Saturday, January 25th, 2025
White Oaks Resort & Spa
253 Taylor Road SS4
Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario
Google Map
About the Event
They are out there in our co-ops, on our boards, in our co-op offices, and inside of you. Those of us who believe that your right to be heard, exercise your vote, and plan your future are essential parts of every co-op member’s life. You are the Co-op Super Heroes.
Join a few hundred of your fellow Co-op Super Heroes for a day of networking, learning and laughing with great food, good friends and terrific music. We are back at White Oaks Resort in Niagara on the Lake for our annual Winter Workshops on January 25th, 2025.
With an expanded program that includes a light breakfast, opening ceremonies, a keynote speaker, an Indigenous Sacred Fire, more time for networking, one full-day workshop and 15 half-day workshops, a delicious lunch, and an expanded vendors expo. 10 workshops will be available in-person and online and 6 will be available in person only.
Spend time reconnecting with fellow co-op members, visiting all the vendor tables and entering the treasure hunt draw for terrific prizes. Discount cards for the Niagara Outlet Mall and special rates for accommodation at White Oaks are available (click here for details).
Bring your cape and cowl and celebrate all the Co-op Super Heroes with us. We look forward to seeing you.
Keynote Speaker and Indigenous Educator
Michael’s website
Agenda
| 8:00 AM | Registration opens |
| 9:00 AM | Breakfast and opening ceremony in Ballroom B |
| 10:30 AM | Full-day and morning workshops begin |
| 1:00 PM | Lunch program in Ballroom B |
| 2:30 PM | Full-day and afternoon workshops begin |
| 5:00 PM | Workshops end |
| 6:00 PM | Dinner dance begins |
The Vendor Expo runs from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Registration Costs
Full day registration costs $200 and includes light breakfast, a morning workshop, buffet lunch, an afternoon workshop, and access to the Vendor Expo.
Individual workshops – $75
Breakfast – $25
Lunch – $50
Dinner Dance tickets – $85
All invoicing will be prepared following the event.
Registration fees are per-person and apply to member co-ops of GHCHF and other local federations or CHF if there is no local federation. If you are not a member co-op, please inquire at doug@ghchf.com.
Full-Day Workshop
10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Board Governance
Mary Ann Hannant (CHFT)
This full-day workshop will teach you all the basic skills needed to be a successful director at your co-op. Mary Ann brings decades of co-op education experience. Bring your questions and your director’s handbook. In-person and online.
Morning Workshops
10:30 AM to 1:00 PM
The Board’s Job as an Employer
Elevated HR
Join Elevated HR as they explain the legal relationship between the Board and your management. They will also explore your responsibilities under current legislation as an employer and provide practical guidance for remaining in compliance. In-person only.
Bullying – How to Recognize, Work With and Protect Against It
Shawn Conway
In most democratic organizations like your co-op, members develop and hold strong views. Sometimes, those views are taken too far and cause harm to those who disagree.
This workshop will help you identify instances in which strong opinions can overstep decision-making and become bullying. Learn how to preserve democracy without creating victims and manage bullying behaviour of different varieties. In-person only.
Aging in Place – Accomodations for Evolving Abilities
Michael Hackl (Iler Campbell LLP), Angie Armstrong, Basil Sealy (Rona)
This workshop will walk you through the entire process of accommodating your members who have specific needs. From your co-op’s legal responsibility to accommodate to inclusive planning and practical steps to take throughout the process, it is all covered here. A lawyer, an aging specialist, an occupational therapist, and a hardware supplier will be on hand to round out this interactive experience. In-person and online.
AODA Refresher and Changes for 2025
Celia Chandler (Honestly Speaking)
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act has been an important part of the co-op legal landscape since 2005. Customer service standards under the Act were imposed on all Ontario Organizations in 2008. This changed how all co-ops interact with the public and their members. 2025 was to be the year that Ontario would be a fully accessible province. Join Celia Chandler as she explains your responsibilities under AODA, and what training your members and directors need. In-person and online.
Financial Controls and Managing Arrears
Emily Ramirez (CHFT)
One issue consistently affects all co-ops across the province and even the country. Housing charge arrears have become a major problem for many co-ops as we continue to recover from the pandemic and the extreme inflation it brought our way. Emily will help you understand how to read and interpret your financial statements and provide you with practical and effective means of collecting those arrears. In-person and online.
Unlocking Community Development
Kathy Dimassi (GHCHF), Carine Nind (COCHF), Sarah Burnett-Murray (GHCHF)
Every one of us has asked these questions: “Why are so few members involved in running our co-op?” “Why is it always the same small group of people who do everything?” and “Am I the only one who understands how important it is to build our community”?
There is good news and new ideas. Join three of our most experienced educators, who will share tried-and-true engagement methods that will energize your members and provide new perspectives on these age-old questions. In-person only.
Staying Afloat Through Staff Transitions
Sophie Taylor (PHCHF), Sonia Byrne (Mindful Leadership for Success)
Housing co-ops rely on management for the day-to-day functioning of their co-op. Staff managers hold knowledge of key information and processes that keep the co-op running smoothly.
So, what do co-ops do when staff are sick, move on to a new job, or retire? How can co-ops plan to ensure that transitions between staff are seamless, information isn’t lost, and work isn’t duplicated?
In this interactive workshop, we will explore tools co-ops can put in place to ensure they have the information required to keep their co-op operating at full capacity. In-person and online.
Tipachimowin: Finding Your Voice, Finding Your Story
Michael Etherington (Indigenous Relations Consultant and Manager, Indigenous Relationship YMCA for the GTA)
In the Omushkego-Cree language Tipachimowin means “sharing a story” and the keynote and workshop aims to promote a dialogue on supporting the continued learning in your personal journey of reconciliation. As we continue on the path of reconciliation in Canada, Michael aims to educate and promote the concept of a “Duty to Learn” in alignment with the TRC 94 Calls to Action, United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and 10 Principles of Reconciliation from the TRC final report. In promoting historical literacy and contextual understanding on treaty lands, Michael will close the session with improving awareness of treaty principles in practice towards concepts regarding cultural advocacy, cultural exchange and cultural humility through an Indigenous lens while promoting dialogue & discussion with attendees. In-person only.
Afternoon Workshops
2:30 PM to 5:00 PM
Do the Right Thing – Board Ethics
Celia Chandler (Honestly Speaking)
The heart of every effective director beats with a rhythm of clarity around their duties. Celia will help you find that clarity by fully explaining your ethical duties as directors through examination of ethical conduct agreements. Celia is a gifted educator who makes even the most complex topics seem simple. This is one workshop you do not want to miss. In-person and online.
Addressing Hoarding in Your Co-op
Emily Ramirez (CHFT)
This workshop will help you understand the hoarding problem, the risks to your co-op and the liability it can create. Emily will provide practical advice for inspecting units for hoarding, applying a rating system, engaging hoarding resources and working towards a resolution. In-person only.
Stuck in the Middle for Staff
Shawn Conway
It could be two or more neighbours arguing about the weather or a couple of board members disagreeing on important decisions. Shawn will equip you to defuse disagreements while remaining neutral and lowering your stress levels. In-person only.
Unit Inspections
Kathy Dimassi (GHCHF)
We will cover everything from what goes into a good inspection program to the methods of capturing the data and using it to plan repairs, make capital replacement plans, manage fire safety, mitigate insurance risk, and protect your homes and members. We will be joined by fire prevention officials, maintenance experts from Rona Hardware, and several other agencies, who will help simplify the inspection process while making it affordable and effective for your co-op. In-person and online.
Strategic Planning & Why It Matters
Sonia Byrne (Mindful Leadership for Success)
Without a strategic plan, housing co-ops struggle to determine long-term goals, set budget requirements and attract and retain effective board members. What will your housing co-op focus on in the coming 2-5 years? The development of a strategic plan can provide stability, sustainability and direction for your housing co-op. In the post-pandemic experience of leading in co-op housing, more boards and managers are opting to create a longer-term plan for the activities and resources of their co-op. In-person and online.
The Power of Music in Building Community
Elana Harte (COCHF)
The Executive Director of COCHF, a co-op educator, advocate, chairperson, and a professional musician, Elana brings a singular energy to everything she does. This workshop will help you understand community in a completely different way. Music has always been a force for uniting people and giving voice to important issues. Join Elana as she leads you through a history of community through music and helps you plot a new future in your own melody. This is an interactive workshop, so be prepared to make some music. In-person only.
Behavioural Challenges: The Threshold for Eviction
Safia Lakhani, Hunter Stone (Iler Campbell LLP)
Noise complaints, unit clutter, and other disturbances, including co-operatives, are commonplace in shared housing. In this session, we will review how to proactively manage behavioural issues among members. We’ll also review the steps in securing an eviction, if all else fails, and how to make your best case before the Landlord and Tenant Board. Finally, we will discuss the intersection of behavioural issues with grounds protected under the Human Rights Code to ensure that co-ops are properly fulfilling their duty to accommodate. Don’t miss this valuable primer on the threshold for behavioural evictions. In-person and online.
Accommodations at White Oaks Resort & Spa
We have secured a block of discounted Superior Guest rooms for Friday and Saturday nights.
Friday Night – $179.00 ++
Saturday Night – $199.00 ++
This special pricing is available on a first come first serve basis.
A valid credit card will be required at time of booking, one night deposit will be taken at time of booking. Credit card must be present at check-in.
You may book your rooms by using this link and following these directions:
- Choose “Select & Go to next step”
- Choose check-in and check-out date
- Confirm dates of stay and follow the rest of the instructions
Dates outside of the block can only be booked through our reservations team (800-263-5766).
The cut off date for you to make your reservation online is December 27, 2024.
When you make your reservation, you will receive an automatic confirmation of your reservation. You will also be able to change or cancel your reservation online.
Should you have any difficulties making your reservation online or if anyone is looking to reserve dates outside of the block, please contact our Reservations Team. They can be reached 7 days a week from 7:30 am until 10:00 pm by calling 1-800-263-5766.
