A Service of Celebration for the Life of Kathy Taranczuk

Yesterday I went to celebrate the life of my former Housing manager, Kathy Taranczuk. Kathy had been the office manager of Ranwell/Old Ford local housing office in Bow from 1996 to 2007. I had been her senior housing officer. 

I went with my former colleague, Michelle Smith, to the service in Maidstone, Kent. 

The service itself went very smoothly and was indeed a celebration of Kathy's life. The tribute from her husband Jan, was particularly moving. 

Afterwards there was a very nice spread at a nearby hotel and a chance to chat and catch up with old friends. Jan and the family were very welcoming.

You can donate in memory of Kathy at the Heart of Kent Hospice https://www.hokh.org/support-us/make-a-donation-in-memory/funeral-donations/

Chartered Institute Housing Election 2012

I've just taken part in the first ever election for the Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). You get a email with a unique security code and you cast your vote on-line at the independent Electoral Reform
Services website.

The Vice President will become the President of the CIH next year. It's a bit suspect that this is the first ever openly contested election at the CIO but better late than never I suppose. I posted here that I know one of the candidates, Jan Taranczuk, quite well (his wife Kathy use to be my Tower Hamlets Local Housing office boss for many years). I don't know his opponent, Paul Tennant, who is the CEO of Orbit Housing Association.

If you are a member of the CIH you have until 30 January to vote. You can see their election statements here. There is an online husting tomorrow 12pm on the Guardian Housing Network blog. This afternoon on the Inside Housing site here there is a online poll (see picture right: double click to bring up detail) and both Jan and Paul were running neck and neck at 50%.

CIH Presidental Elections 2012

I've been an (inactive) member of the Chartered Institute of Housing for nearly 20 years and I don't recall there ever being an election for the top jobs?

This year there will be an election for the CIH Vice President between Jan Taranczuk and Paul Tennant. Under the CIH rules whoever is elected will become the President of the CIH in 2013.

I don't think I have ever met Paul who is the CEO of Orbit Housing Association (one of the biggest).  However, Jan use to be a senior Housing Manager in Tower Hamlets and his wife Kathy was my line manager in Bow for many years.  I've never worked with Jan but one thing that did impress me was that he was one of the very few senior social housing managers who still lived on an inner city Council Estate.  They did move out eventually to Kent to be near to family. Jan also runs the Housingstories website.