Ambassador for your Condo Building?

If  you would like to make changes in your building, please consider becoming a COA  "Ambassador" of your building.  We have identified that every Condominium needs an Ambassador to work together with the COA.  There is too much going on behind the scenes in the Condo Buildings with Board of Directors and Property Management.  Owners are still being misrepresented and/or ignored.  Condo Annual General Meetings are still a horror movie, but who are the Villains? Sadly, too often it is the Villains winning the Game and the losers are the Condo Owners.

Condo Owners are easily mislead as they try to surf through these takeovers.  Who can they trust? 

One of the key problems are Proxies!   Proxies should not be controlled by Property Manager or the Board of Directors.   The COA has recommended "Electronic Voting"  of Board Members to the Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.  Proxies are the #1 problem in Condominiums because proxies are being forged and manipulated!   The Power lies behind the closed doors of Property Management Office so how can a Condo Owner or even a legitimate Board Member compete?  They can't it is that simple, it cannot be done.   If your building has signs of distress you must realize you have to step out of the building for an opinion unless there is hard core evidence of wrong doing.  Even then take the evidence and step out of the building. 

The only solution to this problem is to have a COA Ambassador in each Condo Building!    Contact COA


 

Associations are Important

Support your Condo Owners Association representing Condo Owners and Buyers. 

There are various Association representation different sectors.  Each and every one are extremely important.  Below is a list of some of the Associations and whom they represent.  

Condo Owners Association (COA)

COA Mission Statement - To represent and provide leadership to Condominium Owners with a united voice advocating and fostering quality lifestyle, prosperous and sustainable condo ownership 

Work with provincial and federal governments for improvements to legislation

• Advocate and Foster prosperous, sustainable economic environment in Condo Communities
• Represent Condo Owners on various Stakeholder Groups
• Provide a service for Condo Owners to register their condominiums
• Demonstrate support on relative issues in Condo Communities
• Work with media and police on condo related issues
• Provide a wealth of insight, information and support
• Contribute to the quality of life in Condo Communities 

Condo Owners and COA Directors Quotes 

These are very fast changing times and condo living is the fastest growing community for home ownership.  It is vitally important for Condo Owners to know their rights and protect their home and investment. 

• Linda Pinizzotto, COA Founder President  

COA has researched the excessive amount of money Home Owners spend on utilities, in particular gas and hydro charges 

• Derrick Thomas, COA IT Director  

What will happen if home energy audits do become a mandatory part of a condo unit to include the Condo Building on an Ontario residential real estate transaction?

• Kathy Davidson, Condo Owner 

The Green Energy Act, 2009 is not mandatory yet but please remember that the HST was approved and passed before we all realized the highly negative and costly impact and increases it has on your Condo maintenance fees. 

• Paul Sampson, Condo Owner  

There are very fast changing times and Condo living is the fastest growing community for home ownership. The Green Energy Act, 2009 is not mandatory yet but please remember that the HST was approved and passed before we all realized the highly negative and costly impact and increases it has on your Condo maintenance fees. 

• Cynthia Bailey, Condo Owner

ABOUT THE CONDO OWNERS ASSOCIATION (COA)?

The Condo Owners Association is a reg. non profit Association representing the best interest of all Condo Owners in Ontario with Chapters in each City across the Province.

ARE YOU ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS IN A CONDO CORPORATION?

Condominium Board of Directors who have approved "Membership" into the Condo Owners Association (COA)  understand the importance of managing the affairs of your Condo Corporation in compliance to the Provincial Condominium Act, 1998.

Click Here for: Introduction Letter & Request for Membership COA (PDF)

Click Here for: Application Membership Form For Condo Corporation (PDF)

CONDO OWNERS

IS YOUR CONDO CORPORATION A MEMBER OF CONDO OWNERS ASSOCIATION?

If your Condo Corporation is not a member of COA;  ask your Board of Directors "WHY NOT?

The cost is only $1.00 per unit owner (per year)  per building   ie. If you have 300 Unit Owners;  the cost is only $300.00 per year

If your Board of Directors refuses to join COA,  then their Condo Owners can join on their own at $10 per year. 

ARE YOU A PROPERTY MANAGER?

All Property Managers should tell their Board of Directors about Condo Owners Association (COA) and support its membership.

RETURN TO JOIN COA MEMBERSHIP

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

FINANCIAL STRUCTURE OF A CONDOMINIUM

What determines your Maintenance Fee?

The Condominium Financials includes the operating budget, surplus of funds, contingency funds and the reserve funds of the Corporation.  The maintenance fee for each unit is assessed in relation to the square footage of the unit, parking and locker (if included).  The Budget will include all of the expenditures based on a fiscal year of operations.

COA ONTARIO - CHAPTERS BY COUNTIES

COA is accepting applications from Condo Owners in these areas.

Please refer to: How to Apply Chapter

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

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