Founding of COA|
Condo Owners Association
COA ONTARIO
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
CONDO OWNERS HAVE AN ASSOCIATION
Condo Owners Association (known as COA Ontario) 2010 was Founded and established by Linda Pinizzotto who had a vision to create the 1st Non-Profit Association to represent Condo Owners across the Province of Ontario and design a mechanism for awareness and representation in the Political forefront within all levels of Government.
Linda realized a Condo Owners Association with over 1,000,000 Condo Owners Membership would be a strong force to effect governmental changes to the Condo Act and now Condo Owners would have the cohesive united voice they need to represent them to all levels of government on many important issues. COA can support the development of its members and foster a prosperous and sustainable economic environment while contributing to the quality of life in the condo community.
By early 2010, Linda launched COA Ontario and the 1st Chapter known as COA Toronto with the full support of their Director of IT, Derrick Thomas President and CEO of ITMayDay. Bob Coffey, Ex Chair of KPMG also joined COA as a Director.
Linda's vision included a Condo Owners Association structure to include Chapters and Districts within each Municipality/Region and to include all of their independent wards and ridings across the Province. The structure had to include the complexity and recognition of the vast amount of Condominium Owners and must embrace the various levels of Government to truly represent Condo Owners and stand by the COA Mission Statement.
Earlier, in April 2009, Rosario Marchese, MPP of Trinity Spadina had called a meeting of Condo Owners in his riding to establish the Trinity Spadina Condo Owners Association to lobby government on behalf of the condo residents in the local neighbourhood. The purpose of this organization was to lobby government on behalf of condo residents in the neighbourhood and to form a community support network. Over 100 people attended and an executive was elected with Linda Pinizzotto, a 31 year Veteran Realtor and President of 2 local Condo Boards was elected as their 1st President. The Association supported Rosario's Bill 168 Condo Owners Protection Act as introduced May 28th to provide Condo Owners with better protection and they joined his Rally at Queen's Park. Unfortunately, the challenge of creating a new associaton proved that within a couple of months many directors foundd the time and commitment challenging and respectfully resigned. Linda and a handful of remaining Directors to include: Tony Magistrale, Treasure; Greg Gibb, Communications Director; Todd Hofley, Membership Director; Chris Field, Local Liasion continued to support the Local Association in the Trinity Spadina riding. Shortly thereafter, Bob Coffey, Director joined them. They have worked closely with Rosario Marchese, also an active Ad-Hoc member of COA.
Why is it so Important to have a COA It takes a strong voice to make changes.
Structure of COA Outlining Chapters and Districts. The 1st District and Head Office of Condo Owners Association is Trinity Spadina where there are over 60,000 Condo Owners. There are a total of 12 Districts in the COA Toronto Chapter. All Condo Owners across Ontario now have a political Provincial voice to represent them within all three levels of Government and who can address the shortfalls of the Condo Act. COA stands alone within the Province of Ontario as a Condo Owners Association with representation in each City and County. It has taken her countless hours to form a mission statement, mandates and objectives, by-laws, membership drive, directories and database, financial reports and accounts.
Overview, Dedication and Commitment It takes strong dedication and commitment ot form a new association. The volunteer hours to establish, build and grow COA with Chapters through various Cities ie. COA Toronto and Districts will have excellent benefits for Condo Owners.
Mission Statement The COA mission statement identifies the needs. “To provide a cohesive united voice to represent condominium owners across the Province and to be a leader in representing and serving the interests of Condo Owners within 3 levels of Government by supporting the development of its members, fostering a prosperous and sustainable economic environment and contributing to the quality of life in our community”.
COA Iniatives * Support Changes on the Condo Act * Meetings with MP's, MPP's and local Councillors * Rally's and Discussions with Andrea Horwath, Leader of NDP * Discussions with Tim Hudak, Leader PC * Meetings with Hon J. Gerretson, Minister Consumer Services * Meeting with John Campbell, CEO Waterfront Toronto * Meeting with Go Transit and Metrolinks * City Official discussions and correspondence (Building, Zoning and By-Law Depts) * Discussions with MPAC - Municipal Property Assessment Corporation * Press, Media and Political Conferences * Newspaper and Magazine Articles
COA supported a MPP Rosario Marchese Rally at Queen's Park, Toronto "Private Members Bill 79 Change Condo Act"
There are 2 ways to join Condo Owners Association: 1) Condo Owners can join - $10.00 per Year / Per Condo Unit 2) Condo Corporations can join on behalf of their Owners - $1.00 p/Unit Owner per/Bldg
How to become a CHAPTER OR DISTRICT Committee Member
COA Ontario is accepting Applications from Condo Owners: * Chapters (Cities across Province of Ontario) * Districts of Chapters (above)
COA Toronto is accepting Applications from Condo Owners: * Districts of the Toronto Chapter
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