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Location Information

  • Westin Wall Centre or Online
  • 3099 Corvette Way, Richmond, BC, V6X 4K3 CA

Schedule


9:00am - 9:15amWelcome

Territorial Acknowledgement


9:15am - 9:45amMorning Plenary

Housing co-op operations have become more complex over the years. Professional management companies have responded to the needs of co-ops and trends show their increased popularity. Hear from a panel of leaders in the co-op sector as they share their hopes and challenges for the future of housing co-op management.


9:45am - 10:00amBreak

Grab a coffee or water and head to the workshops


10:00am-12:00pmMorning Workshops

- Ask the Lawyers
- Asbestos: The Hidden Danger
- Building a Culture of Belonging:
- Maximizing Procurement Efficiency: A Guide to Purchasing, Tendering and Bids
- Planning for the Unplanned: Coping with Curveballs


12:00pm-12:45pmLunch

Prize Draws and Socialize.


12:45pm-1:30pmScholarship Award Ceremony

Celebrate the inspirational achievements of our remarkable scholarship winners.


2:00pm -4:00pmBusiness Meeting

- Call to order and welcome, establish quorum
- Introduction of directors, guests, staff
- Explanation of meeting procedures
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of AGM minutes
- Business arising from the minutes - Report from the board of directors
- 2024-25 budget and membership dues
- Report from CHF Canada


4:00pmPrize Draws and Announcements


4:00pm-5:00pmReception

Reconnect with friends, engage with staff, and build new relationships!


Fees

$160 for the in Person Full Day
$80 for Half Day or Online  


We will invoice your co-op after the conference.

Morning Plenary

Morning Plenary

Housing co-op operations have become more complex over the years. Professional management companies have responded to the needs of co-ops and trends show their increased popularity. Hear from a panel of leaders in the co-op sector as they share their hopes and challenges for the future of housing co-op management.

Moderator: Michelle Cooper-Iversen, CHF BC

Panelists:

- Francesca Sorace, The Agency for Co-operative Housing

- Asim Qazi, COHO Management Services Society

- Raman Bassi, New Life Management

- Thom Armstrong, Community Land Trust


Morning Workshops*

  • Ask the Lawyers - Hybrid

    Ask the Lawyers - Hybrid [12 remaining]

    Moderator: Thom Armstrong
    Panelists: Geoffrey Dabbs & Grant Haddock

    There's no guidebook for how to manage a co-op. We learn through experience and the knowledge and advice shared by insightful experts. Join us for a panel with our co-op legal experts discussing the issues on the top of mind of co-op members.

    Gather thought-provoking insights as our panel deconstructs common co-op issues into how they can be addressed from a legal framework while also sharing some approaches some co-ops have taken.


  • Asbestos: The Hidden Danger *NEW*: In-person only

    Asbestos: The Hidden Danger *NEW*: In-person only

    Facilitator: Bryan Zecchel

    In this presentation, you will gain insights into your responsibilities concerning asbestos and other hazardous building materials as outlined by provincial regulations. The comprehensive session covers essential requirements, including baseline asbestos inventories, pre-renovation/pre-demolition assessments, project management tips, and reporting obligations. Attendees will also be informed about the recent regulatory changes in the field. The overall goal of the presentation is to equip decision makers in co-ops with the necessary knowledge to proficiently manage hazardous substances and ensure compliance with regulations and applicable standards. The session will provide an in-depth outline of regulatory requirements, co-op/manager responsibilities, project flow, and potential costs.

    The intended audience are those who own, manage, operate or work within buildings constructed in British Columbia prior to 2018.


  • Maximizing Procurement Efficiency: A Guide to Purchasing, Tendering and Bids  *NEW*: In person only

    Maximizing Procurement Efficiency: A Guide to Purchasing, Tendering and Bids *NEW*: In person only

    Facilitators: Arnold Sang & Saurabh Parnami

    This workshop is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills in the real of procurement, tendering and bids. In today's competitve marketplace, co-ops must navigate complex procurement processes effectively to achieving optimal results while keeping true to their organizational values.

    Key topics covered in the workshop include mastering procurement, fundamentals of purchasing, crafting requests for proposals, understanding tendering procedures, bids comparison, best practices in vendor management, compliance and risk management.

    Join us in this dynamic workshop exploring case studies and group discussion while offering valuable strategies and best practices for streamlining your co-op's purchasing processes and maximizing efficiency.


  • Planning for the Unplanned: Coping with Curveballs: Online only

    Planning for the Unplanned: Coping with Curveballs: Online only

    Facilitator: Sonia Byrne

    How do we plan for the unplanned? We may feel that there is a good deal of uncertainty in our world at this time - making planning and preparedness ever more important activities. How can we feel more prepared to deal with the unexpected occurences in our work and in life?

    In the "Coping with Curveballs" workshop, we will:
    - Explore the most common sources of curveballs
    - Look at best practices to keep us feeling more prepared and less uncertain
    - Learn a response tool to help us recalibrate when we are taken by surprise with a "curveball"

    Coping with curveballs becomes easier when you are ready for them!


  • Afternoon Session Only

    Afternoon Session Only

    If you are attending the business meeting only please select this slot.


Business Meeting*

  • Business Meeting

    Business Meeting

    Call to order and welcome, establish quorum
    Introduction of directors, guests, staff
    Explanation of meeting procedures
    Approval of agenda
    Approval of AGM minutes (November 19, 2023)
    Business arising from the minutes
    Report from the board of directors
    2024-25 budget and membership dues
    Report from CHF Canada


  • Morning Session Only

    Morning Session Only

    If you are attending a morning session only please select this slot.


Speakers

Arnold Sang Commercial Services Director, CHF BC

Arnold Sang serves as the Commercial Services Director for CHF BC, aiming to provide economic benefits to housing co-op members. With over 15 years of experience in procurement and tendering, Arnold has a proven track record of driving cost savings and improving operational efficiencies for housing co-ops. He reviews bids, selects the best products and services at competitive prices, and implements innovative and sustainable initiatives to design and deliver programs and services for housing co-ops. Arnold has a master's degree in business administration and is pursuing a Master of Management in Cooperatives and Credit Unions. His goal is to develop innovative programs through advanced education and training that will better serve the needs of cooperative members.

Arnold is co-presenting Maximizing Procurement Efficiencies.


Bryan Zecchel Operations Manager – Hazardous Materials, Pinchin Environmental

Bryan Zecchel is an Operations Manager in Pinchin’s Hazardous Materials group and has been employed by Pinchin Ltd. since 2004. Bryan has a Diploma of Chemical Sciences from the British Columbia Institute of Technology and is an Applied Science Technologist with the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of BC.

Bryan has over 16 years of experience in the management of hazardous materials including assessments, management programs and designing & monitoring remediation programs. Bryan has completed over 5,500 projects on behalf of Pinchin Ltd., including assessments and inventories of hazardous materials; preparation of technical specifications, tender documents, class D hazardous materials abatement budgets and remedial action plans; management of the hazardous waste removal process; and hazardous material awareness and remediation training.

Brian is presenting Asbestos: The Hidden Danger.


Francesca Sorace Manager, Rental Assistance Program

Francesca is the Manager of Rental Assistance Program at the Agency for Co-operative Housing, a non-profit co-op responsible for administering federal co-op housing programs for CMHC. She has worked at the Agency since 2006 when the Agency took over the administration of the federal co-op housing programs in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and Prince Edward Island.

Franca is a panelist in the Morning Plenary.


Geoffrey H. Dabbs Lawyer

Geoffrey Dabbs is one of the founding partners of Gehlen Dabbs Cash LLP. His practice focuses on litigation aspects of commercial and insolvency law, including bankruptcy and receivership, commercial tenancy disputes, security recovery and related matters. He acts for numerous housing co-operatives and related management and advisory organizations, advising on various issues, including rules and occupancy agreements and membership terminations and related litigation, as well as governance and financing.

Geoffrey will be a panelist on the Ask the Experts session.


Grant Haddock Lawyer

Grant Haddock was called to the Bar of British Columbia in 1992 and is the principle of Haddock & Company, Lawyers. Grant’s core areas of practice are co-operative housing law, strata property law, residential and commercial tenancy, human rights, privacy and construction law. Grant has acted for numerous housing providers and construction companies, appearing for them at all levels of court and at various tribunals. Grant has been a course leader and frequent speaker at educational conferences sponsored by industry leaders.

Grant is a panelist on the Ask the Lawyers workshop.


Laurel Albina

Laurel Albina (she/her) works with people and organisations to build individual and collective capacity to collaborate and co-create.

Through facilitation, popular education, and training she supports teams to actualize commitments to building respectful and belonging-centered workplaces and communities. Her dispute resolution practice, Albina Strategic Consulting, provides mediation using an equity-informed and intersectional lens.

She is the current Vice-President of Rising Star Housing Co-operative and is leading the Board on updating the co-op's policies to be in alignment with the strategic vision of the Board and Membership.

Laurel is presenting Building a Culture of Belonging.


Michelle Cooper-Iversen Chief Operating Officer, CHF BC

As the the COO of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) and its affiliates, the Community Land Trust Foundation and COHO Management Services Society, Michelle Cooper-Iversen is committed to purpose-driven work.

With her hands-on dedication, Michelle fosters an organizational culture rooted in co-operative principles. She champions values like honesty, openness, and social responsibility. Under her leadership, CHF BC leads the co-operative housing movement, nurturing inclusive, sustainable communities.

Michelle holds a Masters Degree in Management and Co-operatives from , enhancing her expertise in leading co-operative enterprises. To keep engaged in the wider not-for-profit sector, she sits on the boards of numerous non-profit organizations, including the British Columbia Co-operative Association (BCCA) and YWCA Metro Vancouver.

Michelle is moderating the Morning Plenary.


Raman Bassi Chief Operations Officer, New Life Management Services

Raman is representing New Life Management Services.

Raman is a panelist in the Morning Plenary.


Saurabh Parnami Asset Management Program Analyst, CHF BC

Saurabh Parnami is an asset management program analyst on the CHF BC team. Saurabh is an outcome-driven professional with both creative and analytical capabilities. Saurabh’s passion is to incorporate "social enterprise" in every role he has held and wishes to pursue. His experience includes working in a commercial properties management company to create long-term and sustainable asset management plans in India and with a residential strata management company in Vancouver, BC. With 15+ years of work experience, Saurabh has a master’s in business administration and holds a broker license for strata management.

Saurabh is co-presenting Maximizing Procurement Efficiencies.


Sonia Byrne

Sonia has helped leadership teams and boards in the Canadian co-op housing sector since 2009. She is known for her mindful approach to facilitating retreats, developing strategic plans and for her guidance in succession planning and other operational activities.

In her consulting firm for the past 15 years, Sonia Byrne & Associates has led her to work iand live in settings in Canada, the USA, Mexico, the UK, Europe, Middle East and North Africa region. Sonia holds great enthusiasm for helping individuals and teams untangle the puzzle of communication, perception and perspective. She is currently leading several sector projects including: Personality Dimensions colours workshops, Succession Planning initiatives, Strategic Planning processes and the Co-op Professional Educators Training program.


Thom Armstrong Chief Executive Officer

Thom Armstrong is CEO of the Co-operative Housing Federation of BC.

He has more than 30 years of experience in the co-operative housing movement. He is also the CEO of COHO Management Services Society and the Community Land Trust group of societies.

Thom is a panelist in the Morning Plenary and will be the moderator on Ask the Experts workshop.


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