Submitted by Herta Fidler
The SACHA Fall Education event held November 18 was a great success judging from the number of people attending. Attending from Sunnyhill Co-op were David Broadhead, Herta Fidler and Jacky Durrie. The following are minutes of the workshops attended by Dave and Herta.
Workshop - Aging in Place
Presentation by the Kerby Centre
The Kerby Centre offers many services including consultation about the availability of housing that meet individual needs. Other services offered include volunteer lawyers, help with guardianship, help with filing taxes, and shelter for abused seniors.
Presentation by the Calgary Aging In Place (CAIP) – A Co-op Organization
This organization offers help to members who wish to construct secondary suites (Granny Suites). Other help includes finding services such as plumbers, housekeepers, property managers, and contractors etc. all of whom are members of and have been vetted by CAIP. At present CAIP has helped with seven applications for this type of housing. All have been approved by the city.
Presentation by the HMC Lawyer
A presentation of the legal implication for a Co-op when a member has physical difficulties staying in their unit or presents a safety concern was presented. First and foremost Human Rights (rights of the individual versus rights of the group) is the essential underpinning in any intervention. It is the responsibility of a Co-op to provide aids (i.e. handrails, ramps) within its financial ability, to help members remain in their units. However a co-op is liable for any injuries caused by such installations.
When a member becomes a danger to themselves and/or others a co-op needs to take steps to assess the situation. The fire department can intervene in cases of fire hazards or hoarding, police can be called upon to take the individual to hospital under the mental health act and the Alberta mental health response team can also help assess a situation.
Workshop - Co-op Finances
A thorough review of ‘Everything You Need To Know About Your Co-op’s Finances’ was presented. The most important highlights for the sake of this report are what to look for.
INCOME STATEMENT: Look for large budget variances, unusual trends, unexpected items, negative numbers, declining maintenance, large vacancies and projected surplus or loss.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: Look for changes in balance sheet accounts, accounts receivable (members’ arrears), accounts payable, cash flow (reserve funding, share funding, idle cash), and accumulated surplus/deficit.