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December Recycling Tip

Plastic - Tupperware and food storage containers

Submitted by Peter Clyne on behalf of the Education Committee

tupperware image.jpg

Recycle plastic food storage containers marked with recycling symbol 1-7:

  • In your blue cart

  • At a community recycling depot

Community recycling depot locations listed at this website: https://www.calgary.ca/UEP/WRS/Pages/What-goes-where/Plastic-tupperware-food-storage.aspx

For more recycling tips, and specific directions for almost every consumer good, check out the city's what goes where listing at: https://www.calgary.ca/UEP/WRS/Pages/What-goes-where/Default.aspx

-The Education Committee

Opening Doors Conference Report

Submitted by Eric Moschopedis

I had the excellent opportunity to attend the Opening Doors Conference on November 6. The Opening Doors Conference was organized by The Community Housing Affordability Collective and was held on National Housing Day. The conference brought “together all professions in the affordable housing sector as well as related stakeholders from across Alberta and beyond to discuss new and emerging trends and topics to further not only the success of individual organizations but the sector as a whole”. 

The keynote address was given by Zain Velji. Some might recognize his name as a commentator on CBC or because of his role in Barak Obama, Elizabeth Warren, and Mayor Nenshi’s political campaigns. Zain spoke on the “Future of Advocacy and Influence”. More specifically he discussed ways of engaging with government(s) in our current political climate. His suggestion was to not be antagonistic towards government, but instead to work to help government understand issues in housing and to work towards solutions. A strategy he recommended was understanding how an organizations particular need connects to a broader theme or social need. For example, how does Sunnyhill’s unique (re)development, financing, and lease negotiations act as a case study for the challanges that other affordable housing or co-operatives are facing. Put another way, Zain said that advocacy should not be tied exclusively to an “ask,” but that an organization should be an advocate because they want to be an access point—a place governments can go to for further sector information. Zain’s approach was very social media heavy, going so far as to suggest that “local media is eroding”. Instead, he recommended organizations become “influencers” that can be “explainers of the news” by first looking at their staff and immediate membership and then asking them to move the branded message out and attract new supporters.

I attended two different breakout sessions during the morning. One on social innovation and a second about Indigenous Housing. The social innovation session was asking “what about social innovation and what does it offer the Affordable Housing sector?” The session was basically an overview of what social innovation is. It was led by James Stauch—a professor at Mount Royal University in the Institute for Community Prosperity. The session wasn’t that informative, but James did mention the work of Cheryl Rose and her idea that innovation is a continuum. I did some digging around when I got home and found this article that felt more informative. It is worth a quick read. 

The discussion about Indigenous Housing spoke to “respecting tradition, rebuilding community & reframing research approaches”. It was led by Charla Huber from M’Akola Housing in BC and Dr. Gabrielle Lindstrom from Mount Royal University. Indigenous Housing is a priority within the National Housing Strategy, so it was excellent to hear from experts working in the field. Both Charla and Gabrielle spoke about the importance of demonstrating authenticity when non-Indigenous folks seek relationships with Indigenous communities. As they explained, Indigenous communities have historically been in distrusting relationships with settler culture and that working with Indigenous communities for the purposes of organizational advancement is not appropriate. Instead, there needs to be a genuine and authentic purpose for a relationship. There needs to be transparency. They also suggested identifying the ingrained colonial practices that exist in a workplace—the same could be said for housing co-operatives. What operations at Sunnyhill are rooted in a colonialists framework and are these practices unintentionally keeping Indigenous folks away? How can we do better, they asked. An important part of Dr. Lindstrom’s presentation was talking about research around affordable housing and how power imbalances are replicated in different processes. She indicated that typical approaches were policy, data, and solutions driven. She then framed how research is conducted within an Indigenous paradigm: it is community driven, relationally oriented, and critical and emancipatory. 

There was an afternoon Keynote address and it was given by the CEO of BC Housing, Shayne Ramsey. Shane spoke about “innovative advances being made in BC on the affordable housing front and how his organization is looking towards the future and sustainability of our sector”. He really emphasized that affordable housing needed to begin utilizing young people and/or emerging residents as a valuable resource for innovating how affordable and co-operative housing could be delivered. We have been discussing similar themes at the Planning and Development level and so it was excellent to have our assumptions verified. I also learned of the Housing Investment Corporation’s fund that provides “long-term, low-cost financing to housing non-profits and cooperatives to build more affordable housing and regenerate Canadian community housing portfolios”. Planning and Development will explore this funding further with Urban Matters.

Anyhow, if you further information, please be in touch.

Eric

Board Bytes- November 2019

Submitted by Sarah Reimer

A recent conversation (with a non-co-op member) reminded me of the importance of community living.  On one hand, society tells us it is much easier (and better) to simply worry about our own concerns and to do our own thing, but at the same time, it became apparent that such an attitude creates division, isolation, resentment and erodes respect for others.  I feel so fortunate to live counter-culturally in a co-op with neighbours who also want to engage with the harder work of community living with benefit for all… it’s not always pretty or easy, but here’s hoping that we all feel more connected to each other and that we experience the benefits of working together.  That’s enough waxing philosophical, I think.  

Here is a synopsis of the work undertaken at our meeting on November 13, 2019.

  • We fielded a request from the Education committee to present an environmental crisis workshop event.  

  • We continue to update the policy handbook based on member feedback as presented at the GM and via email.  

    • Further member feedback is welcomed until Dec 1, 2019.  

    • Expect re-issue of the handbook before the January 2020 GM.  We aim for a late December distribution to allow for a close reading of this working document. 

  • We continue to be challenged by the gap between our written guidelines and the corporate memory of how things have “always been done”.  We understand that the board mandate requires us to respect the decisions made by the collective membership as represented in policy and by-law motions that have been voted in, and to ensure that our current and evolving practices reflect those stated decisions.  This change isn’t always easy, and we hope to apply and receive grace and understanding as we all do our best to live cooperatively and in community.  

  • We are working on the development of a procedural template for committees to follow when undertaking projects that affect the community as a whole. 

  • Reminder that the lane between 3 St and 4 St blocks is an emergency vehicle access and turning lane and therefore is not available for member parking.  We will engage the city to see if appropriate signs can be posted.  

  • Work is underway to develop operating budgets proposals for 2020 and we reviewed these documents.  

  • We still have one Board vacancy which we are currently seeking to fill.  Please communicate your interest in serving on the board to the office.  


Cooperatively yours, 

Sarah Reimer

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Memorial Bench and Llamas on McHugh Bluff

Submitted by Brenda Willman

Goats are not the first domesticated livestock to visit our bluff.

Once upon a time (very early 1990s) a small herd of llamas appeared next to our garage on Saturday morning, with side packs loaded with small evergreen trees.  

These trees were planted beside the path and scattered along the bluff more or less between 5A Street and Centre Street.  Some of them did not make it, but many of them are now stately evergreens, providing shelter from wind and snow and rain to animals and people alike.

I recently bumped into an old friend whose parents were highly involved in the preservation of the bluff during the 1980s and 1990s.  In fact, my friend sent me a photo of “llama day” featuring his mom and dad, and a fellow from Alberta Forest Service who supervised the planting – along with 3 llamas wearing red packs – so I know this actually happened and wasn’t a dream.  I haven’t got their permission to show their faces, so I’ve crossed out their eyes, but I do have permission to submit a brief announcement in the Sunnyhill Coop Newsletter, and so I am.

He also told me that a memorial bench, honouring his mom and dad (the Paulings), has been installed on the lower path near 5th Street.  If you come across that bench be sure to give a silent thanks to those who came before us to save the bluff and all of its natural beauty.  

Since then many more asphalt paths have been installed, a house has been demolished (and there is absolutely no trace of its having stood except for a rogue lilac bush growing just to the east of the path near our dumpster) and some paths have been widened or re-paved, but the area largely remains a natural space.  We should do all we can to keep it that way. Momma and baby deer certainly appreciated (and might still) the venue this summer.

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Duct and Dryer Vent Cleaning Deal

Submitted by Sarah Reimer

‘Tis the season for duct and dryer vent cleaning! I recently had Fagnan's come for this purpose, and thought I'd share the pricing structure for members of the co-op. Because Fagnans's maintains our furnaces, they will charge co-op members only $10/ vent and $25 for the dryer vent cleaning. This is a significant savings, but they did say that the cleaning (and this pricing) makes the most sense very nearly after our furnace maintenance. They suggest that dryer vents be cleaned every 2 years to ensure peak performance and lowest fire-risk, but that duct/ heating vents can be on a 3-5 year rotation depending on personal preference. The best person to speak to is Fred Holgate at 403-272-0443.

Hope we can all breathe easier this winter!

Board Bytes October 2019

Submitted by Sarah Reimer on behalf of the Board

Happy Autumn.  The weather is crisp and clear as we all begin to hunker down for a long winter’s hibernation.  Hopefully, we’ll still have opportunities to connect through-out the cold months. 

  • We continue to update the policy handbook based on member feedback as presented at the GM and via email.  

    • Further member feedback is welcomed until Dec 1, 2019.  

    • Expect re-issue of the handbook before the January 2020 GM.  

  • We met with Grounds committee to begin a process of clarifying communication expectations and procedure regarding future projects, membership decisions and on-going project maintenance.   

  • We signed the Curbside Contract and will be enjoying snow removal services for the rest of the winter.  

  • We welcome Sarah Stephens onto the board.

  • We still have one Board vacancy which we are currently seeking to fill.  Please communicate your interest in serving on the board to the office.  

Cooperatively yours, 

Sarah Reimer

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Rake-a-thon Fall Cleanup

Submitted by Pamela Boyd on behalf of Grounds

  • The fall rake-a-thon cleanup starts 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, and continues over the weekend

Bob will meet people at the tool shed to get things going

We can send out for pizza and/or beer if sufficient interest and participation

Tasks

Rake leaves and spread in mulch areas, especially under spruce trees

Sweep leaves, cones, dirt etc off walkways and driveways

Cut low-hanging branches over walkways

Reasons

  • Members told us they did not want leaf blowers used unnecessarily (noisy and polluting, but may be necessary for snow clearing)

  • It saves money by doing it ourselves—no contractors and disposal fees

  • Better environmentally and for tree health to mulch as much as possible

  • Chance to get people together and do something for the environment and the community

Recycling tip

Submitted by Peter Clyne on behalf of the Education Committee


Wondering where to get rid of your old polystyrene foam (aka styrofoam)?

Even if it has a recyclable symbol on it, it goes into the trash!

Polystyrene foam is too lightweight for the recycling sorting machines, and is not compostable!

Please put the foam coffee cups, meat trays, shipping padding, etc. into the garbage, and put it into a bag if it might get blown away!


For more recycling tips, check out the city of Calgary's list What Goes Where

Welcomes and Farewells

Submitted by Susan Russell on behalf of the Member Selection Committee

As of September 30th, SHC will bid a fond farewell to longtime member Chris Hibbert from #775 3rd Street. All the best to you Chris!

Member Selection would like to extend a warm welcome to new member Meagan Synnott and her two children who will be moving into the unit. Welcome Meagan and family!

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