Best Practices of Governance Governing your strata corporation whether self-managed, direct hire or by contract should be a team effort between the designated strata council members (if self-managed) or the site manager and the council. The challenge is to identify member of the team should take charge of an issue. So how does the council determine when they should get involved and when they should let the manager or assigned council member handle it? Here is a helpful guide. First determine if the concern is really a council issue or something better handled by the manager/council member. The council handles issues that; affect the strata corporation, the manager/council member handles issues that affect individuals dictate what the strata corporation will do in other words policy, the – manager/council member implements the policy are dictated by bylaw are requested by the manager/council member Unfortunately, many situations are not clear when it comes to responsibilities and it is no wonder conflict exists in the manager/council member relationship. It is important to understand that strata council members do not take action as individuals; they must act as a team. Acting as a team, the council set policies and goals for the manager to implement and achieve. Good communication is key, so that when responsibilities get confused the strata council and the manager can resolve the problems. The council sets a clear vision for the property’s future, the manager helps achieve that envisioned future. Examples of the division of duties follow: Responsibilities and the Council’s Role Responsibility The Manager The Council Supervision Supervises the operation of the strata Sets the policies for the manager, corporation consistent with the powers delegates authority. delegated by the council. Planning Creates a management plan that Approves the plan. describes the anticipated operation of the strata corporation. Council Support Assists the council to set up new Adopts the rules and policies, and puts bylaws, and policies including forward proposed bylaw changes at evaluating current process and making the next annual or special general recommendations for change. meeting. Operations Administer day-to-day implementation of Approve operating policies. council-approved operating policies. Staffing Responsible for hiring staff, determining Hires and fires the Management salaries, evaluating performance, Company, who in turn, hires the site setting performance standards and manager and monitors their schedules, supervising and coordinating performance. their activities, motivating and Approves all policies and terminating. procedures.
Best Practices of Governance Governing your strata corporation whether self-managed, direct hire or by contract should be a team effort between the designated strata council members (if self-managed) or the site manager and the council. The challenge is to identify member of the team should take charge of an issue. So how does the council determine when they should get involved and when they should let the manager or assigned council member handle it? Here is a helpful guide. First determine if the concern is really a council issue or something better handled by the manager/council member. The council handles issues that; affect the strata corporation, the manager/council member handles issues that affect individuals dictate what the strata corporation will do – in other words policy, the manager/council member implements the policy are dictated by bylaw are requested by the manager/council member Unfortunately, many situations are not clear when it comes to responsibilities and it is no wonder conflict exists in the manager/council member relationship. It is important to understand that strata council members do not take action as individuals; they must act as a team. Acting as a team, the council set policies and goals for the manager to implement and achieve. Good communication is key, so that when responsibilities get confused the strata council and the manager can resolve the problems. The council sets a clear vision for the property’s future, the manager helps achieve that envisioned future. Examples of the division of duties follow: Responsibilities and the Council’s Role Responsibility The Manager The Council Supervision Supervises the operation of the strata corporation consistent with the powers delegated by the council. Sets the policies for the manager, delegates authority. Planning Creates a management plan that describes the anticipated operation of the strata corporation. Approves the plan. Council Support Assists the council to set up new bylaws, and policies including evaluating current process and making recommendations for change. Adopts the rules and policies, and puts forward proposed bylaw changes at the next annual or special general meeting. Operations Administer day-to-day implementation of council-approved operating policies. Approve operating policies. Staffing Responsible for hiring staff, determining salaries, evaluating performance, setting performance standards and schedules, supervising and coordinating their activities, motivating and terminating. Hires and fires the Management Company, who in turn, hires the site manager and monitors their performance. Approves all policies and procedures.