Spring 2022 FirstExhange edition

Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta 

SPRING EDITION 2022 

First Exchange 

e-Bulletin

Table of Contents 

Message from Glenne 

Kudos 

Jayne’s Addiction 

Associates Corner 

building the pipeline 

Top 25 Properties 

#FirstServeOthers 

Moraine lake in Banff National Park, Alberta 

fsresidential.com/alberta 

2 

Making a Difference. Every Day.

Change your mindset 

Fail isn’t a word; it’s simply your: 

First 

Attempt 

In 

Learning 

End doesn’t exist because: 

Effort 

Never 

Dies 

No is just your: 

Next 

Opportunity 


3 


A Message 

from Glenne 

Hi Team! 

Welcome back to the office team. The energy you bring 

to our workspace inspires and motivates me and it feels 

like we’re on a fresh journey. Personal interactions are so 

important, and you create a dynamic environment that 

fosters and nurtures innovative ideas. Your presence and 

enthusiasm encourages me, and I’m looking forward to 

our next chapter. 

Going forward let’s look back for a moment. Q1 results 

are in, and the highlight is board NPS scores continue 

breaking records. As of March 31, our score was 18.4, up 

5.1 points from Q1 in 2021. To compare, Q1 2020 was 2.4 

and Q1 2019 was 5.6. 

Glenne Manlig, President 

FirstService Residential Alberta 

You also retained 98% of our managed communities, 

while welcoming two new clients of just over 100 homes. 

Our google ratings are still challenging us folks. In Calgary, 

Q1 showed an average of 2.4-stars and Edmonton 

showed an average of 3.2-stars. Compared to 2021 

Q1 average results (Calgary 3.8/Edmonton 4.4) we’re 

trending down. Currently, Calgary sits at 2.5-stars and 

Edmonton is at 4.1-stars. 

Coming up, I’m eager to see you at our townhall and 

associate appreciation on July 15. Stay tuned for details. 

Guess what? 

A marketing library now 

exists in connect — it’s 

small; but growing. Log into 

Connect, click corporate and 

scroll to marketing library. 

Have a marketing request? 

Questions? Feedback? 

Contact Kerri Robins. 

“ 

In May, I have the honour of attending the official 

opening ceremony and blessing of St. Kateri’s 

Tawaphkoap (playground), where many of us volunteered 

our time to help build it. We’re privileged to partner with 

St. Kateri, not only supporting them with a $2500 gift, 

but taking part in creating a safe spot for children to play. 

Keep up the excellent work team. 


4 


Kudos 

You guys are a smashing success, and our promoter 

scores show the value of your hard work. But don’t let 

me tell you about it. Here’s a few board comments that 

made our day! 

Avenue West End 

Speaking about Jennifer Milz and team on their 

partnership with FirstService Residential, “Because 

of our building manager and on-site staff.” Almoonir 

Dewji. 

Avenue West End, 

Calgary — 194 units 

Branches in Walden Phase II 

“Our support person Charlyn Salaza is amazing and 

looks after our interests as if they were her own. She 

is [ed. generally] available and knows her job.” Evelyn 

Chivers. 

“Charlyn has been great. She understands our issues, 

gives excellent advice when necessary, and usually 

anticipates issues before they escalate.” Darlene 

Ligenza 


5 

Branches in Walden Phase II, 


Brindavan Estates 

Speaking about Leeanne Klyne and team, “They’ve 

been good so far, responsive.” Carla Gust. 

“Leeanne Klyne and team are doing a good job for us 

at our complex.” Grant Chiasson. 

“Leeanne Klyne is excellent at all she does and works 

hard to ensure all runs well. I would like to see her 

continue in her position long-term.” Maria DeRosa. 

Brindavan Estates, 

Edmonton — 65 units 


Classics at McKenzie Lake 

Speaking about Joanne Mathew and team, “Perform 

the services exactly as required.” Ron Wade. 

especially appreciate the depth of her knowledge and 

her experience. She explains complex concepts very 

well. She is willing to visit our site regularly to check 

issues out. I took advantage of the insurance webinar 

[ed. Terry co-presented] and found it very interesting 

and informative.” Susan Chamberlain. 

Classics at McKenzie Lake, 


Genesis 

Speaking about Angie Murphy, “We generally get 

good service from FirstService Residential.” Violet 

Sandford. 

Ranchland Meadows, 


Riverview Condominium 

Speaking about Angie Murphy and team, “Very 

responsive manager who seems on top of things.” 

Spencer N. Moar. 

Genesis, Calgary — 20 units 

Horseshoe Hamlet 

Speaking about Leeanne Klyne and team, “We’ve dealt 

with FirstService Residential for a couple of years. Any 

issues we have, they reply quickly and rectify it.” Allan 

Yip. 

Riverview Condominium, 


The Heath 

Speaking about Fadel Baha and team, “I know people 

who are a part of condo boards and they said they feel 

that FirstService Residential really has their affairs in 

order. I’ve heard that they seem to know what they are 

doing compared to other companies.” Stephanie Roop. 

Horseshoe Hamlet, 

Edmonton — 45 units 

Ranchland Meadows 

Speaking about Terry Foster and team, “Our 

representative is very knowledgeable and helpful. I 

The Heath, Calgary 

(Rendering) — 38 units 


6 


Verve Tower 

“FirstService Residential cares about owner interests. 

They have the right people with the right competence 

to run our condominium operation. They have 

knowledge.” John Geng Xin Zhao. 

“Jennifer Milz and FirstService Residential are very 

experienced and address issues in a very discerning 

manner.” Glenn Naughton. 

“Jennifer Milz and her team are doing a fabulous job at 

The Verve.” Marlon Bughao. 

Verve Tower, Calgary — 300 units 

And that’s not all. Our multi-family property google 

scores are climbing thanks to some team due 

diligence. 

Honourable mention goes to Entro Residential 

Resident Services Manager, Jon Hoffman and team. 

Thanks to their due diligence they’ve risen above a 

low 2-star rating last Nov. to a 4-star rating on the 

property today. 

It pays to ask and keep asking. Keep it up team, we’re 

proud of you! 

Drumheller HooDoos is a 0.5 kilometer heavily 

trafficked loop trail located near Drumheller, Alberta 

Random facts 

you probably never need to know 

Entro Residential Interior 

Did you know a pineapple is a berry, peanuts are beans 

and tomatoes are fruits? In fact, squash, pumpkins, 

cucumbers, peppers, eggplants, corn kernels and bean 

and pea pods are all fruits. That’s because botanists 

consider fruits as anything developing from the 

fertilized ovary of a flower. 


7 


Jayne’s Addiction 

They may be just plants and 

green stuff to you, but they’re 

music to Jayne’s ears! “I have 

more than 100 plants in my 

house….and growing.” 

Some addictions are good for the soul and Jayne will 

tell you besides increased oxygen, playing in the dirt is 

a joyful experience. 

Q: Why grow so many 

plants? 

Jayne Powlusko 

Community Administrator 

Team Lead 

Photos courtesy of Jayne Powlusko 

A: Dirt between your 

fingers and under 

your nails releases 

hormones that help 

release endorphins….. 

mother nature’s happy 

pill. I make soap, face 

moisturizer, lip balms, 

infused oils for cooking, 

first aid remedies, cold 

remedies, teas, and 

shine serums. I just keep 

experimenting……on my friends! They’ve become 

my testers and nobody has complained yet. 

Q: What kind of plants do you grow? 

A: I’ll grow anything from 

common houseplants (spider 

plants) to carnivorous types 

(pitcher plants) that require 

more care and attention. I 

start some from seed and I’m 

always impatient for these 

ones to grow! I also have a 

rehabilitation area where I care 

for more mature plans in need 

of extra TLC. 

Every summer I plant a 

vegetable garden in my backyard 

including fennel, beets, 

parsnips, turnips, green beans, carrots, green onions, 

dill, honeyberries, blueberries, zucchini, tomato plants 

and potatoes. I also grow onion chives that produce 

flower buds, and when pickled make for a tasty extra 

in salads and on hot dogs! 

And finally, I grow 

Blue Russian sage, 

a non-vegetable 

that grows up to six 

feet or so. 


8 


Q: Where do you find or get all your plants? 

A: I love visiting 

greenhouses, and most 

spring weekends I’m first in 

line waiting for their doors 

to open so I can rush in 

and see what’s new! Some 

people give me their plants 

that are struggling to grow 

and I put them in my rehab 

room for some intensive care. I also propagate plants 

for others who want some happiness and a little friend 

to care for. 

Q: What does growing plants do for you? 

A: Plants put out an energy 

that just can’t be matched. 

They bring balance to 

a room. Starting from 

seeds not only helps one 

understand plant life cycles, 

but it’s also a satisfying 

experience to care for and 

grow something. 

Growing plants was a huge 

mental health boost for me 

throughout the pandemic 

and helped calm me in the midst of so much unrest. 

Plant care is a hobby, and something you should enjoy. 

You don’t have to be perfect at it; plants die, it’s just 

part of the lifecycle. 

Q: What started your love of plants? 

A: Growing up in Northern 

Alberta in the small hamlet 

of Rochester, between 

Athabasca and Westlock, I 

learned about plants from 

my mother. We always 

had summer gardens, and 

visiting greenhouses was 

one of my favourite things to 

do with Mom. 

I’ve been an advocate for 

our environment for 30+ 

years; before the green scene was a cool thing. It 

helps me minimize my environmental impact, and 

beside care and comfort for me, my plants provide 

sustenance and remedies. It’s a give and take, where 

they take care of me as I take care of them. 

Q: Any final words of encouragement for people 

thinking about growing some plants but 

questioning how green their thumb is? 

A: Just start. Whether you grow plants in pots or in 

the ground, they can grow just about anywhere. I 

encourage sustainability by helping people plant their 

own vegetable and herb gardens. Growing your own 

little garden is so much better, and healthier for you. 

Whether it’s a remedy you’re after or taking advantage 

of garden-fresh veggies grown by your own hand, you 

know exactly what’s in some of the vegetables you eat. 

Random facts 


Onions are a sedative and eating lots of them will help 

you sleep. I guess that’s a viable alternative to trying 

to socialize when your friends are covering their noses 

and turning away from you! 


9 


Associates Corner 

Andrea Alexander 

Director, Human Resources 

Education policy: 

Keeping your skills sharp so 

you can continually contribute 

to your career and our 

organization is time wellspent. 

Whether it’s a formal 

program or informal lunch ‘n 

learns, online programs or hearing expert speakers, 

you have a wealth of learning at your fingertips. 

Education is available for both employerrequired 

training and associate requested 

training and professional development. Read up 

on our improved education policy HERE 

Centralized payroll: ADP Workforce 

f Client payroll is now live, moving from manual 

time sheets to web based, and from semimonthly 

to bi-weekly payroll cycles. 

f Corporate Associates also transitioned to ADP 

WorkForceNow, replacing ADP Total Access. The 

new platform features a call centre for associate 

support. If you’re stuck, call 1.844.248.3590, or 

CANHRservicesemployee@adp.com for help. You 

can view your pay statements and T4’s, update 

your personal and banking information, and even 

split up your pay by creating three separate bank 

accounts that you can deposit different 

amounts in. 

Read more about your new payroll system HERE. 

Productivity Workshops 

We hosted our first Think Productive workshop on 

Mar. 25. It was chock-full of productivity tips and 

graduates of that workshop are now Productivity 

Ninjas. If you weren’t able to join, have a poke around 

Think Productive’s blog or website to get a feel for 

what’s to come. 

f Read your 2022 FirstVoice Action Plan HERE. 

f Got some things on your mind that might be 

helpful talking to someone about? Read about 

Lifeworks: Employee Assistance Program HERE. 

f Know someone who would be the perfect addition 

to our team? Earn a referral bonus up to $500. 

Learn more HERE. 

f We’re hiring right now. Check out our open 

positions. Click HERE for Edmonton postings. 

Click HERE for Calgary postings. 

Random facts 


The tallest basil plant on record is 3.34 meters. 


10 


Our 

North Region Partners 

British 

Columbia 

500+ Associates | 600+ Managed properties | 120,000+ Residences 

Did you know, Vancouver is the fourth largest film and TV production in North 

America. So the next time you think that’s a Vancouver landmark in a film, it 

probably is! 

Illinois 

500+ Associates | 500+ Managed properties | 90,000+ Residences 

Did you know, Chicago’s nickname, “The Windy City” actually came from an article 

describing long-winded politicians during a 1893 exhibition. 

Minnesota 

675+ Associates 545+ | Managed Properties | 56,765+ Residences 

Did you know, Minnesota has an official muffin — Blueberry! 

Missouri/ 

Kansas 

150+ Associates | 240+ Managed Properties | 30,000+ Residences 

Did you know, Missouri is known for its random oversized objects. It’s home to a 

12-foot-long pecan, a giant rocking chair that’s more than 42 feet tall, a 43-foot-tall 

rooster and the world’s largest chess piece — 53 times as big as a regular-size piece. 

Ontario 

900+ Associates | 350+ Managed Properties | 90,000+ Residences 

Did you know, Ontario is home to 250,000 lakes. In fact, Ontario’s lakes contain about 

one-fifth of the fresh water in the entire world. Now that’s cottage country! 


11 


Building the 

Pipeline 

Avery Cox 

Business Development 

Director 

We’re on a roll folks. 

On April 1 we welcomed, 

Californian Manor II in 

Edmonton. Built in 1996, 

this low-rise condominium 

complex features 53 units 

with residents enjoying a social room, communal 

kitchen, and a fitness centre, and featuring a 

guest suite on the property. Located in Summerlea 

neighbourhood, residents experience a mix of 

amenities from shopping, entertainment, and 

services within walking distance. Thanks to the 

transition team for their expertise and support 

bringing Californian Manor II onboard. 

and a playground in the complex. With shopping, 

restaurants, and cafes in walking distance, residents 

have many of their needs close by. We’re excited 

to partner with Oakmoor 2300 and look forward to 

providing a great experience for residents. 

Oakmoor 2300 — 136 townhouses. 

Webinar: Project Planning & Vendor Management 

Our first on-demand webinar was pre-recorded in 

March, hosted by Alicia Jentner who played ‘anchor’. 

Alicia was joined by Keelin Glendon, Community 

Manager, and Kristjan Kristjansson with MBC group. 

Tune into Project Planning & Vendor Management 

WATCH NOW! 

Next up in our educational webinar series — 

Financial Planning: Are you equipped for the task? 

Californian Manor II stands impressive in 

Edmonton’s Summerlea community 

Welcome Oakmoor 2300 in Calgary’s quiet Palliser 

community. Oakmoor 2300 joined FirstService 

Residential Alberta on May 1, and residents enjoy 

several amenities including balconies, decks 

Do you know someone on the board of one 

of our pursuits? Then you qualify for our 

referral program. Earn a payroll bonus up to a 

maximum of $5,000 

Read the details HERE. 

Contact Avery Cox. 


12 


Hats off to Shelley Hammerli, Community Manager in Calgary. 

Shelley recently earned $1,000 for her referral of Oakmoor 2300 in 

Calgary’s Palliser community. Thanks to Shelley, we closed the deal 

on Oakmoor 2300, and she closed the deal with us. 

Photo Courtesy: Glenne Manlig: 

L-R Avery Cox, Business Development Director, Shelley Hammerli, Community Manager, and Andrea Alexander, 

Director, Human Resources celebrate Shelley’s big win during FirstCall. Keelin Glendon, Community Manager 

applauds her colleague in the background. 

This could be you….what are you waiting for? 


13 


Top 25 

Pursuit Properties 

Meadowlark Village 

Address: 8735 165 St, Edmonton, AB T5R 2R6 

Number of Units: 


8735 165 St, Edmonton 

Number of Units: 430 


Address: 8735 165 St, Edmonton, AB T5R 2R6 


Pointe at Prestwick 

10 Prestwick Bay SE, Calgary 



Address: 10 Prestwick Bay SE, Calgary, AB T2Z 0E6 


Sienna Park Green Village 

Address: 149 Sienna Park Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 5H5 



Address: Sienna 10 Prestwick Park Bay SE, Calgary, Green AB T2Z 0E6 Village 


149 Sienna Park Green SW, Calgary 


Sienna Park Green Village 

Address: 149 Sienna Park Green SW, Calgary, AB T3H 5H5 


The Marquis 

1108 6 Ave SE, Calgary 


The Marquis 

Address: 1108 6 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5K1 


The Marquis 

Address: 1108 6 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 5K1 


Valleyview Park Place 

2505 17 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T3E 7V3 



14 


#FirstServeOthers 

Kathleen Sawisky 

Special Project Coordinator/ 

Social Purpose Ambassador/ 

Social Committee 

Photos courtesy: Angie Murphy 

This Spring saw the inaugural 

FirstService Residential Winter 

Carnival, and no, the irony was not lost on us. 

While it was a week of festivities, we wanted to ensure 

that we found a way to give back to a group openly 

struggling, especially throughout the pandemic. 

March 23rd was National Puppy Day — the perfect 

opportunity to give back to the SPCA (Society for the 

Prevention of Cruelty to 

Animals). 

Associates donated 

everything from dog and 

cat food, toys, and treats, 

and cash donations to 

the SPCA to purchase 

items of need. At the 

time of writing, $382.00 

has been raised for the 

SPCA! 

Your incredible 

Community Manager, 

contributions and 

Danna Elbast, 

support leave no wonder practices her picking 

how much you love 

on guitar hero until her 

animals. You don’t have to big break. 

look far to see pictures of 

your fellow associates’ best furry friends! 

But this wasn’t just about giving back to the local 

shelter. Last month we learned of the passing of former 

FirstService Residential employee, Lila Roth. 

Lila was a known animal lover and pictures of her 


15 


Nicole Martinez, CSS Admin (left) and Community 

Manager Terry Foster (across from Nicole) are 

traveling by train in Ticket to Ride, a cross-country 

train adventure where players collect and play 

matching train cards to claim railway routes 

connecting cities throughout North America. 

frequently included her own pets. Lila’s influence ran 

deep, and while she hasn’t been an employee of the 

company for several years, the friendship and kindness 

she offered to those closest to her was indisputable. 

All who knew Lila loved her, and her loss will resonate 

through us for years to come. 

Social purpose remains top of mind as we move into Q2. 

With the office fully reopened, it is the intention of the 

social committee to plan events that can coincide with 

charitable events happening in Calgary this year. 

Stay tuned for more information. 

Photo courtesy: LinkedIn 

Your donations to the SPCA were made in 

Lila’s memory. We miss you Lila. 

Random facts 


May is Asian Heritage Month, so keep an eye out for 

upcoming news on this important social purpose pillar. 

Ideas and suggestions that support our pillars are 

welcome. Give me a shout 

Kathleen.Sawisky@fsresidential.com. 

Plants talk. Yes, it’s true. Chemical signals produced 

by the flowers and leaves are essentially an open for 

business sign letting insects know they have supplies 

of nectar and pollen. They also send SOS signals to 

other plants letting them know of danger in the area. 

Jason Krippl, Director Client Accounting, faces Mario 

in Mario Cart, where he’s attempting to break the 

speed of light. 


16 


Making A Difference 

Every Day 

“I’m excited about our round-table discussions and I’m 

committed to keep engagement high with you. That’s why I keep 

these to no more than 10 or so people. I learn something new 

each time at our monthly sessions. These sessions are optional 

drop-in and held quarterly. 

Glenne Manlig, President 

FirstService Residential Alberta 

We love hearing from you. Have a contribution, questions, 

suggestions? How are we doing? 

Contact Kerri Robins 

f Design by Kristopher Leithwood NRO. 

Thank you Kris, your design is brilliant. 

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