Tag: long-term guest

Become a member: info session scheduled for long-term guests and returning members

An Information Session will be held at the Woodsworth Penthouse for Woodsworth long-term guests and returning members.
Saturday, October 24th, 2026, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Attending an Information Session is required for returning member candidates,  Turning 16s, or long-term guests to become an official member. 

Membership secures rights of residency and participation in Woodsworth Co-Op events like General Members’ Meetings and Annual Members’ Meetings.

You will need to sign in and show:

· Proof of Long-Term Guest status (e.g. Long-Term Guest Agreement, Letter from Office or Board confirming LTG status).  Please note: If you need to obtain this documentation from the office, kindly do so by prior to October 16th.   

· Show 2 pieces of ID: One needs to be valid & current photo ID (such as a driver’s license, Ontario Photo Card, passport, permanent resident card);

The Second piece is proof of Woodsworth residency that shows your current address (e.g. original, mailed utility bill, monthly mailed bank account statements for savings or chequing accounts, pay stubs, insurance policy, Ontario motor vehicle ownership, your most recent income tax Notice of Assessment). Please check the Membership Bylaw on the website for more details. 

https://www.woodsworthcoop.ca/index.php/by-laws/membership-by-law/ 

Late arrivals or those without proper documentation will not be admitted to the information session, or be eligible for an interview to become a member.

REGISTER:

Please let us know if you are attending to begin the Membership application process, or to support a family member or a long-term guest living with you. RSVP to woodsworthmembership@gmail.com by October 16th with your name, email address, phone number and unit number. Your contact information will only be used for updates about this event. 

QUESTIONS:

If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the membership committee via email at woodsworthmembership@gmail.com

We look forward to meeting you.

–  the Membership Committee

Long-term guests and approval to live in Woodsworth

Long-Term Guests (LTGs)

A Long-Term Guest (LTG) is someone who is not a Woodsworth member but has been formally approved by the Board of Directors to live in a member’s household.

This webpage explains the rules for Long-Term Guests under the Woodsworth bylaws.

What is a Long-Term Guest?

An LTG lives in a co-op unit as part of a member’s household.
LTG status exists only after the Board of Directors approves the request.
LTGs are not members, but they may apply for membership at any point after becoming a long-term guest.
LTGs count toward household occupancy standards, which can affect eligibility for a particular unit size.

What an LTG Cannot Do

LTGs:
Do not have the rights and privileges of Woodsworth members.
Cannot join the internal waiting list.
Cannot hold a unit in their own name.
Cannot remain in the unit if all members of the household move out or relocate within Woodsworth.
Exception: Article 10.4 of the Occupancy Bylaw applies when a member dies.

Rules and Responsibilities

LTGs must follow all Woodsworth bylaws, policies, and the terms of the Long-Term Guest Agreement.

Approval Process — Required
  • A member must submit a written request to the Board of Directors for Long-Term Guest status for the person living with them.
  • Use the approved LTG Request Form.
  • The completed form must be signed by all household members and the proposed LTG.
  • Send the completed form to Management.
  • Management forwards the request to the Board for consideration at an upcoming Board meeting.
  • The Board reviews the request and votes on whether to approve LTG status.
  • If the request is approved, everyone must sign the Long-Term Guest Agreement (Schedule B, Occupancy Bylaw).
  • A person is not considered an LTG until the Board has approved the request and the Long-Term Guest Agreement has been signed and witnessed by Management.

Evicted persons:
Someone evicted from the co-op, left after a Notice to Appear was issued, was in a situation of domestic violence or owed money to the co-op cannot be a casual or long-term guest or sub-occupant without prior Board approval. [Occupancy Bylaw, Article 8.7]

The Board may approve LTG status:
    • For a fixed term
    • For a maximum term
    • Indefinitely

The Board may change or cancel LTG status at any time.

Income and Housing Charge Subsidy
      • LTG income is normally included in household income.
      • LTG income can affect eligibility for a housing charge subsidy.
      • Households must report LTG income accurately and keep their subsidy documents up to date.
LTGs and Membership

An LTG may later apply for Woodsworth membership as an internal applicant.
There is no waiting period before an approved LTG can attend an information session hosted by the Membership Committee. Information sessions are held annually.

Membership is not automatic, regardless of how long someone has lived in the co-op as a guest, LTG, or dependent of a member.

To apply for membership, the following are required:
    • Agreement from all members of the household
    • Completion of the full membership process under the Membership Bylaw including attending an information session.
    • Board approval and signing of the Occupancy Agreement (Schedule A, Occupancy Bylaw)
    • If accepted as a member, the former LTG becomes a full member. However, they must wait two years before:
              • Having a unit of their own
              • Joining the internal waiting list

              [Membership Bylaw, Article 2.3.3. Long-term guests applying for membership]

              Special Situation: Youth Turning 19

              A youth who turns 19 and does not apply for membership automatically becomes an LTG. They do not need to apply for LTG status while they continue to live with their family members in Woodsworth.

              Youth aged 16–19 may apply for membership through the Turning 16 process. This is a simpler membership process, but it does require attendance at an information session held by the Membership Committee.

            Where to Find More Information

            Occupancy Bylaw, Article 8.4 — Long-Term Guests sets out the rules for LTGs.
            For more detailed information about long-term guests, membership, and relocation, see the website topic:    Membership, Long-Term Guests, Relocation and Unit Allocation

            If you have questions or need assistance with the Long-Term Guest application, please contact the Co-op Office.

             

Membership guide – becoming a member

1.  Who can apply for membership

  • Minimum Age for membership: 16 years old

2.  Four categories of applicants

Long-Term Guests
  • Live in Woodsworth
  • Approved by the Board as a Long-Term Guest
  • Long-Term Guest Agreement signed by all household members and witnessed by Management
  • May apply for membership at any time
  • Membership is optional
  • All co-op members in the household must agree to the membership application. This is important because, by supporting the application, the current household members are agreeing to extend equal membership rights and responsibilities to the new applicant if they are approved for membership.
Turning 16s (youth aged 16-19)
  • Live in Woodsworth
  • Lived in Woodsworth before turning 16
  • No Long-Term Guest Agreement required
  • Simplified membership process
  • Those who miss the age window or did not live at Woodsworth before turning 16 years old may apply through the Long-Term Guest process.
  • All co-op members in the household must agree to the membership application. This is important because, if the application is approved, the new member will have the same rights and responsibilities as the current household members.
Returning Members
  • Former members of the co-op who do not currently live in Woodsworth
  • Normally attend the annual internal information session (with LTGs)
  • Have special privileges when applying for membership (see Special Rules)
External Applicants

3.  Members’ rights and responsibilities

Once approved as members by the Board of Directors, applicants:

  • Share equal rights and responsibilities for the unit
  • Live at Woodsworth and use common facilities
  • Vote at members’ meetings *
  • Run in elections (Board positions require age 18+) *
  • Participate in governance (committees, Board, other activities) *
  • Apply for their own unit after 2 years of membership (applies to LTGs and Turning Sixteens) 
    * These rights apply to applicants after they have moved into Woodsworth.

    4.  The membership process

This document focuses primarily on people who live in Woodsworth and on returning members.

A. Attend the Information Session

This is mandatory for all applicants.

The session is held once a year for long-term guests, Turning 16s, and Returning Members only by the Membership Committee.

Note: Information sessions for external applicants are scheduled only when the external waiting list has been reduced to a manageable size. Because of this, there may be extended periods when no external information sessions are offered.

You must bring to the information session:
Proofs of residency for Long-term Guests and Turning 16’s

⚠️ Without these documents, attendance is not permitted.

What you must bring these documents to the information session

Applicant Type

What to Bring

Notes
LTG Signed LTG agreement (witnessed by staff), 2 proofs of residency, photo ID Talk to staff if issues with documents
Youth (16–19) 2 proofs of residency, photo ID No LTG agreement needed
Returning Member Proof of at least 2 year residency as member. Photo ID and proof of address. Attend internal session. Submit proof of residency ahead of session
External Applicant Proofs listed in invitation Invited only when waitlists are low

B. Apply for membership

  • At the session, you will receive an application form with a tracking number linked to your name.
  • Applications must be submitted to Management within 3 months.
  • All current household members must co-sign the form, confirming shared rights and responsibilities.

C. Review and interviews

What happens

  • Two committee members interview adult applicants.
  • Applicants aged 16–19 have an informal conversation instead of a formal interview.
  • Management conducts the required financial checks.
  • The Membership Committee recommends whether to approve the application.
  • The Board receives the application package.

Membership Committee responsibilities

  • Update the tracking document.
  • Complete the interview report part of the tracking  document.
  • Forward the recommendation to Management using  the tracking form.
  • Forward the completed application form to Management for the official  files.

Management responsibilities

  • Complete financial and income verification.
  • Update the tracking document.
  • Forward the applicants’ tracking documents to the Board for a board meeting approval.

D. Board decision

The Board evaluates applications using the membership criteria in Article 2.2 of the Membership Bylaw.

The Board may:

  • approve the application
  • request additional information
  • deny the application

Applicants are notified of the decision by Management.

Appeals may be made under Article 3.3 of the Membership Bylaw.

Applications are evaluated against the co-op’s membership criteria (Membership Bylaw Article 2.2):

E. Sign the Occupancy Agreement

  • Successful internal applicants are requested to visit the office with the members of their household to sign the new or updated occupancy agreement.
  • Once the Occupancy Agreement is signed, the applicant becomes a member with full rights and responsibilities
  • Keep a copy — this is your proof of membership
  • Returning  members and external applicants only sign the Occupancy Agreement when they accept a specific unit in Woodsworth.

5. Special rules & internal waiting list

  • Two-year rule: New members who joined as LTGs or Turning 16s must wait 2 years before joining the internal waiting list or taking over a unit without members in residence
  • One-year exception: Members who were already on the list before Sept 26, 2023 (the date of the bylaw approval) had to wait only 1 year after signing the Occupancy Agreement.
  • Returning Members may join the internal waiting list once approved by the Board.
  • External Applicants: Placed on the external waiting list upon Board approval. (Applicants should confirm unit size requests based on the occupancy standards.)
  • Explainer about the internal waiting list

6.  Who does what

  • Membership Committee
    • Runs info sessions
    • Interviews applicants
    • Recommends membership decisions to the Board
  • Board of Directors
    • Approves Long-Term Guest status
    • Approves membership applications
  • Management
    • Handles LTG requests and paperwork
    • Tracks approvals and membership status
    • Conducts credit checks and financial reviews
    • Prepares Occupancy Agreements
    • Manages unit allocation (per the Membership Bylaw)

7.  What the Membership Committee does

A committee member creates tracking forms for each attendee at the information session. At checkin for the info session, committee members update the applicants’  tracking documents. to show that they have provided the required documentation.

The Committee’s presentation at the Information Session should explain the requirements for membership, with a focus on the co-op’s bylaws and the role of members in the governance of the co-op. It should emphasize the co-op’s democratic structure and introduce Woodsworth’s history and the worldwide co-operative movement. The presentation should also direct applicants to key sources of information, including the Weekly newsletter, the bylaws, other resources available on the co-op’s website, the management office, and the co-op’s committees as information sources and as opportunities for participation.

8.  More Information

Main page for membership issues:  Membership, long-term guests, relocation & unit allocation

Proof of principal residence and ID requirements for membership

Membership Documentation Requirements  for Woodsworth membership

from: Membership Bylaw (Member Approval and Unit Allocation Bylaw), Attachment B.

To receive a membership application form at a membership information session, long-term guests and Turning 16s (aged 16 to 19) must show proof that Woodsworth is their principal residence.

These applicants must bring:

    1. Applicants must bring photo ID.
    2. Long-term guests must also bring a copy of their signed and witnessed (by staff) long-term guest agreement.
    3. Two (2) types of documentation from the following list must be presented to prove Woodsworth is their residence.

Accepted Documents

Documents may be paper or digital (screen print), unless otherwise stated.
Photocopies are not accepted.

Note:

  • The Membership Committee will not retain any copies of these documents.

  • The Woodsworth Board may request to see the original documents.

This list is part of the Membership  Bylaw, Attachment B.
The Board enhanced the list in June 2024.
List to the information session for membership – two (2) items required:
  • Valid Ontario driver’s licence (or valid license with previous address and a temporary license with Woodsworth address). An application for a change of address is not accepted.
  • Valid Ontario Photo Card (only if a driver’s licence is not presented)
  • Ontario vehicle permit (ownership) (green form) with Woodsworth address
  • Bank statement with name and membership applicant’s address. (recent)
  • A major credit card (show physical card) plus a copy of a recent statement for that credit card. (Counts as 1 item.)
  • Income tax Notice of Assessment or T4 (recent)
  • Statement of direct deposit for Ontario Works (recent)
  • Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) (recent)
  • Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits Paid (T4E) (recent)
  • Statement of Old Age Security (T4A) (recent)
  • Statement of Canada Pension Plan Benefits (T4A) (P) (recent)
  • Workplace Safety and Insurance Board Statement of Benefits (T5007) (recent)
  • Canada Pension Plan Statement of Contributions
  • Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) correspondence
  • Recent correspondence from the Federal or Ontario governments addressed to the membership applicant at Woodsworth, received within in the last 3 months. (Not forwarded mail)
  • Any of the following recent statements from a bank, trust company or credit union: TFSA RRSP, RRIF, RHOSP statement

Turning 16s: 16-19 year olds may present any of the above for long-term guests or any of the following:

  • School, college, university report card or transcript or letter from the school or institution on letterhead showing applicant’s name and Woodsworth address
  • Employer record (e.g. pay stub, letter from employer on company letterhead)
PHOTO ID:

Additionally, membership candidates attending an information session must show one piece of government-issued or institutional photo ID with their name. (The address is not required.)

Acceptable photo ID includes:

  • Passport

  • School ID card

  • Work ID card (if it has a photo)

  • Driver’s licence

  • Ontario Photo Card

  • Health Card (OHIP card, if you choose to use it)

Please note: If you present a driver’s licence or Ontario Photo Card as your photo ID, it may also be used as one of your documents for proof of residence.

Applicant Type

What to Bring

Notes
LTG Signed LTG agreement (witnessed by staff), 2 proofs of residency, photo ID Talk to staff if issues with documents
Youth (16–19) 2 proofs of residency, photo ID No LTG agreement needed
Returning Member Proof of at least 2 year residency as member. Photo ID and proof of address. Attend internal session: residency proof ahead of time recommended
External Applicant Proofs listed in invitation Invited only when external waitlist is low
Human rights

According to human rights legislation, Woodsworth must deal with residents’ needs in a way that is inclusive and free of barriers based on disability, a duty to accommodate.

If you need help with the list of required documents, please ask Management or the Membership Committee for confidential help.

Long-term Guest Agreement

The long-term guest agreement must be signed after Board approval of a guest as long-term guest.

  • Submit a Request

    • Members must request long-term guest status for their guest.

    • Use the Long-Term Guest Request Form (available in the Photocopy Room and on the website).

    • Contact Management if you have questions or need assistance.

  • Board Approval

    • The Board of Directors will review and approve or deny the request.

  • Sign the LTG Agreement

    • Once approved, the LTG and all members of their household must sign the Long-Term Guest Agreement. See attached form.

    • The agreement must be witnessed by Management on behalf of the co-op.

  • Get a Copy

    • Ensure you receive a copy of the completed and witnessed agreement.

    • This copy is required if the LTG later applies for membership in Woodsworth.

Source: Occupancy Bylaw, Schedule B