9 minute read
Northern California Law Seminar Delivers On Promise
HERE+NOW
Sometimes more - really is more! That describes the 2016 Northern California Law Seminar & Expo, which offered more breakout sessions, more networking opportunities and more fun than ever before. Not surprisingly, the event also attracted more exhibitors, sponsors, speakers and attendees!
In the General Session, CACM President & CEO David Zepponi introduced the organization’s new Vision as well as a Master Plan that encompasses membership, certification and accreditation options for individuals, businesses and affiliates (service providers). “The new three-tiered membership programs provide accessibility to all regardless of industry experience or knowledge. Whether your objective is to get to know the industry, develop your professional knowledge, advance your career or grow your business, there is a membership level that is right for you. And, CACM is uniquely positioned to offer you value-added products and services to help you achieve success.” Zepponi said.
Law seminar attendees said they appreciated the wide variety of breakout sessions, the legislative and case law updates, information and perspective from industry leaders, excellent speakers and opportunities to interact with industry peers.
“I loved the breakout sessions! More to choose from and more informative for the situations I encounter as a manager,” said Kelly Moss, CCAM-PM with Eugene Burger Management Corporation.
“I loved the face lift on the entire program. I felt that the time and energy spent in the new education opportunities and new CACM model was wonderful, fresh and exciting. My favorite part as always is the attorneys case law session, specifically when the attorneys are quick and clear and witty,” added Kassie Ulen, CCAM with The Hignell Companies.
Attendees also had ample opportunity to meet with service providers and learn about their product and service offerings in the “Made in California” exhibit hall and at various social functions. Brenda Teter, CACM’s director of communications and membership, noted “I can’t say thank you enough to our exhibitors and sponsors. Thanks to their financial support as well as our volunteer speakers, we are able to offer our attendees an amazing program at an incredible value. Similar conferences often charge four or five times as much to attend.”
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AWARD WINNERS
DAN KOCAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD Jayme Morris, CCAM, Corona
VISION AWARD WINNERS RISING CHAMPION Maj Khan, CCAM (Not Pictured), San Francisco
MANAGERS’ CHOICE Robin Romo, CCAM-HR, San Francisco
LEADERSHIP Kim Flickner, CCAM, Walnut Creek Melissa Hajostek, CCAM, Oakley
EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE Andrea Dunifon CCAM, Folsom
Conference Bags
Nametag Lanyards
Mobile Device Charging Station
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Additional seminar highlights included the presentation of the Don Kocal Scholarship Award, the Northern California Vision Awards and Exhibitor Awards for Best Product Knowledge, Best Theme Interpretation, Most Engaging Booth and Best Overall Booth. There truly was an abundance of memorable moments, and for many attendees their favorite highlight was the Manager’s Therapy session that ended the conference.
Rolf Crocker, CCAM and CEO of OMNI Community Management, set the tone for that session by playing guitar and leading attendees in a chorus of “Peaceful, Easy
MADE IN CALIFORNIA EXHIBITOR AWARDS
Best Overall Exhibitor Booth – Pro Solutions
Best Product Knowledge – A-One Construction, General Contractors
Feeling” – an impromptu and timely tribute given the recent passing of Eagles co-founder Glenn Fry. Following the conclusion of the event, Laura Ravazza, CCAM with Homeowners Management Company posted on Facebook, “I was in this class and he was GREAT! Very inspiring group, hope this class continues.” Enough said!
A Brief Look at CACM’s New Membership Programs
Flexible, accessible, value-packed … those are just a few characteristics that describe CACM’s new membership plans.
Each category of membership – individual, business and affiliate (service providers) – is broken into three tiers. There’s a low cost, limited benefit level designed for folks who are just getting to know the industry; a middle tier that’s roughly comparable to CACM’s traditional memberships; and a premium tier loaded with added benefits and value.
For newcomers to the industry, the new lower tiers provide a low-cost, low-commitment introduction
to CACM and the community management industry. For active and experienced industry veterans, the added benefits of the premium tiers quickly pay for themselves.
Individual managers can join at the Apprentice, Pro or Pro Plus levels. Each level offers specific benefits such as professional development and networking opportunities, access to forums and conferences, certificates and designations, professional tools and resources, CACM’s Career Network and peer engagement. Apprentice level members can explore the basics in the HOA Puzzle course, while
Pro and Pro Plus members can build on their general knowledge or focus on industry specialties.
Although certification is independent of membership, a key benefit of individual membership is the ability to pursue the certifications and designations that best match the member’s interests and responsibilities. Becoming a Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) demonstrates that an individual has the fundamental knowledge needed to manage a community association. CACM also offers a Community Association Financial Management (CAFM) certification and a designation for Community Association Management Executives (CAMEx).
Specialty certificate programs are available in High Rise, Large Scale, Portfolio Management and New Development Community Management. Individuals can earn designations in addition to the certificate, including adjunct specialty designations for Age-Restricted Adult Community Management and Commercial & Industrial CID Management. Finally, the ultimate achievement for
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FOR NEWCOMERS TO THE INDUSTRY,
THE NEW LOWER TIERS PROVIDE
A LOW-COST, LOW-COMMITMENT
INTRODUCTION TO CACM AND THE
COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT INDUSTRY.
FOR ACTIVE AND EXPERIENCED
INDUSTRY VETERANS, THE ADDED
BENEFITS OF THE PREMIUM TIERS
QUICKLY PAY FOR THEMSELVES.
community association managers is the Master of Community Association Management or MCAM. This is the highest professional recognition available for California community association managers.
Added Value for Businesses
Management businesses can join at the StartUp, Business or BusinessPlus levels. As the name suggests, StartUp membership provides a low-cost introduction, but has limited benefits. Business level membership has a slightly higher cost, but many more benefits, and savings associated with those benefits quickly add up. And the comprehensive BusinessPlus plan has the highest cost, but quickly pays for itself.
Through several recently formed alliances, Business and BusinessPlus members have access to several new services to help them operate more efficiently and effectively. Those include:
Professional HR and Benefits Program – This program allows your business to costeffectively outsource administration of health benefits, retirement solutions and other employee benefits. By becoming part of a larger pool of employers, you are able to offer better benefits while reducing your cost of administration.
Asset Protection Compliance Program SM – By letting the professionals vet your contractors for you, your business can reduce staff workload and mitigate risk at the same time.
Risk Protection Program SM – Designed specifically for our industry, this program helps you mitigate risk and protect your business. It combines effective risk management services with industry specific insurance programs like master fidelity, cyber theft and liability, directors and officers’ liability, professional liability, business office insurance and workers' compensation.
Of course one of the greatest current challenges for community management businesses is finding, training and developing highly qualified managers
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and staff, and CACM has a number of programs to assist businesses in this area. That includes the CACM Career Center, courses, events and much more. And, CACM is innovating in this area as well, now giving BusinessPlus members a new tool to find potential new employees through job candidate leads, including individuals currently working outside the industry.
Business members also can access accreditation as an Accredited Community Management Business or ACMB – which was formerly known as ACMF. ACMB status offers businesses instant and unparalleled recognition as a “professional” and leader in the community management arena and communicates that a business and its employees adhere to the highest California state-specific industry standards.
Lastly, business members continue to have access to a broad assortment of powerful marketing tools including advertising and listing opportunities, high-quality promotional materials, press releases, logo use and more. Affiliate Members Get That Too!
Business services and marketing opportunities also are key features of CACM’s affiliate membership programs. Affiliate memberships include Associate, Affiliate and Advantage levels. All affiliate tiers include attendance at the HOA Puzzle course and one regional forum at the member rate as part of their benefit package. Affiliate and Advantage members also have access to the Professional HR & Benefits Program, and Advantage members can participate in the new Vetted Service Provider program. Other marketing and new business development program benefits vary by membership level.
In summary, CACM’s Master Plan includes a membership category and level designed to meet everyone’s unique needs. Flexible, accessible and value-packed – choose the membership that’s right for you!
