Author: Woodsworth Housing Co-op

Consider joining the Membership Committee!

Updated September 25, 2024

Woodsworth’s Membership Committee is a key elected committee and with a new Membership Bylaw to help us with our work, it is an important group to join. There are seven committee members elected for a two-year term. This year, the committee needs four (4)  new members for a two year term. If elected, you will be required to complete a confidentiality agreement.

Meetings and your commitment:

The committee normally meets once a month. (The new bylaw requires the committee to meet at least eight (8) times per year.)  Of course there are sometimes tasks between meetings, especially when there is an information session planned. Currently, the committee is meeting online.

What the Membership Committee does:

The Membership Committee organizes and hosts information sessions for Long-Term Guests, Turning 16’s and external people. After interviewing these attendees, the committee makes recommendations for membership to the Board of Directors.

The committee responds to membership inquiries and concerns. Membership also provides feedback on membership bylaws when needed.

Management maintains waiting lists and makes offers of units, and the committee liaises with them about membership matters.

How to become a member of the Membership Committee:

Remember you can nominate yourself! Fill in a committee nomination form (available on bulletin boards, online and in the Photocopy Room).

Sign it and return to the Elections Committee through the new election’s mailbox in the Photocopy Room on the 2nd floor.

Write a short bio, plus photo of yourself. The bio should introduce yourself to members. Possibly include why you are standing.  Other helpful information might include a specific skill that you feel is useful. The photo does not need to be studio worthy; a selfie is fine. It helps members to place you in their minds. When happy with your bio, simply send it to the election committee email address: nominate@woodsworthcoop.ca.

Special rules for the Membership Committee:

  • Board members cannot be members of the Membership Committee.
  • Members of the Membership Committee may not serve more than four (4) consecutive years, ie. two (2) consecutive 2-year terms.
  • A member of the committee who has served for two consecutive terms is not eligible to be a committee member until the next annual election after the second term ended. A partial term counts as a term if it is longer than one year.

More questions?

For questions about nominations and elections, contact nominate@woodsworthcoop.ca

For questions specifically about the Membership Committee, contact woodsworthmembership@gmail.com

How guests get long-term guest (LTG) status

Everyone living in the Co-op must have a relationship (status) with the Co-op. Members and long-term guests (LTGs) all have a legal agreement with the Co-op. Members sign an Occupancy Agreement, and LTGs sign a Long-term Guest Agreement. These clarify individuals’ expectations about their role, responsibility and rights in the Co-op. This also allows the Co-op to deal with any problems that might arise from that household.

Casual guests have no status and are not considered part of a household. A casual guest may not stay at the co-op for more than three months in any year.

Teens who live in Woodsworth before they are sixteen years old do not have to apply for long-term guest status. When they turn 16, they automatically become long-term guests. No long-term guest agreement is necessary if they live with a parent or guardian. They are encouraged to apply for membership. There is a special procedure for those Turning 16 (ages 16-19).

What is a Long-term guest (LTG)?

A non-member who is approved by the Board of Directors to live as a part of a member’s household.  An LTG is not a member and has no member rights or privileges. The Occupancy Bylaw has the rules about the long-term guest process and rights. The long-term guest agreement is an attachment to the bylaw. Long-term guests may apply for membership as an internal applicant but there are time restrictions in place for relocating to their own unit.

Becoming a Long-term guest:

The Board of Directors is responsible for approving long-term guests and Management helps with the procedures and updating files. The Membership Committee has no role in approving long-term guests.

Woodsworth members can make a written request to the board of directors to approve someone as a long-term guest. Use the application form for long-term guest that is available online or in the Photocopy Room.

The request must be signed by all co-op members in the household. The proposed guest must also sign the request.

Once completed, if this is given or emailed to Management, the Manager can ensure it is on an upcoming Board agenda. The Board agenda is done by the Board and the manager. Keep a copy of your request.

Application form: Request for long-term guest status

Approval by directors of long-term guest status:

The board may choose to approve a long-term guest for a fixed period or for a maximum period or for an indefinite period. This must be stated in the board’s approval motion. If approval is for a fixed or maximum period, the person will no longer be a long-term guest at the end of the period. The board of directors can cancel long-term guest status or change the terms of long-term guest status at any time.

Sign a long-term guest agreement:

For long-term guest status to be in effect, all members in the household and their guests must sign and comply with a long-term guest agreement.

The agreement is signed only after approval by the Board and witnessed by Management.(Long-term guests do not sign the Occupancy Agreement.)

Talk to Management after Board approval about going to the Office to sign your agreement. A staff member will witness your signatures. Keep a copy of the agreement. This agreement will be necessary if the LTG wishes to become a member in the future. There is no waiting period for applying for membership, but the required information sessions are held just once a year.

Impact of long-term guest status:

Long-term guests have no right to occupy the unit independent of the members, no right to occupy any other unit in the co-op, and no right to a place on the co-op’s internal waiting list. Long-term guests also have no voting rights.

The member is still responsible to the co-op for all housing charges and all the member’s obligations to the co-op. The long-term guest cannot pay anything to the member, such as key money, and the only payment permitted is a fair share of the housing charges. Any other payment is against the law.

However long-term guests (LTGs) are considered occupants with co-op status when the member(s) apply for a larger unit, thereby helping to meet the Occupancy Bylaw’s occupancy standards. The co-op agrees that the long-term guest can live in the member’s unit and the guest is entitled to written notice if they are asked to leave.  The long-term guest must immediately leave the unit when the member’s occupancy rights end.

Members who receive rent subsidy (RGI) should know that the LTGs income may be used in the calculations. Talk to Management.

Membership:

Members may propose membership for long-term guests. The applicant must have a signed long-term guest agreement on file with Management.

Help and information:

For information on Long-Term Guest status, contact Management.

The Occupancy Bylaw covers the basic rules about becoming a long-term guest and their rights.

For information about membership for long-term guests, see How a long-term guest becomes a member