About QRRA
The Quail Ridge Residents’ Association (QRRA) was incorporated under the Society Act (BC) on December 4, 2000. See: QRRA Certificate of Incorporation.
The information below provides an overview of residents' associations and the purpose and value of the QRRA.
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The QRRA Board defined it's purposes as:
• acting as a conduit for community interests
• acting as a resource for relevant community information
• promoting community safety through member awareness
• partnering with area businesses: Okanagan Golf Club and UBCO, with an emphasis on building and fostering long term supportive relationships
• engaging with the City of Kelowna on proposals or bylaws that impact our community and representing our community on bylaws and related issues, and
• accessing and coordinating resources regarding interests and concerns as necessary.
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What Your Membership Means
Membership in QRRA is voluntary. Choosing to become a member requires a minimal bi-annual fee and entitles you to voting privileges at our Annual General Meeting (AGM).
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Your participation is critical at our AGM. Under the Societies Act (BC), non-profits must hold an AGM once every calendar year to conduct business and vote in a new Board of Directors. Our bylaws state the AGM must have a minimum of 10% of the members in attendance.
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What is a Residents' Association?
Residents' Associations
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Some benefits of residents' associations:
• improved quality of life for residents by developing a cleaner, safer, healthier neighbourhood
• a unified body to liaise with the local municipality and partners (ie: Okanagan Golf Club, UBCO and YLW airport) to achieve common community goals
• provide a means of communicating with neighbours
• encourage discussion of ideas affecting the neighbourhood and promote cooperative action
• organize cooperative neighbourhood improvement projects
• address and problem solve issues that exist or arise within the neighbourhood
What We Are Not
Residents’ Associations are not political action committees. The QRRA strives to work with City staff to help grow our community.
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Residents’ Associations are not stratas. Stratas have control over the lands and amenties in a specfied area. Residents' Associations do not. All homeowners within a Strata must comply with their bylaws and pay strata fees in exchange for living within the named complex. A Residents' Association does not have these types of powers. However, the QRRA can help to inform QRRA of neighbourhood issues or concerns. Many issues are the responsibility of the City or Regional District and we can help figure out who residents should contact directly.
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For example, it is also not the mandate of the QRRA to act upon or report issues related to parks, potholes, street lights, illegal suites, parking, landfill issues, noise – among other concerns. As a resident, please contact the City of Kelowna directly online: https://www.kelowna.ca/city-services/online-services/services-requests. To report issues related to speeding, dangerous driving, theft – among other issues – please contact the RCMP: 250-762-3300 (non-emergency line).
QRRA Accomplishments
FireSmart
The Quail Ridge FireSmart Committee, formed in 2011 works to improve the safety of homeowners and reduce the risk of damage to property from wildfires.
See all of our FireSmart accomplishments and photos on our FireSmart page.
Air Quality Improvement
In 2019, the QRRA Board met with the Ministry of the Environment, Ministry of Mining and the City of Kelowna to discuss and advocate for measures to improve air quality monitoring in Quail Ridge.
Evacuation Plan
In 2020, the Quail Ridge Residents’ Association, the FireSmart team and the Okanagan Golf Club developed the Quail Ridge Community Evacuation Plan. This Committee’s plan was approved by the Kelowna Fire Department and the City of Kelowna and filed with the City’s Fire Chief in their Emergency Program documentation. See Quail Ridge Community Evacuation Plan
Website
QRRA established the website www.qrra.org in 2020 to serve as a communication tool to the residents of the community. The website continues to be an active repository of QRRA business and events.
Garage Sale
QRRA supports the annual community garage sale. The springtime event attracts hundreds of buyers. Many local businesses offer discount coupons to participants.
Strong Neighbourhoods
QRRA has established relationships with the City of Kelowna who manage its Strong Neighbourhood initiative. As the City’s website notes: Strong neighbourhoods play a vital role in our residents’ daily lives by making a positive impact on their wellbeing, contributing to economic development and helping residents feel a sense of attachment to our city.
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The goal of the Strong Neighbourhoods program is to increase residents’ level of attachment to the community by being a catalyst in inspiring neighbourhoods to foster a culture of connection and engagement. Connection and engagement are two sides of the same coin and it’s only through strong relationships that we can work together to make our neighbourhoods better places to live, work and play.
QRRA Board
Laura Peacock, President
Gord Walter, Vice-President
Arlene Marshinew, Secretary
David Naples, Treasurer
Alan Sherbinin, Director at Large
Glen Maddess, FireSmart Chair