Minute taking is part science and part art—anyone can take minutes, but taking good minutes is much harder than it looks. The Condominium Act identifies minutes as core records of the Corporation, but provides little guidance on what should be included in or excluded from the minutes.

You have just completed a major refurbishment project. You selected your Interior Designer and build partners, turned reserve fund allocations into a workable budget and scope, settled on a final design, and guided the project through resident communications, demolition, construction, deficiencies, and the final walkthrough. The building looks gorgeous, the community is proud to come home, and another major project needs your attention. Before moving on, close one final loop: put a preservation plan in place.

Decks are one lovely extension of a home. They offer a space with a completely different atmosphere from the rest of the house—open, airy, and connected to nature. Whether hosting a lively barbecue, enjoying the beauty of sunrises and sunsets, or simply relaxing while soaking up the afternoon sun, a deck becomes a backdrop for countless moments. Beyond lifestyle, decks also add measurable value to our property. Yet despite their appeal, they face constant exposure to the elements, and without proper care, their beauty and safety can deteriorate far more quickly than most homeowners expect.

We instinctively understand preventative care when it comes to our health. We know that nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress management, and regular checkups affect how well we age. Buildings aren’t much different. They respond to age, weather, use, neglect, investment, and stress, not unlike the human body. When a person ignores the warning signs of declining health, the impact and results can be catastrophic. What appears to be something small and harmless, if left untreated, can become something far more serious.