Co-operative Law

Free Talk! Board Governance: Roles & Responsibilities

April 29th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Join the GTA Co‑op Network for this free talk by Paula Boutis
6:30PM Tuesday May 14 at Harvest Noon Cafe + Co-op.

If you’re on the board of a co-op, considering it, or just curious, you’re sure to gain some valuable information!

This talk will review the relevant legislation governing co‑operative governance, the roles of the directors & officers, and their obligations, including potential liabilities that arise when you are a director or officer of a Board.

Here’s the event listing on facebook. No RSVP or registration is required — just show up! This event is also an *optional potluck* so please bring something to share with the group if you have time! Finger-food is preferable. Join us afterwards for a drink, or just to socialize at the GSU Pub — just below Harvest Noon!

Free Talk: How to run a board meeting, and write your minutes, so you stay out of trouble and know what you decided.

April 4th, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Paula Boutis is giving a free talk on April 18, 2013, at Harvest Noon for the GTA Co‑op Network:

Topic: How to run a board meeting, and write your minutes, so you stay out of trouble and know what you decided.

Location: 16 Bancroft Ave, on the 2nd floor of the Graduate Students Union building:

Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., with time for networking.  No registration required.

This workshop will review the basics of running an efficient meeting and how to properly minute your meetings. As lawyers specializing in membership based organizations, including Co‑operatives, we frequently need to review our clients records for various purposes, including litigation purposes. Knowing how to run meetings, and properly minute your decisions is crucial. Workshop leader Paula Boutis has volunteered in the non‑profit sector for over a decade. She is also frequently litigating the various issues that arise for the firm’s clients, and has seen the grief bad minutes can cause.

The Responsible Housing Provider ‑‑ Proposed Amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act

March 27th, 2013 by Celia Chandler

The recently introduced bill related to co-op housing eviction reform included something new: an amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act that would allow the Landlord and Tenant Board to waive or defer application fees charged to low-income Ontario tenants.

This seems to have caught everyone off-guard including the PC housing critic who expresses his concern that while the filing fee is nominal, $45, this change could lead to an increase in tenant applications on an already over burdened system. Continue reading “The Responsible Housing Provider ‑‑ Proposed Amendment to the Residential Tenancies Act”

Offering Statements for Co-ops 101

March 22nd, 2013 by Iler Campbell

Brian recently presented a webinar offering statements for co-operatives to the CoopZone Legal Network. Offering statements can be a powerful tool for financing a project from the grassroots.  If you’re curious about how to go about raising money through an offering statement give Brian’s presentation a read (pdf) or give us a call.

UPDATE: CoopZone has made a transcript of this webinar avialble. Check it out (pdf). Also see a sample offering statement  here.

Co-op Eviction Reform back on the agenda at Queen’s Park

March 20th, 2013 by Celia Chandler

Last October’s prorogation of the legislature stalled the much‑anticipated co‑operative housing eviction reform bill.   Building on the momentum this issue had in the fall session, just a few short days after the new session began, Bill 14, the eviction reform bill, was given first reading (February 27, 2013).

Continue reading “Co-op Eviction Reform back on the agenda at Queen’s Park”

Join the GTA Co-op Network

March 12th, 2013 by Iler Campbell LLP

A few members from various co-ops came together recently to create the GTA Co-op Network, with a mission to create online and offline networking and education events.

This informal group came out of the realization that there is a gap in networking and promotion between Toronto & GTA co-ops, and a need to educate the general public about co‑ops.

The GTA Co-op Network’s first step was creating a Facebook group page.

The next step is to host some great events all over the GTA, to promote + educate.

Please feel free to email the GTA Co-op Network Facebook page for more information or/and, if you would like to volunteer, offer space, or  have a great idea to spread the word about GTA Co-ops: [email protected]

If you’re not a fan of Facebook, the organizers have also set up a Google email group account.  You can join the group here.

Please feel free to join even if you are outside of the GTA.