The Co-operative Staff Association of Central Ontario (CSACO) is a co-operative whose members are individuals who work in housing co-operatives. The co-op staff association members include managers, co-ordinators, bookkeepers, maintenance workers and administrative staff working full or part time.
It is a separate organization from COCHF and it has its own by-laws and its own Board of Directors. CSACO members work primarily in Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford and Cambridge.
CSACO Members meet once a month to exchange information, share ideas, and organize activities. The monthly networking meetings include guest speakers from the co-op housing sector, Co-op Cost Cutters suppliers, and other organizations who can provide support to housing co-operatives. Other stand-alone educational events sponsored by the co-op staff association have included WHMIS training, software training, conflict resolution training, and First Aid/CPR certification. The co-op staff association can also provide financial assistance to members who require legal advice. We also publish a contact list (phone, fax and e-mail) for members to encourage the growth of a staff network.
The co-op staff association holds social events for CSACO members to increase opportunities to network in a less formal setting. The annual Staff Education Forum has become CSACO`s signature event, organized in co-operation with the Co-ordinators`Association of Southwestern Ontario (CASO). It is normally held each February at the Elm Hurst Inn in Ingersoll. This annual event is an incredible networking and learning opportunity at an affordable cost.
Email the CSACO Administrator, Joyce Nieuwesteeg, for additional information about the co-op staff association – csaco.online@gmail.com. You can also contact CSACO President, Trevor Black at: 519-836-6732 / trevor@fiferoadco-op.ca.
Annual Member Dues: $160/year. Some co-ops choose to pay the dues on behalf of their staff person. Dues paid directly by staff members are tax deductible.
President: Trevor Black
Vice-President: Marcie Cote
Treasurer: Darlene Slater
Secretary: Judith Sainsbury
Director-at-Large: Allan Steinwall
CSACO is a full member organization of CHF Canada and COCHF, and works to ensure that the staff’s voice is heard in the co-op sector. CSACO members appoint a representative for the staff position on the COCHF Board, and helps select the staff representative on the CHF Canada Ontario Region Council.
Ontario Co-op Housing Staff Associations Network created a website for staff to access helpful links and resources for managing housing co-ops – www.thestaffnetwork.coop.