AMA Happenings

1st Annual Lawn Games Tournament was a ‘grass’

The AMA’s 1st Annual Lawn Games Tournament May 14 at the Shalimar Golf Club in Tempe was a huge success with 20 teams of six members competing in 10 games.

Top honors in the inaugural event went to Blue Steel Security. Second place went to Venturi Restoration and third place was garnered by Fitlogistix. Capturing the “We Tried” trophy was Smart Pest. Games included corn hole, foot golf, bowling, ring toss, swimming pool golf, Kan Jam and giant pong, just to name a few.

Thanks to everyone who participated. It was a “grass!”

Project S.A.F.E. is an indispensable tool now more than ever for AMA members

Without question, the last 18 months have been rife with uncertainty and distress brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. People’s lives were turned upside down as they faced a global health crisis, lost jobs, grappled with mental duress, experienced food shortages and more.

As the world slowly starts to return to “normal,” people are seeking a sense of calm and safety as they recover from the chaos. The Arizona Multihousing Association’s (AMA) Project S.A.F.E. season aims to deliver just that.

Project S.A.F.E. is an annual initiative organized by AMA to bring residents and communities at-large together to educate them on important safety issues facing themselves, their families and the surrounding community.

AMA property management company members are asked to hold a safety event at each of their properties, highlighting a topic of their choosing. Topics may range from pool safety to fire safety, pet safety, personal safety, COVID-19 information and vaccination, anti-bullying, mental health wellness, to name a few.

Sites are encouraged to utilize professionals within the community such as police officers, firefighters, security companies and health advocate agencies to help pull together content and present informational sessions. For more than 10 years, Community Manager Elena Wyatt and the staff at Red Mountain Springs Apartments of Dunlap & Magee Property Management have found the value of participating in Project S.A.F.E. Wyatt notes that holding an event helps her team and residents feel safe, alert, fearless and educated.

“We love to see our residents feeling protected, invulnerable, informed and involved. They feel like they are truly cared for, and they let us know by thanking us,” Wyatt says.

The passion of the staff at Red Mountain Springs clearly shows. In 2020 they won the Project S.A.F.E. award for “Best Theme,” focusing on personal safety. Holding an event

and winning “Best Theme” was no easy feat in 2020 due to federally- and state-mandated guidelines for social distancing.

“2020 Project S.A.F.E. was definitely a challenging year, but we overcame the hurdle and had to be creative. It was more hands-on with family involvement,” Wyatt recalls.

The property shifted from its normal in-person event and held a contest among their residents. Residents were encouraged to watch recommended personal safety videos on YouTube with their families, then create their own videos or drawings highlighting what they learned.

The AMA Social Responsibility Committee, the organizers and hosts of Project S.A.F.E., were thrilled to see such resiliency and innovation given the obstacles the pandemic threw at sites looking to hold an event in 2020. That being said, they’re eager to bring residents and communities back together in-person in 2021 to educate on safety topics.

Daniel Vollmer of Blue Steel Security has been with the Social Responsibility Committee for more than six years and is currently serving as committee co-chair. He says he enjoys being a part of Project S.A.F.E., adding that it helps management teams and their residents get important information on safety topics that have empowered them with the tools to handle various situations as they arise.

He’s even known to frequently volunteer his own knowledge and expertise on security and safety to communities by serving as an event speaker. Vollmer is more than happy to help out.

“Some communities have no budgets for extra get-togethers. It’s amazing to talk with residents that really get something out of the topic being discussed,” Vollmer says.

Vollmer is not the only Project S.A.F.E. Committee member offering his assistance to properties to pull off a successful Project S.A.F.E. event. All of the Project S.A.F.E. Committee members are available to serve as mentors to properties holding an event, offering to be speakers and/or help with any planning and day-of-event needs. “This committee is one of the most interacting, fun and helpful committees to AMA members, residents and the community,” Vollmer proudly says.

Through the assistance of volunteer mentors and community agencies, Project S.A.F.E. participation has proven to lead to the improved morale of communities, increase resident retention, heighten safety awareness, lower properties’ liability and provide positive publicity for sites.

Holding a Project S.A.F.E. event may also be utilized to satisfy many municipalities’ requirements to hold a community event for crime-free certification.

Interested in experiencing the benefits of holding your own Project S.A.F.E event?

There’s still time to get involved with the 2021 season! Simply visit azmultihousing. org/events/2021-phoenix-project-safe-registration to get signed up.

All properties that register and hold an event before the end of the year are eligible for a Certificate of Completion upon filling out a brief survey and submitting documentation of their event.

In addition to submitting an event for recognition of completion, properties may also elect to enroll their event in the “Best Of” competition if they are particularly proud of any part of your event that falls under one of the following categories: ■ Best Theme ■ Best Flier ■ Best Community Participation (involvement from outside groups – fire department, community groups, etc.) ■ Best Turnout (resident to unit participation) ■ Shirley Arthur Committee’s Choice – best overall event

Please note that the deadline to submit for any of the “Best Of” categories in Phoenix has been extended in 2021 and are now due by December 31. Tuscson ‘Best Of’ submissions are still due August 31. Winners of the “Best Of” awards will be announced at AMA’s February 2022 Dinner Meeting. More information on Project S.A.F.E, including registration, topic ideas, speaker suggestions, “Best Of” categories and event submission may be found at the Project S.A.F.E. webpage: azmultihousing.org/project-safe

We sincerely hope that all members of AMA will consider joining the 2021 Project S.A.F.E. season and bring a much-needed sense of support, stability and safety to their properties as we rebuild from this unprecedented time. It is an invaluable tool for building communities up.

“With Project S.A.F.E, we can save lives together,” Wyatt says.

What’s up down in Tucson

The Tucson Networking Committee has been busy with in-person events.

The first dinner meeting in more than a year was held in May at the newly remodeled Embassy Suites. Tribute nominees and finalists in attendance were recognized.

Attendees also heard from the Tucson Police Department’s new Homeless Outreach program on assisting with cleanup of homeless camps near communities and connecting individuals with local services.

SAVE THE DATE

AMA Tucson/ATI Restoration Reverse Trade Show

Thursday, July 15

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Tucson Convention Center

Teams and sponsorships range from $225 to $675

AMCF Big Hearts Tucson Bowl-A-Thon

Friday, September 24

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Fiesta Lanes

Lanes start at $300

On June 17, members gathered at Culinary Drop Out to network, play yard games and win raffle prizes. Thanks to all those who made it out; we are so happy to see everyone in person again.

AMC Meeting and Booth Lottery

Location & Time TBD

Includes lottery for remaining booths for November 10 Tucson Trade Show

AMCF Big Hearts Phoenix Bowl-A-Thon

Friday, November 12

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.