CAI-NJ May 2020 (w)

COMMUNITY REDEFINED

day. And shopping? Everything from a cabbage to a com- puter is just a few clicks away. And while this total stay-at-home and be online lifestyle is sure to subside, the nature of community has changed fundamentally, regardless. Yes, it’s still community, only redefined. In some ways, the basics haven’t changed. Whether in 1920 or 2020, people still want homes that reflect their style, whether that style featured the latest icebox then or a touch- screen refrigerator today. Although our definition of a family has expanded since 1920, the people in a 2020 home have relationships with each other, even if the dinner bell is replaced by the dinner text and the doorbell looks at you when it rings. Other things aren’t all that different, either. “Curb appeal” was, and is, a point of pride. People want to come home to a place that’s attractive, that they can point to and smile when they say, “I live here.” On the street, gas lights gave way to electric, but either way, then and now, exterior safety is paramount. Whether today’s resident is walking to their car, or a century ago walking down the block, a good place to call home means a safe place to call home. So, what exactly has dramatically changed? While the list is long, at the top of the list is communication. For exam- ple, the way we communicate with residents has changed, and will change even more. If some of your association meetings are not already online, they will be. So, you have to ask yourself: Do you have a community portal for secure communication with your residents? How about payment

June M. Bretz , CAI-NJ Chapter Executive Director

A New World — A New Reality

W e can all agree that the concept of “community,” and the reality of community association living, has undergone a radical transformation. In 1920, it is likely you probably worked close enough to walk or just rode a trolley. On Saturday or Sunday, you visited your house of worship – just around the corner. On Monday night maybe you went to your lodge or club, and later in the week, you shopped on your community’s Main Street. Seeing friends and family was a regular happening. And when you decided to catch a movie at the local one-screen theater, you didn’t call, text, or zoom a neighbor… you visited over the fence, because they were your community. In 2020, the world is a different place. Working from home has suddenly become a necessity. We’re not encour- aged to hang over the fence to visit with neighbors, even if we had time. If you enjoy concerts or a political debate, how about watching it live-streamed on your tablet? And while you’re streaming things online, don’t forget about sports or binge watching your favorite show. Then, there’s social media. That’s where your real community is...every

NEWWAYS WE ARE HELPING YOU ACHIEVE YOUR VISION:

BE A LEADER “Engagement” is the word of the year at CAI. Beyond our education and net- working events, there are a host of ways YOU can get involved, make important decisions, give to the community, gain exposure for yourself or your business, and be a leader. Don’t know how? Or, maybe you’d like to find out about what new initia- tives are underway that YOU can get involved in? We are here for you! For a limited time, we have opened a spe- cial CAI-NJ Volunteer Help Line to assist you in taking that first step. Our helpline volunteers will ask you a few questions about your skills, interests, goals and time available — and offer ideas to match you with your perfect opportunity. Call us today at (732) 702-1315

CONNECT & LEARN More than ever we need to keep connected and continue to develop and maintain our industry relations. CAI-NJ has introduced a host of new networking and educational events, including: • F.A.S.T. Cyber Trivia Breaks - A bi-weekly trivia challenge and network- ing opportunity • Virtually Connected - A bi-weekly virtual meet-up discussing timely issues affecting our industry • Women’s Leadership Podcast Discussion, May 5 - An opportunity to hear from professionals outside our industry and discuss with the leaders of CAI-NJ • Mini Skill Building Workshops, May 22 - Professional life skills based short educational workshops. Our first workshop will be based on creating a better elevator pitch.

ADVOCACY Our communities and our businesses are more vulnerable than ever. Whether it be a concern for collection processes, or inclusion in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or CARES Act, the voices of our industry need to be heard more than ever. Rest assured -- we are working for you! To find out more about what the New Jersey Legislative Action Committee (NJ-LAC) is doing on your behalf, visit our website under the Legislative tab. Also, be sure to RSVP and tune in for our upcoming Virtual LAC Update on Thursday, May 21.