I honor our life together by focusing on the joy we shared – Unknown.

As soon as we got home, I started working on Lynda’s resume.  While Lynda had no university degree, she was the president of Sorority in Ottawa and Calgary.  She had served on various committees to raise funds for cancer.  She had travelled with Sorority Sisters various places including the states for fund raising.  She had also worked with the celebrities in Ottawa when they had a convention to raise funds. 

I tried to capture all those activities in a brief resume to just demonstrate that she could preside on the committee to manage a condominium building.   

Once I finalized the resume, I had Lynda reviewed and approved what I had put together before I gave it to Joy.   

We both were busy doing different things until supper time.  Once we sat down in our living room, Lynda asked me what I thought about the lunch that we had with Joy.  I said, I was totally impressed with her.  She never pretended about anything and clearly admitted that she did what she could to get it going.  To be totally honest with you, she needed a break badly.  Three years is a long time to work with any committee.  Lynda said I agree with you. A couple of minutes went past when both of us were thinking about the same thing – what should be our next move.   

Finally, Lynda asked me if anybody on the committee would have any problem with Joy’s suggestion?  I said, I don’t think so.  Nevertheless, I said we need to talk about Carol.  Lynda said, what are you talking about?  I said, we need her cooperation because she was the one who is controlling the money and perhaps, she is also scared that if you became the president, you would fire her granddaughter as well as her son-in-law.  Lynda said I totally disregarded that.  

Lynda said, where can we go from here? I said perhaps we should consider having lunch with Carl as soon as possible to give her an opportunity to tell us her story.  Lynda said it does make sense.  Why don’t I go see her right now.  I said go ahead while I take care of something else. 

Lynda was gone for almost an hour.  When she got back, she said we had a very friendly chit-chat.  I found out that her brother lives with her in her condo.  Needless to say that they are English.  She told me that they came to Sidney a long time ago when her husband passed away, she gave their house to her daughter, which is not too far from here and she bought a condo here in this building.  I asked if she liked the idea of getting together to chit-chat?  Lynda said she was very positive.  I figured out as if she was expecting us to get in touch with her.  Yes, we are meeting her at her favorite restaurant for lunch tomorrow. 

Lynda asked me if I have a plan for Carol?  I said I have an idea which we need to discuss tonight so that we handle the situation carefully.  Lynda said please explain to me slowly so that I can understand after all I am going to be the president. 

I said, we need to be sensitive when we discuss her granddaughter and son-in-law.  What I meant by at this stage of the game is we don’t exactly know if they are both doing a reasonable job or not.  If they are doing a reasonable job or they both can do a reasonably good job, we should stay away from the idea of firing them because we don’t know how hard it would be to replace them.  What we know is that one owner commented about her granddaughter in the elevator, which is not good enough to take any action against her.  Lynda said now I know where you are going with that.  The other thing is that we need to convince her that we will be there to help the owners and we want her to be a part of our team.  If she bought that idea, it would be relatively easy for us to make necessary changes.  Lynda said it makes sense to me and we started watching tv. 

The next day we met Carol at her favorite restaurant.  She appeared to be nerves, and I wanted to make sure that we don’t get into serious discussions about the committee right away.   

We thought we should order first before we started discussing anything.  

I said to Carol, I understand that your brother lives with you, which is nice.  She said he lost his wife and he was struggling back home and I decided to ask him to come and live with me.  I said that was very nice of you.  She said we both need company.  I said I agree with you.   

We spent a few minutes on small talk waiting for the meals to be served.  As soon as we started eating, Lynda said we understood that your granddaughter was cleaning our building.  Carol said yes.  We had problems with the previous cleaner, and it was hard to find somebody to replace her.  It so happened that my granddaughter was available and she applied for the job.  The committee, including the consultant, decided to hire her.   

I said we also understand that your son-in-law also helps us with bits and pieces in the building.  She said Herold, helps us with small things which we don’t have to go through the consultant.   

Lynda said Joy was telling that you and the consultant deal with the budget and any other financial activities.  Carol said Joy made it clear to us the time she accepted to be the president that she wouldn’t be interested in dealing with financial activities.  

I asked Carol if she is happy with the services provided by the consultant.  She said even though we all have problems with the speed at he gets things done but he is always there when we need him.  She continued he knows people in the trades to get them to fix things in the building, which is the main thing as far as I am concerned.   

I said we were talking to Joy, and she said she has been the president for almost three years.  Carol said Joy didn’t even want to be the president to start with.  Every year she attempts to get somebody interested in taking over from her, but no other owners appear to be interested.   

Lynda said we lived in a gated community dedicated to seniors in Las Vegas where the minimum age was 56 years.  Most of the folks still work part time mainly in casinos, and it was hard to find somebody to serve on the committee.  Nevertheless, they participated enthusiastically in anything organized by the committee.  Carol said in our building everybody is senior and pensioners.  Perhaps the average age in the building is close to 75 to 80 and whenever we asked them to help us with the committee, they would say we are retired.  Lynda said at the same time they never seem to stop complaining about increasing condo fees.   Carol said, you said it all, Lynda.   

I said Joy asked Lynda if she would be interested in taking over as a president.  Carol said that would be nice if Lynda decided to do so.  We need somebody younger and energetic and it appeared to some of us that Lynda would be an ideal president.  Lynda said I would not get involved if the owners were not prepared to participate on the committee.  Lynda continued, and at the same time I will make it interesting by organizing trips, lunches/dinners, and anything else to keep them interested.  Carol said perhaps that would do the trick. 

I said would you be cooperative in making some changes, for instance, having more than one person signing authority to write cheques.  Carol said wholeheartedly.  It would be nice if Lynda was prepared to do that.  Lynda said from time to time we both may not be available to sign a cheque, but typically most of the time we both should sign cheques.   

I said the other thing that I wanted to bring to your attention is that we don’t have any problem with Herald and his daughter working for us if the work they are doing is acceptable.  To be honest with you, Lynda has no intention of going through the process of hiring anybody to replace them.  Carol appeared to be quite happy with that statement. 

The other thing I wanted to check with you carol, do you mind if I take over the accounting process and leave you with the authority to sign cheques and provide counsel to Lynda.  Lynda said perhaps you should explain it further.  I said you don’t have to make accounting entries in the ledger except writing a cheque.  I continued; I am thinking of computerizing accounting, which will be a lot easier to maintain.  She said that would be just great, Mir.     

Lynda asked who else was on the committee.  Carol said, Bill, who keeps an eye on the garden, but he is getting on.   

I asked if Carol has access to a list of suppliers or contractors.  She said the consultant maintains that list, but I can prepare one for you based on the cheques that I had written to various contractors for the work they had done for us.  I said that would be great, Carol. 

I asked if there was anything more to discuss.  Lynda and Carol said nothing.  I paid the bill and we left the restaurant. 

The time we got home was almost 2:30 PM.   

Lynda said she said she needs to do some work for her Sorority meeting in the evening, and I thought that would give me some time to do research.  Lynda said, what kind of research? I said I don’t know anything about maintaining a senior condominium building and before you take over any responsibilitiy we need to know about anything we can.  She said, okay, you would have time to do whatever you like. I don’t think I will be back before 10:00 PM. On that note, she left me alone and I parked myself in front of my laptop. 

After spending a considerable amount of time on my laptop, I managed to summarize the following: 

Managing a small senior condominium building involves a mix of governance, financial oversight, building maintenance, legal compliance, and resident relations. Because the community is smaller and residents may have age-related needs, communication, accessibility, and proactive planning are especially important. 

The key responsibilities include: 

  • PRESIDENT: Preside meetings, provide the leadership, enforce bylaws and rules, prepare meeting agendas, maintain records, and establish a committee and hire members for the following responsibilities; 
  • FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT: Prepare budgets, collect condominium fees, pay invoices, maintain reserve funds, oversee investments, produce financial reports, coordinate audits, and monitor spending; 
  • BUILDING MAINTENANCE: Schedule routine maintenance, oversee repairs, manage preventative maintenance, inspect common areas, maintain elevators, HVAC, roofing, plumbing, lighting, and accessibility features; 
  • CONTRACTOR MANAGEMENT: Obtain quotes, negotiate contracts, supervise vendors, evaluate performance, and ensure contractors have proper insurance and licenses; 
  • RESIDENTENT SERVICES: Respond to resident concerns, communicate building notices, coordinate move-ins and move-outs, manage amenity bookings, and assist residents with understanding building policies; 
  • SAFETY AND SECURITY: Maintain fire safety systems, emergency plans, security systems, access controls, lighting, and coordinate required inspections and drills; 
  • INSURANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT: Coordinate insurance renewals, manage claims, identify risks, and recommend preventative measures; 
  • CAPITAL PLANNING: Develop long-term maintenance and replacement plans, manage reserve fund projects, and oversee major renovations; and
  • COMMUNICATIONS: Issue newsletters, meeting minutes, maintenance notices, emergency updates, and maintain transparent communication with owners.    

Here’s the summary of the responsibilities: 

  • DAILY: 
    • Respond to resident inquiries;  
    • Handle maintenance requests;  
    • Monitor security issues; and 
    • Check common areas.  
  • WEEKLY: 
    • Inspect building systems; 
    • Meet with maintenance staff or contractors;  
    • Review invoices; and 
    • Update the board as needed.  
  • MONTHLY: 
    • Prepare financial reports;  
    • Attend monthly meetings;  
    • Review maintenance schedules; and 
    • Monitor budget performance.  
  • ANNUALLY: 
    • Prepare the operating budget;  
    • Coordinate the annual owners’ meeting;  
    • Arrange financial audit or review; 
    • Review insurance coverage; 
    • Schedule major inspections; and  
    • Update reserve fund planning as required. 

Lynda came back after 10:00PM and she was tired. I thought we would go to bed instead of discussing anything. 

Our Story: Chapter 74

                                  Nepean, Ontario, Canada               08 July 2026