September2017

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

“The problem’s plain to see: Too much technology Machines to save our lives. Machines dehumanize.” Dennis DeYoung – “Mr. Roboto”

C an you believe it is September already?!?! Summer officially ends for most of our properties with the closing of the pools and the Labor Day BBQs. Hopefully everyone enjoyed their summer and the kids are not groaning too much about going back to school. I remember school shopping involved going to the local mall or department store with your parents – or later your friends (just drop me off here so no one sees you, Mom…) – and bringing coupons that you may have cut out of the newspaper for $10 off the pair of fresh sneakers you just had to have or the hippest jeans that everyone was wearing that year. Your arms would be loaded with notebooks, pens, pencils, and a new, snazzy backpack. You would then go to the food court and have pizza or a pretzel and…wait for it… talk to each other! Yes, actual conversations where talking and listening and maybe some laughing was involved (no Instagram or Snapchat). You would part ways when the mall closed and when you got home you would pick up the phone (attached to the wall, no less) and call your grandma and thank her for the check she sent in the mail so you could buy a cool new jean jacket or the new Bowie record (wait, what’s that you say …a record?). Yes, I know I am being nostalgic, I guess it was because of all the back to school sales via e-mail I got from every store out there. You don’t even need to cut coupons any- more! Just show them the code on your phone! I know I just set the stage for the overuse of technology, but there are times when it really does come in handy. For example, how cool was it that you could help kids get school supplies by ordering them online from Amazon and having it sent directly to CAI-NJ?! The response this year was overwhelm- ing! Great job and thanks to all of those who donated. And kudos to the staff of CAI-NJ and the CAI-NJ FAST Team!!!

Speaking of technology, the Radburn Bill (which is the subject of an article later in this issue) was passed and signed into law on July 13, 2017. One of the many, many changes that the new law makes is to statutorily authorize electronic voting in community associations. Subject to certain restrictions (speak to your association’s counsel first), this means that homeowners will be able to vote for board

"The LAC works very hard, mostly under the radar..."

members by filling out an electronic ballot without having to physically attend that annual meeting. From a manager’s perspective, the hope is that this will lead to an easier time establishing quorum for the board elections without having to wait another month (or months) to reach quorum so that the election can take place. Many of us have been waiting a long time for this to be a lawful and viable option. And while I still feel that you should always attend the annual meeting to meet the candidates and mingle with your neighbors, this is one way in which using all this technology should benefit our associations. Finally, please check out this month’s edition to learn about more about the Radburn Bill (and our Legislative Action Committee’s efforts in getting it passed) as well as other issues that our LAC is working on for our chapter. The LAC works very hard, mostly under the radar, so it is nice to give them the credit and praise for a job well done. I am sure you will be impressed! Domo arigato, Peace and Love, Denise

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