Membership Committee – Woodsworth Housing Co-operative

Woodsworth Co-op’s waiting list

Sorry, due to the length of our waiting lists, we are closed to new applicants for membership and housing.

Woodsworth Housing Co-operative is just one of many housing co-ops in the City of Toronto. We are independent of other housing co-ops.

However, we are a member of the Co-operative Housing Federation of Toronto. They provide a list of co-ops and open waiting lists.
For more information see:
https://co-ophousingtoronto.coop/our-sector/how-to-apply-to-a-coop/

See also City of Toronto information on Finding housing – City of Toronto.
And also from the City of Toronto: Organizations that can help

If you have started the membership Process

See Membership, long-term guests and relocation about the external waiting list rules and procedures.

Internal relocation: waiting list for members who live here

Members can apply to move to a new unit within Woodsworth. You must apply using the relocation form. You can also find paper copies in the Photocopy Room.

Normally, the internal waiting list is available for you to check. Or talk to Management. They are responsible for managing waiting lists and unit allocation. You can also read the Membership Bylaw on this website.

Consider joining the Membership Committee!

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 three (3) 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.

You can meet past and present committee members and talk to the Election Committee at the Co-op Mingle wine and cheese event will be held in the Penthouse/rooftop area on Sunday October 22nd from 2-6pm.

Deadlines:

– Monday, November 13, 2023, 6pm. All nomination forms and bios must be submitted
– November 22 to 26, elections take place (online with Election Buddy and with paper ballots if you prefer.)
– Results will be announced at the AGM on Wednesday, November 29, 2023.

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

Information session for residents who wish to become members, NOVEMBER 2023

ARCHIVED

Attending a membership information session is a key part of becoming a member of Woodsworth. These are held annually only.

There will be a joint information session on Monday November 6 at 7pm.

More information:

The Membership Committee is planning to hold information sessions for residents who wish to become members of the coop. These sessions which are held once every year are the first steps to becoming a member. The sessions are part of the membership process and attendance is compulsory.

Becoming a member secures rights of residency and participation in the co-op, for example voting at meetings. The information session explains your role in Woodsworth, how co-op decisions are made, and your rights and responsibilities.

Long-term guests:

After attending the session, you will receive an application form which must be co-signed by the members in your household since you acquire rights to that unit with them.

Long-term guests are interviewed by two Membership Committee members and a recommendation is made to the Board of Directors. The directors confers membership.

Turning 16s (young people aged 16-19):

Only those age 16 and up can become a member of Woodsworth.

The membership process for Turning 16s is a little less formal. After attending the session, you will receive an application form which must be co-signed by the members in your household since you acquire rights to that unit with them.

The Board of Directors votes to approve membership status.

To get ready for your session:

– Register: notify the Membership Committee that you will be attending. Deadline to register: Monday October 23
Send an email to woodsworthmembership@gmail. com

– Get your documentation ready – you need to have signed a long-term guest agreement on file in the Office. (Turning 16s don’t need a long-term guest agreement.)

– Woodsworth must be the applicant’s principal residence.

– Ensure that your host or family (the members living with you in your household) support your request. The application form which you receive at the info session must be signed by each member of the household, as you acquire equal rights to that unit once you become a member.

If you have any questions contact the membership committee via email to: woodsworthmembership@gmail.com

Woodsworth’s Waiting List – Closed

Sorry, Woodsworth Housing Co-op’s wait list for housing is closed. We are not able to accept applications for membership at this time.

Please see the list of co-operatives with open waiting lists that the Co-op Housing Federation of Toronto (CHFT) maintains. You can apply for membership in a housing co-operative with an open waiting list.
co-ophousingtoronto.coop/co-op-open-waiting-lists/

Members, to put your name on the internal waiting lists, please see the office staff.

For information about the external waitlist, see Woodsworth Coop’s waiting list

From the Membership Committee

Apartment and Townhouse Floor Plans

Woodsworth has a mix of housing units. There is an eight story mid rise apartment building on Wilton Street with 122 units. The top floor has a large multi-purpose room and one of two laundry rooms. Two bedroom apartments in the mid-rise all have stairs into the units since they utilize the space over the common hallways for the second bedroom.

Twenty two units have direct street access from Wilton Street. The units are on the ground floor have a patio, and the second floor, a balcony. However, all have stairs. Additionally, there are two units, one at each end of the mid-rise that front on George S and Frederick.

There are a total of 70 townhouses on George Street South (east side), Albert Franck Place and Frederick Street (west side).

The townhouses include stacked and “mews” units (garage on the ground floor). Unit sizes in Woodsworth range from 1 – 4 bedrooms.

Please note that individual units may have changed somewhat. Kitchens in some units were remodelled some years ago with an open plan on the second floor, not an enclosed kitchen. Floor plans do not reflect these changes. More recent kitchen renovations retain the original layout.