest in replacing the co-op's building envelope.
"Every year," says Allan Steinwell, "we were spending 70 per cent of our reserves just dealing with leaks and mold."
Webinar Reminder: Securing your co-op's future
How do we plan for the future of our co-op buildings? How do we address members' needs today and also be viable for years to come? Where can we get the funds to do it? And how do we get started on the planning process?
CHF Canada has developed the tools and services to address these questions. Please join us on this special webinar on November 20th from 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time. This session has a limited number of spaces so register now and don't miss this chance to secure your co-op's future!
Member Selection Update
Submitted by Susan Russell
SHC has seen some changes on Sunnyhill Lane over the past few months. We were deeply saddened by the loss of long-time member Suzanne Gibson in September and pass on our condolences to her friends and family.
On December 1st we will welcome Kris Demeanor and Debbie Willis to unit 34 SHL as our newest Co-op members.
For people interested in applying for membership, the 2 and 3 bedroom waitlists are currently open and application forms can be accessed online or at the office.
The Member Selection Committee continues to meet as needed when a member is moving out or when there are duties related to a specific project. Member Selection Committee meetings are held at times that accommodate the committee members’ schedules. If you are interested in connecting with this committee please call one of our members (Susan Russell 403-700-7272 or Buzz Viberg 403-283-9443) and we will let you know when and where our next meeting will be held.
CHF Canada Indigenous eNews
Submitted by Jacky Durrie
Here is more news from CHF Canada. This is a quarterly newsletter specifically targeted about and for people living in co-ops that have indigenous ancestry.
Introducing New Aboriginal Director, Tina Stevens
CHF Canada and CHF Canada’s Indigenous members welcome Tina Stevens as their new Director Representing Aboriginal Communities.
This is Tina’s second time on the board. In 1996, she was the first Aboriginal Community director for CHF Canada.
Tina has dedicated her life to Indigenous leadership, both in and out of the co-op housing context. Her contribution has included advocacy for the Aboriginal Community director seat on the CHF Canada board while living at Native Inter-Tribal Housing Co-operative, and work as the second director appointed to the Ontario Council.
Throughout her roles, Tina has maintained a belief that housing co-ops provide a safe family environment for members to connect with their culture and community, maintain self-respect and respect for Mother Earth, find employment, access higher education and nurture the seeds for future generations.
Tina is an Algonquin-Ojibwe woman from Kitigan Zibi, Kettle and Stoney Point, who has lived in London, Ontario her whole life. She has three strong sons and attributes her energy to having been raised by a strong mother-- a great elder in her own community.
Tina was instrumental in creating alliances that continue today between the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) and Indigenous communities.
As a CHF Canada Director, “my priority is to be able to continue the education that (outgoing Aboriginal Director) Linda Campbell started and keep acknowledging our Seven Grandfather Teachings and how CHF Canada can incorporate the connection between these teachings and the Seven Co-op Principles.” Tina says she will also continue Linda’s work in educating the community about true Indigenous history.
“I will keep walking in Linda Campbell’s footsteps and continuing the journey that she started. I’m quite the humble person, being re-elected. I come with a lot of humility, working with vulnerable people and placing the importance on their survival.”
Discussions about of Truth and Reconciliation at CHF Canada’s Annual Meeting
At CHF Canada’s Annual Meeting last spring, Truth and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, and the role CHF Canada should play in this process, was front and centre on the agenda.
Included in the program were two workshops focused on Indigenous issues, an official welcome and greeting by local First Nations, and Resolution 3: Housing co-ops and Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples.
The two workshops were Building Relationships with Indigenous Communities and the KAIROS Blanket Exercise. The building relationships workshop gave members the opportunity to discuss issues facing Indigenous communities and how to develop meaningful partnerships. The KAIROS Blanket Exercise gave participants the opportunity to experience the effects of colonization in Canada and witness the strength and resiliency of Indigenous Peoples.
At the National Business Meeting, members were welcomed by Chief Edward Thomas of the Esquimalt First Nation. Chief Thomas (pictured, center, with Tina Stevens and Linda Campbell) discussed CHF Canada’s reconciliation efforts and highlighted that “the only way we can move forward is by building relationships.”
The welcome and greetings ended with then President Nicole Waldron presenting Chief Thomas with a blanket, which is a traditional offering for the Esquimalt. Nicole stated, “this was such a pivotal moment as I listened to Chief Edward Thomas speak about relationship building as a path towards reconciliation. I am happy to see the steps that CHF Canada has taken and continues to take, and I hope that co-ops across Canada will join us on the path towards reconciliation.”
Later on during the National Business Meeting, members enthusiastically supported Resolution 3 calling on CHF Canada to undertake, with appropriate Indigenous guidance and advice, a plan for reconciliation that will guide the organization’s future actions and encourage member housing co-ops to reflect on ways that their co-op community can take action.
Exiting Aboriginal Director, Linda Campbell said she feels the resolution is “a step in the right direction and an open invitation to our people” and added that she is “happy with the progress CHF Canada has made over the past couple of years towards learning, reflection, and change.”
For more information about CHF Canada’s reconciliation initiatives, contact Emily Doyle at edoyle@chfcanada.coop.
Member profile: Roanna Hall’s path to leadership in her co-op
When Roanna Hall moved into Payuk Inter-Tribal Housing Co-op in Winnipeg on a cold February day in 2006, she didn’t even know she was moving into a co-op.
“I thought it was just like any other apartment,” she laughed. Within a few months, Hall was sitting on the board of her co-op. She has recently finished her fourth term as president!
Payuk’s mission is "to provide a safe, Co-operative living environment for Aboriginal families. Payuk is for Aboriginal families who wish to live in a drug, alcohol and violence free environment."
“I read the handbook, and my neighbour had a friend who explained to me what it was all about,” said Hall. When asked what drew her to seek a position on the Board, she said it was having a say in how the co-op was governed. “We have more of a say in how our building is run. We’re more independent, more stable. We’re there for each other.”
Hall spent her first two terms as a board member observing and listening. A woman who worked for the property management company at the time invited Hall to workshops and training opportunities offered by Manitoba Housing. This support encouraged her eventually to seek to become president.
She has also had the opportunity to attend CHF Canada education events. “They were good, very informative,” she said. Last June, the co-op sent two board members to Victoria for the Annual Meeting, where Hall ran for the position of Aboriginal Director.
Hall is pleased with the co-op’s achievements. Payuk recently received $2.175 million through the National Housing Strategy. “We pushed hard for those funds,” she said.
The story behind Orange Shirt Day
CHF Canada staff wearing orange for Orange Shirt Day
Southwest of London, ON stands a stone monument with the known names of children who attended the Mount Elgin Industrial School, a residential school for First Nations children that operated from 1851 to 1946.
“It’s sometimes difficult to swallow,” said Tina Stevens, Aboriginal Director for CHF Canada. “At least ten of those names are people from my own family.”
While the current government ponders a proposed statutory holiday to recognize both the struggles and the successes of Indigenous people in this country, the story of Phyllis Jack has inspired a special day in the calendar already.
Phyllis Jack was six years old when she was sent to residential school. She was excited to go to school, and asked for a shiny, orange shirt she saw in a store to wear on her first day. When she arrived at the school, staff took all her clothes, including the orange shirt. She never saw it again. She was lonely, and the discipline was harsh. Today, she speaks publicly about her residential school experience.
September 30 has been declared Orange Shirt Day to help us all to remember the impact of the residential school system on so many families. Stevens believes housing co-op members should wear orange shirts to honour the reconciliation process. “This should not be ignored by Canadians,” she said. “So many people were impacted by the taking of children away from their families.”
If your co-op recognized Orange Shirt Day, please let us know by contacting Emily Doyle at edoyle@chfcanada.coop.