TENANT TIP:  ORGANIZING
 
 
1.  WHY A TENANTS' ASSOCIATION? 
 
Is your building facing a proposed rent increase above the guideline? 
Severe maintenance problems?  Serious security problems?  If you answered
yes to any of these questions you should consider organizing a Tenants
Association in order to deal with these problems.  An Association can also
be the means by which you organize an Apartment Watch or lobby City Hall
for better services for your neighbourhood.  It is also a great way just
to get to know our neighbours! THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS!  This is
especially true when dealing with your landlord.  Unfortunately too many
landlords view an individual tenant as a chronic complainer, to be dealt
with only when they have the time. 
 
 
2.  HOW TO ORGANIZE AN ASSOCIATION
 
The first rule to remember is to GET HELP FROM YOUR FELLOW TENANTS! 
Everyone will benefit from an association and therefore you should try and
get as many people as possible involved.  You should start by talking to
some of the other tenants to see if they share your concerns and/or if
they are experiencing their own particular problems.  If you are trying to
revive an old Association you should probably have a specific project in
mind to tackle.  Call the Federation at 594-5429 to see if we have any
information about the old Association. REMEMBER, THE FEDERATION IS HERE TO
HELP YOU WITH THE ORGANIZING PROCESS. 
 
 
3.  FIRST MEETING
 
a) Purpose 
There are several goals that you will want to accomplish at
this initial meeting, including:  1.  allowing individuals the opportunity
to discuss their problems and to identify those that are common to the
tenants;  2.  informing tenants of their rights; 3.  deciding on a course
of action to deal with the problems that have been identified; 4. 
endorsing the idea of forming an association;  and 5.  recruiting
volunteers to form a steering committee.  The Federation is happy to
attend this and any other meeting where you think you would benefit from
our presence. 
 
b) Location 
Depending on the size of the building, the first meeting can
be held in someone's apartment, a common room in your building, a nearby
hall or school. 
 
c) Notice of Meeting 
You should let tenants know about the meeting by
posting flyers in various locations throughout your building and/or by
slipping notices under tenants' doors.  The notice should include the
time, place and reason for the meeting.  If you do not have access to a
photocopier, give the Federation a call at 594-5429.  You should give
people approximately 7 to 10 days notice. 
 
d) Miscellaneous 
Keep the meeting short and to the point - 90 minutes or
less.  Have an agenda in order to give your meeting structure. Have a
chairperson for your meeting.  Get the names, phone numbers and unit
numbers of all those in attendance. 
 
4.  STEERING COMMITTEE 

Once a Steering Committee has been set up it will
want to deal with the following item:  Membership drive and fee; 
Appropriate course of action to deal with the problems that have been
identified (e.g. circulating maintenance survey, forming Apartment Watch);
Forming an executive committee; Constitution; Opening a bank account. 
 
5.  FEDERATION OF OTTAWA-CARLETON TENANTS' ASSOCIATIONS 

The Federation is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that works for
the rights of tenants.  We can help organize an association in your
building.  In addition, we have speakers and various materials available.
Once your Tenants' Association is up and running, you will want to consider
becoming a member of the Federation.  When you join the Federation, you will
receive our regular newsletter, receive advocacy assistance, have access
to our resource people, be able to participate in our information sessions
receive assistance with Rent Control applications. Finally, when you join
the Federation you are showing your support for all the other tenants
living in the Ottawa-Carleton region. 
 
6.  SAMPLE FORMS 

We can send you a number of sample forms that you may find helpful when
first organizing your Tenants' Association.  Please call us at 594-5429. 
 
7.  FINAL WORD

INFORMED TENANTS ARE BETTER TENANTS.  HAVING A TENANTS' ASSOCIATION IS A
RIGHT - USE IT!