THE SOURCE
for Alberta Condo Owner-Led Support, Education and Networking
COF ALBERTA CONDOMINIUM CONNECTIONS
News and Views
June 24, 2021
In today's issue:
CONDO GOVERNANCE ~ Condo Board Qualities, Conduct and Liability ~ Problem Board Member ~ Privacy ~ Share Your Success Stories ~ COF CondoChat ~ Upcoming Events
CONDO GOVERNANCE
QUALITIES OF A GOOD CONDO BOARD
The condo board is the primary decision maker for each community. A good board knows how to get information it requires to have productive discussions. They evaluate information available to them and make informed decisions. During this process they make use of their professionals, which includes a condominium manager, lawyer, accountant, contractors and others as needs arise. Reliance on these professionals aids in better decision-making while protecting the board against liability and accusations of self-interest. 

The board must do their due diligence when selecting a condominium property manager for the condo corporation. To assist with the selection process, COF has created this in-depth guide, packed full of great information and advice.

Some great advice for condo boards from the Toronto Condo News:
"The best of condo boards know when and how to delegate, and when to handle things on their own. They ensure management does not overstep their authority and, most importantly, they don't trust major decisions to the condo manager."
COF is planning workshops to help condo boards manage their condominium manager better. Watch for details in upcoming newsletters!

CONDO BOARD CONDUCT
Condo Law Alberta outlines the 5 standards of conduct which condo board members must follow in their role of managing the condo corporation. 

To assist condo corporations in ensuring its directors and officers understand and abide by the standards of conduct and the Condominium Property Act (CPA), COF has developed a Code of Conduct template, which we strongly recommend each board member sign.

LIABILITY AND CONDO BOARDS
This article, by Davidson Houle Allen (DHA) LLP, speaks to a recent court ruling which dismissed claims against the directors of a Condo Corporation. Seven important considerations to limit risks of liability for the Corporation, its directors and officers are outlined in the article.

IDENTIFYING A PROBLEM BOARD MEMBER
Spectrum Association Management identifies 5 characteristics which define a problem board member:

  1. Puts their own interests first 

  1. Overuses their authority

  1. Assumes they know everything

  1. Makes decisions on a whim

  1. Fails to follow through

READ MORE
PROTECTION OF PRIVACY

In our June 11, 2021 newsletter, we talked about privacy as it relates to condo living and the rules and regulations that condo corporations must follow to ensure they comply with the Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) of Alberta.

As a next step to ensure compliance, a board may seek advice from their condo lawyer and then create a
 privacy rule or policy for the condo corporation. The condo privacy policy template below may be leveraged as a starting point.

CONDO PRIVACY POLICY TEMPLATE
As a reminder, The Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta is a great resource for interpreting the Act as it applies to condominium corporations.
 
SHARE YOUR SUCCESS STORIES!
A prime objective of the Condo Owners Forum is to enhance communication amongst Alberta condominium owners. Too often, the media and many owners are negative towards condo living when there are so many positives!

Click on the image below to share your success stories with us so that we can share them with others.

 
UPCOMING EVENTS
JOIN US FOR A VIRTUAL CONDOCHAT



Bring Your Condo Questions

Monday, June 28
7:00-8:00 pm


Come and chat with other Alberta condo owners

Bring your questions 

Share your advice and experiences

LEARN MORE & REGISTER


PRIVACY AND YOUR CONDO CORPORATION

Join McLeod Law's Condominium and Privacy & Cybersecurity groups for a presentation highlighting key considerations and tips to ensure compliance with privacy laws and regulations and get you up to speed in this ever-evolving digital world.

Friday, June 25
12:00-1:00 pm
LEARN MORE AND REGISTER
Watch for dates and details for these events in future newsletters

Self-Managing Your Condo 

COF course offering: 
Condo Board Management: What Every Condo Board Member Needs to Know
COF VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
ROBERT MACLEOD
Bob lives in Cochrane and he has been on the COF Board of Directors for 3 years. He is a registered professional engineer in both Saskatchewan and Alberta. His interests include promoting education of condo boards in good governance, renewal of his condo association’s bylaws and advocating for effective dispute resolution on condo issues to avoid costly legal processes.
OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE AWESOME!
 
ABOUT US
  • We are a growing network of individuals interested in enhancing condo living in Alberta. We believe that condo owners working together can achieve more than any of us could on our own.
  • We advocate for better, open, and transparent condominium governance and management.
  • We are THE source for Alberta condo owner-led support, education and networking.
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