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CHFT Diversity Scholarship Program receives Jim MacDonald Award
A group of past scholarship recipients join CHFT executive director Tom Clement, second from right, to accept the Jim MacDonald Award. The Co‑operative Housing Federation of Toronto was recognized at the annual meeting with the 2010 Jim MacDonald Award for Social Change for its Diversity Scholarship Program. The CHFT Diversity Scholarship Program was launched in 2004 for people living in CHFT member housing co‑ops. An important element of these scholarships is the strong commitment to diversity shown by applicants in their communities. The program includes the “Success Becomes You” scholarship, sponsored by Toronto mayor David Miller, which provides an opportunity for people who have had their education interrupted. The Dexter Johnston Scholarship recognizes a young person who has shown exceptional leadership in their school and community. And the Randy Padmore Scholarship recognizes an individual who takes an active role in mentoring young people. Since 2004, with support from over 30 business and community partners including CHF Canada, CHFT’s Diversity Scholarship Program has led to half a million dollars being awarded to 120 recipients. CHFT executive director Tom Clement accepted the award with several scholarship recipients. Together, they urged other co‑op housing federations to set up similar scholarship programs across the country. Bruce Lewis named honorary lifetime associate
Bruce Lewis, left, receives CHF Canada’s 2010 honoray lifetime associate award at the annual meeting closing dinner. At the annual meeting closing dinner, Toronto lawyer Bruce Lewis was named CHF Canada’s 2010 honorary lifetime associate for his work and contributions to the legal framework for housing co‑ops in Ontario. As a student in the 1960s at Campus Co‑op and Rochdale College, Bruce learned about co‑op housing first-hand and chose it as the keystone of his legal practice. In the 1970s, housing co‑ops were appearing in significant numbers before a regulatory framework of laws existed. Bruce developed and refined the legal structure that met co‑ops’ needs, reflected the co‑op principles and codified members’ roles as residents and owners. This structure became the foundation on which co‑ops across Canada are governed and managed. For more than 40 years, Bruce has supported CHF Canada’s mission in many ways, including overseeing the creation of reader-friendly model by-laws and helping protect co‑ops’ independent, non-profit status. Rooftops Canada executive director Barry Pinsky awarded CMHC award for outstanding contribution to co‑operative housing
Barry Pinsky speaks after receiving the CMHC award for outstanding contribution to co‑operative housing. Rooftops Canada–Abri international executive director Barry Pinsky received the 2010 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation award for outstanding contribution to co‑operative housing. Rooftops Canada, CHF Canada’s international development arm, is celebrating 25 years helping create co‑op homes for thousands of families in developing countries around the globe. Barry Pinsky has been the executive director since Rooftops Canada first opened its doors in 1984. He also developed many housing co‑ops in Canada before taking on this role. "We're pleased to see this award go to Barry," said CHF Canada president Ken Elliott. "He has been instrumental in every stage of Rooftops Canada’s successful 25-year history, accomplishing great things on our behalf." CMHC has presented its award for outstanding contribution to co‑operative housing at each CHF Canada annual meeting since 1988. North End United Housing Co‑op in Halifax receives Award for Best Practices In recognition of their innovative work to merge four co‑operatives into a new and vibrant co‑operative housing community, North End United Housing Co‑operative received the 2010 Award for Best Practices in Governance and Management at the CHF Canada Annual general meeting in London Ontario. The recipients of this year’s best practices award were faced with significant issues of governance and management that threatened the viability of their co‑ops. As four separate small co‑ops, Anathoth (22 units), Charles Court (54 units), Jim MacDonald (30 units) and Seaview (25 units) were struggling to recruit board members, manage their debts, maintain their properties and afford management support for their communities. Nova Scotia was in danger of losing a significant number of affordable co‑op homes. An innovative proposal was developed to merge the four co‑ops into a single 131-unit co‑op. A merger group was formed with representatives of each co‑op and other stakeholder partners including the Province of Nova Scotia and CHF Canada. Thanks to the hard work of the merger committee and the openness of the members of all the co‑ops, the merger has been a resounding success. Strong governance has been re-established, sound management is in place, repairs are going ahead and the membership has a renewed sense of community and a new vision for the future. Member Recognition Awards
Member loyalty award winners at the annual meeting closing dinner. 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. This is the list of members who received recognition at this year’s meeting. 20-year member awards Applegrove Co‑operative Homes 30-year member awards Alder Bay Housing Co‑op Organizational Awards Credit Union Central (Ontario) |
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