Council Member Education: What You Need to Know

As a member of your strata council, you have a responsibility to educate yourself about the operation of a strata corporation. Residents have elected you to make decisions on their behalf, and it’s essential to be well-informed about your duties and role. The following are nine areas to focus on as you prepare for the job.    

1. Strata Concept

To be an effective council member, it's crucial to understand the concept and structure of a Strata Corporation (SC). In general, an SC is a nonprofit organization set up to help run, manage, and maintain a neighbourhood, building, or another collective of homes. People who belong to a strata pay monthly fees, which the strata corporation uses to maintain shared spaces and carry out other duties, like bylaw and rule enforcement, meeting with management, and financial planning. An elected council of volunteers runs the strata corporation on behalf of all homeowners.

2. Strata History

All council members must have a clear understanding of their property’s past, a vision for the future, and knowledge of the present. Your community’s succession plan will typically provide detailed historical records and include the resources you’ll need to lead with confidence and make the best choices moving forward.

3. Governing Documents

As you transition into your role, you’ll also need to know your purpose, duties, and obligations. All of this information can be found in your governing documents. The governing documents include the disclosure statement, bylaws, rules, policies, procedures, resolutions, and guidelines.  Ensure you read your governing documents thoroughly, comprehend them, and abide by them.

4. Provincial Government Laws and Local Municipal Bylaws

In addition to the strata’s governing documents, council members should become familiar with standards established by local government laws and municipality bylaws. Council members should build relationships with local government officials and become engaged in the legislative process. Many government offices can significantly impact your community, and these connections and involvement will help maintain and improve the quality of life for residents.

5. Code of Professional Ethics

Most councils have a mandated Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics. This code should outline expected behavior regarding integrity and objectivity, technical standards, conflicts of interest, and more. Whether you’re at a council meeting or in the clubhouse, council members must adhere to the Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics at all times.

6. Community Partner Roles

The best council members understand that they’re not experts at everything. It's often necessary to seek out and respect the advice of professional partners and service providers, like your strata manager or strata lawyers. Educating yourself on their specific roles and acknowledging their expertise will help the council make better, more informed decisions.    

7. Insurance Policies

Creating a comprehensive insurance plan is a big undertaking that shouldn't be treated as just another item on the council’s to-do list. To successfully secure and maintain insurance policies for your strata, you must consult your governing documents, carefully assess your community's risk, match insurance products to your areas of risk, and partner with an expert.  

8. Financial Matters

Managing and overseeing the strata’s finances is one of the council’s most significant tasks. The majority of stratas are multi-million-dollar nonprofit corporations, which means the council runs a small to mid-size business—with all the decisions, exposure, and liability that come with it. You must understand where, how, and why money gets spent. It's essential to closely examine budgets, ensure compliance, and review monthly financials, contracts, financial statements, utilities, and recent reserve studies.

9. Communication Processes

Effective communication is one of the most important tools available to promote a positive and cooperative spirit. Because communicating actions and the status of activities to membership is the council’s responsibility, you must become familiar with the communication processes and protocols in place. Confirm expectations and make sure residents know how to access and receive information.