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The recent shooting at a Palm Beach condominium reminds us all that the place we call home is also a place of business for thousands of professionals across the state. Jeremy Holland, CAM was shot in the head at close range by a former employee.
 
In a story that ran recently by WPBF reporter, Chris MGrath it says “Charles Croghan, 72, is charged with attempted murder, accused of shooting his former boss last Friday (October 3, 2014).

Croghan, a former doorman at a Palm Beach condo, fired just one shot at close range, striking the property manager, Jeremy Holland, in the head, according to the probable cause affidavit.”
McGrath’s story goes on to say ‘Court documents show Croghan shot his former boss in a management office then walked back into the front lobby where a secretary confronted him.

Investigators with the Palm Beach Police Department wrote Croghan pointed his gun at the woman and said, “You’re next. You want one of these?”’

FCAP – Florida Community Association Professionals continues to promote awareness of community associations as a professional industry in this state. In a June, 2014 article relationship columnist Betsy Barbieux, CAM, CFCAM defines workplace violence; “According to the Department of Labor, workplace violence is any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening, disruptive behavior that occurs at the work site. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide.” https://www.fcapgroup.com/flcaj/flcaj-articles/relations-factions-ethics-bullies-and-workplace-violence/

As a unit or homeowner in a community association what can an association do to protect employees and residents from harm? Adia Walker with Florida Community Association Journal writes, “Life safety should be a priority for all community associations who want to protect their residents and staff while providing a quality environment for people to work and live. Proper preventative actions, careful planning, thorough implementation, and continual maintenance can reduce threats to your community while building peace of mind for your association.” https://www.fcapgroup.com/flcaj/flcaj-articles/life-safety/

McGrath’s October 7 report states that Mr. Holland remained in critical condition at St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach. A phone call by FCAP to St. Mary’s Medical Center to check on the condition of Mr. Holland was not returned. FCAP wishes Jeremy Holland and his family the best during this difficult time. It is indeed important to note that yes, community associations are where we call home but our homes are also part of an industry and a workplace for thousands.  FCAP will continue to promote awareness of the community association industry through its Family of Services.

Make sure to attend the FLCAJ Readers Choice Award to be held January 15, 2015 at The Show: West Palm Beach.

Congratulations to all the FCAP service provider members who are nominated for the FLCAJ Readers’ Choice Awards. As of today, there are over 300 companies nominated and over 3000 votes cast. To see if your company is nominated, go here.

Nominations and voting closes December 1, so there is still time to participate.  Let me encourage you to nominate your company and get the word out to your clients and associates that you have been nominated. You can direct them to our online voting site.

The award winners will be announced on January 15, 2015, at a special reception at The Show: West Palm Beach. I’ll send you more as we get closer, but in order to take advantage of all that the event offers, you must be an exhibitor. View The Show’s floor plan and for booth information.

Jim

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I would like to personally thank all of our sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees for helping make The Show: Orlando a wonderful event. Since we are still receiving feedback from participants, I wanted to share some of their comments with you.

As an outdoor furniture manufacturer, I have attended a lot of shows, even considered another way to market ourselves instead of the shows. We always ran into the same faces who would display so much excitement at the time, but after the fact, got very little response. After having been a part of THE SHOW in Orlando recently, I regained my confidence. Our company was very well received by property mangers and board members we had never made contact with before. Their fascination in what we did and who we were made this the best show our company has ever attended. To this day, we continue to get phone calls and emails from those who visited our booth. The Show: Orlando was truly a wonderful experience.

—Gregory Rehorn, Florida Patio Furniture, Corporate Sponsor of The Show: Orlando

Thoroughly enjoyed the vendor portion. Made a lot of contacts and collected lots of useful information. Would definitely attend again. The event was well organized. Enjoyed it. Thanks. 

—The Show: Orlando attendee

I got a lot of information from the exhibitors. Thanks for having a free exhibit and show. This was one of the best shows I ever attended. Thanks for validating parking – that was very nice. 

—The Show: Orlando attendee

It was a wonderful show – I’m a newly licensed CAM, and I found several vendors to fit the needs of my HOAs. Plus the food and CLE were a very nice bonus! Thanks for putting together the show. 

—The Show: Orlando attendee

Our next FCAP event is schedule for January 15, 2015 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center. We hope you will make plans to join us for The Show: West Palm Beach! For more information, please visit www.theshowfl.com.

Treva Phelps
Special Events Manager
Florida Community Association Professionals

The Show: Orlando

The Show: Orlando was a great success! Even the new FCAP Mobile made its debut. Be sure to check out all of the pics from the event in Orlando. And let us know what you thought here.

Don’t miss the chance to network with people in the industry. Look for our LinkedIn groups.

What is an Advisory Board and could your organization benefit from one? Community Association Legislative Lobby (CALL), Florida’s leading community association organization recently announced the formation of an Advisory Board which will provide vision, strategy, and outreach to the organization’s leadership team.

Working day-to-day in the community association industry, the term Board of Directors is commonplace. Community associations and many corporations across the state are governed by an elected Board of Directors who has a fiduciary and legal responsibility to the organizations they serve. In contrast, an Advisory Board does not have any formal legal responsibilities. Rather, an Advisory Board is appointed in order to give advice and support.

What qualities should you look for in an Advisory Board?

• Industry Experience
• Mentoring
• Strategic Thinking
• Credibility

Industry Experience
Industry experience is an important qualification for a team member of an advisory board. In this case, experience in carrying out the duties of a community association is crucial.

The CALL Advisory Board encompasses an extraordinary number of years as board presidents and management company executives.

• Roi Danon, President of Danon Management Group, Delray Beach, FL
• Ed Duch, Legislative Vice President, Gulf Shore Association of Condominiums (GSAC), Naples, FL
• Jim Hoppensteadt, President and Chief Operating Officer, Pelican Bay Foundation, Naples, FL
• Pio Ieraci, President, Galt Mile Community Association and Galt Ocean Club Condominium Association, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
• Ewing Sutherland, President, Gulfside, Inc., Naples, FL

Ken Direktor, Chair of Becker & Poliakoff’s Community Association Practice Group shared initial thoughts through a recent press release. “We look forward to working with this diverse group of individuals who have deep insight into the challenges and opportunities facing common-ownership residential communities in Florida.”

Mentoring
Ideally it is important for a trusted group of advisors to be able to connect with an organization’s leadership on a professional level but personal connections should be considered, as well. Trust is earned over years of working side-by-side on important and mutually beneficial projects. “I have worked with these advisors for many years to shape positive community association legislation,” said attorney, Donna DiMaggio Berger, a shareholder in Becker & Poliakoff’s Community Association Law Group.

Strategic Thinking
Development of new programs and products is important to the success of an organization. A trusted team of advisors can be invaluable in strategic planning for product development and implementation. Ms. Berger went on to share how this group will be able to provide the insight and planning they need. “Their willingness to serve on CALL’s Advisory Board will enable us to gain valuable input on CALL’s legislative agenda as well as to broaden the scope of our outreach and the distribution channels for our many resource materials.”

Credibility
Access to and representation by trusted decision makers with longstanding ties to the community brings credibility to an organization.

Becker & Poliakoff attorney Yeline Goin, who serves as CALL executive director and lobbyist said, “These advisors will enable us to gain valuable input on CALL’s legislative agenda while providing a local connection between CALL and members of the Florida Legislature.”

Pio Ieraci of the Galt Mile Community Association commented, “I am honored to serve on CALL’s inaugural Advisory Board and, along with my fellow Board Members, am dedicated to spreading CALL’s important mission of outreach, advocacy, and education.”

Click here to read CALL’s press release in its entirety.

I know that no one wants to think about it, but that dreaded time has come again. It’s time to get to work on the annual Association budget. While the budget process is very straight forward, the emotions it often brings out in owners, board members, and residents are not. The budget process has to balance competing interests, some want the lowest possible increase while some want more services, better amenities, or improved maintenance. All of these have to be balanced with what is required in addition to the resources of the Association and its owners.

A few budget facts you should know: Continue reading

Managers and Board Members: Registration is now open for The Show: Orlando! Visit our website at www.theshowfl.com to check out the schedule and CEU class offerings and to register!
 
Service Providers: Booths are still available at The Show: Orlando. Don’t miss your opportunity to network with community association board members and managers. Reserve your booth today.