| Home Co-op Talk Login Français Contact us Site map Links Aa Aa |
Co‑operative Housing Federation of BC gets Jim MacDonald Award
The Co‑operative Housing Federation of BC (CHF BC) was awarded the 2009 Jim MacDonald Award for Social Change for in recognition of achieving carbon neutral status, making it the first co‑op housing federation to meet this recognized environmental standard. The Jim MacDonald Award (JMA) is CHF Canada’s highest honour and recognizes housing co‑ops for special work in health and social services, the environment, human rights and civil liberties or housing and co‑operation. In response to a resolution at the federation’s AGM in 2007, CHF BC, the federation representing housing co‑ops in BC, signed an agreement to become a Climate Friendly partner with Offsetters the following year. T went on to audit their carbon footprint, implement a carbon reduction plan, and purchase offsets. CHF BC has also set up a range of onsite initiatives to reduce the impact of its day-to-day operations, including the use of recycled office and newsletter paper, paper reduction strategies, improved recycling, green purchasing, and a review of travel methods. Marty Norgren, vice-president of CHF BC accepted the award on behalf of the CHF BC members. He noted that it was the second time the federation had won the Jim MacDonald Award, “In 2005, we won it for our Opening Doors initiative, educating co‑ops about domestic violence and the role our sector can play to help end the cycle of violence against women.” Norgren also gave credit to the “social activism, creativity and passion of the members and staff of CHF BC.” He hoped that the award would inspire co‑ops “to lead the way beyond ‘greenwash’ to real and substantial action towards environmental sustainability.” Scott Jackson, CHF BC’s communications director, gave an impassioned speech asking that we “pass on both our planet and our co‑ops in better shape than we received them.” He noted that, “kids and young adults in co‑ops today are incredibly passionate about the environment.” Jackson recommended co‑ops reach out and share young people’s passion for going green, and “the best thing we can do as a sector… to engage the next generation of co‑operators,” is to sign up to become a 2020 Vision co‑op. Ivy Tait (right) presents the Jim MacDonald Award to Marty Norgren Vice-president, CHF BC (centre) and Scott Jackson, Communications Director, CHF BC (left). Photo credit: Chris Deakin/shoot-2-thrill Mark Goldblatt named honorary lifetime associate
In 1973, when Mark Goldblatt was working as a community organizer in Toronto, he began building co‑ops and joined together with other organizers to found CHF Toronto (CHFT). In 1978, he negotiated the Section 95 program, Canada’s largest co‑op housing development program that seeded the building of 39,156 homes, and later Goldblatt helped negotiate the Index-Linked Mortgage (ILM) co‑op housing program in the early 1980s. Wes Hosler, director at large with CHF Canada, recalled Mark’s many achievements, over 36 years. He also spoke of the “friend and associate I have known since 1978.” He recalled him as, a man who “has never stopped caring about the homeless, the disadvantaged, those Canadians less fortunate. The Mark Goldblatt that was and is always willing to empower others, to teach, to pass on his knowledge.” When funding for new co‑op development had almost dried up in 2005, Goldblatt worked with Paul Martin’s Liberal government, the City of Ottawa and other funders to create Blue Heron and McLean Co‑ops in Ottawa. In accepting the award, Mark Goldblatt spoke of his admiration for ongoing work of the co‑operative housing movement, and his hope for the future. He noted the success of the Atkinson Housing Co‑operative in Toronto, social housing that was recently converted to co‑op homes. He asked those present to consider the possibility of more conversions of social housing to co‑ops as one way to increase the number of co‑op homes. Goldblatt continues to work in the co‑operative sector as a development manager with the Canadian Co‑operative Association and to consult on co‑op development with the consulting co‑operative, Sound Advice. Wes Hosler, member-at-large, CHF Canada with Mark Goldblatt, CHF Canada Honorary Lifetime Associate 2009. Photo credit: Jesse Hlady/shoot-2-thrill Federal housing Stabilization Fund awarded CMHC award for outstanding contribution to co‑operative housing
Réjean LaFlamme, Executive Director of the Federal Stabilization Fund, accepted the CHMC award for outstanding contribution to co‑operative housing. Ed Komanicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Diane Finley, responsible for CMHC. The Federal Co‑operative Housing Stabilization Fund was established as a Trust in 1989 to protect housing co‑ops funded under the new Federal Co‑operative Housing Program (FCHP). As the index-linked mortgage instrument in the program was a new, untried concept, the Fund was set up to protect the viability of the 458 housing co‑operatives funded under the program between 1986 and 1991. The Fund offers help for short-term financial problems, through loans. Over the years, the Stabilization Fund has helped almost 200 housing co‑ops. CMHC has presented its award for outstanding contribution to co‑operative housing at each CHF Canada annual meeting since 1988. Rejean LaFlamme, Executive Director of the Federal Stabilization Fund with Ed Komarnicki, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Diane Finley. Photo credit: Chris Deakin/shoot-2-thrill Upwood Park Salvador Del Mundo Co‑operative (US Co‑op) in North York honoured with Award for Best Practices
Maureen Frederick-Small and Shaunet Burke of US Co‑op accepted the Award for Best Practices. US Co‑op in North York is a large and diverse urban co‑op with 318 units. The co‑op is a safe, secure, supportive community that is home to almost 1,000 people. In 2004, with help from the Co‑operative Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT), developed and implemented an action plan for community development. The process of following that plan over the next five years was an educational one for the co‑op’s members. Frederick-Small gave thanks for the award, saying, “it is an honour for us, coming from where we are.” She also thanked CHFT for their help and gave credit to Burke, the treasurer at their co‑op, for her work on putting the CD together. The creation of the Best Practices Award in 2005 followed the adoption of the Core Management Standards that help co‑ops measure and improve the quality of governance and management in their co‑ops. These standards are illustrated in CHF Canada’s publications, Getting Governance Right and Getting Management Right. (R to L) Shaunet Burke and Maureen Frederick-Small of US Co‑op with Linda Ferguson, Director, CHF Canada. Photo credit: Chris Deakin/shoot-2-thrill Member Recognition Awards
At each annual meeting, CHF Canada recognizes co‑ops and other members that have supported the co‑op housing sector through long-time membership in CHF Canada. Member loyalty award winners. Photo credit: Jesse Hlady/shoot-2-thrill This is the list of members who received recognition at this year’s meeting: 20-year member awards Canora Housing Co‑operative 30-year member awards Assiniboia Community Housing Co‑op Organizational Awards Association des Groupes de Ressources Techniques du Québec, Bureau de Montréal – 20 years |
Awards  |
