President's Message

Happy first quarter of 2022! Mandates and restrictions are increasingly being removed across California, live events are coming back to our reality, and variants are slowly but steadily being tamed through vaccinations.

The pandemic has disrupted our CID management industry over the last two years, and we see this continuing throughout2022. We learned a lot from the pandemic, but one important thing that we learned is that disruption of an industry can leave a positive impact on us, as well as some growth pains.

The largest disruption by far to our specific industry is the constant evolving work environment. So many companies, both management and industry partners, have come to an understanding that team members can work remotely, potentially reducing brick-and-mortar footprints. However, this brings a whole set of challenges along with it.

How do you monitor a manager’s performance? How do you monitor supporting staff that work remotely? Hybrid work environments are on the rise, which can have some positive impacts, but this option also affects staff that have in-office duties while the rest of the office is remote.

There are deliveries, mail sorting, mailings with deadlines to accomplish, and who handles the keys to the pool or community center when the community specific team is remote?

There are disruptions all around that I can assure you that your leadership struggles with every day. They try and balance the health concerns of staff and at the same time, balance the workload of in-office duties. This is no easy task.

So, what do you do? Talk to your leadership about the challenges you may be experiencing. Ask them for help in communicating the ever-changing work environment with your clients. Ask your client board for support in communicating to your community members about these changes, and ask them about any challenges you may have.

Lastly, trust in your leadership to help you work in these changing environments, because I’m confident that you wouldn’t be surprising them when you let them know that you are experiencing challenges.

These specific topics will be addressed at the Executive Leadership Summit (ELS) in May in Monterey where we will have discussions with HR professionals that field these challenges each and every day.

In a shameless plug for CACM, get involved! We have numerous committees and are expanding our committee list, so that you can get involved. The majority of committees meet remotely and periodically.

Expand your opportunities for knowledge. The world along with the CID industry in California are constantly changing. Be a part of it and not on the sidelines. Join us in any way you can.

Until I personally see you again, please stay healthy and happy.

Thomas Freeley, CAMEx, CCAM, President & CEO