May 2023

LOOKING AHEAD ANGELA KAVANAUGH | CAI-NJ CHAPTER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Illness in Community Associations, by Jonathan H. Katz, Esq., explores the legal duty a community association has to assist an owner or resident who may be exhibiting evi dence of mental illness and how to best deal with the situa tions that may arise. There’s More to Health than Working Out and Eating Well: Mental Health Challenges in the Community Associations Industry, by Chuck Graziano, CPM, PCAM, discusses the high rate of mental health conditions in the community association industry and what employers can do to lessen the occurrence for their

We need to take care of ourselves before we can take care of others.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It was established to increase awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness in our lives and those living with mental or behavioral issues and help to reduce the stigma associated with it. Good mental health is essential for our overall health. Use this month as an opportunity to take stock of your life, making time for number one — you! While work may be a necessity, it’s imperative that we avoid burnout. Whether it’s our jobs or being there for our family and friends, if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t be the successful per son that you strive to be or there for others that may need you, without taking care of NUMBER ONE. Employers should use this month to recognize the needs of their staff. It’s not enough for employers to offer benefits but it’s also imperative that companies provide a supportive work environment, allowing their staff to have an adequate work life balance of their time. I believe that keeping the stress level down in the workplace will foster productivity and retain employees. Most people spend the majority of their week at work, and they need to be happy, appreci ated, and supported. Please read The Emotional Support Peacock? A Brief Overview of ConsiderationsWhen Faced with an Emotional Support Animal Request, by Gregory Vinogradsky, Esq., EBP, informing us what a community association should include when adopting their policy regarding emotional support animals. The Challenges of the Virtual Meeting, by Michael Mezzo, CPA, MBA, discusses the challenges presented by hosting meetings virtually and offering tips to ensure that they are productive and successful meetings. Searching with My Good Eye Closed: Addressing Mental

“It’s not enough for employers to offer benefits but it’s also imperative that companies provide a supportive work environment, allowing their staff to have an adequate work life balance of their time.”

employees. How Different Professionals Deal with Mental Health, by Nicole Martone, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Steven J. Morris, P.E., R.S., and Damon M. Kress, Esq., reveals that we all experience stress at work regardless of our profession and suggests ways to minimize it. Award winners. I am excited to share that the New Jersey chapter has been selected by CAI National to receive an Achievement Award for the Conquer + Connect retreat submission in the Membership Engagement category. This was the inaugural in-person event, hosted by the Women’s Leadership Committee. Additionally, the chapter has been selected to receive the Best Net Growth (6.7%) Award for an extra-large chapter in the 2022 calendar year. Congratulations and thank you to every one that devoted their time, contributing to earning these

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