Their mission statement is “to promote the interests of groups involved in condominium across Canada including unit owners, boards of directors, managers, governmental authorities, lenders and others.” This is achieved by providing seminars and lectures, publishing printed materials, representation to the government, accreditation, and improved communication with the public and other associations.

The CCI was formed in 1982, to meet “demand from the public, and to get professionals together,” says CCI – South Alberta Chapter (SAC) president Lauretta Kaechele, CPM, CMOC, adding that when the Condominium Property Act was being revised, CCI members offered plenty of input.

In fact, the Condominium Property Act (2000) was largely driven by the CCI, with advice from experts at CCI leading to such stipulations as the requirement for sufficient reserve funds. Run by volunteers who are also condo experts, from lawyers and consultants to realtors and property managers, the CCI has also lobbied for the regulation of the licensing and professional status of condominium managers, development of standards and improvement of legislation in the best interest of the condominium community.

“I guess the biggest thing we do is helping condominium corporations become successful through education, information, workshops and technical advice,” says Kaechele.

Aside from these broad issues which affect the everyday lives of condo owners, the CCI also benefits owners by providing an accreditation program for professionals. Buyers and owners should feel free to ask whether their realtor or manager is accredited through the CCI, and which courses they have taken, through CCI as well as other organizations.

“[Realtors] are out there selling the product and giving advice to owners, so, in order for them to know what it is they’re selling, the more they’re involved [with courses and organizations], the better,” says Kaechele.

While the CCI offers a variety of seminars to members, they are also open to non-members. Condo board members and even condo owners can learn from a course like Condo Management 100, which Kaechele says is “excellent for anyone that is looking to buy a condominium, to really understand what it is that they own and how the corporation works. They really have just bought a share in a corporation, and there are duties and responsibilities that come with that.”

Condo board members will benefit from knowing how to read by-laws and understanding how the decisions of the board will impact the entire corporation over the long run.

Of course, when your developer or management company is knowledgeable, everyone benefits. As CCI members, development corporations learn more about what the buyer is looking for, and consequently build condo developments that are more attractive to buyers. Management companies benefit from having qualified and educated staff who take advantage of CCI courses, and are therefore able to provide superior service to owners.

The South Alberta Chapter of CCI is governed by president Kaechele, who is also the vice-president of Emerald Management & Realty Ltd; vice-president Maria Bartolotti of New Concept Management; secretary Marc Bateman of Acclaim Condominium Managers; treasurer Stephen A. Tomchishin of William J. Rhind & Associates Ltd.; and directors Bill Jeffray (Renfrew Thompson Insurance Ltd.), Richard John (Laurich John, Barristers & Solicitors), John McDougall (Scott Hall LLP) and Jim Warren (Morrison Hershfield). For more information visit http://www.cci.ca   CL