From a selection of twelve issues, you will have to choose two topics to discuss in self-managed groups. To supervise the discussion on each of the topics, the groups will assign the responsibility for facilitation, note-taking, and countdown time.
Six topics will be addressed in the morning and six others in the afternoon. Reports of the discussions held will be presented in the plenary.
6 topics to be determined
You will be asked to participate in the selection of six topics to be examined in greater depth during the discussion. These topics will be added to the six issues proposed by FECHIMM. You can already submit your proposals of issues to be addressed by writing to diffusion@fechimm.coop. You can also include your suggestions of topics in the Summit Registration form (FR).
6 proposed topics
1. Training co-op members
The integration of a new member is a critical step in the life of a housing co-operative. The recipe to produce a committed member rather than a tenant is not infallible, and many co-operatives deplore the weak commitment of their membership. How to act to elicit from the new members a strong support for co-operative values? How to foster in these new members a high level of involvement in the management of their collective business?
2. Preventing and managing conflict
Discomfort, stress, feeling of helplessness ... a conflict in a housing co-operative can be potentially destructive for the life of the group. On top of chipping away considerable energy and goodwill, these situations undermine the climate and divide the group, thus cutting valuable communication channels. How to prevent or defuse these conflicts? How to deal with these situations before falling into costly legal battles at all levels?
3. Promoting social inclusion
Forming a community that, from the outset, takes into account all segments of the population is easier said than done. Social inclusion, which is the main concept of housing co-operatives, requires sustained attention. People with disabilities, women, youth, immigrants ... How to empower everyone to contribute as valued and respected members in the success of the co-operative?
4. Think big
There are more and more large housing co-operatives. In the Montreal area, they are becoming the norm in the new projects developed with the AccèsLogis program. What implications does this new reality have on the management of co-operatives? Is the approach developed for a co-operative with an average of 20 units applicable for co-operatives of 80, 160 or even more than 200 units? How to adapt the participation of members, which is the core of our movement, to these large co-operatives?
5. Aiming at universal accessibility
The 2014 AGM mandated FECHIMM to do the promotion of universal accessibility (UA) and social inclusion. First, FECHIMM produced a resource guide on universal accessibility. However universal accessibility for people with a disability is not just about access and use of a housing unit, but also about full participation in social and democratic life. What role can co-operatives, a place for experimenting with inclusion and citizenship, play in promoting universal accessibility? What tools could help them incorporate UA in their operation and management?
6. Defining ideal leadership
Elected by the members at a general assembly, the officers of a co-operative have the mandate to plan and coordinate its management in compliance with laws and policies that govern it. In a co-operative democracy, how must an elected board member behave? What is the ideal co-operative leadership? How should elected members fully assume the responsibilities given to them under the Co-operatives Act in the best interests of the co-operative?