Leveraging Video Conferencing as a Value Tool for Condo Board Governance - by Alexander Ramirez
context where all that is required to avoid using this option for a board meeting is for one director to oppose the proposition. As a result, teleconferencing or video conferencing for board meetings would hardly ever be exercised. The overwhelming vast majority of board directors were accustomed to, and more comfortable with, the traditional structure of in-person board meetings. Many things could have contributed to this resistance to virtual board meetings: the fear of the unknown, a preference to the traditional way of doing things (don’t fix what is not broken), and perhaps the burden of time to learn new skills/technologies when condo directors already have their time spread thin with mounting responsibilities. For the argument of efficiency, it all boils down to time. Which method will ultimately save more time? The pandemic unilaterally forced condo boards to adapt to virtual meetings, whether they liked it or not, with some positives emerging as a result. One is a recognition that video conferencing has enabled meetings to be less adversarial. Because directors are in the comfort of their own homes, or their own comfortable space, this has eliminated the adversarial (and at times) toxic interactions that would take place at in-person board meetings. Another growing recognition is the ability to be more flexible with meeting times. Since directors could join in their meeting with an internet connection from any given location, the ability for boards to meet during alternative times throughout the day; not just the evenings, has presented a tremendous opportunity for condo boards and property management to
Should condo boards continue to use video conferencing after emergency orders are lifted? The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented changes to all aspects of everyday life around the world. Among these changes, perhaps the most widely adopted behaviour has been the necessity to adapt our interpersonal communication with one another through video conferencing, both in our professional and personal lives. The use of video conferencing is not new to the world; it has been utilized for decades now. However, it is the mass adoption of this technology across the globe at once; quite literally, which has placed tremendous implications in the world of work, and the economy as a whole. Work-From- Home policies are beginning to have significant implications on commercial and residential real estate value in urban centres; directly impacting the condo real estate world. From a governance point of view, debate continues as to whether in- person meetings vs. video conferencing meetings are more efficient. This debate can be best exemplified in the condo governance landscape. Section 35 sub-section (5) of the Ontario Condo Act outlines the provisions for meetings of directors, specifically dealing with teleconferencing and/or video conferencing options. Due to the way in which this particular law is written; requiring a by-law and unanimous consent of all directors in order to exercise teleconferencing or video conferencing, it created the
Alexander Ramirez holds a Combined Honors Degree in Political Science and Labor Studies from McMaster University with specializations including Administrative Govern- ance, along with a Post- Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution from York University and CCI's Condo Governance certi- fication. Born and raised in a condo community and attending AGMs since he was 14 years old, Alexan- der specializes in multi- party consensus decision- making and provides his customized and proven methodologies for direc- tors and boards in condo communities. Alex is a member of the CCI- Toronto Chapter and can be reached at solu- tions@condoharmony.ca
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