MANDATE

The Chief Operating Officers Committee was created as part of COCA’s Strategic Plan in 2003 with a mandate to provide a forum for the exchange of information and discussion of common opportunities and challenges amongst the Chief Operating Officers of member associations. 

CHAIR

Harold Lindstrom, P.Eng, is Manager of the Construction Association of Thunder Bay. In addition to being a professional Engineer, Harold is a particularly active association executive who tirelessly works for the good of his members and the industry at large. Harold has served as Chair since 2003 and his colleagues greatly appreciate his insights and leadership skill. 

REPORT ON 2012 ACTIVITIES

The COO Committee met five times during the year, immediately prior to COCA Board of Directors meetings.  While a COCA update was presented at each meeting to ensure committee members who are not members of the Board are kept well informed, there was significantly more emphasis on sharing of best practices, “what’s new in your association” and the exchange of important industry and association management information.  Among the topics discussed were:

• The new Ontario Not for Profit Corporations Act which will require all member associations to review their bylaws and bring them into compliance
• Mandatory WSIB coverage for independent operators and non-exempt executive officers
• The establishment of the Ontario College of Trades
• The state of the industry in local markets
• New programs and services for members

Sparked by concerns expressed at the COO forum about the procurement practices of Infrastructure Ontario and its concessionaires operating on the Windsor Essex Parkway,  the COCA Board struck and IO Task Force which ultimately led to the development of a joint labour-management submission that was made to the Minister of Infrastructure and the CEO of Infrastructure Ontario.

At the end of November many COO Committee members participated in Construct Canada, our industry’s national trade show, to raise awareness of e-procurement and ensure industry readiness.  E-procurement will certainly be a topic for discussion at future meetings. 

The Provincial Plansroom Sub-committee continues to meet and its progress was reported at each meeting. 

COO meetings are an invaluable forum.  Through the sharing of best practices and the exchange of important information and ideas, COOs are better positioned to serve the members of their own associations more effectively and meet their needs.   Membership in COCA is an enormous advantage for COOs and a tremendous benefit to member associations.   We must continue to stress this with our existing and prospective members.

Thanks to all the COOs who continue to attend meetings, actively participate and make them so informative and productive. 

Respectfully submitted,

Harold Lindstrom P. Eng