Spring 2022 FirstExhange edition
Internal Alberta associate communication
Internal Alberta associate communication
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Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta<br />
SPRING EDITION <strong>2022</strong><br />
First Exchange<br />
e-Bulletin
Table of Contents<br />
Message from Glenne<br />
Kudos<br />
Jayne’s Addiction<br />
Associates Corner<br />
building the pipeline<br />
Top 25 Properties<br />
#FirstServeOthers<br />
Moraine lake in Banff National Park, Alberta<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
2<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Change your mindset<br />
Fail isn’t a word; it’s simply your:<br />
First<br />
Attempt<br />
In<br />
Learning<br />
End doesn’t exist because:<br />
Effort<br />
Never<br />
Dies<br />
No is just your:<br />
Next<br />
Opportunity<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
3<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
A Message<br />
from Glenne<br />
Hi Team!<br />
Welcome back to the office team. The energy you bring<br />
to our workspace inspires and motivates me and it feels<br />
like we’re on a fresh journey. Personal interactions are so<br />
important, and you create a dynamic environment that<br />
fosters and nurtures innovative ideas. Your presence and<br />
enthusiasm encourages me, and I’m looking forward to<br />
our next chapter.<br />
Going forward let’s look back for a moment. Q1 results<br />
are in, and the highlight is board NPS scores continue<br />
breaking records. As of March 31, our score was 18.4, up<br />
5.1 points from Q1 in 2021. To compare, Q1 2020 was 2.4<br />
and Q1 2019 was 5.6.<br />
Glenne Manlig, President<br />
FirstService Residential Alberta<br />
You also retained 98% of our managed communities,<br />
while welcoming two new clients of just over 100 homes.<br />
Our google ratings are still challenging us folks. In Calgary,<br />
Q1 showed an average of 2.4-stars and Edmonton<br />
showed an average of 3.2-stars. Compared to 2021<br />
Q1 average results (Calgary 3.8/Edmonton 4.4) we’re<br />
trending down. Currently, Calgary sits at 2.5-stars and<br />
Edmonton is at 4.1-stars.<br />
Coming up, I’m eager to see you at our townhall and<br />
associate appreciation on July 15. Stay tuned for details.<br />
Guess what?<br />
A marketing library now<br />
exists in connect — it’s<br />
small; but growing. Log into<br />
Connect, click corporate and<br />
scroll to marketing library.<br />
Have a marketing request?<br />
Questions? Feedback?<br />
Contact Kerri Robins.<br />
“<br />
In May, I have the honour of attending the official<br />
opening ceremony and blessing of St. Kateri’s<br />
Tawaphkoap (playground), where many of us volunteered<br />
our time to help build it. We’re privileged to partner with<br />
St. Kateri, not only supporting them with a $2500 gift,<br />
but taking part in creating a safe spot for children to play.<br />
Keep up the excellent work team.<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
4<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Kudos<br />
You guys are a smashing success, and our promoter<br />
scores show the value of your hard work. But don’t let<br />
me tell you about it. Here’s a few board comments that<br />
made our day!<br />
Avenue West End<br />
Speaking about Jennifer Milz and team on their<br />
partnership with FirstService Residential, “Because<br />
of our building manager and on-site staff.” Almoonir<br />
Dewji.<br />
Avenue West End,<br />
Calgary — 194 units<br />
Branches in Walden Phase II<br />
“Our support person Charlyn Salaza is amazing and<br />
looks after our interests as if they were her own. She<br />
is [ed. generally] available and knows her job.” Evelyn<br />
Chivers.<br />
“Charlyn has been great. She understands our issues,<br />
gives excellent advice when necessary, and usually<br />
anticipates issues before they escalate.” Darlene<br />
Ligenza<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
5<br />
Branches in Walden Phase II,<br />
Calgary — 22 units<br />
Brindavan Estates<br />
Speaking about Leeanne Klyne and team, “They’ve<br />
been good so far, responsive.” Carla Gust.<br />
“Leeanne Klyne and team are doing a good job for us<br />
at our complex.” Grant Chiasson.<br />
“Leeanne Klyne is excellent at all she does and works<br />
hard to ensure all runs well. I would like to see her<br />
continue in her position long-term.” Maria DeRosa.<br />
Brindavan Estates,<br />
Edmonton — 65 units<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Classics at McKenzie Lake<br />
Speaking about Joanne Mathew and team, “Perform<br />
the services exactly as required.” Ron Wade.<br />
especially appreciate the depth of her knowledge and<br />
her experience. She explains complex concepts very<br />
well. She is willing to visit our site regularly to check<br />
issues out. I took advantage of the insurance webinar<br />
[ed. Terry co-presented] and found it very interesting<br />
and informative.” Susan Chamberlain.<br />
Classics at McKenzie Lake,<br />
Calgary — 18 units<br />
Genesis<br />
Speaking about Angie Murphy, “We generally get<br />
good service from FirstService Residential.” Violet<br />
Sandford.<br />
Ranchland Meadows,<br />
Calgary — 183 units<br />
Riverview Condominium<br />
Speaking about Angie Murphy and team, “Very<br />
responsive manager who seems on top of things.”<br />
Spencer N. Moar.<br />
Genesis, Calgary — 20 units<br />
Horseshoe Hamlet<br />
Speaking about Leeanne Klyne and team, “We’ve dealt<br />
with FirstService Residential for a couple of years. Any<br />
issues we have, they reply quickly and rectify it.” Allan<br />
Yip.<br />
Riverview Condominium,<br />
Calgary — 26 units<br />
The Heath<br />
Speaking about Fadel Baha and team, “I know people<br />
who are a part of condo boards and they said they feel<br />
that FirstService Residential really has their affairs in<br />
order. I’ve heard that they seem to know what they are<br />
doing compared to other companies.” Stephanie Roop.<br />
Horseshoe Hamlet,<br />
Edmonton — 45 units<br />
Ranchland Meadows<br />
Speaking about Terry Foster and team, “Our<br />
representative is very knowledgeable and helpful. I<br />
The Heath, Calgary<br />
(Rendering) — 38 units<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
6<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Verve Tower<br />
“FirstService Residential cares about owner interests.<br />
They have the right people with the right competence<br />
to run our condominium operation. They have<br />
knowledge.” John Geng Xin Zhao.<br />
“Jennifer Milz and FirstService Residential are very<br />
experienced and address issues in a very discerning<br />
manner.” Glenn Naughton.<br />
“Jennifer Milz and her team are doing a fabulous job at<br />
The Verve.” Marlon Bughao.<br />
Verve Tower, Calgary — 300 units<br />
And that’s not all. Our multi-family property google<br />
scores are climbing thanks to some team due<br />
diligence.<br />
Honourable mention goes to Entro Residential<br />
Resident Services Manager, Jon Hoffman and team.<br />
Thanks to their due diligence they’ve risen above a<br />
low 2-star rating last Nov. to a 4-star rating on the<br />
property today.<br />
It pays to ask and keep asking. Keep it up team, we’re<br />
proud of you!<br />
Drumheller HooDoos is a 0.5 kilometer heavily<br />
trafficked loop trail located near Drumheller, Alberta<br />
Random facts<br />
you probably never need to know<br />
Entro Residential Interior<br />
Did you know a pineapple is a berry, peanuts are beans<br />
and tomatoes are fruits? In fact, squash, pumpkins,<br />
cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, corn kernels and bean<br />
and pea pods are all fruits. That’s because botanists<br />
consider fruits as anything developing from the<br />
fertilized ovary of a flower.<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
7<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Jayne’s Addiction<br />
They may be just plants and<br />
green stuff to you, but they’re<br />
music to Jayne’s ears! “I have<br />
more than 100 plants in my<br />
house….and growing.”<br />
Some addictions are good for the soul and Jayne will<br />
tell you besides increased oxygen, playing in the dirt is<br />
a joyful experience.<br />
Q: Why grow so many<br />
plants?<br />
Jayne Powlusko<br />
Community Administrator<br />
Team Lead<br />
Photos courtesy of Jayne Powlusko<br />
A: Dirt between your<br />
fingers and under<br />
your nails releases<br />
hormones that help<br />
release endorphins…..<br />
mother nature’s happy<br />
pill. I make soap, face<br />
moisturizer, lip balms,<br />
infused oils for cooking,<br />
first aid remedies, cold<br />
remedies, teas, and<br />
shine serums. I just keep<br />
experimenting……on my friends! They’ve become<br />
my testers and nobody has complained yet.<br />
Q: What kind of plants do you grow?<br />
A: I’ll grow anything from<br />
common houseplants (spider<br />
plants) to carnivorous types<br />
(pitcher plants) that require<br />
more care and attention. I<br />
start some from seed and I’m<br />
always impatient for these<br />
ones to grow! I also have a<br />
rehabilitation area where I care<br />
for more mature plans in need<br />
of extra TLC.<br />
Every summer I plant a<br />
vegetable garden in my backyard<br />
including fennel, beets,<br />
parsnips, turnips, green beans, carrots, green onions,<br />
dill, honeyberries, blueberries, zucchini, tomato plants<br />
and potatoes. I also grow onion chives that produce<br />
flower buds, and when pickled make for a tasty extra<br />
in salads and on hot dogs!<br />
And finally, I grow<br />
Blue Russian sage,<br />
a non-vegetable<br />
that grows up to six<br />
feet or so.<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
8<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Q: Where do you find or get all your plants?<br />
A: I love visiting<br />
greenhouses, and most<br />
spring weekends I’m first in<br />
line waiting for their doors<br />
to open so I can rush in<br />
and see what’s new! Some<br />
people give me their plants<br />
that are struggling to grow<br />
and I put them in my rehab<br />
room for some intensive care. I also propagate plants<br />
for others who want some happiness and a little friend<br />
to care for.<br />
Q: What does growing plants do for you?<br />
A: Plants put out an energy<br />
that just can’t be matched.<br />
They bring balance to<br />
a room. Starting from<br />
seeds not only helps one<br />
understand plant life cycles,<br />
but it’s also a satisfying<br />
experience to care for and<br />
grow something.<br />
Growing plants was a huge<br />
mental health boost for me<br />
throughout the pandemic<br />
and helped calm me in the midst of so much unrest.<br />
Plant care is a hobby, and something you should enjoy.<br />
You don’t have to be perfect at it; plants die, it’s just<br />
part of the lifecycle.<br />
Q: What started your love of plants?<br />
A: Growing up in Northern<br />
Alberta in the small hamlet<br />
of Rochester, between<br />
Athabasca and Westlock, I<br />
learned about plants from<br />
my mother. We always<br />
had summer gardens, and<br />
visiting greenhouses was<br />
one of my favourite things to<br />
do with Mom.<br />
I’ve been an advocate for<br />
our environment for 30+<br />
years; before the green scene was a cool thing. It<br />
helps me minimize my environmental impact, and<br />
beside care and comfort for me, my plants provide<br />
sustenance and remedies. It’s a give and take, where<br />
they take care of me as I take care of them.<br />
Q: Any final words of encouragement for people<br />
thinking about growing some plants but<br />
questioning how green their thumb is?<br />
A: Just start. Whether you grow plants in pots or in<br />
the ground, they can grow just about anywhere. I<br />
encourage sustainability by helping people plant their<br />
own vegetable and herb gardens. Growing your own<br />
little garden is so much better, and healthier for you.<br />
Whether it’s a remedy you’re after or taking advantage<br />
of garden-fresh veggies grown by your own hand, you<br />
know exactly what’s in some of the vegetables you eat.<br />
Random facts<br />
you probably never need to know<br />
Onions are a sedative and eating lots of them will help<br />
you sleep. I guess that’s a viable alternative to trying<br />
to socialize when your friends are covering their noses<br />
and turning away from you!<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
9<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Associates Corner<br />
Andrea Alexander<br />
Director, Human Resources<br />
Education policy:<br />
Keeping your skills sharp so<br />
you can continually contribute<br />
to your career and our<br />
organization is time wellspent.<br />
Whether it’s a formal<br />
program or informal lunch ‘n<br />
learns, online programs or hearing expert speakers,<br />
you have a wealth of learning at your fingertips.<br />
Education is available for both employerrequired<br />
training and associate requested<br />
training and professional development. Read up<br />
on our improved education policy HERE<br />
Centralized payroll: ADP Workforce<br />
f Client payroll is now live, moving from manual<br />
time sheets to web based, and from semimonthly<br />
to bi-weekly payroll cycles.<br />
f Corporate Associates also transitioned to ADP<br />
WorkForceNow, replacing ADP Total Access. The<br />
new platform features a call centre for associate<br />
support. If you’re stuck, call 1.844.248.3590, or<br />
CANHRservicesemployee@adp.com for help. You<br />
can view your pay statements and T4’s, update<br />
your personal and banking information, and even<br />
split up your pay by creating three separate bank<br />
accounts that you can deposit different<br />
amounts in.<br />
Read more about your new payroll system HERE.<br />
Productivity Workshops<br />
We hosted our first Think Productive workshop on<br />
Mar. 25. It was chock-full of productivity tips and<br />
graduates of that workshop are now Productivity<br />
Ninjas. If you weren’t able to join, have a poke around<br />
Think Productive’s blog or website to get a feel for<br />
what’s to come.<br />
f Read your <strong>2022</strong> FirstVoice Action Plan HERE.<br />
f Got some things on your mind that might be<br />
helpful talking to someone about? Read about<br />
Lifeworks: Employee Assistance Program HERE.<br />
f Know someone who would be the perfect addition<br />
to our team? Earn a referral bonus up to $500.<br />
Learn more HERE.<br />
f We’re hiring right now. Check out our open<br />
positions. Click HERE for Edmonton postings.<br />
Click HERE for Calgary postings.<br />
Random facts<br />
you probably never need to know<br />
The tallest basil plant on record is 3.34 meters.<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
10<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Our<br />
North Region Partners<br />
British<br />
Columbia<br />
500+ Associates | 600+ Managed properties | 120,000+ Residences<br />
Did you know, Vancouver is the fourth largest film and TV production in North<br />
America. So the next time you think that’s a Vancouver landmark in a film, it<br />
probably is!<br />
Illinois<br />
500+ Associates | 500+ Managed properties | 90,000+ Residences<br />
Did you know, Chicago’s nickname, “The Windy City” actually came from an article<br />
describing long-winded politicians during a 1893 exhibition.<br />
Minnesota<br />
675+ Associates 545+ | Managed Properties | 56,765+ Residences<br />
Did you know, Minnesota has an official muffin — Blueberry!<br />
Missouri/<br />
Kansas<br />
150+ Associates | 240+ Managed Properties | 30,000+ Residences<br />
Did you know, Missouri is known for its random oversized objects. It’s home to a<br />
12-foot-long pecan, a giant rocking chair that’s more than 42 feet tall, a 43-foot-tall<br />
rooster and the world’s largest chess piece — 53 times as big as a regular-size piece.<br />
Ontario<br />
900+ Associates | 350+ Managed Properties | 90,000+ Residences<br />
Did you know, Ontario is home to 250,000 lakes. In fact, Ontario’s lakes contain about<br />
one-fifth of the fresh water in the entire world. Now that’s cottage country!<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
11<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Building the<br />
Pipeline<br />
Avery Cox<br />
Business Development<br />
Director<br />
We’re on a roll folks.<br />
On April 1 we welcomed,<br />
Californian Manor II in<br />
Edmonton. Built in 1996,<br />
this low-rise condominium<br />
complex features 53 units<br />
with residents enjoying a social room, communal<br />
kitchen, and a fitness centre, and featuring a<br />
guest suite on the property. Located in Summerlea<br />
neighbourhood, residents experience a mix of<br />
amenities from shopping, entertainment, and<br />
services within walking distance. Thanks to the<br />
transition team for their expertise and support<br />
bringing Californian Manor II onboard.<br />
and a playground in the complex. With shopping,<br />
restaurants, and cafes in walking distance, residents<br />
have many of their needs close by. We’re excited<br />
to partner with Oakmoor 2300 and look forward to<br />
providing a great experience for residents.<br />
Oakmoor 2300 — 136 townhouses.<br />
Webinar: Project Planning & Vendor Management<br />
Our first on-demand webinar was pre-recorded in<br />
March, hosted by Alicia Jentner who played ‘anchor’.<br />
Alicia was joined by Keelin Glendon, Community<br />
Manager, and Kristjan Kristjansson with MBC group.<br />
Tune into Project Planning & Vendor Management<br />
WATCH NOW!<br />
Next up in our educational webinar series —<br />
Financial Planning: Are you equipped for the task?<br />
Californian Manor II stands impressive in<br />
Edmonton’s Summerlea community<br />
Welcome Oakmoor 2300 in Calgary’s quiet Palliser<br />
community. Oakmoor 2300 joined FirstService<br />
Residential Alberta on May 1, and residents enjoy<br />
several amenities including balconies, decks<br />
Do you know someone on the board of one<br />
of our pursuits? Then you qualify for our<br />
referral program. Earn a payroll bonus up to a<br />
maximum of $5,000<br />
Read the details HERE.<br />
Contact Avery Cox.<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
12<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Hats off to Shelley Hammerli, Community Manager in Calgary.<br />
Shelley recently earned $1,000 for her referral of Oakmoor 2300 in<br />
Calgary’s Palliser community. Thanks to Shelley, we closed the deal<br />
on Oakmoor 2300, and she closed the deal with us.<br />
Photo Courtesy: Glenne Manlig:<br />
L-R Avery Cox, Business Development Director, Shelley Hammerli, Community Manager, and Andrea Alexander,<br />
Director, Human Resources celebrate Shelley’s big win during FirstCall. Keelin Glendon, Community Manager<br />
applauds her colleague in the background.<br />
This could be you….what are you waiting for?<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
13<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Top 25<br />
Pursuit Properties<br />
Meadowlark Village<br />
Address: 8735 165 St, Edmonton, AB T5R 2R6<br />
Number of Units:<br />
Meadowlark Village<br />
8735 165 St, Edmonton<br />
Number of Units: 430<br />
Meadowlark Village<br />
Address: 8735 165 St, Edmonton, AB T5R 2R6<br />
Number of Units:<br />
Pointe at Prestwick<br />
10 Prestwick Bay SE, Calgary<br />
Number of Units: 370<br />
Pointe at Prestwick<br />
Address: 10 Prestwick Bay SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 0E6<br />
Number of Units:<br />
Sienna Park Green Village<br />
Address: 149 Sienna Park Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 5H5<br />
Number of Units:<br />
Pointe at Prestwick<br />
Address: Sienna 10 Prestwick Park Bay SE, Calgary, Green AB T2Z 0E6 Village<br />
Number of Units:<br />
149 Sienna Park Green SW, Calgary<br />
Number of Units: 177<br />
Sienna Park Green Village<br />
Address: 149 Sienna Park Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 5H5<br />
Number of Units:<br />
The Marquis<br />
1108 6 Ave SE, Calgary<br />
Number of Units: 216<br />
The Marquis<br />
Address: 1108 6 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5K1<br />
Number of Units:<br />
The Marquis<br />
Address: 1108 6 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5K1<br />
Number of Units:<br />
Valleyview Park Place<br />
2505 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3E 7V3<br />
Number of Units: 369<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
14<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
#FirstServeOthers<br />
Kathleen Sawisky<br />
Special Project Coordinator/<br />
Social Purpose Ambassador/<br />
Social Committee<br />
Photos courtesy: Angie Murphy<br />
This <strong>Spring</strong> saw the inaugural<br />
FirstService Residential Winter<br />
Carnival, and no, the irony was not lost on us.<br />
While it was a week of festivities, we wanted to ensure<br />
that we found a way to give back to a group openly<br />
struggling, especially throughout the pandemic.<br />
March 23rd was National Puppy Day — the perfect<br />
opportunity to give back to the SPCA (Society for the<br />
Prevention of Cruelty to<br />
Animals).<br />
Associates donated<br />
everything from dog and<br />
cat food, toys, and treats,<br />
and cash donations to<br />
the SPCA to purchase<br />
items of need. At the<br />
time of writing, $382.00<br />
has been raised for the<br />
SPCA!<br />
Your incredible<br />
Community Manager,<br />
contributions and<br />
Danna Elbast,<br />
support leave no wonder practices her picking<br />
how much you love<br />
on guitar hero until her<br />
animals. You don’t have to big break.<br />
look far to see pictures of<br />
your fellow associates’ best furry friends!<br />
But this wasn’t just about giving back to the local<br />
shelter. Last month we learned of the passing of former<br />
FirstService Residential employee, Lila Roth.<br />
Lila was a known animal lover and pictures of her<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
15<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Nicole Martinez, CSS Admin (left) and Community<br />
Manager Terry Foster (across from Nicole) are<br />
traveling by train in Ticket to Ride, a cross-country<br />
train adventure where players collect and play<br />
matching train cards to claim railway routes<br />
connecting cities throughout North America.<br />
frequently included her own pets. Lila’s influence ran<br />
deep, and while she hasn’t been an employee of the<br />
company for several years, the friendship and kindness<br />
she offered to those closest to her was indisputable.<br />
All who knew Lila loved her, and her loss will resonate<br />
through us for years to come.<br />
Social purpose remains top of mind as we move into Q2.<br />
With the office fully reopened, it is the intention of the<br />
social committee to plan events that can coincide with<br />
charitable events happening in Calgary this year.<br />
Stay tuned for more information.<br />
Photo courtesy: LinkedIn<br />
Your donations to the SPCA were made in<br />
Lila’s memory. We miss you Lila.<br />
Random facts<br />
you probably never need to know<br />
May is Asian Heritage Month, so keep an eye out for<br />
upcoming news on this important social purpose pillar.<br />
Ideas and suggestions that support our pillars are<br />
welcome. Give me a shout<br />
Kathleen.Sawisky@fsresidential.com.<br />
Plants talk. Yes, it’s true. Chemical signals produced<br />
by the flowers and leaves are essentially an open for<br />
business sign letting insects know they have supplies<br />
of nectar and pollen. They also send SOS signals to<br />
other plants letting them know of danger in the area.<br />
Jason Krippl, Director Client Accounting, faces Mario<br />
in Mario Cart, where he’s attempting to break the<br />
speed of light.<br />
fsresidential.com/alberta<br />
16<br />
Making a Difference. Every Day.
Making A Difference<br />
Every Day<br />
“I’m excited about our round-table discussions and I’m<br />
committed to keep engagement high with you. That’s why I keep<br />
these to no more than 10 or so people. I learn something new<br />
each time at our monthly sessions. These sessions are optional<br />
drop-in and held quarterly.<br />
Glenne Manlig, President<br />
FirstService Residential Alberta<br />
We love hearing from you. Have a contribution, questions,<br />
suggestions? How are we doing?<br />
Contact Kerri Robins<br />
f Design by Kristopher Leithwood NRO.<br />
Thank you Kris, your design is brilliant.<br />
Follow, like and<br />
share with us