The Virtues of Going Virtual

    

  

                DURAND VILLAGE TENANT ASSOCIATION       

                            Not-for-profit & Unincorporated    

                                dvtassociation@gmail.com

                                dvtassociation.blogspot.ca

 

The Virtues of Going Virtual

Changing times causes the effect of changing how we meet to share 

information and make decisions.  The shift from in-person meetings to

a safe and healthier gathering called ‘virtual’, is a natural aspect of the 

association’s growth and more efficient communication.

Important information, updates and announcements will be sent via email 

from dvtassociation@gmail.com and through our 

DVTA Blogspot https://dvtassociation.blogspot.com/ 

Why Online Meetings? Virtual, like emails and Blogspot, allow sharing 

of information faster.  Such as:

• Surveys - for you to give your viewpoint, opinion and input

• Announcements - keeping you up-to-date 

• Virtual meetings - provides a safe and healthy location for 

  your participation

• Improved communication

 What are the benefits?

• Email surveys and Blogspot ensures the confidentiality 

  of your responses

• Virtual meetings - provides a well-organized venue with…

• screen sharing for important documents.

• mic control to respect one person speaking at a time

• Chat section to ask pertinent questions 

• Effective and efficient meetings

How will online meetings work?

• An email is sent with the link to the meeting

• Upon clicking the link, you enter a waiting room

• The co-host will open your access to the meeting

• Surveys can be done within the meeting for accurate voting

• A chat area to present your questions ahead of time 

• Please use the chat for meeting related questions only

Our Association is growing not only in the number of members but also 

in the use of technology.  The Executive Members value your participation.

 

Annual 2023-2024 Membership Drive & AGM Announcement

                                        

         

                DURAND VILLAGE TENANT ASSOCIATION       

                            Not-for-profit & Unincorporated    

                                dvtassociation@gmail.com

                                 dvtassociation.blogspot.ca

 

 

                        Membership Drive 2023-2024 Fiscal Year

Dear Current Members and Tenants yet to become Members!

Becoming a Durand Village Tenant Association member is easy!  

The annual membership fee is a steady total of Fifteen Dollars 

($15.00) per Leaseholder.  

1. Easy and convenient E-transfers to dvtassociation@gmail.com 

1. Please include your unit # and address in the ‘message’ field

    along with your email address and phone number and t

   he names of all leaseholders

2. Being in compliance with the constitution, please send 

   an e-transfer before April 20, 2023.

2. Friendly Door-to-door visit with the Leaseholder:

1. Members of the Executive plan to stop by your unit 

   during the week of April 24.

2. E-transfer, exact cash or cheque 

   (payable to DVTAssociation) 

3. To know more about your DVTA: 

   Visit  https://dvtassociation.blogspot.com/ 

What’s in it for you? Here are a few highlights…

• A day of free parking during the 

  garage floor line painting.

• Ensured continued mail delivery during 

  construction on 93 Bold St.

• Negotiated designated work/study apartments 

  during 93 Bold St. Construction.

• Continued relationship building with BGO 

  ensuring your voice is heard

• Responding to individual Leaseholder(s) 

  concerns/questions…Plus much more!

Over the years, especially during the pandemic, your DVTA Executive 

continued to work with Bentall Green Oak (BGO) to achieve 

your best quality of housing.

Special Note:  The first virtual DVTA Members Annual General Meeting 

is scheduled for Wednesday, June  14th at 7:15 pm. 

The Executive Board presents the activities and events of the previous year, 

or in this case, the last three (3) years because Covid mandates 

have prevented our annual gatherings.   

Your DVTA Executive Board members look forward to welcoming you.

 

Extreme Cold Weather Reminder

 

Cold Temperatures – A Reminder

Dear Residents,

With temperatures dropping in Toronto considerably today and continuing through to next week, we can expect temperatures as low as -27 ̊C during this time. Because of this, we want to remind you of how you can help prevent your suite from unnecessary flooding due to frozen pipes.

Suites heated by fan coils or heat pumps need hot water to circulate inside these heat sources. It is important for this reason that you never turn off your heat during this cold time of year.

Low suite temperatures combined with an open window or balcony door is a common cause of frozen pipes inside your home. This can lead to pipes bursting and subsequent flooding within the property.

Should you require fresh air, or you feel that is too hot in your suite, do not leave your window or balcony door open for any long period of time.

Additionally, following these tips will help with prevention this winter:

•   Do not set your thermostat below 15 ̊C or 60 ̊F during cold weather.

•   Avoid turning your heating/thermostat completely off, even it away for an

  extended time.

  If you are currently away and unsure if you have turned your heat off or left windows open, please contact ClikFIX at www.clikfixresident.com so your Resident Services Team can check on your suite in your absence.

  Please help us protect your home and have a safe winter.

  Sincerely,
  Durand Village Resident Services Team 

  Durand.village@BentallGreenOak.com 905-528-0853

One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit Program

 FYI...

Dear Residents,

Durand Village Team would like to share with you some good news.

The Government has a new program that some renters may be eligible for. Below is a description of the One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit Program from their website:

LINK: One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit - Canada.ca

The one-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit aims to help low-income renters with the cost of renting. You may be eligible for a tax-free one-time payment of $500 if your income and the amount that you pay on rent qualify.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) administers this one-time payment. To apply for this new federal one-time payment, you do not need to receive other housing benefits such as the Canada Housing Benefit, which is co-funded and delivered by the provinces and territories. Applications are open until Friday, March 31, 2023.

Please be sure to check the eligibility requirements to see if you qualify for this One-time top-up to the Canada Housing Benefit Program. Management office will be happy to assist you with rent receipt or confirmation of tenancy with rent paid information during business hours.   

Thank you.

Selina Guo

 

Updates from the Executive Committee

 

Hello Members, Non-members and those who have yet to decide!  Your Durand Village Tenant Association  (DVTA) is well.  We have continued to work and achieve success, build healthier relationships, and continue to support win/win outcomes.

Covid has caused a silence in communication on many levels. The strength of the DVTA Executive Committee continues to meet and address concerns.

The DVTA has made effort to address the hardship of the extremely long time-frame endured at 93 Bold balcony reconstruction.  There were many factors beyond our control that contributed to the unorthodox delays.  If you have any documentation/correspondence  i.e., ClikFix or emails, with property management regarding this, would you like to submit a copy to the DVTA?

General Meetings:  The DVTA Executive is reviewing utilizing video conferencing such as Zoom to hold general meetings.  This format would also be utilized for an Annual General Meeting.  Please let us know your receptivity to embrace Video Conference Meetings.

Membership Campaigns:  In the past, the DVTA has gone door to door, set up registration areas in the lobby of 75 Bold, posted flyers/bulletins, and utilized emails for current membership renewals.  Normally, membership drives occur during April/May, because of Covid, this event has been happening in September/October.  The DVTA Executive Committee would like to bring this event back into alignment with our Constitution.  Are you a resident within Durand Village?  Would you like to be a member of the Association?  If so please email us at dvtassociation@gmail.com

The Constitution is also under review for updating.

Elections/Appointments:  DVTA Executive Committee is in need of committee members.  We need members who are dedicated to creating responsible diplomatic win/win solutions and feel you can keep a commitment to serve in an on-going basis.  There is a need for Board Members who are willing to cross train as President, Vice~President, Treasurer, back up Secretary as well as learn the Google Blog site.  If you feel you have the qualifications, please let the DVTA know of your interest by email: dvtassociation@gmail.com 

In this new year of 2023, staying connected, building and sustaining good relationships, and being active members of the Durand Village Association has gently morphed into the virtual world.  With the virtual world, the DVTA is committed to sustaining our personal and heart-felt connections.  

Over the years the DVTA has made great strides in improving relationships with property management.  This is reflected in the now professional quality memos and flyers from property management as well as the more professional and friendly approach of the property management staff. 

The DVTA Executive Committee accomplishments for a greater lived tenant experience in 2022:

•     Swiftly and quickly re-instated postal service to 93 Bold when Canada Post abruptly suspended   delivery due to balcony construction, citing Occupational Health & Safety issues.
  
•     Second-hand smoke, from cigarettes........
•     Lack of heat in units dealt with quickly and without fuss.....
•     Ensuring free street parking during garage line painting

The DVTA Executive Committee extends best wishes to everyone for a healthier, happier and most prosperous 2023 year.   

No Parking Exemption for 90 Duke

 

      DURAND VILLAGE TENANT ASSOCIATION       

                Not-for-profit & Unincorporated    

                    dvtassociation@gmail.com

                    dvtassociation.blogspot.ca

  

As promised, DVTA has followed up with BGO (BentallgreenOak) regarding parking exemption for 90 Duke St.  Below is the outcome.

 

Please be advised that Selina, Leasing and Resident Experience Manager was unable to secure parking exemption for 90 Duke on Wednesday, July 21 from  Hamilton City Hall Parking Enforcement office.

Please do your best to move your vehicle every 3 hours to avoid a parking ticket.  Please avoid the school parking lot as it is considered private property.

Thank you for your kind understanding.  Any questions or concerns need to be directed to the Leasing and Resident Experience Manager because the responsibility lies with BGO for the late notice and lack of action to communicate earlier on with Parking Enforcement.

Warmly,

DVTA President

Doreen

Parking Ticket Exemption

 

      DURAND VILLAGE TENANT ASSOCIATION       

                Not-for-profit & Unincorporated    

                    dvtassociation@gmail.com

                    dvtassociation.blogspot.ca

  

Please be advised that 93 Bold, 75 Bold and 90 Duke received notice this morning Monday, July 19, 2021, that power sweeping & line painting will be talking place tomorrow, Tuesday, July 20, 2021.

Thank you Joe of 93 Bold for suggesting the Parking Enforcement Office be notified and an exemption for Tuesday, July 20, be requested.  Joe, Bruce and I, DVTA President, spoke with the Leasing and Resident Experience Manger (LREM). She was receptive to the suggestion.  However, her work load today was heavy and the office was short of personnel.  

In an effort to continue to maintain a respectful working relationship with property management and keeping the best interest of our residents in our heart, the DVTA President (with the LREM in agreement), the DVTA President contacted Hamilton City Hall Parking Enforcement office, explained the circumstances and secured an exemption for 93 and 75 Bold for Tuesday, July 20.  

As long as all residents are legally parked, there will be no tickets issued tomorrow.

I apologize to the residents of 90 Duke for not being initially included in the exemption request because the DVTA President was not informed that 90 Duke was scheduled for Wednesday and not Tuesday.  The Leasing and Resident Experience Manger (LREM). has agreed to call Hamilton City Hall Parking Enforcement office to request and exemption for 90 Duke on Wednesday, July 21, 2021.

The DVTA President will follow up with LREM tomorrow for regarding the possible exempt status for 90 Duke St.

Warmly,

DVTA President

Doreen