CAI-NJ May 2017

PRESIDENT’S CORNER DENISE BECKER, CMCA, AMS, PCAM CAI-NJ 2017 PRESIDENT | HOMESTEAD MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC., AAMC

“Listen as your day unfolds Challenge what the future holds Try and keep your head up to the sky.” Des’ree – “You Gotta Be”

W elcome Spring! It’s finally here and we can bask in the sunshine after the rain… or go to where it’s REALLY hot and bask in the glory of being a member of the New Jersey chapter of CAI! This year, the CAI National Annual Conference and Exposition is scheduled for May 3rd – 6th at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. This is a very special conference for me for two reasons: 1. I get to represent the CAI-NJ chapter as its President! 2. CAI-NJ will be the recipient of an Achievement Award for its in-person Business Partner Essentials Course in the Members Service category! I am so proud that our chapter was selected for this award. There are not many CAI chapters that offer this course for their business partners. When National first approached our chap- ter, their rationale for asking New Jersey to hold this course was because they knew our chapter’s Business Partner mem- bers would be right there to participate and attend to make it a success. To date, we have twenty two Business Partners who have earned the distinction. Check out the CAI website for information on attending the Business Partners Essentials Course. To quote the website: “CAI-NJ Business Partners are indispensable to the community associations they support with their guidance, products and services. CAI-NJ education helps these businesses and professionals differentiate themselves in the competitive community association marketplace.” I know when word gets out that our chapter has received this achieve- ment award, many more will be lining up to sign up! This month’s Community Trends ® edition deals with effi- ciency. As I started thinking about that, I came to a reali- zation: life is hard. I know, I know… that’s shocking and provocative and ground-breaking all at the same time. All

of us are busy with work, school, family, volunteering, etc. As I said in my first column, when you think of all that you do on a daily, weekly or monthly basis, it is a wonder that any of us have time to either serve as a member of our com- munity association board or be an active member of CAI. So it is natural to think about how we can use our time more efficiently. It can definitely challenge us not lose our grip and become overwhelmed. I often think about what I could accomplish if I would just have an extra hour or so: I could work on that “to-do” list (or actually write a “to do” list), de-clutter my desk or tackle a few of those tasks that have been keeping me up at night. Just think how produc- tive we would all be if we had more time! This month’s articles are geared towards this goal, to help make our time and lives more efficient. This issue has articles on … • Drone Technology • Thar She Blows • The Case for Board Leadership Education • Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck: Efficiently and Effectively Using Association Legal Counsel in the Collection Process • NJ Clean Energy Program Save Energy, Save Money, and Get Paid To Do It • Using Technology as My Hammer I know that I will be efficiently using my time out at National to network, go to a few seminars, but mostly brag about CAI-NJ! Peace and Love, Denise

5

M A Y , 2 0 1 7