IHM News, Volume 46, Winter 2011

Volume 46, Winter 2011

Canadian Publications Mail Agreement # 40739009

ENHANCING THE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS

Emergency Evacuations Plan Now or Pay Later!

Inside President's Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

IHM Profiles Its Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

What Property Managers and Landlords Need to Know About Emergency Evacuations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Don’t Get SAD - 10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues . . . . 10

Removing Ice on Roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

IHM Certificate in Property Management Course Completions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Member Profile - Barb Butler . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

New IHM Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

P r e s i d e n t ’s M e s s a g e

Hello Members, “If we take inventory of the number of challenges we face each day in property management, some people might wonder why we stay in this profession” Here is a brief reminder of why…..

• Sometimes you match the perfect home to the family that was facing homelessness • Sometimes you have advocated for new legislation, best practices, housing renewal • Sometimes you have been the coach for the new employee or student entering our profession • Sometimes you have participated in the housing charity events, donating to the food bank, hosting a community event • Sometimes you have participated in the Friday dress-down or staff potluck lunch • Sometimes you have evicted for non-payment but taught a valuable lesson in being accountable for actions taken • Sometimes you accepted that if you can’t change it, then it is time to change the way you think • Sometimes you have walked your portfolio and residents gave you praise • Sometimes you stayed on budget and sometimes not…

• Sometimes you posted a new job and found the perfect employee • Sometimes you made a referral to community supports for intervention services • Sometimes you took a risk, doing something different in your career path • Sometimes you shared a laugh and a tear with your colleagues and tenants • Sometimes you offered a hug, sometimes you were tired….

• But in the end you were always hopeful and willing to see the change and to bring about change in those you served and in yourself.

In closing, bring in 2012 with optimism and enthusiasm and think about the sometimes as you reflect upon the challenges, opportunities and good work that we do every day in our profession.

Regards and best wishes,

Deborah Filice, BA, RSSW, FIHM President

As we welcome in the New Year, the IHM Board of Directors wishes our members a Healthy and Prosperous 2012

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IHM News • Winter 2011

Feature

What Property Managers and Landlords Need to Know about Emergency Evacuations

Plan Now or Pay Later

By Elaine Smyer

A

s the largest municipality in the country, the City of Toronto has as much experience as anyone in providing emergency human services to those who have lived through a neighbourhood emergency that involved being forced to leave their homes, in both private market rentals and social housing.

In 2010 alone, the Emergency Planning Unit (EPU) within the City’s Shelter, Support and Housing Administration Division, responded to 37 incidents to provide emergency human services to over 6,000 Torontonians.

Most evacuations are over in a few hours. But some have lasted more than a month, provoking extensive media coverage, extended hardship for residents, and intense pressures on landlords and property managers to assist their tenants to get through what is likely to be one of the most stressful periods in their lives.

The EPU has worked with a lot of landlords and property managers in the course of coordinating City services to those requiring them during a local emergency. Like many Canadian municipalities, the City provides a range of services to those needing assistance. Of course, first responders deal with the immediate threats, but before leaving the scene emergency responders retrieve pets and medications for residents who have been evacuated. The EPU works with evacuees and emergency respon-

ders to co-ordinate retrievals.

A reception centre may be opened which registers evacuees and is a place where they can congregate, get information about the status of the building, and obtain practical help. Telephones are available to assist residents to contact family and friends. When it is safe, residents may return to their home briefly to collect identification and other essential items.

Why plan ahead?

No, a legally required fire safety plan is not enough.

evacuation, the landlord’s assistance is a critical step to ensure that the emergency human services goal is met: to help people manage until they can return to their homes and to continue their daily lives as fully as possible while they are waiting.

Planning ahead, writing it down and sharing the plan with stakeholders documents what a landlord’s assistance will be, and how it will be delivered in collaboration with other services that may be available. This is a best business practice. The rewards are clear: respond well during a crisis in order to protect your asset, manage the risk to corporate reputation, increase the likelihood that

In the event of an extended period of continued on page 4

IHM News • Winter 2011

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tenants will remain, and limit the likelihood of costly legal action.

An important part of your plan should be to encourage individual residents to be prepared. The federal government encourages all residents to be prepared to be self-reliant for a period of 72 hours in the event of an emergency; additional information can be found at: http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/indexeng.aspx

Trumpet the benefits of insurance Even before a personal preparation kit is started, the issue of insurance needs to be looked at, specifically, sufficient coverage for your own asset. Do what you can to encourage your residents to obtain adequate coverage for their belongings and to cover living expenses in the event of extended evacuation from their homes. The Insurance Bureau of Canada - http://www.ibc.ca is a good resource to connect residents with insurance providers.

People need to understand their personal responsibilities, whose insurance covers what and know that municipal resources are limited and never extend to the replacement of personal assets.

Up to date and available tenant information In the hours following an evacuation, responders need to verify whether all residents are safe and accounted for.

They also need to organize assistance for the residents. Responders will be asking for a list of tenants: in an emergency, an up to date list is critical.

Here are some questions that should be addressed in any plan: • Names and locations of those who would not hear an alarm, or would not be able to evacuate in an emergency?

• What residents would have trouble managing on their own? Where do they live?

• Is the resident list up to date?

• Do you have authority to share information with others (this requires written approval from residents)?

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• Are emergency contacts up to date?

• Is this information stored off site and easily accessible during an emergency?

Promote the plan Some buildings have a buddy system to ensure that all residents are contacted regularly. If the building has resident meetings, individual emergency plans can be an agenda item, as can the importance of adequate insurance coverage. It is also a good idea to practice the procedures in an emergency plan.

Emergencies may still happen, but steps have been taken to reduce risks and residents have been involved in planning and testing the measures.

Protect your assets During an emergency, ensure that the building is physically secured to reduce the risk of further damage. Be prompt in getting your insurance adjusters involved—something that can be expedited if you have stored necessary documentation securely off site. As a property manager, your role is to influence the property owner to take these steps: report risks and arrange for prompt repairs. Be an advocate for adequate insurance, both for the building & property, and for the tenants.

In an emergency: show up at the scene The property manager should show up at the scene during an emergency. A plan

can address definitions, trigger points, timelines, and so on. Being at the scene demonstrates active involvement and care to residents, responders, emergency human services personnel, even media.

At the scene, emergency human services personnel look to the property manager for information about the building.

When arriving on scene, the property manager should talk with the person in charge of the emergency response (typically fire or police).

Being there is your chance to not only find out what is going on, but to listen to what concerns your tenants are dealing with. If a reception centre is set up, property managers can speak with tenants, meet with responders and set up processes for ongoing communication about building repairs and re-entry.

It does help to listen – even when there are no answers, at least property owners will know what the issues are. It also helps to find out who you will be working with when deciding what to do about the building.

The property manager can assess and recommend whether or not the owner should come to the scene. The emergency plan should include some questions to help make this assessment (what proportion of the residents are affected?

Where there any fatalities? Are people staying at the reception centre overnight?).

IHM News • Winter 2011

The property manager can give the owner advice about what to expect. City responders have observed that residents respond in predictable ways. Some will be immobilized and need help to get going again; at the other end, some will be agitated and may be unable or refuse to sit or stand still for long enough to have a conversation. In between, there will be a lot of people looking for answers to help them make decisions and sort out their lives.

It may also be appropriate for property managers to accompany the owner while they are on scene. Residents may be more likely to recognize the property manager than the owner. Property owners may also wish to consult with property managers about issues that residents raise and to note issues for follow up.

Questions to expect During building evacuations, responders may request that owners allow residents to return to their homes for a short period of time to collect valuables. The most often asked question: when can we

IHM News • Winter 2011

return home? In the early hours the most honest answer is often: We don’t know.

Owners can anticipate these questions and be prepared when they come on scene. Tenants may also request rent rebates.

Communicate often, clearly, and with one voice Ensure that you communicate often and that the information you are providing to residents does not conflict with information that is being provided by the emergency responders and emergency human services personnel. Cooperate fully with emergency responders and take your lead from them.

In an emergency, crisis communications rule: communicate early, often, clearly, and with one voice. Make sure everyone is clear about whom your spokesperson is. If you do not have information or answers, do not make them up. Some landlords have provided regular updates to residents through the web or a dedicated phone line. These have been used effectively to provide regular updates to

tenants about plans to restore the building, schedules, inspections, progress reports, how to obtain rent rebates and how and when to return home.

However you choose to communicate, make sure people know where the info will be. It could be set up well beforehand as part of your planning and circulated to residents so they know before an emergency, how you plan to communicate in the unlikely event that you all share in one. Residents report that they appreciate the information and being able to communicate with the owner or representative during an emergency.

Elaine Smyer is the Manager of Emergency Human Services for the City of Toronto. She has been involved in the city's emergency planning and management program for 21 years. Working with a team of five people, Elaine's responsibilities under the City's integrated Emergency Plan include planning for large scale emergencies, and providing neighbourhood level and extreme weather responses. Elaine has led the Emergency Human Services responses for SARS, the Sunrise propane explosion, and at residential evacuations including 2369 Lake Shore Blvd (87 units) 2 Secord Avenue (900 people), and 200 Wellesley Street (1,200 people). n

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Feature

Removing Ice on Roofs

By Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

The 1998 Ice Storm The ice storm that hit eastern Canada in January, 1998 was a laboratory for concentrated research into severe ice accumulation on roofs.

Removing ice on roofs describes some of the techniques developed from the research for dealing with extensive roof icing and ice dam problems.

Please note: Some of these techniques are for skilled tradespeople only. No ice problem on your roof is serious enough to risk broken bones—or worse.

The balance between removing ice and damaging the roof Thick ice is hard to remove. You must decide if trying to remove it will cause more damage than leaving it on the roof.

Tools, such as hammers, shovels, scrapers, chain saws, and devices such as shoes with ice spikes can damage roofing materials or the structure below.

Chemical de-icers can discolor shingles, break down membranes and corrode flashings and drains. De-icers can also damage plants on the ground.

What to do in an ice storm emergency First: Observe and evaluate the situation every day. Is the ice causing a structural problem? Is there water damage? Do you have to do anything?

Second: Evaluate your capabilities and limits. Do you have the equipment, the agility and the help to work safely and efficiently? If you don’t, get professional help before the situation becomes urgent.

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Third: To prevent damage, do as little as possible.Total clearing has the greatest potential for damage to the roof and to people and property below. Often, clearing dangerous overhangs and icicles and making drainage paths is enough.

Recommended Procedures for Sloped Roofs When is there a problem?

The lower the slope, the greater the weight problem. During the ‘98 ice\ storm many flat roofs had 15 cm (6 in.) of solid ice, while most sloped roofs had little more than 5 cm (2 in.). Most of the ice collected at roof junctions, behind obstructions such as chimneys or skylights, and at roof edges. Drainage, not removal, solved the problem in most cases.

The information in Signs of Stress will help you decide if weight is causing problems on your roof. If your house doesn’t show signs of stress, then there is no need to remove all the ice.

Drainage On a sloped roof, your goal is to make drainage paths through the ice on the lower edge of the roof. That’s where most ice dam and water back-up problems occur. Always shovel off loose snow to expose the ice. If you have power and electric heating cables, making drainage paths is fairly easy. Attach loops of electrical roof de-icing cables to one or more long boards. With ropes tied to the board and thrown over the roof, pull the board up beyond the ice

Figure 1: Cables secured to roof

dam, letting the electrical loops hang slightly off the edge of the roof (see Figure 1).

If you want drainage paths higher on the roof, use bundled loops of electrical deicing cables. They can be drawn high on the roof. Make sure that they hang off the edge of the roof so you get complete water drainage.

You can use chemical de-icers on the edge of the roof. Clear the snow. At about every three feet along the edge of the roof, break the ice crust just above the ice block on the edge of the roof.

Put de-icer in each hole above the ice dam and in a vertical line down to the edge of the roof. Use noncorrosive deicers (see Deicers) and use as little deicer as possible. Repeat as necessary rather than overdoing it the first time.

Removal Removing ice mechanically from a sloped roof is always dangerous—both for the person doing it and for the roof.

Removing ice will probably invalidate your shingle warranty. If ice must be removed, have it done by a professional with proper equipment and training.

Researchers learned a great deal about

IHM News • Winter 2011

removing ice from sloped roofs by mechanical means in the winter of 1998.

The most important lesson: always start at the top and work down. Starting on the bottom can release ice above you that can slide down and hit you. Small bumps of ice that remain on shingles are caught by ice blocks sliding down. As they slide, they catch and rip off the shingles.

Working from the top down allows you to use the ice on the roof as a slide for the ice that is being freed. Use a sledge hammer rather than an ax. The flexibility of the roof deck will cause the ice to fracture and you will not cut into the shingles.

Freezing Rain Freezing rain is caused when there is a particular atmospheric “sandwich” of cold and warm air. Precipitation, usually snow, is formed in cold air high up in the atmosphere. As it falls, it travels through a layer of warm air that thaws it into light rain. Just before it hits ground level, it moves into another layer of cold air that brings its temperature to below freezing, but it doesn’t have time or the conditions necessary to crystallize yet.

When it hits an object, it immediately freezes.

Snow will collect and then fall off wires and tree branches, and remain relatively light as it accumulates on roofs.

Freezing rain compacts into tenacious ice that can weigh almost as much as water. The ice storm of 1998 was in fact a continuous series of small storms, one right after the other, that deposited up to 15 cm (6 in.) of ice on tree twigs, telephone wires, electrical lines and roofs.

There is no way to stop freezing rain and it is not generally considered a hazard unless it becomes unusually thick.

The 1998 ice storm created two problems: direct weight and blockage of the natural flow of rain and melting ice. The freezing rain stuck all over the roof, not just on the bottom edge, and created ice dams. The dams backed up run-off water just about anywhere on the roof.

Flat roofs suffered serious weight problems, while sloped roofs tended to suffer more water-penetration damage.

IHM News • Winter 2011

Common Winter Ice Dams Under normal winter conditions, many houses in Canada form ice on the edge of sloped roofs or over part of flat roofs.

This is very different from freezing rain.

It is caused by heat from the attic melting the bottom of the snow on the roof.

When outside temperatures are just below freezing (0 to - 10°C), water flows down the roof under the snow and freezes when it reaches an unheated portion of the roof. This can create an ice dam on the lower edge of a pitched roof. Water can then back up under the shingles and into the roof space.

The first line of defence against ice dams is to reduce the attic temperature by stopping air leaks from the house below and adding sufficient insulation to the attic floor. Heating cables and other deicing techniques are a last resort to minimize ice build-up and prevent water damage. For full details on dealing with common ice dams, see the CMHC's About Your House: Attic Venting, Attic Moisture, and Ice Dams (order # 62034).

Signs of stress Water leaks showing up inside the house are troublesome and expensive to repair, but don't necessarily mean that there is a structural problem requiring total clearing of the roof. Opening drainage paths may stop or minimize the leaks and avoid the expense and danger of clearing the roof. Structural stress shows up first at internal doors.

They begin to jam.

New cracks show up in drywall and plaster. Jammed doors and cracks in drywall and plaster are usually near the centre of the house, not on outside walls.Watch carefully for these signs of stress. If there is significant change as an ice storm continues, take action. If signs of stress appear but do not change from day to day, the structure is holding solid.

On sloped roofs, another indicator is excessive sagging of the ridge line. If in doubt, arrange for an inspection by a professional, although during a crisis, that is easier said than done.

Recommended Procedures— Flat roofs with central drains When is it a problem?

In most areas, flat roofs are built to safely hold a maximum of 17 to 20 cm (7 to 8 in.) of solid ice, or 38 to 43 cm (15 to 17 in.) of hardened snow, or 70 to 80 cm (about 30 in.) of fresh snow. If there is more than 15 cm (6 in.) of hard ice on your roof, you will have to lighten the load. Freezing rain accumulation can often resemble a hard snow more than a solid block of ice. Testing and judgment is useful. Pour hot water from a thermos in one spot. If it melts a small bowl and holds water, it is probably hard ice. If it cuts through to the roof, the accumulation is more likely hardened snow.

There may have been significant renovations below the roof to many older dwellings with flat or basin roofs. If walls have been removed or modified without full structural compensation, the roof may not even support 15 cm (6 in.) of ice.

If signs of stress (see above) are significant, reduce the weight on the roof no matter how much ice is on the roof. You may also have to build temporary bracing inside the house.

Under certain freeze-thaw-freeze conditions, ice can exert strong lateral pressure on the parapet and other roof flashings. The pressure can cause roof leaks.

It is a good idea to use one of the drainage techniques described below to separate the ice field from all flashings, leaving room for expansion of the ice field.

Drainage Electrical Cables If electrical power and wires are available, this is the easiest and most effective method of creating and maintaining drainage paths on flat roofs.

Shovel off loose snow. Clear about 60 cm (2 ft.) all around the drain. The safest way to do this is to use non-corrosive de-icers or hot water— a hammer or shovel may cause the drain to leak. continued on page 8

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Lay electrical de-icing cables from near the drain to each corner of the roof. (Do not put the electrical cables inside the drain-the drain pipe may contain inflammable gases.) Run a loop around obstructions, such as skylights and ventilation hoods. If you can work safely near the edge of the roof, run a cable around the inside perimeter (Figure 2).

Figure 2: “X” formation on flat roof

The cable will melt its way to the roof surface and keep drainage paths open. It will not penetrate the ice until it is warmer than -10°C and, of course, will not work if there is no electricity.

De-icers for cutting into ice Pour a 6-mm thick by 75-mm wide (1/4 in.-deep by 3 in.-wide) path of de-icer from the drain to each corner of the roof and circle obstacles such as ventilators and skylights. Use the same drainage pattern as you would for electrical cables. See Chemical De-icers for details on products. You may need to use a de-icer more than once to melt through to the roof and to keep drainage paths open.

Ice removal is not a good do-ityourself project. But homeowners can shovel heavy snow off the top of the ice, which might keep the weight load under control. Ice thickness and weight of ice can be reduced with de-icers such as urea or even wood ashes. Both are slow and work only in relatively mild weather. To ensure water runoff, create drainage paths as described above.

Ashes must be directly on the ice, with no snow over or under the ashes, so they can trap the sun’s heat.

Chemical De-icers Many de-icers don’t show their ingredients on the packaging. Others list ingredients without showing the relative importance of each.This is no help in

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deciding which de-icer is safe for a roof or better at cutting drainage paths or reducing ice weight.

In general, the least expensive, most effective de-icers are highly corrosive and should not be used on a roof. Urea, the least corrosive, is also the least effective.

In between are several products that are a bit more expensive, still effective and reasonably low in corrosive action.

In general, larger rock-like products tend to cut through ice quickly. Finer, powder-like products tend to perforate the ice. This creates a honeycomb effect that makes the ice lighter. Liquid products are the most effective for detaching blocks of ice from the surface.

Avoid Salts containing oxidizing agents (these accelerate corrosion and rust and can deteriorate other roofing materials) such as: NaCl (Sodium Chloride) CaCl2 (Calcium Chloride) Safer materials CMA (calcium magnesium acetate) The following are normally used as fertilizers: Urea KCl (Potassium chloride) (NH4)2 SO4 (Ammonium Sulfate) Life Safety Ice is slippery and in emergency conditions medical help may not even be able to get to you. Not only can you slip, but ladders can slip. Removing ice from the edge of a sloped roof can release large fields of ice higher up that can slide down on top of you. During the 1998 ice storm, more than one person died from icicles falling from above when they were simply standing in the driveway below.

Double and triple your safety precautions, or stay away from the roof. Rope off areas and access doors where overhead ice is heavy or slides may occur (Figure 3). Never work alone. Always have someone on the ground to ensure that what you throw off the roof is landing safely.

Figure 3: Rope all areas where overhead ice is heavy or slides may occur.

On a sloped roof, always tie the ladder down and have a safety rope over the top of the roof secured on the other side.The safety rope should be attached to a full safety harness, like mountain climbers use—it is not there just in case you slip—it is there because you will slip and more than once.

Special ice cleats are available in shoe repair and hardware stores for attaching to shoes and boots, making them much like golf shoes. These are good for not slipping, but are not good for shingles.

Walking on ice-covered sloped roofs is best left to professionals with professional equipment.

Detaching ice blocks from surface Liquid de-icers (e.g. Clear Away) were efficient at melting the bond between blocks of ice and roof membranes.

Methyl alcohol worked as well.

Techniques with moderate success Cutting drainage paths with hot water This is actually rather effective if you can get hot water very close to the ice (50 to 100 cm—about 2 ft.) and prevent the hose and nozzle from freezing (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Hot water being sprayed from dormer window.

IHM News • Winter 2011

The drain must first be freed of ice, so that the water can drain away.

However, this means you will be undercutting the mass of ice above you, and this ice may come down.

Member Profile

The only safe way to do this job is to melt thin slices off the ice—about 30 cm (1 ft.)—all the way from the gutter up the roof. Keep your ladder off to the side, so it won’t be hit by ice coming off the roof.

Hot water jets from regular garden hoses proved very effective on metal sheds and glass sunrooms when directed from dormer windows above. Do not walk on metal or glass roofs. Cut the ice into sections with the jet, then flood the glass to unhook and slide the ice off. Windows below may need protection from rebounding ice.

Steam In the research conducted in 1998, no suitable contractors were found to be using steam. Subsequently, CMHC has heard from contractors who have had success with this method. If you can find an experienced contractor, this method may work for you.

Barb Butler, AIHM

B

arb has been an active member of IHM for over 20 years.

She was elected to the Board of Directors in 2011 for a 3-year term, and prior to that she participated in the planning of two IHM conferences in Kingston. She earned her accreditation in 1993 and currently volunteers as an instructor for the Property and Building Administration Course.

Barb is General Manager of Kingston Municipal Non-Profit Housing Corporation Townhomes – which provides social housing and mixed income housing for families, seniors and those with accessibility chal-

lenges. She overseas the operation of 397 homes comprised of apartments and townhouses, and has over 20 years experience in building administration and property management.

Barb has participated with ONPHA as a board member and continues to participate as a member of their Advisory Committee. She believes in providing safe and well maintained housing and building communities within neighbourhoods. She currently volunteers as a skating coach with Special Olympics and has a background in nursing. n

Experiments that did not work Solar Collectors Both clear and black polyethylene and solar swimming pool covers were tested for melting ice. Wind problems (how do you keep the cover in place?), lack of evaporation, as well as snow cover rendered them all just about useless.

Liquid De-icers Although they did work to liberate the ice blocks cut by chain saws off flat roofs, they were not effective in cutting drainage paths on the edge of sloped roofs. ©1996, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation Printed in Canada Produced by CMHC 08-09-06 Revised 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006 n

IHM News • Winter 2011

IHM Profiles Its Members The Institute conducted an in-depth survey of its members earlier this year.

The results will help us develop programs and focus our marketing efforts on areas of most interest to our members.

We’ll share the comments and suggestions in upcoming issues of the Newsletter, but we’ll start with an overview of what our average member looks like …..

• • • • • •

Is between 46 and 60 years old (57.6%) Is employed in the industry more than 15 years (50.5%) Holds either a college diploma or university degree (70.6%) Has achieved the AIHM designation (41.2%) Has taken IHM courses by correspondence (47.1%) Works for a local or regional government housing authority (41.0%) in an urban setting (67.6%), with more than 1,000 units under management (50.0%) and a total budget greater than $10 million (41.2%) • Is a non-CEO housing manager, property manager or assistant property manager (47.1%)

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Feature:

Don’t Get SAD: 10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

By Syma Kharal

T

he days are short. The nights are long. And the sun seems out of sight. Many of us start finding it a struggle to leave a warm, cozy bed to greet a cold, gloomy day. Some of us may actually not want to leave bed.

Every year, 2 to 3 percent of Canadians are affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression related to the lack of sunlight during the long winter season. About 15 out of 100 people will experience a milder form of SAD known as the “winter blues”.

‘While there’s nothing we can do about the weather, we can certainly take measures to prevent or treat these symptoms.’

• Draw back the curtains and let the sunshine in. Spring may be for cleaning but winter is for rearranging.

Making adjustments like getting sheer drapes or pulling back the ones you have and placing furniture by windows will brighten up your space and spirit.

• Make winter fun again! Embrace the elements and dive in the snow to make a snowman, go tobogganing, skating or skiing. Hurry, winter won’t last forever!

• Lighten up! Laughing always stimulates happy chemicals, so when you are indoors, share a joke with a coworker, crack up to a silly YouTube video, or watch a good old Friends episode.

While there’s nothing we can do about the weather, we can certainly take measures to prevent or treat these symptoms.

Here are 10 ways you can give the winter blues the cold shoulder:

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• Get moving! Physical activity stimulates the production of happy chemicals like endorphins, adrenaline, serotonin and dopamine in the brain, giving you an instant boost – 20 minutes of brisk walking daily is all you need!

If you exercise indoors, position yourself near a window to soak up natural light.

According to the Canadian Mental Health Association, symptoms can include: • Tendency to oversleep • Decreased energy • Fatigue • Difficulty concentrating • Irritability • Change in appetite, in particular a craving for sweet or starchy foods • Weight gain • Avoidance of social situations • Feelings of anxiety and despair

• Get outta here! Bundle up and spend more time outdoors during the day.

Twenty minutes — even on dark days — supplies enough natural light to stimulate the pineal gland to set your body’s natural clock, promote vitamin D production and refresh your mind and body.

doctor before this treatment plan.

• See the light. Daily light therapy (administered by a physician or healthcare professional) exposes you to a specific type of light (full-spectrum white light) and can sometimes eliminate SAD quite quickly. Consult a

• Feed your soul! First, work at resisting carbohydrate and sugar cravings.

Instead, nourish yourself with deep coloured fruits and veggies (more nutrients), whole grain foods, lean proteins, nuts, and plain, pure water.

Eating foods rich in the amino acid tryptophan can be especially helpful during winter. Tryptophan has been shown to increase the body’s production of the happy chemical serotonin.

IHM News • Winter 2011

It’s found in turkey, milk and egg whites.

• Minimize caffeine and alcohol intake.

While caffeine may give you an initial boost, as a stimulant it can also cause anxiety, muscle tension, and gastrointestinal issues. Alcohol, on the other hand, is a depressant, which can worsen a low mood.

• Go natural. There is some evidence that an herb called St. John’s Wort may help ease SAD symptoms. Be sure to check with your doctor before you incorporate this into your Beat the Blues plan, as the herb may interact with other medicines (especially birth control and anti-depressants).

• Get help. Sometimes even taking these measures may not be enough.

For people who are more severely affected by SAD, it is best to consult a doctor and discuss a treatment plan that may include antidepressant medications, counseling and other therapies.

To learn more about SAD and find community resources and support, visit the Canadian Mental Health Association’s site or contact their Toronto branch at 416-789-7957.

Sources: Canadian Mental Health Association Mayo Clinic WebMD n

Education

IHM Certificate in Property Management & Course Completions Building Maintenance for Property Managers

Property & Building Administration

Salvatore Marsala Veronique McLean Lisa Mulholland Cindy Sceviour Steven Smith Dan Song Karen Van Dyk Lauren Weese

Tracy Belleville Ermira Biba Donato Cafarelli Georgeta Gemene Doris Glenn Erin King Irma Kore Krisy Moore Dorothy Robinson Michelle Shute Wendy Singh Tracy Wylie

Human Relations for Property Managers Joanne Beaton Lida Bergeron Dana Checiches David Lenarduzzi Luke Pascall Vicki Perrault

Strategic and Financial Planning for Property Managers Goran Bozic Carole Kozlowski Larry Sceviour Melissa Sheflin

IHM News • Winter 2011

Welcome to Our New Members New Candidate David Anderson Kaye Banfield Tamie Beasley Sandra Lee Blake Livia Diaconu Michele Eldon Irene King-Phypers Vito Loiacono Mihaela Cristina Radu Matthew Rosenberg Kenneth Rutter Michael Sackmann Eli Stern Elvira Titova Brad Toulouse Karen Van Dyk Angelica Van Leeuwen Ashley Weber Hai Tang Wen Michael Zinkann

New Honourary Candidate Member Jorge Rivas Vallejo

Accredited Members Program Completion Certificate Sugumar Balasingham Nancy Beatty Goran Bozic Oleh (Alex) Dudko George Ewer Carlton Griffith Simeon Ivanov Emilia Ivanova Nadine Jones Carole Kozlowski Gabriela Radeanu Sandra Stiff Jack Wong

George Ewer Joanne Johnston Nadine Jones Carole Kozlowski Dianne Lampi Dragan Stojkovi

Corporate Member Vogogo Inc.

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Join us

at the

2012 Annual Educational Conference April 25-27, 2012 Best Western Brant Park Inn & Conference Centre Brantford, Ontario

2011-2012 Board of Directors www.ihm-canada.com PRESIDENT:

SECRETARY/TREASURER:

Deborah Filice, BA,R.S.S.W, FIHM Director of Housing, Corporation of the City of Brantford Public Health, Safety, Social Services 220 Colborne Street (Office) P. O. Box 845 Brantford, ON N3T 5R7 Tel: (519) 759-3330, Ext. 6241 Fax: (519) 759-5796 Email: deborahfilice@brantford.ca

Harry Popiluk, FIHM 2175 Sheppard Ave. E., Suite 310 Toronto, ON M2J 1W8 Tel: (289) 929-9543 Email: hpopiluk@gmail.com

VICE-PRESIDENT Kevin O’Hara, M.P.A., AIHM Communications Committee Supervisor, Area Operations Waterloo Region Housing 235 King Street East, 6th Floor Kitchener, ON N2G 4N5 Tel: (519) 575-4800, ext. 1218 Fax: (519) 893-8447 Email: kohara@regionofwaterloo.ca

IHM OFFICE:

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Barb Butler, AIHM Town Homes Kingston 87 Cassidy Street, Suite 222 Kingston, ON K7K 7B3 Tel: (613) 542-0443 ext. 105 Fax: (613) 542-6305 Email: bbutler@thk.ca

DIRECTORS: Lynn Alexander, AIHM Communications Chair Region of Durham Housing Services P.O. Box 623, Whitby, ON L1N 6A3 Tel: (905) 666-6222 Fax: (905) 666-6225 Email: lynn.alexander@durham.ca Zeljka Budjinski, AIHM Education Committee Williams & McDaniel Property Management 66 MacDonnell Street, Suite 301 Guelph, ON L1H 2Z6 Tel: (519) 836-6402 ext. 29 Fax: (519) 767-0771 Email: zbudjinski@williamsandmcdaniel.com

Lynn Morrovat, Administrator Carolyne Vigon, Operations Manager Josee Lefebvre, Education Coordinator

Kathy Harris, AIHM Membership/Marketing and Communications Committees Regional Municipality of Halton 268 Mountain Road East Stoney Creek, ON L8J 3A5 Tel: (905) 825-6000 ext. 4411 Fax: (905) 825-8274 Email: kathy.harris@halton.ca Joanne Kennedy, AIHM CDSSAB - Housing Service 6 Ash Street Kapuskasing, ON P5N 2C8 Tel: (705) 335-6179 Fax: (705) 335-8199 Email: kennedy@cdssab.on.ca

Deborah Parker, AIHM Marketing/Membership Co-Chair Girl Guides of Canada 50 Merton Street Toronto, ON M4S 1A3 Tel: (416) 487-5281, ext. 209 Fax: (416) 487-5570 Email: parkerd@girlguides.ca Connie Van Sickle, AIHM Education Committee County of Lambton Housing Services Department 150 North Christina Street 2nd Floor Sarnia, ON N7T 7H3 Tel: (519) 344-2062, ext. 2040 Fax: (519) 344-2066 Email: connie.vansickle@countylambton.on.ca Kathi Zarfas, AIHM, MPA Education Committee Chair Social Housing Services Corporation 390 Bay Street, 7th Floor Toronto, ON M5H 2Y2 Tel: (416) 594-9325 ext 215 Fax: (416) 594-9422 Email: kzarfas@shscorp.ca

CANDIDATE REPRESENTATIVES Sennan Vandenberg Marketing/Membership Co-Chair St. Lawrence Youth Association P.O. Box 23003 Amherstview RPO Kingston, ON K7N 1Y2 Tel: (613) 384-4869, ext 110 Fax: (613) 384-8873 Email: svandenberg@slya.ca Michelle Waye Marketing/Membership Co-Chair Manager, Social Housing Human Services Division, Region of Peel 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite B, 5th Floor P.O. Box 2800, Station B Brampton, ON L6T 0E7 Tel: 905-453-1300 x4435 Email: michelle.waye@peelregion.ca

2175 Sheppard Ave. East, Suite 310, Toronto, ON M2J 1W8 Tel: (416) 493-7382 / 1-866-212-4377 • Fax: (416) 491-1670 • Email: ihm@taylorenterprises.com

IHM News • Winter 2011