CCI Huronia Blog

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December 12, 2024 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be kind to your neighbour || CCI Huronia || Community || Condo Education || condominium owners || courtesy || Dispute Resolution
Author: Debbie Dale, MCRS Property Management

Understanding and Working With Complaints

Those that live and work in condominiums surely appreciated the expert information provided by our Rapid  Fire Panelists at our October 30, 2024 Brunch & Learn held at the Barrie Golf & Country Club.

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November 18, 2024 - Blog Post Tag(s): Condo Education || courtesy || Dispute Resolution
Author: David E. Thiel

The Condo Board Bully

Those involved in the condominium industry long enough – directors, condominium managers, contractors or consultants – will inevitably encounter a Condo Board Bully. This person pushes other Board members around, on occasion completely disregards legal requirements and generally causes disruption at the Board level.

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October 28, 2024 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || common elements || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || Condominium Act || Condominium Education || duties of condominium corporations || Exclusive-use Common Elements
Author: CCI Toronto

Changes to the Common Elements

One area that continues to be a cause for confusion is changes to the common elements. Whether the changes are to be made by the condominium corporation or by unit owners, the rights and obligations that attach to each party vary considerably.

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July 5, 2024 - Blog Post Tag(s): CCI Huronia || Climate Resilient Buildings || Condo Repair Costs || Energy Efficient Windows || Energy saving upgrades
Author: Thomas Noel, Nordik Windows and Doors

Why Get Energy Efficient Windows?

Energy Efficient and/or Energy Star Certified windows may sound like a marketing ploy, but they represent more than just a catchy phrase.

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June 24, 2024 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || CCI Huronia || Condo Education || Condominium Education || Financial Benefits || Government and Utility Incentive Programs || Loss reduction incentives || Utility Cost Reduction
Author: Derrick Finn, Finn Projects

Incentives for Energy Retrofits

Utility costs for condominium buildings can account for half of the monthly operating costs. While many operating expenses are fixed annually and offer little room for adjustment, there is a notable exception: utility consumption. Financial incentives from various levels of government and local utility companies provide opportunities for condominium corporations

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June 20, 2024 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || CCI Huronia || Condo Education || Electric Vehicle Charging Grants || Electric Vehicle Charging Systems
Author: Mark Klady, Lightenco-Chargenco

Dos and Don’ts of Onboarding EV Charging in Condominiums

The decision to move forward with EV Charging often begins with gauging resident interest, an online survey will help Boards and Managers compile this information.

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June 19, 2024 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || CCI Huronia || Condo Education || Electric Vehicle Charging Grants || Electric Vehicle Charging Systems
Author: Steve Hubbard, Lightenco and Chargenco

Electric Vehicle Charging Grants: Sources and Considerations for Condos

Electric vehicles (EVs) are coming and fast! EVs are a common sight today, and the federal government's plan includes making 100% of new passenger vehicles sold in Canada electric by 2035, so we will see them more and more.

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June 12, 2024 - Blog Post Tag(s): be prepared || CCI Huronia || Climate Resilient Buildings || condominium budget || Condominium Education || Energy saving upgrades
Author: Mina Tesseris, ArbiTECH Inc.

Conserve Energy and Save Money

Did you know that some Natural Gas Suppliers will provide free energy-saving upgrades such as insulation, draft proofing and smart thermostats to income eligible customers?

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February 8, 2024 - Blog Post Tag(s): CCI Huronia || common elements || Communication with Condo Owners || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || Condominium Act || Condominium Education || Excellence in Condominium Management || Exclusive-use Common Elements
Author: Sonja Hodis, Hodis Law

Enforcing Breaches

Enforcing breaches of the condo’s rules (found in the Condominium Act or your governing documents) in relation to exclusive use common elements (EUCE) is no different that enforcing breaches generally. However, you may have specific rules that deal only with EUCE.

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December 15, 2023 - Blog Post Tag(s): be prepared || CCI Huronia || Communication with Condo Owners || Condo Education || Condominium Education || duties of condominium corporations || Emergency Preparedness || Exclusive-use Common Elements || fire safety compliance || fire safety in condos || fire safety plan
Author: Michele Farley, FCS Fire Consulting Services Ltd.

Fire Safety on Exclusive-use Property

Your Condo Corporation takes Fire Safety seriously!

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December 5, 2023 - Blog Post Tag(s): CCI Huronia || common element etiquette || Communication with Condo Owners || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || Condominium Education || condominium owners || courtesy || Dispute Resolution || duties of condominium corporations || enforcing bylaws || Excellence in Condominium Management || respect
Author: Debbie Dale and Kirsten Dale, MCRS Property Management

Condominium Managing and Rule Enforcement

“Thou shalt not” is a confrontational approach that is contrary to achieving harmonious use of common elements, however the line in the sand is just that to preserve the rights of all owners.

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December 1, 2023 - Blog Post Tag(s): CCI Huronia || common elements || condo corporation policies
Author: Ashley Lamb – Barrie Condo Corner – Condominium Focused Realtor

Common Elements vs Exclusive-use Common Elements

Common elements in a condominium are the shared areas in the community that belong to all unit owners. These could include: lobbies, hallways, stairwells, garbage areas, community bike storage, visitors parking, and all exterior property grounds and gardens, party room, exercise facilities, pools, change rooms, hot tubs, tennis courts, video rooms, libraries, and billiard rooms.

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August 2, 2023 - Blog Post Tag(s): be prepared || CCI Huronia || Condo Education || Condo Insurance || condominium budget || Condominium Education || Insurance Renewal || Liability Insurance for Condos
Author: Tricia Baratta, AJ Gallagher Insurance Brokers

Townhouse Condominium vs. Apartment Condominium Insurance Coverage: The same but different

A comparison of the insurance policies of an apartment-style condominium and that of a townhouse condominium community, you would see they are very much the same. You will have to take a closer look to see the differences between the policies and will find these on the declaration pages of …

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July 19, 2023 - Blog Post Tag(s): be prepared || Building Code || CCI Huronia || Communication with Condo Owners || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || Condominium Education || duties of condominium corporations || Emergency Preparedness || Excellence in Condominium Management || fire code || fire safety compliance || fire safety in condos || fire safety plan
Author: Michele Farley, FCS Fire Consulting Services Ltd.

Storage Issues - The Fire Code vs. The Building Code

Every once in a while, condos face unexpected challenges. One type of challenge we’ve been seeing a lot more of lately is Storage Issues in Condos, sometimes because of disconnects between the building code and the fire code when it comes to storage regulations.

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July 5, 2023 - Blog Post Tag(s): CCI Huronia || Condo Reserve Funds || Condominium Act || condominium budget || duties of condominium corporations || Reserve Fund
Author: Jon Juffs, McIntosh Perry

Differences Between High-Rise and Townhouse Reserve Fund Studies in Ontario

In Ontario, all condominium corporations are required to have a reserve fund, study, and plan.

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July 5, 2023 - Blog Post Tag(s): CCI Huronia || Community || Condo Education || Condominium Act || condominium communities || Condominium Managers
Author: Jessica Laker, Laker Property Management Ltd

Differences between styles of Condominiums - Building vs Townhouses

Condominiums can range from buildings to commercial, vacant land to industrial, and many more.

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January 13, 2023 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || Building Code || CCI Huronia || Climate Resilient Buildings
Author: Ashley Winberg, Elia Associates PC

Is Bill 23 the Answer to Ontario’s Housing Crisis?

On October 25, 2022, the provincial government announced Bill 23 (the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022), which strives to have 1.5 million homes built in the Province of Ontario over the next 10 years. Bill 23 attempts to make the foregoing possible by proposing significant and widespread amendments to …

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January 4, 2023 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be kind to your neighbour || be prepared || CCI Huronia || Communication with Condo Owners || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || Dispute Resolution || Resilience
Author: Debbie Dale, MCRS Property Management

Resilient Communities Rise Above the Rest

Resiliency is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. The ability to bounce back in fast recovery mode does not happen of its own accord.

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December 30, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || Building Code || CCI Huronia || Climate Resilient Buildings || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || Condo Insurance || Condo Repair Costs || condominium budget || Emergency Preparedness || Financial Planning || Loss reduction incentives || Resilience || Think Outside the Box
Author: Mina Tesseris, Arbitech Inc.

Integrating Resilience into Condo Building Repair Projects

We hear the term “resilience” in our everyday lives more often now than ever.

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November 23, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || Borrowing Bylaw || Cash Flow Issues || CCI Huronia || condo corporation policies || condo owners meetings || Condominium Act || E-voting Platforms || Electronic Meetings || Financial Planning || Voting on Bylaws
Author: Chris Jaglowitz, Common Ground Condo Law

Condo Bylaws on Borrowing

Condo boards often ask if their corporation's original borrowing bylaw (the one passed while under developer control) is sufficient to authorize major borrowings many years later. It is not.

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November 23, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || CCI Huronia || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || condominium budget || condominium communities || duties of condominium corporations || fire code || fire safety compliance || fire safety in condos || fire safety plan
Author: Michele Farley, FCS Fire Consulting Services Ltd.

Condo Budgets and Fire Safety

Budgets varying depending on factors about your condominium, size, age and community. The fire code is applied in a similar way.

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November 23, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || Cash Flow Issues || CCI Huronia || common elements || Communication with Condo Owners || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || Condo Fee Increases || Condo Reserve Funds || condominium budget || condominium communities || Condominium Education || Eliminating the fear of condo expense fees || Financial Planning
Author: Jon Juffs, McIntosh Perry

Condominium Operations

When it comes to condominium operations, there really are two financial areas to know about – and the more you know about them the less you will fear the changes that inevitably arise with them.

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November 23, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): CCI Huronia || common elements || Communication with Condo Owners || condo corporation policies || Condo Fee Increases || Condo Reserve Funds || condominium owners || duties of condominium corporations || Eliminating the fear of condo expense fees || Excellence in Condominium Management || Financial Planning || Think Outside the Box
Author: Debbie Dale, MCRS Property Management

Back to the Basics – Common Expense Fees

There are a few different techniques to eliminate the fear of inevitable condominium fee increases.

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November 14, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): Cash Flow Issues || CCI Huronia || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || condominium budget || duties of condominium corporations || Financial Planning || Reserve Fund
Author: Robert Weinberg, Percel Inc.

Condo Corporations and Borrowing Money

Why does it make sense for a condominium corporation to borrow money? There are many reasons, and a lot of it depends on the type of condominium you are and situation you are in.

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November 14, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): CCI Huronia || Communication with Condo Owners || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || condominium budget || duties of condominium corporations || Financial Planning || Reserve Fund
Author: Ryan Griffiths, CWB Maxium

Borrowing

Borrowing is becoming more common for condominium corporations.

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October 31, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || Cash Flow Issues || CCI Huronia || common elements || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || Condominium Act || condominium budget || Condominium Education || condominium owners || duties of condominium corporations || Excellence in Condominium Management || Reserve Fund || Special Assessments
Author: Patricia Elia, Elia Associates PC

Legal Impacts of Special Assessments

Special assessments, to be honest, can be scary. Why? Because it is a demand for cash that is not expected because it is over and above the budget requirements for cash.

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October 31, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || CCI Huronia || common elements || condo corporation policies || Condo Education || condo owners meetings || condo repairs || condominium budget || duties of condominium corporations || Excellence in Condominium Management || Financial Planning || Special Assessments
Author: Jeff Struewing, Shore To Slope Management Services Inc.

Condo Boards and Special Assessments

Condominiums often struggle when faced with an unexpected major repair or replacement.

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October 26, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || CCI Huronia || Condo Education || Condo Real Estate || condo repairs || Condominium Education || condominium owners || duties of condominium corporations || Financial Planning || Selling your condo || Special Assessments
Author: Ashley Lamb – Barrie Condo Corner – Condominium Focused Realtor

Taking the Fear Out of Special Assessments When Selling

Selling a condominium that has a special assessment in the status certificate, it can be stressful. Hiring an agent that understands special assessments can make your listing and transaction go much smoother.

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February 24, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): be prepared || Condo Education || condo repairs || condominium budget || Reserve Fund
Author: Jon Juffs, McIntosh Perry

Funds, Studies, and Plans – Oh My!

These are the fundamentals of common element replacement and major repairs – funds, studies, and plans.

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February 23, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || CCI Huronia || Condo Education || Condominium Directors Course
Author: CCI Huronia Members

Words of Wisdom on the Importance of Education for Condo Directors

CCI Huronia's 2-day Intensive Director's Course provides participants with important knowledge needed by condominium directors.

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February 23, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || CCI Huronia || Condo Education || Condominium Directors Course || condominium owners || Financial Planning
Author: CCI Huronia Members

Participants’ Testimonials on the CCI Huronia Intensive Director’s Course

CCI Huronia presents a 2-day intensive Condominium Director's Course each April. Participants find enormous value in this in-depth learning experience with a focus on the practical aspects of being a Condo Director.

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February 23, 2022 - Blog Post Tag(s): CMRAO || Condominium Education || Condominium Managers
Author: Tsehaie Makonnen, CMRAO

CMRAO’s New Education Program Prepares Managers for a Career in Ontario’s Growing Condominium Industry

The Condominium Management Regulatory Authority of Ontario (CMRAO) recently introduced new education requirements that impact both future and current CMRAO licensees.

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December 14, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || AGM || be prepared || condo corporation policies || condo owners meetings || condominium communities || condominium owners || Connecting with others through technology || COVID-19 || duties of condominium corporations || Hybrid Meeting Equipment || Hybrid Meetings || pandemic restrictions || Technology for Meetings || virtual communication || virtual meetings
Author: Adam Arcuri, CondoVoter

Innovative Tech Solutions for Hybrid Meetings

Virtual meetings safeguarded residents, guests, board members and managers as condo corporations navigated through social distancing rules due to the pandemic. In condominium communities, virtual meetings have become the "new normal".

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December 14, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || awarding costs || CAT's expanding jurisdiction || CAT’s jurisdiction || common elements || condo corporation policies || Condominium Act || condominium communities || condominium owners || courtesy || disagreements || Dispute Resolution || dogs || duties of condominium corporations || enforcing bylaws || fairness || light || noise || nuisance || Occupier’s Liability Act || odour || pets || vapours || vibrations
Author: Sonja Hodis, Hodis Law

CAT’s Evolution – January 1, 2022 sees a further expansion of their jurisdiction

The Condominium Authority Tribunal (commonly known as CAT) has gone through quite an evolution since its inception which occurred as a result of the 2017 changes to the Condominium Act (the “Act”). 

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December 8, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || be prepared || CO Detectors || condo corporation policies || duties of condominium corporations || Emergency Preparedness || fire alarms || fire code || Fire Emergency Safety Training || fire extinguishers || fire safety compliance || fire safety in condos || fire safety plan || smoke alarms
Author: Michele Farley, FCS Fire Consulting Services Ltd.

Fire Safety in Condos - Ever Evolving

We hear from clients every day who are frustrated that there always seems to be a new Fire Code requirement or standard that they have to comply with. How are they supposed to know them all? How are they supposed to keep up? WHY does the Fire Code keep changing?

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December 8, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || AGM || be prepared || condo owners meetings || condominium communities || Connecting with others through technology || duties of condominium corporations || Hybrid Meetings || Technology for Meetings
Author: Emilie Stroud, MCRS Property Management

Meeting in the New World

It’s no exaggeration to say the last eighteen months have been a huge learning curve for many of us, with an unprecedented reliance on the Internet, and digital communication swiftly becoming a vital skill to master.

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October 28, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): be prepared || condominium owners || Emergency Preparedness || GO Bag
Author: Debbie Dale, MCRS Property Management

READY? SET? GO ... WHERE’S YOUR GO BAG??

What would you take with you in an emergency evacuation? Prepare your "GO bag" now!!

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October 28, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): be prepared || common elements || duties of condominium corporations || elevator safety || mobility issues
Author: Rolly Mechler, Elevator One Inc. - Sales & Marketing Manager

Top 5 Elevator Safety Tips

Elevators are critical pieces of any apartment or condo as they transport precious cargo (people) every day.

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October 27, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): accident || be prepared || common elements || condominium communities || duties of condominium corporations || duty of care || hot tub || injuries || Occupier’s Liability Act || swimming pool || water safety
Author: Ashley Winberg, Elia Associates PC

Water Safety and Your Condo

Residing in a condominium that is situated on a lake or has a hot tub, pool and/or pond is a huge perk in the summer months but comes with significant risk and potential liability.

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October 26, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): be kind to your neighbour || common element etiquette || common elements || Community || condominium owners || courtesy || Dispute Resolution || don't sweat the small stuff || fairness || good hygiene || gratitude || manners || respect || sharing
Author: Patricia Elia, Elia Associates PC

Common Element Etiquette

As we emerge back into society, we thought the following common element etiquette rules would be helpful.

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October 26, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): be prepared || common element etiquette || common elements || Community || condo corporation policies || condo repairs || condominium owners || dryer vents || duties of condominium corporations || fire alarms || fire code || fire extinguishers || fire in condo unit || fire safety compliance || fire safety in condos || fire safety plan || practice fairness || sharing || smoke || smoke alarms || stay or go policy
Author: Michele Farley, FCS Fire Consulting Services Ltd.

Tips for Sustainable Fire Safety and Fire Code Compliance

Fire Safety has always been an important topic. Now, with more people being home because of COVID we are seeing a significant increase in home fires and home fire fatalities. This makes this topic even more important than ever for corporations, Boards of Directors and individual unit owners!

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October 26, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || condo corporation policies || condo repairs || Condominium Act || condominium owners || COVID-19 || COVID-19 Policies || Dispute Resolution || duties of condominium corporations || pandemic restrictions
Author: Patricia Elia, Elia Associates PC

Condos, COVID and Compliance

Toronto Standard Condominium Corporation No. 1704 brought an application to prevent a condominium unit owner from continuing repairs, contrary to its policy.

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October 19, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): COVID-19 || Exercise || Mental Health || Mindfulness || Pillars of Optimal Health || Social Connection
Author: Dr. Mabel Hsin, M.D.

Mental Health During COVID-19

It is not infection from the virus which had the greatest impact on most people's health during this pandemic.

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October 19, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || condo owners meetings || condominium communities || condominium owners || Connecting with others through technology || COVID-19 || pandemic restrictions || Social Connection || virtual meetings
Author: Joanna Tomaszewski Property Manager, Bayshore Property Management

How COVID-19 Affected Communicating in Condos

Covid 19 has changed many things around us, most of all how we communicate, not only with our friends and family but within condominium communities as well.

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October 19, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || condominium budget || COVID-19 || snow removal || waste and recycling
Author: Jeff Struewing Property Manager - Shore to Slope Management Services Inc.

COVID-19 Impact on Condominiums

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought about many impacts on condominiums. While some are restrictions on amenities and day-to-day living, some impact the condominium budget and operations.

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October 19, 2021 - Blog Post Tag(s): adapting to change || Community || Connecting with others through technology || COVID-19 || don't sweat the small stuff || good hygiene || gratitude || Mental Health || Mindfulness || Pillars of Optimal Health || Social Connection
Author: Sonja Hodis, Hodis Law

The Positive Side of COVID-19

Although COVID has not been a picnic in the park, I do believe there is a silver lining to this pandemic.

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