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Find Blog Articles for Florida’s Condo, HOA and the Management Industry. 

COVID-19 & Technology: Resident Communication, Virtual Meetings & Electronic Voting

COVID-19 & Technology: Resident Communication, Virtual Meetings & Electronic Voting

  • Posted: May 03, 2020
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COVID-19 & Technology: Resident Communication, Virtual Meetings & Electronic Voting

On April 7th, 2020 we had a live webinar

More than 200 people attended the webinar and it was requested that we record it and allow others to watch it.

You can watch the recorded webinar and learn about how to communicate with your residents in an age when we are practicing social distancing and the benefits of hosting a virtual meeting.

We covered several topics including:

Helping your team and residents stay safer by implementing digital  communication channels instead of physical interactions with community staff.

Alleviating the additional stress of situations like COVID-19 by leveraging  technology to organize and run your condo more effectively.

Reducing costs and efforts by hosting virtual meetings.

Here is the link: Watch and Learn

https://ding.conciergeplus.com/webinar–covid19–and–technology

Peter Pietrzkiewicz
sales@conciergeplus.com
Concierge Plus Inc.

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Upcoming Events: Join Florida’s Top Industry Leaders, for informative Webinars and Board Member Certification events

Upcoming Events: Join Florida’s Top Industry Leaders, for informative Webinars and Board Member Certification events

  • Posted: Apr 23, 2020
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Upcoming Events: Join Florida’s Top Industry Leaders, for informative Webinars and Board Member Certification events

 

Webinars are an excellent way to publish frequent, high-value content, Once a webinar has been produced, you and your creative team can repurpose and optimize it into several pieces of valuable content. Members of SFPMA and Other Leaders in our Industry have provided these

to help with social distancing yet keeping you informed.  Take a look at this list of events – Join and sign up!

 

 

Join our own Andrew Black, a Board Certified Specialist in Condominium and Planned Development Law, online for distance learning with the Condominium Association Board Member Certification Course .
This provides CE credit for CAMs and fulfills state requirements for Condominium Association Board Members.
Course Number: 9630075 | Provider Number: 0005092
Two (2) CEU’s in IFM or ELE
Wednesday, April 29th, 2020
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
NOTE: When registering, you must use a valid email address in order to be able to receive your certificate and or CE credit.
After you register, you will receive instructions about how to join the Zoom webinar.
Join us as we discuss the implications COVID-19 is having on your association’s financials. 
Thursday | April 30 | 11am – 12 Noon
Rafael Aquino , Co-founder of Affinity Management
Michael Bender , Esq., BCS, Kaye Bender Rembaum
Lisa Magill , Esq., BCS, Kaye Bender Rembaum
Alex Leonardo , Lanter Leonardo & DiCrescenzo CPA

 

Join us for a WEBINAR: On, Assessment Collections during the Coronavirus Crisis

April 29 @ 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm EDT

WHAT: Assessment Collections During Crisis Q&A
WHEN: Wednesday, April 29th @ 2:30pm EST

Register to Attend this Webinar

With millions out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, homeowners associations and condo associations are starting to feel the crunch of increased delinquencies. When homeowners are in financial crisis, association dues takes a back seat to other essentials. But community associations need the funds to maintain the health and safety of everyone in the community.

In this webinar, Axela Technologies President of Business Development, Mitch Drimmer will be joining host Russell Munz, Founder of Community Financials and Douglas Levy Counsel for Community Association Practice Group at Rees Broome, PC to answer your questions on how you can maintain a healthy community while still exercising compassion during this crisis.

Get your ‘coronavirus in the community’ assessment collection questions ready and join us online:

 

COVID-19 Message: Watch our Recorded Webinars  

WITH:  CASTLE GROUP FOUNDER AND CEO JAMES DONNELLY & DONNA DiMAGGIO Esq.  BECKER SHAREHOLDER WITH BECKER LAWFIRM

We recognize there is a growing concern as the outbreak and impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to evolve. The safety and wellbeing of our teammates and residents are Castle’s top priority. Most importantly, we want you to know, we are prepared. We are working around the clock to monitor the situation, while partnering with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other state and local health officials on response efforts, as well as to provide you with the most up-to-date information.

At our sites, our teams are working diligently to take precautions and steps to ensure a clean and safe environment. We are making every effort to customize our plan based on specific community’s needs.

We remain committed to you, and to doing our part as an organization to ensure the health and wellness of every teammate, resident and community.

Sincerely,
James Donnelly
Founder and CEO

https://www.castlegroup.com/covid-19-message/.

 

WE ARE CONTINUING TO CERTIFY HUNDREDS OF YOU!
April 23rd, at 6:00 p.m. – SOLD OUT.
NEXT CLASS – APRIL 30TH, 6:00 P.M.
Just because we’re stuck in our homes doesn’t mean we can’t get together —- and learn together — remotely – in a safe and fun way.  NO EXCUSES.
Florida law allows the Board Certification class to be taught via a video conference and that’s exactly what we’re doing.
All you need is a device with a camera so I know you are there and speakers so you can hear me.
OUR FIRST FOUR ON-LINE CLASSES WERE AN AMAZING SUCCESS!
If you want to register, send an e-mail to: lydia@condo-laws.com
If you want to sign up, just provide us with an an e-mail address.  I will then send you a link that you need to click on to start the live seminar.  Make sure to go to: GoTo Meeting
in advance to simply download the program

 

 

The CDC recommends wearing face coverings in public settings where social distancing is difficult (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies).

What does this mean for Florida condos and cooperatives in a growing number of hotspots where people must pass each other in narrow corridors or elevators?

Should requiring residents to wear face coverings in these or other common areas be part of your community’s Covid-19 protocols until such time as the CDC lifts this requirement?

 

Please be safe ~Stay Inside 

 

 

 

 

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BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR CONDOMINIUMS, COOPERATIVES AND HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS VIA ZOOM ONLINE

BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR CONDOMINIUMS, COOPERATIVES AND HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS VIA ZOOM ONLINE

  • Posted: Apr 18, 2020
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BOARD CERTIFICATION FOR CONDOMINIUMS, COOPERATIVES AND HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATIONS VIA ZOOM ONLINE

by Katzman Chandler

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2020
Time: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Location: , ZOOM ONLINE

Provider: 0007237
Course: 9626870
Instructor
William and Susan Raphan
Credit Information
2 Hours Manager Continuing Education Elective Credits

Learn the basics of Fiduciary duty, financial reporting and budget preparation, meetings and meeting notices, elections, fraud prevention, and much more! Enjoy a fun class while at the same time fulfilling the State’s Board Member certification requirements online with us via Zoom!

 

Partners, Attorneys and Paraprofessionals, we at Katzman Chandler strive to provide excellence and expertise in the area of Community Association Law, and our Name Partners have successfully done so for more than three decades.

In addition to providing exceptional levels of communication, personalized service, and a true passion for representing our clients’ interests, we endeavor to build meaningful and enduring relationships with each and every Community Association that joins the Katzman Chandler family of clients.

It is important to us that we get to know your Community, its Board of Directors and its management agents, so that we may render thoughtful advice and craft solutions that best fit the individual and unique needs of your Association. At Katzman Chandler, we understand the importance of being large enough to serve your Community’s needs, yet small enough to offer unparalleled personalized attention to every Community Association that we represent.

 

 

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Please join Community Financials, Mitch Drimmer of Axela Technologies, and Douglas Levy Esq Counsel for Community Association Practice Group at Rees Broome for a webinar

Please join Community Financials, Mitch Drimmer of Axela Technologies, and Douglas Levy Esq Counsel for Community Association Practice Group at Rees Broome for a webinar

  • Posted: Apr 14, 2020
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Please join Community Financials, Mitch Drimmer of Axela Technologies, and Douglas Levy Esq Counsel for Community Association Practice Group at Rees Broome for a webinar

This lively Question and Answer webinar on Assessment Collections during the COVID-19 Crisis Q&A 4/29/20 at 2:30 PM EST

 

 

Go to the article and scroll down to the bottom for the link to this webinar.

 

If you have questions we are going to have a webinar to address this issue and answer your questions:

Webinar – Assessment Collections during the COVID-19 Crisis Q&A with Legal & Collection Experts 4/29/20  at 2:30 PM EST

Douglas Levy  Counsel for Community Association Practice Group  at Rees Broome, PC in Tysons Corner, VA.

Mitchell Drimmer a licensed CAM and President at Axela Technologies a National Collection Agency specializing in Condo and HOA collections.

 

 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

 

 

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Give yourself a Gift and become a Florida Community Association Manager CAM!

Give yourself a Gift and become a Florida Community Association Manager CAM!

  • Posted: Dec 05, 2019
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Are you looking for a career change? Have you ever thought about becoming a Florida Community Association Manager (CAM)? This license is required to manage a Condominium or HOA in the state of Florida – and there is not exactly a shortage of those. Florida CAM Courses has been offering the required CAM Pre-Licensing Course to students for over ten years, and 88% of our students pass their State Exam and become licensed Florida CAMs. Check out our website here www.floridacamcourses.com

 

Florida CAM Courses is a company based in Vero Beach and serving all of Florida, that provides educational services to those in the community association profession or those that would like to enter our profession. We offer courses in whichever format you like to learn in. Whether you prefer in-person, online self-study or correspondence, you are in great hands with Florida CAM Courses. We provide practice materials at no additional charge and downloadable course materials to help you successfully pass the Florida CAM exam. We also offer a blog for updated news and current events in the CAM world.

How to Get a CAM License

Florida CAM Courses has been helping people in Florida prepare for their state exam and become certified Community Association Managers for over a decade. We know the process that works and can help you in every step of the process. Feel free to reach out to us if you need help.

Coursework

Step 1

Register for a Florida CAM pre-license course, and show up for the class.

Pick One:

Prepare for Exam

Step 2

Get your fingerprints taken and register a time for the State Exam.

Prepare Yourself:

State Exam

Step 3

Schedule a Florida State CAM License Exam and pass it.

Take the State exam:

 

Florida CAM Courses

7150 20th St.
Vero Beach, FL
32966

(800) 269-1055
(772) 563-9320

hello@floridacamcourses.com

 

 

 

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Hire and retain skilled community association staff members

Hire and retain skilled community association staff members

  • Posted: Oct 28, 2019
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Talent needed: How to hire and retain skilled community association staff members

Written by Alicia Muraca on . Posted in General Business.

Recruiting and retaining skilled team members can be challenging for community associations and management companies, especially in a very competitive labor market and with communities limited by tight budgets.

In this reality, it becomes even more important for associations and management companies to highlight their strengths and address organizational shortcomings, says business consultant Bob Begley.

The founder of Golden Sands Management Consultants, LLC, a Florida-based business consulting firm, Begley has been an innovative business thinker for more than 30 years. He has advised hundreds community leaders while serving as the CEO of Golden Sands Community Management, Inc. He’s also authored 27 continuing education courses for CAM’s and board members through his sister company, Florida CAM Courses.

The issue at hand is recruiting in a very different workforce. Begley states, “I noticed that over the past few years, there was a very big disconnect between what the young people that I was hiring wanted from their experience of work and what I needed from them at work, as their employer”. We want to help company leaders understand ways to attract talented workers.

People think that the secret to attracting and retaining talent is little things like, ‘Let’s give them free lunch’ or ‘What perks can we offer?’ or ‘What are our benefits compared to the benefits down the road?’ But at the end of the day, it really comes down to the quality of the organization. Is it successful? Is it high performing? Because good, smart people want to work in those environments.

 

Here are a three best practices for community associations and management companies for recruiting and retaining talent:

  1. Stop thinking about tactics, and start thinking about the performance of the organization. The focus should be on building an organization that is robust and resilient. Great organizations have no trouble attracting and retaining talent.
  2. Build a culture that people want to work in. The perks and benefits can’t be the only lure for bringing in talented workers. I caution you that if the culture doesn’t reflect what was promised to the manager when hired, you’ll find yourself in bigger trouble.
  3. Be courageous. It’s important to brave a tight labor market to find talented people. It’s also about having the courage to build a high-performing team. A team is only as strong as its weakest link, so we need to be capable of managing the performance of the underperformers or, at times, even having the courage to move people on.
  4. Once you find the perfect new hire, treat them as the valuable resource that they certainly should be in your organization. Practice A.R.E. with all team members – Appreciate, Recognize and Encourage. For more on creating Wonder in Your Workplace, visit the Florida CAM Courses website to download Wonder in the Workplace.

 

 

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THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO MANDATE CONDO AND HOA EDUCATION By Eric Glazer, Esq.

THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO MANDATE CONDO AND HOA EDUCATION By Eric Glazer, Esq.

  • Posted: Oct 28, 2019
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THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO MANDATE CONDO AND HOA EDUCATION

By Eric Glazer, Esq.

We all know that condo and HOA board members must get certified within ninety (90) days of getting on to their Board of Directors. Unfortunately however, Florida law allows board members to get certified either by attending an educational course or by signing a ridiculous, silly, self-serving, nonsensical affidavit that says you read your governing documents and promise to enforce them. If you live in a condominium, the affidavit does not require you to say you have read Florida Statute 718. If you live in an HOA, the affidavit does not require you to say you have read Florida Statute 720. In fact, many association documents contain illegal provisions. So leave it to the State of Florida to certify a director who promises to uphold and enforce the illegal provisions contained in their governing documents.

Just a few years ago a Miami Dade County grand jury delivered a blistering report about the state of condominiums in Miami-Dade County. It wasn’t flattering. The grand jury report was on the contrary, a blistering report about just how bad things are in many of our associations. Kickbacks, stealing and conflicts of interest seem to be everywhere. In response to this grand jury finding, The Florida Legislature passed numerous new laws making certain actions a crime. If anyone knows anyone who knows anyone that was arrested under any of these new crimes, let me know because I haven’t heard of anyone. I warned when these laws were passed that the local police departments have murders, rapes and robberies to solve, not election crimes. Sure enough, law enforcement rarely if ever gets involved.

One way that The Florida Legislature could have helped is by mandating that if you want to be a board member you must take an educational class approved by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. There is no requirement under the law that a Board member be an attorney, accountant, contractor, or have any prior experience in association matters of any kind. Yet, when board members are elected or appointed, they are given the keys to the kingdom and are often times in charge of budgets in the seven or eight figures. They need to immediately know some laws, rules, regulations and have a general understanding of their governing documents. When they don’t, money is misspent. Lawsuits happen. Maintenance suffers and ultimately all the unit owners suffer financially. The lawyers do well however.

I have taught the Board Certification educational course to about 20,000 Floridians all across the state. These people wake up early, take time out of their busy lives and all want to become better board members and keep their association out of harm’s way by attending a 3 hour class. It is embarrassing for me to tell them that they were not required to attend today’s class and instead they could have printed out a stupid form off of the internet, signed it, and have become certified to the same extent as if you took this seminar. It’s insane and it’s insane that The Florida Legislature lets this shenanigans and this farce continue.

After having the honor and privilege of practicing in this area of law for 27 years I am delighted that The Florida Bar now recognizes Condominium and Planned Development Law as an area that is complicated and where attorneys themselves can become “certified.” I am honored to be one of a miniscule percentage of attorneys in the state to be certified in this area. Now it’s time for The Florida Legislature to step up to the plate, realize that education must be mandatory and make sure that board members don’t get certified by signing a dumb form. They have to attend a course for a few measly hours before they get to control millions of dollars in cash and real estate and potentially wreck the lives of their fellow owners. If they can’t find the three hours of time to attend the class how are they going to find the time to attend meetings, pass budgets and solve the association’s problems?

If you agree with me, then make your voice heard today. Not tomorrow. Right Now.

Here is the website to find your local Florida Senator and House members: https://www.flsenate.gov/senators/find

Send them an e-mail today that says:

“I’m writing to demand that The Florida Legislature remove the ability of officers and directors of community associations to become certified by signing an affidavit. All Florida community association directors and officers must be required to attend an educational course approved by the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.”

 

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