… Lessons Learned
It is also important to remember that condominium corporations are effectively a fourth level of govern- ment and ensuring the safety and security of its resi- dents has to remain a top priority for a condominium regardless of the pressure being felt to open up amenities if they are being opened up in the broader community. This will certainly be the case with amen- ities such as shared fitness rooms, saunas and hot tubs, swimming pools, and guest suites. If an ameni- ty cannot be opened safely, or it simply does not make sense to open it if only a minimal amount of residents can use it, then a condominium should al- ways err on the side of caution and keep it closed for the time being. Jennifer: Is there a lesson we should be learning about how to implement shut down policies, should another pandemic or emergency arise? Kristi: There is no “one size fits all” policy or plan when it comes to emergency planning. Throughout this pandemic, condominium managers and their Boards of Directors have worked closely between
themselves and their professionals to determine what works best for their communities when it came time to make the difficult decisions to shut down ameni- ties, restrict access to third parties, implement in- creased cleaning protocols, etc. Due to the ever- evolving nature of the pandemic and its impact on condominiums, by keeping the lines of communica- tion open, condominium corporations were able to stay on top of what needed to be done and take the necessary steps to keep their residents safe. Laura: Emergency planning is more than just fires and floods. Pandemic preparedness should become routine for corporations and condominium managers and should not end when there is a vaccine for COVID- 19. Corporations should review what they’ve learned and make a plan to review their emergency policies and procedures at least annually. Jennifer: As some Boards consider having virtual Annual General Meetings, what’s one piece of advice you have for them? Kristi: If the Corporation is not going to get help from a third-party meeting organizer (such as GetQuorum or CondoVoter.com), then be sure to turn your mind to how to run the meeting to ensure that it is valid (e.g. proxy deadlines, quorum manage- ment, meeting registration, appointing scrutineers, motions, voting, question and answer period, record- ing the meeting, etc.). Laura: Have a test run before your AGM to make sure all of your Board members and speakers know how to use the platform and have a clear understand- ing of how the AGM will be run.
JD, KSK, LG
22 — 2019/2020 - 4
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