Education & Events

2024 Winter Workshops Conference and AGM

Saturday January 27, 2024
9:00 AM to 6:30 PM
In-person
Register

Saturday January 27th, 2024

White Oaks Resort & Spa
253 Taylor Road SS4
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Google Map

Workshops: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Annual General Meeting: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Dinner, Live Entertainment, and Dance: 7:00 PM to 1:00 AM

About the Event

We are thrilled to announce that our Winter Workshops and AGM event will be held at White Oaks Resort and Spa just off the Q.E.W. in Niagara on the Lake, right across the street from the Niagara Outlet Mall. We are presenting two all-day workshops and twelve half-day workshops.

GHCHF is proud to have the following presenters at this year’s winter workshops: Celia Chandler, Deputy Executive Director at CHFT; lawyers Safia Lakhani and Michael Hackl from Iler Campbell LLP, accredited mediator Shawn Conway, Peter Gesiarz, Dawn Richardson, Caroline Chapman, and Owen Carnahan from CHF Canada, Catriona McCallum and Heather Kennedy from the Agency for Co-operative Housing, Chris Davey from The Co-operators Insurance, Kirk Lynn from Q.W. Page and Associates, along with Catherine Jolliffe, Angie Armstrong, and Sarah Burnett-Murray from the GHCHF. With two full-day workshops and twelve half-day workshops, something is bound to interest you. Ten of the twelve half-day workshops will be presented in a hybrid format. Come in person or join us online.

For the first time, we will be joined by our four partner local federations: The Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto, The Peel Halton Co-operative Housing Federation, The Central Ontario Co-operative Housing Federation, and The Co-operative Housing Association of South Eastern Ontario.

Full-Day Workshops

9:00 AM to 4:30 PM – In-Person Only

Directors’ Duties from A to Z – Catherine Jolliffe

New directors will learn everything they need to know to be effective leaders and collaborators in their co-op. Experienced directors will find this workshop a valuable refresher and a much-needed morale boost.

Difficult Board Conversations – Shawn Conway

Difficult conversations often lead to difficult decisions around the board table. Shawn will provide you with the tools and strategies to have those difficult conversations and make fair decisions while maintaining integrity.

Morning Workshops

9:00 AM to 11:30 AM

Board Legal Obligations: There’s a Lot to Know – Celia Chandler

Have you ever considered the dizzying array of legal obligations a co-op’s board faces? We will break down the board’s obligations and show you what steps to take before, during, and after meetings. Using a case study, we help you put what you learned into practice while we let you know where your board can get help when needed. In-person and online.

The Truth About Evictions – Safia Lakhani

There are the procedures you must follow in your co-op, and then there is the process you must go through at the Land Lord and Tenant Board. Safia will provide a step-by-step overview of your co-op’s internal procedures and a sobering look at what you can expect at the LTB once you decide to evict. In-person and online.

NewViews Tips and Tricks – Kirk Lyn

Aimed at co-op staff people, this workshop will provide an update on NewViews Accounting and Maintenance (Work Orders and Unit Inspections) features and tips to help you be more productive. Bring your questions and see if you can stump the expert. In-person and online.

HSA Co-op’s End of Mortgage Service Manager Panel – Peter Gesiarz

If you live in an HSA co-op, new legislation requires that you negotiate with your service manager when your mortgage is paid off. Join Peter as he moderates a discussion with various service managers as they explain their plans for your co-op’s end-of-mortgage. In-person and online.

Multi-Generational Co-ops – Angie Armstrong & Sarah Burnett-Murray

What happens when an expert in aging and a children’s author who both have a wealth of co-operative housing experience get together? You get terrific insight into making your co-op truly inclusive and ready for governance renewal. This workshop will help you make your co-op a home for everyone. In-person and online.

The Board As Employer – Heather Kennedy

This workshop will teach you the board’s responsibilities in supervising, evaluating, and directing your management staff. In-person only.

Afternoon Workshops

2:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Messy Human Dramas – Celia Chandler

How do you deal with sticky situations in your co-op? When human rights trumps all, how do you make decisions that are consistent with the co-op’s legal obligations but also make as much sense as possible for the community? Celia will take us through a number of scenarios to help hone our decision-making skills for those times when things are truly messy. In-person and online.

Is There a Grow-op in Your Co-op? – Michael Hackl

It has now been five years since cannabis was first legalized and regulated by the federal government. Join Michael as he examines the balance between an individual’s right to consume and grow cannabis and a co-op’s right to institute controls over production. In-person and online.

Effective Emergency Management – Owen Carnaghan & Chris Davies

When the unthinkable happens, your staff and board need a clear and concise plan to safely navigate the threat to your members and property. Owen and Chris will review the steps in successfully managing your emergencies while mitigating your co-op’s liability. In-person only.

HSA Co-ops End of Mortgage Update – Peter Gesiarz & Caroline Chapman

Learn the latest information available from the End of Mortgage experts. Find out what your co-op needs to do in preparation for negotiations with its service manager and what services will be available from your Federations. In-person and online.

Presenting the New Model Organizational Bylaw – Dawn Richardson

On October 1st, 2023, permanent changes to the Co-operative Corporations Act to allow electronic meetings and elections came into effect. Since then, the crack team at CHF Canada, with the help of their legal team, has been busy crafting a new model bylaw and some optional amendments. Learn all about the changes to the Act and the new model bylaws. In-person and online.

Keeping Your Units Full – Catriona McCallum & Heather Kennedy

Each year, co-ops in Ontario are losing close to $1.5 million by not keeping their units full. Hear from the Agency for Co-operative Housing on how to reduce vacancy losses and save money you could use to improve your property and units. This workshop delves into marketing strategies and procedural efficiencies that will reduce unit turnover times. An introduction to the Agency’s Action Plan and Long-Term Financial Planning tools will ensure your co-op is set up for success. In-person and online.

Overnight Accommodations at White Oaks Resort & Spa

We have secured a block of rooms at a discount for attendees. Special pricing is available from November 15th until December 27th.

Book your room here, or call 1-800-263-5766 and tell them you are with the Golden Horseshoe Conference.

Spa services and fitness facilities are also available.

Join Us for Our Dinner Dance With Our Special Guests: The Sling Sisters