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COA - Condo Owners Association Ontario
BYLAWS AND PROCEDURE
a) The Chapters and Local Districts must make a commitment on behalf of their Chapter or District and pass resolutions of their dedication and commitment to COA.
b) The Chapters and Local Districts must agree to follow the policies, procedure and protocol of COA Ontario and adopt their Code of Ethics for COA Directors.
c) The Chapters and Local Districts must sign acceptance of the By-law to govern COA Ontario which embodies all COA Chapters and Districts.
MEMBERSHIPS, MEMBERSHIP DRIVE, SPECIAL EVENTS AND SEMINARS
The Chapters and Local Districts must submit a formal request to COA Ontario for the following:
1) A plan for their membership drive in their local District
2) A plan for potential seminars and potential locations for same
3) The COA Mentor program will be contacted for assistance at any time
4) All COA membership fees msut be payable to COA Ontario
ADDRESS AND BANKING
1) The Chapters and Local Districts must create an address to serve the new Chapter and/or District, a post office box is recommended to avoid address changes
2) Set up a bank account in the name of the Local Chapter and/or District. Identify two or three of the organizing committee to have signing authority
Please proceed to: "Maintaining Certification" for all details
GETTING STARTED
1) Set a date for your first meeting with the first order of business to adopt the COA By-Laws of the local Chapter and COA Ontario.
2) The organizing committee shall be deemed the new Board of Directors for the local District. The Board of Directors shall vote amongst themselves for the following positions:
President; Treasurer; Secretary and if more than three Directors; a Membership and Communications Director.
3) Create a list of District Directors to include their Position, Name, Address, Contact Numbers and Email Address. Provide a copy to the local Chapter and COA Ontario.
4) Prepare a Strategic Planning seminar
The Strategic Planning Seminar should define:
- Names of board and positions (i.e. President, Treasurer, etc)
- Possible list of committees (i.e. newsletter, education, website, etc) and names of each committee chair
- A List of Chapters and contact information of same
- A List of COA Ontario Executive Directors contact information of same
- A committee for media, press, newsletters and other means of communication
- Name and address of bank where District account is held
District to work with Local Chapter for all Press and Media Functions and also to include:
- Public seminars
- Membership recruitment booths
- Education Courses
- Newsletter or print, TV and Radio press
5) Certification and recertification of a COA Chapter will allow the chapter to use the COA name and logo. However upon de-certification, that right will end.
6) The COA Board of Directors shall have the right to vary any of the requirements for certification or recertification based upon the special circumstances of any chapter, from time to time.
7) COA Ontario Board of Directors shall have the right to change and/or adjust requirements for certification or recertification based upon the circumstances of any chapter and/or District from time to time.
8) COA Ontario Board of Directors shall have the right to implement related costs for membership of the related Chapters and Districts.
9) Websites: Please Note: COA Ontario will include a Chapter web site page for new Chapters upon certification and the local Chapter will include a District site page for new Districts. The chapter will be responsible for adding content and monitoring the site for all Districts associated with that Chapter. A Chapter can create its own web site at any time but must obtain approval from COA Ontario and ensure the design is in keeping with the layout and standards of COA Ontario. In the event that a Chapter creates its own web site, that Chapter will be solely responsible for any costs. COA Ontario is to have full right to link directly to all associated Chapters and if applicable their websites.
Districts Websites: A District can create its own web site at any time but must obtain approval from their local Chapter and COA Ontario to ensure the design is in keeping with the layout and standards of COA Ontario. In the event that a District creates its own web site, that District will be solely responsible for any costs. COA Ontario is to have full right to link directly to all associated Districts and Chapters (if applicable
Please proceed to: "Bylaws & Procedures" for all details
COA ONTARIO - CHAPTERS BY COUNTIES
COA is accepting applications from Condo Owners in these areas.
Please refer to: How to Apply Chapter
|
COUNTIES |
COUNTIES |
Dufferin ( map )
Elgin
Essex
Frontenac (formerly Frontenac Management Board)
Grey
Haliburton
Hastings
Huron
Lambton
Lanark
Leeds & Grenville
|
Lennox and Addington ( map )
Middlesex
Northumberland
Oxford
Perth
Peterborough
Prescott and Russell, United Counties
Renfrew
Simcoe
Wellington
|
How to Apply for a COA CHAPTER
Rules and Regulations for Application for Chapters
Select a City or Region in the Province of Ontario. Each City or Region is divided into Districts to fall in line with the local Politiical structure. This platform provides strength and political insight into the community and allows the local District of the Chapter of the Condo Owners Association an opportunity to work within the 3 levels of Government to include the local Councillor, MPP and MP.
There are a few steps to qualify with a COA Region and another process to determine eligibibility for the growth of that City or Regions with the local Districts.
Consent and Authorization
The following Application must be submitted to COA Ontario
a) A formal letter of intent to apply for a COA Chapter within Ontario under the COA Ontario umbrella
b) Submit a description of your full understanding of COA Ontario, the local Chapter and the associated geographic area within the District of application
c) Submit the names of the committee organizing the application to include not less then three condo owners in the district of application with at least one condo owner a member of a Board of Directors of a Condo Corporation owning a condo within the geographically permimeters of the Local Chapter Condo Corporation. Each application must contain a maximum of five registered condo owners owning a Condo Unit in the Chapter of application and of these (three) applicants must be members of a Board of Directors in the Chapter Location at the time of application.
d) All members must be prepared to adopt and abide by the Condo Owners Association Ontario and Condo Owners Association Local Chapters Code of Ethics for Directors. A Copy of the COA Code is attached and outlined as Schedule "A" and all organizing committee must sign their acceptance.
e) Upon review and approval by COA Ontario, permission will be granted to process the application for the Local Chapter approval.
f) Upon review and approval by Local Chapter, permission will be granted to process application for certification.
g) At this time, the new Committee representing the local Districts of the new Chapter will be made available for the building of Districts.
h) The New Chapter will have the name of the "Condo Owners Association under the applicable Chapter and in additional Chapter-Districts as they local districts grow. Approval is provided to allow the usage of the COA logo for each membered structure for COA Chapters and Districts.
g) COA Ontario will appoint a COA Director to work with the newly appointed Chapter as a mentor in the planning and operations. It will also be necessary to create a Mentor System for the new District with the Local Associated Chapter.
CHAPTER REQUIREMENTS
a) The local Chapter will require active participation of all Board Members to create a base of Districts for membership within Local areas as defined by the political ward
b) The governing Chapter body will maintained of all registered Condo Corporations
c) Each Local Chapter shall maintain a database of Registered Condo Corporations within their Districts and provide updating to COA Ontario
d) All COA Ontario and Local Chapters and Districts are not accepted Individual Condo Owners registration at this time
e) All Condo Owners of Registered Condo Corporations will be eligible to receive all COA Discounts (as advertised and on websites)
f) The Local Chapter and all associated District(s) are required to establish good business relationships with local retails and commercial outlets
DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS
a) The local District will require active participation of all Board Members to create a membership of local condominium corporations within their geographic District.
b) A list will be maintained of all registered Condo Corporations and provided to governing Local Chapter and governing body of COA Ontario.
c) Each Local District shall maintain a database of Registered Condo Corporations within their District and provide this list to their Local Chapter at the time of registration.
d) Local Districts and Chapters are not accepted Individual Condo Owners registration at this time
e) All Condo Owners of Registered Condo Corporations will be eligible to receive all COA Discounts (as advertised and on websites)
f) The Local District is required to establish good business relationships with local retails and commercial outlets
Please proceed to: "Getting Started" for all details
Copyright 2010 COA Ontario All Rights Reserved
COA TORONTO - GTA
(reg. non-profit Association)
Click here for: www.COAToronto.com
COA Ontario and all COA Chapters throughout the Province to include COA Toronto formed to address the shortfalls of the Condo Act as per Bill 186 and to advocate change by creating a strong and persuasive voice in the community to all levels of Government.
The Condo Owners Association (commonly known as COA) represents all Condo Owners registered through their independent Condo Corporations.
COA TORONTO was established under the umbrella of COA Ontario. To represent Condo Owners Province wide it became necessary to create districts within each City. In the City of Toronto there are 12 COA Districts representing 44 Wards as per the Federal and Provincial Political Ridings.
COA Toronto Districts are broken down by Districts aligning the areas in conjunction with each particular Ward to develop a close working relationship with the local Counsellor, MPP and MP. The same structure defines the City's around the Province within the Condo Owners Association for Ontario.
Click to View COA Districts of Toronto Chapter below:
They parallel with the local wards from the map below
LEARN SOMETHING ABOUT CONDOS
Don't through your "hard earned" money away
Canada's Investigative Consumer Show
CBC MARKETPLACE
Why
Condo Law
Must Change
Click the "money" for shocking New Condo Information
Warnings - Watch Dog needed for:
LIVE-WORK CONDO UNITS
ARE THEY OPERATING A BUSINESS?
ARE THEY LIVING IN THE UNIT?
DO THEY HAVE FULL TIME STAFF?
Many Condo Owners are operating in non-compliance of the Declaration and Avoiding Commercial Taxes by using live-work residential units to run their business.
If your Condo Building has a live-work unit make sure your Board of Director is adhering to their Condo Declaration. In most cases main floor condo units have a door with direct street access and a common element door.
The Condo Declarations states:Live-Work Unit Owners - Must Live in - to Work in Live-Work Units
The City and Municipal Property Assessment Corporation are watching for "Unscrupulous Condo Owners who use Live-work units to operate a full scale commercial business yet pay Residential Taxes when they should be paying Commercial Taxes which are 5 X's the amount for residential. Unfortunately to make matters worst, some are on the Board of Directors yet their units are in non compliance to their Condo Declaration. It is a potential fire hazzard and the Condo building insurance policies may be at risk considering these Owners are not acting on the best interest of the Corporation.
Building of Live Work Units These units were not constructed as a commercial unit and the added utility costs of a 9:00 am - 5:00 pm full scale business could be increasing your common element utility cost therfore increasing your maintenance fees. Your Condo Corporation may be at risk on your insurance policies because the units are not in compliance to the buildlng, zoning and fire codes.
If the Owner is a Director, the situation is worst because it is his/hers fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the Corporation.
Do you know Someone operating a Live-Work Unit as a Commercial Store or Business - Please call COA asap. COA is working with Government to impliment stronger requirements and a tracking system to preven misuse and abuse of Live-work Units. to protect all Condo Owners.
WELCOME TO CONDO OWNERS ASSOCIATION ONTARIO (COA)
ITMayDay
Specializing in SMBS and Home Users,
Websites and Customization
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
History in the Making
Condo Owners Association (known as COA Ontario) was Founded on March 2010 by Linda Pinizzotto, a Toronto/Mississauga Realtor who had a vision to create the 1st Non-Profit Association to represent Condo Owners and design a mechanism for awareness and representation in the Political forefront within all levels of Government across the Province of Ontario. There are over 1.3 Million Condo Owners who need a cohesive united voice to represent them on many important issues. COA supports the development of its members and fosters a prosperous and sustainable economic environment while contributing to the quality of life in the condo community.
Linda's vision included a Condo Owners Association structure to represent Condo Owners in all of the Municipalities across the Province of Ontario. The Municipalities and Regions are known as Divisions of COA Ontario and each have various Districts to identify their respective Wards. he structure recognizes the vast amount of condominium owners and embraces various levels of government for representation in each Municipality and Region. This structure allows a productive and communicative working environment with local Councillors, Members of Provincial Parliament, Members of Parliament and the various Ministry's of our Government.
COA Ontario is growing steadily with additional strong commitment and dedication from bellow Board of Directors Bob Coffey, Ex Chair of KPMG and Derrick Thomas; President and CEO of ITMayDay. Please view COA Submissions to Ministry relating to some recommendations. COA is an active Senior Stakeholder in the Condo Act Review. "Building a Better Condo Act" Working to represent and advocate for Condo Owners Rights... please see quote at the bottom of the page on this Provincial website.
Why Condo Owners need a Condo Owners Association
Condo Owners are facing huge maintenance fees, problem Board of Directors and a Condo Act that needs to be updated to protect their interest. There is a huge imbalance of the present structure which takes away the rights of Condo Owners and puts too much control in the hands of the Board of Directors therefore compromising Condo Owners rights.
The Condo
Act needs changes and proper governance ie; better Tarion Warranty Coverage, government funded energy retrofitting plans, respect for Municipal height restrictions and no further interference from the Ontario Municipal Board; better building codes, specific property tax assessment strictly relating to condominiums, a government bond with higher interest rates for condo reserve funds and education standards for Condo Board of Directors.
The act must include compliance mandates and fines as deemed necessary (as per other acts) to insure the Boards are in compliance to the Act and Owners are protected. We need to address the important needs of existing condominiums where prices are dropping and maintenance fees are way above the normal ratio to value. We need to review service related trades and create a defined price list for services.
Some COA Initiatives
- Support Changes to the Condo Act working with Ministry of Consumer Services in Condo Act Review
- Meetings with MP's, MPP's and local Councillors in all Districts - across the Province of Ontario
- COA supported NDP Leader Andrea Horwath at HST Rally Queen's Park, Toronto
- Preparing extensive reports and investigating numerous Condo Owners issues
- Meetings with Minister Margaret Best, Deputy Minister Giles Gherson
- Meetings with Hon J. Gerretson, Minister Consumer Services
- Discussions and Meetings with Andrea Horwath, NDP Leader
- Discussions on Condo Act with Tim Hudak, Leader PC
- Meeting with John Campbell, CEO Waterfront Toronto
- Meeting with Go Transit, Metrolinx, Municipal Stakeholder Groups
- Meetings with condominium Board of Directors, Lawyers and Engineers
- Presentations to Carson Dunlop, Financial Institutions, several Corporate Firms
- City Official discussions and correspondence (Building, Zoning and By-Law Depts)
- Special Discussions with MPAC - Municipal Property Assessment Corporation- Property Taxes
- Press, Media and Political Conferences - CBC - CTV - Metro Morning - CP24 - That Channel
- Newspaper and Magazine Press Articles - Toronto Star, National Post, Local Magazines
- Social Media - 27 COA Twitter for City's across Ontario, Up-to-date Website, Videos
- COA supported NDP Leader Andrea Horwath at HST Rally Queen's Park, Toronto
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