Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute
DECEMBER 2019
A Magazine for Community Association Volunteer Leaders, Professional Managers and Business Partners
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
____________________________ Jump Start January: From a Manager’s Perspective ____________________________ Ensure a Joyous Holiday Season with These Holiday Safety Tips ____________________________ Common Area Hunger Games: Archery Deer Hunting in Your Community
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CONTENTS 12 Q&A: Why Do You Volunteer?
BY KEVIN P. KELLY AND SARA CASTLE
16 Paying It Forward: Fresh Ideas to Attract Association Volunteers
BY DOUG CARROLL
18 Neighbors Help Seniors “Age in Place” Through Launch of King Farm Neighbors Village
BY AMANDA RAMAN
20 Finding Middle (School) Ground in Our Association
BY JACK MCNAMEE
22 What Do PTA’s & Community Associations Have in Common?
DEPARTMENTS AND MORE 5 Message from the Executive Director 6 Chapter Benefactor: FirstService Residential 7 Welcome New Members 8 Upcoming Events 11 People & Places 34 Cul-de-sac: Common Area Hunger Games: Archery Deer Hunting In Your Community 36 Classifieds 37 Index to Advertisers
BY LILIANA MARTINEZ, CMCA, AMS
23 Little Free Libraries – To Add or Not to Add?
BY CHRISI WEST
24 500+ Volunteers Collect More Than 7 Tons of Trash at 2nd Annual WMCCAI Watershed Clean-up Day
BY ELISABETH KIRK, EBP
26 Jump Start January: From a Manager’s Perspective
BY TRACI CASTROVINCI, CMCA, AMS
28 Ensure a Joyous Holiday Season with These Holiday Safety Tips
BY MELVIN E. KEY
30 It Takes a Village… And, a Lot of Volunteers!
BY BRUCE FONOROFF
33 Oh Where, Oh Where Have All the Volunteers Gone?
WMCCAI MISSION STATEMENT To optimize the operations of Community Associations and foster value for our business partners.
BY DALIA MARTINEZ, CMCA, AMS
Reader comments and suggestions are welcome. Address your comments to: Quorum 7600 Leesburg Pike, Suite 100 West Falls Church, VA 22043
We also welcome article submissions from our members. For author guidelines, call (703) 750-3644 or e-mail publications@caidc.org. Articles may be edited for length and clarity. DECEMBER 2019
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UNTO U S A CHI LD I S BO R N I SA I A H 9 :6
President Rafael A. Martinez, CTP President-elect Airielle Hansford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Vice President Michael Gartner, ESQ Secretary Ruth Katz, ESQ. Treasurer Kristen Melson, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Immediate Past President Sarah Gerstein, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM (EX OFFICIO) Executive Director Jaime Barnhart, CMP, CAE (EX OFFICIO)
D IRECTOR S Jennifer Bennett, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Thomas Burrell, Judyann Lee, ESQ., Sara Ross, ESQ., Gary Simon, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Todd A. Sinkins, ESQ., Jon Stehle
CO U N C I L C HAI R S Communications Council Leslie Brown, ESQ. Education Council Debra Johnson, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Member Services Council Bernie Guthrie, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
CO MM I T TE E C HAI R S Conference & Expo Donna Aker, CMCA, AMS, PCAM and Chris Goodman D.C. Legislative/LAC Scott Burka, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, and Jane Rogers, ESQ. Education Kevin A. Kernan, ESQ. and Todd El-Taher Golf Adrienne Zaleski and Brian Lord, CMCA, AMS Maryland Legislative Scott Silverman, ESQ. and Aimee Winegar, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM
Public Outreach Elisabeth Kirk and Kim Myles Membership Jeffrey Stepp, CMCA, AMS, and Noni Roan, CMCA Quorum Editorial Susan L. Truskey, ESQ. and Christopher Carlson, PE, SECB Chapter Events Kristen Adams and Jen Ann Santiago, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Virginia Legislative Ronda DeSplinter, LSM, PCAM and William A. Marr Jr., ESQ.
QU O RUM Managing Editor Morgan Wright, mwright@caidc.org Design Six Half Dozen
QU O RUM E DI TORI AL CO M M IT TE E Co-chairs Susan L. Truskey, ESQ. and Christopher Carlson, PE, SECB Members James Anderson, Michelle Baquero, CMCA, AMS, Adrian Blakeney, Mira Brown, CMCA, AMS, Leslie Brown, ESQ., Doug Carroll, Deborah Carter, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Sara Castle, Sarah Foley, Stephen Grant, Scott Greges, CMCA, AMS, Shannon Junior, Kevin Kelly, Richard Kuziomko, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Crishana Loritsch, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Liliana Martinez, CMCA, AMS, Kirby McCleary, Thomas Mugavero, ESQ., Crystal Partin, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Kara Permisohn, Brandi Ruff, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Lauri Ryder, CIC, CRM, CMCA, Andrew Schlaffer, Chelsie Throckmorton, Olga Tseliak, ESQ., Lee Ann Weir, CMCA, AMS, Doug White, Nicole Williams, ESQ., Meagan Willis. Aimee Winegar, CMCA, AMS, LSM, PCAM, Jim Wisniewski, Michael Zupan, ESQ. Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute, a 501(c) (6) organization, serves the educational, business and networking needs of the community association industry in 80 cities/counties in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. Members include community association homeowner volunteer leaders, professional managers, association management companies, and other businesses and professionals who provide products and services to planned communities, cooperatives and condominiums. WMCCAI has more than 3,200 members including 300+ businesses, 1,100 professional managers from 85 management companies, and approximately 1,500 community association homeowners. WMCCAI is the largest of Community Associations Institute’s 62 chapters worldwide. Quorum is the award-winning premiere publication of WMCCAI, dedicated to providing WMCCAI’s membership with information on community association issues. Authors are responsible for developing the logic of their expressed opinions and for the authenticity of all presented facts in articles. WMCCAI does not necessarily endorse or approve statements of fact or opinion made in these pages and assumes no responsibility for those statements. This publication is issued with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services and nothing published in Quorum is intended to constitute legal or other professional advice and should not be relied on as such. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought directly by the person requiring such advice or services. Articles appearing in Quorum may not be reprinted without first obtaining written approval from the editor of Quorum. In the event that such permission is granted, the following legend must be added to the reprint: Reprinted with permission from Quorum™ magazine. Copyright 2019 Washington Metropolitan Chapter Community Associations Institute. Quorum is a trademark of WMCCAI. Receipt of Quorum is a privilege of WMCCAI membership for which $65 in nonrefundable annual dues is allocated. The subscription price for nonmembers is $75 per year; contact publications@caidc.org or call (703) 750-3644. To advertise in Quorum, e-mail publications@caidc.org.
The end of the year has arrived! With that said, it’s a good time for us to celebrate and reflect on accomplishments of this year — and what a year we’ve had! • Quorum magazine went digital! Each month, every member receives an email linked to the newest issue of Quorum. If you have not clicked that link, do so! The online version is easy to read, allows you to share articles, and each advertisement is linked to the advertiser’s website so you can get more information immediately! And, the best part is that every issue of Quorum since September 2018 is included in the “Issue Library” so you can refer back to past issues! • Networking events this year brought us to a local winery; we went oldschool bowling and visited the local biergarten for happy hours. Attendance is growing at all our events and the networking possibilities are endless!
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
O FFICE R S
• Education continues to be one of our main focuses as we mix up our formats and topics, bringing you information to enhance your careers and to ensure you have the latest information about community association management. • And last, but certainly not least, our membership continues to grow. As of today, we have over 3,400 members! • The Membership Committee embarked on a big project this year – to showcase our chapter’s membership benefits beyond the pages of text found on our website and CAI’s website. Alongside the Sahouri Insurance video team, the Membership Committee spent months gathering footage at chapter events, education sessions and in the chapter office. The result – a library of short videos highlighting benefits of being a DC Metro Chapter member. There are videos for each membership category – stay tuned to our website as we will have the full library posted very soon. As we close out 2019, we are excited for what is to come in 2020. Conference & Expo is evolving again! For more than 15 years, C&E has been hosted in DC on a Saturday in February. That will continue. However, at the 2020 event, we will expand our educational program to include PCAM and senior level manager education on Friday. In partnership with the Central Virginia and Chesapeake Chapters of CAI, we have received approval from CAI’s Managers Council – 14 sessions at the 2020 Conference & Expo are eligible for credit towards your PCAM renewal. Registration is open for all attendees. And, Business Partners – if you do not have your booth secured for the show, act fast – we WILL sell out again! What a great year we had — now let’s get started on 2020! JAIME BARNHART,
CMP, CAE
Jaime Barnhart, as the chapter’s executive director, is responsible for implementing the organization’s mission and goals, and managing its staff. Jaime has worked in non-profits/associations in the D.C. Metro area for over 12 years focusing on program management, events and trade shows, and marketing. She joined WMCCAI as the events manager in 2015.
For more information about Quorum or WMCCAI, visit www.caidc.org.
DECEMBER 2019
|5
CHAPTER NEWS
C H A P T E R
B E N E F A C T O R
FirstService Residential 11351 Random Hills Road, Suite 500 City, State ZIP: Fairfax, VA 22030 Telephone: (703) 679-1501 Fax: (703) 591-5785 FirstService Residential has specialized in providing residential management services for community associations of all types in the Washington, D.C. area, including Virginia and Maryland, since 1980. Our management portfolio is diverse in both the services we provide and the communities represent. Whether we are providing financial or full-service management for a large-scale community, high-rise, homeowners association, lifestyle community or a condominium, we understand that our fundamental role is to support the board in its efforts to operate the association, while improving lifestyles and enhancing property values. FirstService Residential is one of CAI’s most tenured members. We proudly support CAI as a benefactor, as well as through volunteerism. We also promote the education, training and industry awareness benefits of CAI to our associates and clients. FirstService Residential is an Accredited Association Management Company – a prestigious designation acknowledging us as one of the nation’s top community management firms. We are also a member of the Property Management Association. FirstService Residential is a local company managed by executives who have spent much of their lives in the Washington, D.C. area. At the same time, we offer our clients the many benefits of being part of a national, resourceful and financially secure organization. FirstService Residential is the largest manager of residential communities in North America, over-
seeing more than 8,500 properties and 1.7 million residential units across the United States and Canada. The scale of our local company coupled with our national platform allows us to provide cutting-edge technology, specialized product and service teams and industry leading educational programs. It also provides a forum for developing and promoting best practices among a diverse group of industry professionals. We are on a daily mission of service excellence and know that we best serve our clients by recognizing the individuality of each association and working to build a mutually beneficial, long-term relationship. We understand the challenges faced by all types of communities and work closely with each client to identify their specific needs. Our expertise and guidance provide each community with a clear path for accomplishing short- and long-term goals. Additionally, our commitment to providing our services in a manner that is professional, customer-service focused and value oriented is unwavering. Our promise to our clients includes: • Delivering Exceptional Service • Elevating Safety/Mitigating Risk • Improving Resident Lifestyle • Enhancing Property Value • Optimizing Operating Budget By leveraging best practices and hands-on expertise, we offer the professional, personalized service found in smaller organizations with the depth of resources of a proven national leader. We look forward to speaking with you about your association. Contact: ken.martin@fsresidential.com
Article Submissions:
Are you interested in sharing your experiences and expertise with our readers? Quorum magazine is always seeking new article ideas, submissions, and content. If you have an idea or would like to submit an article for consideration, please make sure you contact us before you begin writing to see what our upcoming themes are. Questions and interests should be directed to Morgan Wright at publications@caidc.org or by phone at 703.750.3644. Advertising:
For advertising, availability, rates, and specifications, please contact Morgan Wright at publications@caidc.org. Targeted advertising in WMCCAI’s Quorum, opens the door to thousands of prospective customers and contacts in the community association industry. 6 | QUORUM
WMCCAI proudly welcomes the following members who joined the chapter in October 2019. Michael Lovos Jessica Mattran, Cardinal Management Group, Inc., AAMC Chante Miller, Cardinal Management Group, Inc., AAMC Adrian Morgan, Leisure World of Maryland Corporation Tina Marie Picciano, CMCA, National Realty Partners, AAMC Andrew K. Singer Debra Skaggs Meagan Willis, AMS, Radius Condominiums
Homeowner Leaders from the Following Associations Colonial Village II, A Condominium Damascus Park Homeowners Association Daventry Community Association Fair Woods Homeowners Association Inverness Association, Inc. Old Town Commons Homeowners Association Templeton of Alexandria Condominium The Colonies Condominium at McLean, Virginia The Racquet Club Condominium Individual Managers Amanda D. Bouman-Nash, Community Association Management Professionals, AAMC Xiomara Castro, Leisure World of Maryland Corporation Alexa Cuque, Leisure World of Maryland Corporation Marla Elkon, Clagett Enterprises, Inc. Kimberly Ertle, Landmarc Real Estate, AAMC Maria Farias, CMCA, Summit Management Services, AAMC Jacquelyn Feijoo Maureen Freeman, CMCA Cheryl Garber, Landmarc Real Estate, AAMC
CHAPTER NEWS
Welcome New Members
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UPCOMING EVENTS
DECEMBER 6
Manager Essentials: CMCA Exam Study Group 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. WMCCAI Chapter Office 7600 Leesburg Pike, Suite 100 West, Falls Church, VA 22043
Back by popular demand! Take the fear and anxiety out of taking the CMCA exam. Become familiar with the structure and content of the test in this interactive study session tailor made for managers and administrators pursuing the CMCA designation. Visit www.caidc.org for full details or to register online.
DECEMBER 10
Strategic Partner Meet & Greet 3:30 – 5 p.m. WMCCAI Chapter Office 7600 Leesburg Pike, Suite 100 West, Falls Church, VA 22043
WMCCAI, a 501(c)(6) organization, is the largest of CAI’s 64 U.S. and international chapters with more than 3,400 members. Locally, our members include 1,800 homeowners, 1,200 community managers, 80 community association management firms, and more than 300 companies who provide products and services to community associations. We invite any representative of local organizations that interacts with community associations and their constituency to please join us to learn more about WMCCAI’s mission and programs, as well as learn more about your organization and how we can support each other’s missions. Visit www.caidc.org for more details, or to register online. PLEASE NOTE: This event is intended only for public officials and partner organizations.
DECEMBER 12
Conference & Expo 2020: Exhibitor Success 101 2 – 4 p.m. WMCCAI Chapter Office 7600 Leesburg Pike, Suite 100 West, Falls Church, VA 22043
Join our panel of experienced Conference & Expo professionals to learn how to create traffic at your booth and find your personal success plan! This event is FREE. Registration is required. Light refreshments will be served. Class size is limited! Please visit www.caidc.org for more information or to register.
JANUARY 2020
Coming January 2020! Jump Start January Date & Location TBD
Jump into 2020 with WMCCAI’s annual kick-off event attended by hundreds of community association industry professionals. Jump Start January is the Chapter’s annual volunteer roundup which features a networking breakfast, followed by a motivational speech and a committee trade show. Current committee members are on hand to answer questions and provide greater insight into how to become more active with the Chapter and make the most of your WMCCAI membership. Please visit www.caidc.org for more information or to register.
FEBRUARY 21-22
Conference & Expo: Evolution 2020 Walter E. Washington Convention Center 801 Mt. Vernon Place NW, Washington, DC 20001
New in 2020, the conference will feature pre-conference trainings on Friday, February 21. These sessions will be developed to provide senior level community association managers the higher-level education needed to continue their industry education and maintain professional certifications. As in the past, 15 education sessions will be offered to all conference attendees on Saturday, February 22 along with all day exhibiting throughout the showroom floor. Please visit www.caidc.org for more information or to register.
For more information on WMCCAI meetings or upcoming events, contact the chapter office at (703) 750-3644, email info@caidc.org or visit www.caidc.org. 8 | QUORUM
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RESOLVE TO
EVOLVE
Jump Start January Jump into 2020 with WMCCAI’s annual kick-off event attended by hundreds of community association industry professionals. Jump Start January is the Chapter’s annual volunteer roundup which features a networking breakfast, followed by a motivational speech and a committee trade show. Current committee members are on hand to answer questions and provide greater insight into how to become more active with the Chapter and make the most of your WMCCAI membership.
Registration Rates REGULAR RATE
$65.00
$95.00
WHO
$120.00
$145.00
This program will benefit Business Partners, Homeowners, and Managers
$65.00
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Homeowner MEMBER NONMEMBER
Manager MEMBER NONMEMBER
COMING JANUARY 2020!
EARLY BIRD RATE BEFORE: 12/31/19
$120.00
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7600 Leesburg Pike, Suite 100 West
E-mail: education@caidc.org
Falls Church, VA 22043
Web: www.caidc.org
T: 703.750.3644 F: 703.941.1740
Associa Community Management Corporation Promotes Carcel Hermogenes to Director of Operations
Barkan Management Company is pleased to announce that Steven P. Philbin, M ED., ARM, CMCA, PCAM, has joined the company’s Washington, DC regional office in Tysons Corner, MD. He has taken the helm as General Manager for the 518-unit co-operative community of River Park Mutual Homes in Southwest Washington, DC.
Associa Community Management Corporation (CMC) announces the recent promotion of Carcel Hermogenes, CMCA, as the new director of operations. Hermogenes has vast industr y experience and has been a valued CMC team member since 2007. She has held several key positions including staff accountant, systems manager, and business analyst. As the new director of operations and a member of the executive team, Hermogenes focuses on client transitions and corporate services as well as oversees the architectural, customer service, insurance, and administrative departments.
Philbin brings more than 30 years of business and property management experience and expertise to Barkan. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Operations/Corporate Services with Associa - Community Management Corporation in Chantilly, VA. During his tenure as an executive team member, he had a wide scope of responsibilities, including managing all aspects of Human Resources, setting and analyzing budget and performance targets, and implementing strategic plans to support customer satisfaction and corporate growth. “I am very excited to be working with Barkan Management Company,” Philbin said. “Barkan’s steady growth in the Washington, DC area and its reputation for excellent service in every sector of property management is due to the well-respected and dedicated team of professionals. I am proud to be part of that team.” Michael A. Feltenberger, Senior Vice President of Barkan Management Company, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Steve as he brings many years of experience across all sectors in the industry. His addition to Barkan further demonstrates our ability to hire the best professionals in the industry. He is a huge win for us and for the residents of River Park Mutual Homes.” For more information, please visit www.barkanco.com.
PEOPLE & PLACES
Barkan Management Company Welcomes Seasoned Executive Steven P. Philbin to its Washington, DC Regional Office
“Carcel is a natural leader and has a diverse financial background that will help her build strong client relationships and support the team,” stated John Tsitos, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, CMC president. “Her continued advancement is a direct testament to her unparalleled work ethic, cooperative spirit, and depth of operational knowledge. We are excited for her to expand her responsibilities and thrive.” Hermogenes earned a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Finance from George Mason University. She also holds the Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) designation from the Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB). For more information, please visit www.associaonline.com.
Quorum
is Digital!
Our fully interactive digital edition is mobile responsive and HTML-optimized, providing readers with an exceptional user experience across all devices.
Visit quorum-digital.com and start reading today!
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DECEMBER 2019 2019-04-15 12:08 PM
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By Kevin P. Kelly
By Sara Castle
Kevin is a Business Development Specialist with the full-service marketing firm, Graphcom. He works out of Graphcom’s signage division. Kevin has worked in the sign industry since 1981 and has worked in almost every area within a sign company. He currently sits on the Quorum Editorial Committee.
Sara is a regional growth and retention manager at BrightView Landscape Services. BrightView is the region’s choice as a landscape maintenance provider for homeowner associations. We have 11 local branches in the Washington Metro area and provide in-house landscape maintenance, snow removal, tree care, design, irrigation, and landscape enhancement services.
q&A + :
why do you
Volunteer?
V
olunteering is a passion for giving back to your community, large or small, and truly believing you are making a difference. The four people high lighted in the article below (Kevin, Kara, Greg and Leigh) come to our roundtable with a variety of volunteer experience inside the HOA and abroad. We interviewed past and present board memb ers, active liaisons and committee members, and industry partners committed to making our world a better place.
1. why do you volunteer?
Kevin: I volunteer to both give back and to pay it forward. Whether it be in my own community (South Riding) where I live or in other places /organizations that have touched my life in some way such as my undergraduate university, the College of William & Mary. I like to find ways to give my time, talent and treasure to help promote the common good and the missions of those organizations. I feel strongly rather than complaining about what is wrong or what needs to be addressed, one can often volunteer to become part of the solution and help make those effective changes. Volunteering has opened many doors for me and has also broadened my social network in a diverse and meaningful way. I am a firm believer that I am a better person today because of my many volunteer experiences. 12 | QUORUM
Kara: It’s a great way to stay in tune with our industry and show our support of the managers/homeowners. I believe that getting involved is the best way to learn hands on. Doors for networking with existing clients and meeting new potential accounts is always a possibility. Often the volunteer situation is a win-win because I enjoy the tasks at hand and the company of the other members/friends. Greg: I volunteer because I know that service to others is important. Service to the community is something the Bible and the Constitution look favorably upon and I like to help solve problems. Leigh: I volunteer because it’s a set of values that have been engraved into me from childhood on how important it is to help others. I feel that giving back is the right thing to do and it gives me a sense of pride and gratitude. I love the quote; “be the change you want to see in this world” and try to apply that lens to the things I do in my life.
2. what first inspired you to volunteer?
Kevin: As I stated above, the ability to make a difference or to bring a diverse and/or purposeful perspective to the organization and debate. Many of my early volunteer experiences at William and Mary came from be-
ing involved and engaged with my class and demonstrating leadership while a student on campus. This carried over into my life as an alumnus. Other volunteer experiences have been more politically motivated. My volunteer work in South Riding was spurred by a failed Dulles District School Board Campaign. I needed a way to channel the energy in a positive and meaningful way in my community. My main goal was to make a positive difference in our community where I could implement some of my ideas “locally” and to be a good role model for my two young sons at the time. Kara: I was originally encouraged by my boss to get involved and learn the business. It quickly snowballed into enjoying the ability to educate or support the association and make a difference for other members. Greg: I was blessed with critical thinking skills and a solid math aptitude. These features helped me in my personal life and I feel like using these skills for the good of the community is something God calls upon me to do. Leigh: It has always been something that has been a part of my life, as a child we were always doing something as a family with our Church or other civic groups that my parents were involved with. As a mom to two young
children, this is a set of values that is very important to me that I pass down to my children.
3. how long have you been volunteering?
Kevin: I have been volunteering in some capacity whether it be for organizations I am affiliated with or those members of my family are affiliated with, for nearly 25 years. Kara: 15 ½ years. I actually worked our booth and attended the Conference & Expo a couple of weeks before I was technically on Minkoff ’s payroll. It was literally my first experience with the Community Management world! Greg: Four years; swimming referee and officiating duties- 8 years; soccer coach/referee- 5 years; Church Tech booth- three years. Leigh: For as long as I can remember. Over the years the types of projects and organizations that I have been involved with has evolved and changed due to workload and children. I have done everything from boots on the ground work to board service.
4. Describe the organizations you volunteer with. (hoa board, Committee, local, state, national or global level)
Kevin: Here is a short list of some of the organizations I have volunteers for in the past: College of William and Mary, Loudoun County Government; South Riding Proprietary, Loudoun County Democratic Committee
CAI for 15+ years. I was the President of the CRCCAI chapter and served on the Board for WMCCAI. Eventually I was recruited to serve on my condo Board in the roles of Secretary, Treasurer, and Vice President for 8 years. I learned a lot and gained a broader perspective by wearing the various hats as a Business Partner and as a Home Owner. Greg: HOA President; Broadlands Swim Team Referee; Church Tech Booth volunteer. These are all within the boundaries of the local community. Leigh: Most all my involvement has been at the local level.
5. what is the main thing you gain personally from volunteering?
Kevin: I gain a feeling of personal responsibility. Again, this comes with the feeling of giving back and to paying it forward…with knowing you did your best in whatever volunteer endeavor you are trying to tackle. Kara: I generally feel accomplished on a variety of levels. Making industry friends and building relationships is always a personal gain. Continued on page 15
Kara: I try to keep my finger on the pulse of all the associations we belong to. I’ve served at the committee level of WMCCAI & CRCDECEMBER 2019
| 13
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Greg: Sometimes the skills gained and lessons learned from trying something new are only available in a volunteer opportunity. Leading, asking people to be accountable, decision-making with impactful results; analyzing courses of action- these things might not be available to people in their day jobs, but when these opportunities come up at work, the volunteer experience can be a “fall-back” and with that comes experience and confidence because we “learn by doing”. Leigh: For years, my husband and I would volunteer to serve the evening meal at the local soup kitchen on Mondays. I came to need those days in my life, they were grounding and always put things into perspective. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in the day to day struggles of work and life but after a shift at the soup kitchen, none of the stressors that had seemed to weigh heavily on me throughout the day seemed to even matter. I feel that I have been so blessed in my life and giving back is a way that I can show how thankful I am.
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The 2018 Volunteering In America report found that 77.34 million adults, or 30.3 percent of the American population, volunteered through an organization last year. According to the Corporation for National Community Service, Americans volunteered nearly 6.9 billion hours, worth an estimated $167 billion in economic value. This same research found that Americans are giving of more than just their time. Volunteers donate to charity at twice the level of non-volunteers. What inspires volunteers to give of their time and effort is varied and yet strikingly similar. The act of giving back, typically drives the inspiration, whether helping an individual by delivering a meal, working a trade show booth to help a non-profit organization, or building, cleaning or landscaping a playground to help a broader community. The origin of this inspiration to volunteer is deep rooted and blooms at different times for different people. Some are shown the way by their parents at an early age. Some are shown as adults through mentorship by employers or business associates. To others this inspiration comes from a spiritual place, through Church or civic groups. The levels at which volunteers participate range from the local to the global. What determines the level is typically the group or organization for which the volunteer is donating his or her time. What is gained personally from volunteering is an opportunity to make friends and build relationships, learn lessons, and most importantly, to put your life into perspective.
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Experienced High-Rise Site Manager
A
s the largest DC-based management firm, we currently have a number of site manager positions within our portfolio we are looking to fill. In particular, we are seeking candidates for a large (over 200 units), class A property in Chinatown. The building has a 24 hour desk, FT engineer and multiple amenities. Candidates should have at least 5–7 years’ experience and an AMS designation; excellent communication skills (written & verbal), be able to supervise all staff, both direct and 3rd party and work closely with both the Board and portfolio manager. Salary and benefits are commensurate with experience and include free parking. Please send resumes to scott.burka@ejfrealestate.com
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By Doug Carroll Doug is a homeowner in Alexandria, VA. He is a board member of the Windsor Park Homeowners Association, a community of 386 townhouses near the Franconia-Springfield Metro Station. He was a business reporter and later a business editor at USA TODAY for nearly 30 years.
Paying It Forward: W
hen a community association asks for volunteers and too many people come forward, what is that called? Answer: An unlikely event. There are never enough hands. Increased participation is our greatest unmet need, not only to attend meetings, but also to serve on boards, pitch in on committees, assist with events
and join others to help our associations function better. Yet adult and youth volunteers live all around us. They are Boy and Girl Scout leaders, singers in Sunday church choirs, PTO members, Kiwanis, Lions, Elks and Moose. They coach or play on youth soccer
teams, stage school plays and beat a drum for school bands. They register voters, drive older people to doctors’ appointments, nurture food banks and keep the lights on at public libraries. How might associations capture some of that positive energy? Maybe it’s not enough
Community Associations Rely on Us Thanks to our years of experience, we can assist you in running your association efficiently. I Assessment Collection I Interpretation of Governing Documents I Board Governance Issues I Amendments to Bylaws & Declarations I Adoption of Policy Resolutions & Rules Enforcements
I Dispute Resolution & Litigation I Contract Review & Negotiation I Land Use & Zoning Issues I Developer & Warranty Issues
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F resh Ideas to Attract Association Volunteers to just say we want volunteers. Maybe we need to be more inviting. Maybe we should try some fresh approaches to connect with people in our neighborhoods. These are some ideas that I’d like to see tried in my community and elsewhere. Community leaders might start by asking for help early and often, no matter what the task. Even when they don’t want any assistance, don’t think they need any or don’t think anyone will respond. Share the workload strategically. Seek help from the rest of the board, invite acquaintances they’d like to know better and sometimes solicit the full membership. But ask people to help each time. Be creative about issuing calls for volunteers. Post “Help Wanted!” signs in the community to publicize the association’s specific needs. Think about creating a volunteer job board on the association’s website or in the newsletter. Bring a job sign-up sheet for the coming year to the annual meeting. How about having wine and cheese parties (or cider and doughnuts if you prefer) around the community to solicit ideas from residents for volunteer opportunities? Next, respect people’s time. Maybe residents have demanding jobs or their free time is mostly booked. Maybe they’re wary of volunteering for jobs with unspecified time commitments. Try to say clearly how much time you want when you ask for volunteers. One hour? A weekend afternoon? Three meetings over a month’s time? Or, more? An association’s jobs list might rank volunteer jobs based on the time required. Create some jobs that require little time to offset the more difficult and time-consuming ones. Volunteers can decide how much time they can afford to donate and when. One hour, one Saturday morning a month to pick up trash in the
common areas? Easy. Write a short item next month for the next newsletter? Easy. Hand-deliver the newsletter to everyone on your street. Also, easy. Bake cookies for the Santa Claus party in mid-December? Medium hard. Make a six-month commitment to join a committee charged with updating the association’s governing documents? Hard. How about organizing volunteer squads of high schoolers or adults to do yard work and other outside jobs for older or disabled residents in the community who need help? “Associations that explore this should be proactive in assessing potential risks,” said Doug Henken, national director of marketing at Community Association Underwriters of America. “In deciding how to deploy volunteers, an association might exclude tasks that could lead to personal injury (think inexperienced use of power tools) or property damage (such as pruned tree limbs falling on homes). They should first consult their insurance agent about their policy’s limits and also their lawyer, he recommended.” Remember the movie, “Paying It Forward?” A young boy did good deeds for three people and each of them had to do one for three more people, and so on. Community associations may accomplish something similar by thoughtfully creating and promoting opportunities for people of all ages to be help their communities as volunteers. One objective should be to spread the workload among more volunteers than just the board members. They shouldn’t have to do it all and those who try, harm the association by closing off volunteer opportunities for future board members. Another goal is to introduce residents to association work any way possible. Try to give them satisfying experiences and hope they come back for much more. You never know. This year’s infrequent volunteer might become another year’s board candidate. Or, its president. DECEMBER 2019
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By Amanda Raman Amanda currently serves as CFO at Therrien Waddell and is responsible for Accounting, Human Resources, and IT functions. She also serves as Vice President of the Greater Washington DC Chapter of the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA). Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in foreign affairs from University of Virginia and an MBA from George Mason University, is a Maryland-licensed CPA, a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP), passed the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) series of exams, and is currently pursuing the Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) designation.
NEIGHBORS HELP SENIORS
“ AGE IN PLACE ”
THROUGH LAUNCH OF KING FARM NEIGHBORS VILLAGE
K
ing Farm Neighbors Village is a volunteer organization dedicated to the timeless principle of neighbors helping and looking out for one another. Like other Villages in the DC metro region, our volunteers assist fellow King Farm residents remain in their homes and “age in place” in a safe and socially engaged manner. At present, the services we provide consist of car rides for personal appointments and errands, friendly visits or phone calls and social events. We focus on serving older adults, people with disabilities and all those in our community who wish to help each other stay socially connected and age in place. I first joined the King Farm Neighbors Village in February 2019 as the Treasurer. My husband and I both resolved at the beginning of 2019 that we wanted to be more active with charitable causes in our local community. The Village was looking for a new Treasurer and since my professional background is in accounting and finance, I thought this would be an ideal way to get more involved in my neighborhood. I was inspired by the vision for the organization laid out by our President, Jim Grueff, when I met with him to learn about the Treasurer opportunity. Similar support networks have enabled my grandmother, who lives in Kentucky and is in her late 80’s, remain in her home of 60+ years. I felt that lending my
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time and energy to KFNV was a good way to pay it forward since I can’t be there for her on a daily basis. Joining the Village has been a very rewarding experience for me personally. I have gotten to know more people in my neighborhood and learned more about the needs of our intergenerational community. Since joining the Village, most of our efforts have been focused on launching our services. A tremendous amount of work goes into launching a service such as ours and we have tried to be deliberative and thoughtful about the process to make sure our Village thrives in the long run. Many of our board members took responsibility for specific areas of our launch. One of our members spent considerable time developing both the membership application and volunteer application. At the same time, another board member worked on getting our website ready. Other members focused on volunteer training – the Village model calls for all volunteers to be vetted through a screening process and receive training before providing any services on the organization’s behalf. While we were working on setting up our administrative processes and service infrastructure over the past several months, we felt it was equally important to provide
a social outlet for our community. Some of our events, such as the monthly coffee socials and annual Medicare Open Enrollment seminar in October, are intended for older adults; while other events are open to residents of all ages—visit https://www.kfnv.org/ events to see our upcoming events. In addition to our members’ efforts, the King Farm Citizens Assembly has provided critical support to our organization by allocating funds to support our setup.
Our mission of connecting neighbors for the purpose of helping one another resonates with everyone in the community that I have spoken with. Most of us are so busy with work and family commitments that it is easy to live in near isolation from our neighbors, yet we all recognize that our community is immeasurably strengthened by lending a helping hand to one another and becoming invested in each other’s wellbeing.
High Level of
SUPPORT HELPS
BOARDS
be Effective with Homeowners
The power of our vision was again confirmed when we used our community association’s e-newsletter to recruit a volunteer coordinator – we quickly received two incredible applicants who are now the backbone of our organization. Each time we reach out to the community for help and support to achieve our goal, we are met with enthusiastic and gracious support. On September 10th, we officially launched the King Farm Neighbors Village with an evening event at our Community Center. This was an opportunity for prospective members and volunteers to learn from our President and other leaders about the services and activities that would be available in the coming months. We followed up with a volunteer training session, in partnership with Senior Connection, on September 26th that was aimed at teaching volunteers how to safely assist with providing rides and friendly visits. We plan to organize three volunteer trainings throughout 2020. It is still early days for us and we undoubtedly have much to learn, but we are hopeful that with continued outreach to both prospective members and volunteers, we will gradually build an organization that enables neighbors to help one another, establishes a neighborhood for seniors to age in place, and increases the sense of community amongst King Farm’s residents.
703-642-3246 | 7619 Little River Turnpike, Suite 210 Annandale, VA 22003 | northernvirginia.sentrymgt.com 540-751-1888 | 602 S. King Street, Suite 400 Leesburg, VA 20175 | loudoun.sentrymgt.com
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By Jack McNamee Jack McNamee is a resident of River Creek since 2002. He served in the US Navy for twenty-five years culminating his career as Program Manager for Attack Submarines responsible for submarine construction and maintenance. Later, after retirement from the Navy, he started a second career focusing on project management and advanced engineering technologies ending his work career working for the FAA. He is a professional engineer (PE) and certified project manager professional (PMP).
Finding Middle (School) Ground In Our Association
R
esidents come in many forms, some younger than others. Taping into the potential of our school age residents can result in amazing outcomes. Here is a synopsis of how River Creek Owners Association turned a partnership with a local school into an extraordinary environmental preservation effort.
You might be thinking…how does an association start working with local schools and how do you coordinate? These questions may seem daunting because you don’t know where to start. In our case it just fell in our lap. We were forwarded an email from the president of our association regarding a resident’s sixth grade son. He had come home
with a flyer referencing the Goose Creek Challenge, which encourages teaming with schools on planting projects that would slow erosion. This is an issue that has plagued our eastern shores of River Creek, known as Confluence Park. We contacted our local middle school, Harper Park, and they were enthusiastic about participation. The school’s staff visited the park and saw possibilities for water sampling, planting and environmental studies. Additionally, they discovered that this project coincided with historical preservation because Confluence Park is part of the Ball’s Bluff Battlefield Historic District National Historic Landmark (NHL). The initial targeted effort, with the aid of our volunteers, was to have a variety of trees planted on the banks of Goose Creek in order to slow erosion This area is a flood plain and is prone to being under water a few times during the year due to heavy rains originating from the northern flow of the Potomac River. These floods cause the riverbanks to slowly erode over time. The following indigenous shrubs were chosen to be planted on the shoreline: Chokeberry, Holly, Winterberry, Spicebush, Arrowwood Viburnum, etc. We decided to hold the planting event in early November 2018, on a Saturday to allow for more Resident involvement. This project quickly became a collaborative effort. The
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president of our local high school’s National Honor Society, who happens to live in River Creek, found twenty volunteers. Our association’s Confluence Committee found a native plant organization that gave us special pricing for the native shrubs and plants. Our own maintenance crew worked through their lunch hour, using an auger to prep the planting holes. And a resident volunteer, using her wheelbarrow skills, assisted in setting up the planting site. Piedmont Environmental Council loaned us their planting shovels for actual project. On the day of the event, the rains came, and we were unsure if we could plant that Saturday, but the weather then turned to a brisk sunny day. Happy families from Harper Park Middle School brought their children, and a group from the Heritage High School National Honor Society showed up to plant. Even resident volunteers attended the event. What was scheduled to be a six-hour event was done in a little over two hours. The staff at Harper Park Middle School who helped spearhead the project and wrote us: “[The planting event] was SO MUCH FUN!!! Thanks for including us in it. I had several kids who were ready to come later that day and were bummed they missed it and are already looking forward to the next event. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to help plant if you are planning another event for the spring. Thanks again for getting us involved.” - Muditha Karunaratne, Harper Park Middle School 7th Grade Science teacher As a result of this project, in what seemed like no time at all, Chokeberry, Holly, Winterberry, Spicebush, Arrowwood Viburnum and others sprouted up on the banks. As of September 2019, 195 of the 200 shrubs planted have survived.
Photos by Richard Zulewski
As an outgrowth of this project, Harper Park Middle School has now planned on using our historic park for their school’s water test sampling of the Potomac River and Goose Creek. And as a result of this ongoing partnership, busloads of students are scheduled to come down to the Park this Fall as part of their Science Curriculum. What started by a student bringing a flyer home, has become a friendly partnership with our local middle school. Additionally, for many enthusiastic adult volunteers from our community, who may otherwise have no direct link with the schools, they now have an opportunity to work with our younger generation!
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By Liliana Martinez, CMCA, AMS Lili is the director of management operations at National Realty Partners, LLC (NRP), where she has been a key part of the NRP team for many years. She is an active member of the Quorum Editorial Committee and has been working in community association management for more than 10 years.
WHAT DO
& s ’ A PT y t i n u Comm tions a i c o s As HAVE IN COMMON?
P
TA/PTO (Parent Teacher Associations/Organizations) and community associations have more in common than I would have thought. Both organizations have a body of governance, the board of directors which are regulated by the governing documents of the organization with board positions and roles of budgeting, fees, expenses, etc. With the similarities in mind, there are many opportunities to collaborate and unite the same groups of people. When I joined the PTA board at my children’s school, I was not expecting to realize that I would be working in a similar setting as boards and managers do in an association. Our board’s purpose became clear very quickly it was “To Build Community”, as a board we wanted to unit all the school families to be involved and support the children. The best way to unite people is to collaborate with local units, such as businesses, HOA’s, families, etc. PTA/PTO parents get involved to support their students, teachers, and community. Parents can volunteer to assist with class activities or events, alike in
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an association owner volunteer to assist with operations of the community. In a community association, volunteers are also needed to help with the functionality of a strong and united community.
gether can be very beneficial to assist in obtaining their goals. A community that has unity is successful in understanding the needs of its residences.
Volunteers play a key role in both settings (PTA/PTO’s and community associations) and in some cases they tend to be connected or the same people. There are ways to collaborate with community events that involve the same families that live in the community and children attend the same school. As a PTA we wanted to motivate families of various backgrounds within one community to come together for the same purpose of creating a safe place for all. The students gain the benefits by the involvement and support of all the adults involved in the PTA/PTO. Working together through joint activities, utilizing the same network of people to unit everyone in the community really becomes a benefit for both organizations. The structural layout of both a PTA/PTO organization and an association are similar and working to-
The PTA/ PTO has seen the positive impact on working with a community network of people and joint efforts into creating a friendly neighborhood feel for both the association and PTA. This summer community pool was a perfect location to host an end of the year school event that many enjoyed and participated. By working together either directly with on going communication or indirectly by allowing the PTA/PTO to utilizing community amenities, these two organizations can motivate residents and create a positive environment for everyone to enjoy.
By Chrisi West Chrisi has lived in Tartan Village Community Association located in Alexandria, Virginia for the last 17 years and is currently serving on the Board as Vice President.
LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES To Add or Not to Add?
T
he choice to add a Little Free Library® – or in our case, two Little Free Libraries – to our community in Alexandria, Virginia was a no-brainer. After my neighbor, who also happens to be an early childhood educator, suggested to me that we add a library to our neighborhood I was immediately on board. I’d seen them in other neighborhoods around Alexandria and loved the idea. I asked her to attend the next HOA board meeting to bring it up. It only took a few minutes of discussion going over the benefits of the libraries, their potential locations, and the cost before we realized this would be a bonus for our neighborhood. The cost for one eco-friendly plastic library, pre-assembled with $100 worth of assorted books costs about $350; a small investment when you consider the return. The benefits of having a Little Free Library in a neighborhood are many, and often include community engagement and inspiring a love of reading. The community engagement part
we could use – the layout of our neighborhood is unique, with different courts spiking off of one long main street. From the front of the neighborhood to the back of it we’ve had different issues and stories come up, making it feel almost as if the two ends were not connected at all. With the addition of the libraries, one at the entrance to the neighborhood and one at the end near our butterfly garden, we were able to foster interest and engagement between neighbors from the front of the community to the back during the unveiling of the boxes at our annual National Night Out event. Bringing people together over ice cream and reading? Win-win! The box at the front of the community is located next to a bus stop for the neighborhood children and has an assortment of books ranging from board books to young adult books to adult novels.
And if you’re the parent of a little one (or if you know voracious readers like my nieces), you know how quickly they can go through books. With this new, local, opportunity to exchange reading material with other children in the neighborhood your kids can experience new books on an almost daily basis. The key here is to give and take, and encourage other parents in the community to do the same! Our Little Free Libraries were wellstocked when I checked them out this morning, and I hope they continue to remain so. These book boxes in our community have been a welcome addition, bringing neighbors together and sharing reading material. And what could be better for community engagement than that?
Giving readers, especially young children, choices in what they want to read, and allowing them to choose books for themselves (even if it’s not something you would choose for them) makes it more likely they will continue to enjoy reading as they get older.
To find out more about Little Free Libraries® visit https://littlefreelibrary.org/. You can order pre-built or unassembled libraries and install them near you. Register your library on their website to be counted among the 90,000 registered book-sharing boxes located around the world! DECEMBER 2019
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By Elisabeth Kirk, EBP Elisabeth is the Marketing Director for TRC Engineering. She co-chairs WMCCAI’s Public Outreach committee and leads the annual Potomac Watershed Project. In 2018, she was awarded the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of CAI’s Rising Star Award, and in 2015 she was honored with Property Management Association’s Stanley F. Reid Humanitarian Award. Elisabeth has been an active member in CAI for over 10 years, is an Educated Business Partner (EBP), and uses her skills and experience daily in community outreach, recruiting and networking for the Chapter.
500+ Volunteers collect more than 7 Tons of Trash AT 2ND ANNUAL WMCCAI WATERSHED CLEAN-UP DAY
T
his past April, WMCCAI held its second annual Potomac Watershed Clean-up with over 500 volunteers working across Virginia and Maryland, making it the 2nd largest event the Chapter offered its members. Together, volunteers picked up trash that otherwise would have blocked up sewer systems, gone into our streams, rivers, the Chesapeake Bay, and ultimately the Atlantic Ocean. Environmentally speaking, this trash damages the watershed and has effects downstream, such as, riverbanks eroding, and sewer systems being blocked. Thus, taking away the availability for fish and other aquatic organisms to move up and down streams freely. The importance of a healthy watershed permeates out to more than just the environment. It affects people’s properties and their ability to enjoy the resources that we have here. Knowing that we have saved our waterways from over seven tons of trash is rewarding enough to those that participated; however, getting to know each other and our neighbors was an added benefit. For many of the volunteers, this event may be the first time they have made a connection with people in their neighborhood. While the initial impact of the Chapter’s Potomac Watershed Clean-up Day creates a cleaner, safer, more beautiful watershed, the Chapter aims much deeper. By engaging volunteers in a meaningful outdoor experience that connects them to their local watershed and community, this event encourages par-
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ticipants to know their community and become environmental stewards. Protecting your property is another benefit from having a Community Watershed Clean-up. When a stream is backed up with trash it will clog culverts which can lead to backwater flooding on your property. Also, when sewer drains are full of trash and water runoff has nowhere to go, the streets will flood causing damage to cars and homes nearby. Everyone who lives on land in the United States has a stake in the watershed. By taking part in clean-ups like the one offered by the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of CAI, the whole community can
get involved in being a part of the solution – even the children. Students who engage in community cleanups acquire life skills and knowledge they will benefit from forever. These students not only make a difference to the community, but also improve their career prospects. Activities such as the watershed cleanup will help enhance a student’s resume by allowing students to obtain work-related skills prior to graduation. These activities enhance resumes and build good references for employers regarding community involvement. The event is a forum to network with future potential employers, and helps students develop civic and social responsibility skills by becoming more aware of their community’s needs
Save the date!
April 18, 2020 for the next Watershed Clean-up Day. Be a part of the fun!
Participation gives our members chapter backed support each year in the quest to make a difference in their community but also to discover how their daily actions can impact their environment. Engaging in community service provides residents with the opportunity to become active members of their community and has a lasting, positive impact on society at large. The Watershed Committee led by Elisabeth Kirk of TRC Engineering and Valerie Irons of CertaPro Painters of Loudoun, Reston & Tysons Corner, works hard to organize and coordinate the Watershed Clean-up day, but our success is ultimately the result of local communities, and businesses who partner with us to host cleanup sites — ensuring that volunteers have a safe and meaningful experience. We hope that volunteers, once connected, will continue to expand their involvement in watershed protection and restoration efforts. The Chapter supports these groups by coordinating logistics and training site leaders, as well as providing trash bags, gloves and other supplies and services needed for the event. Site Leaders promote learning about their neighborhood impact on the ecosystem and the issues impacting the health of their communities. In addition to all the benefits to the community, many participants join in just for fun. The watershed cleanup is a good way to get outside and enjoy the neighborhood we live in. Should you wish to join in the fun either by leading a site, participating in a cleanup, or have a site you’d like to suggest, please reach out to Liz Schell at the Chapter’s office by calling 703750-3644. You can also email Elisabeth at elisabeth@tedrossconsulting. com, Valerie at virons@certapro.com, and Liz at ESchell@ caidc.org. Also, you may go to the Chapter’s website at www. caidc.org for more information.
How will you fund your next association project? Get custom financing that’s perfect for your budget and your association. No deposit relationship required. Let us find the financing that’s right for you. Call me today! Noni Roan, CMCA Vice President 301-639-5503 866-800-4656 ext.7479 noni.roan@mutualofomahabank.com
mutualofomahabank.com 171258
Member FDIC
Equal Housing Lender
DECEMBER 2019
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By Traci Castrovinci, CMCA, AMS Traci currently works for Gates Hudson Community Management as a portfolio manager out of their Ashburn, Virginia office. She has been in the industry for fourteen years, six years as an on-site manager and nine years as a portfolio manager. Traci currently holds a CMCA and AMS designation and is actively working towards her PCAM.
Jump Start January: From a Manager’s Perspective P
ortfolio managers have never had it easy. Long hours and the constant go, go, go of our industry doesn’t often leave managers and other industry professionals with much time outside of work. This has always been the case for me. Each year Jump Start January comes and goes and each year I vow to attend “next year”. As a manager, my designations are everything to me. I currently hold an active CMCA and AMS and have been working towards my PCAM for a number of years. Each year I slowly creep closer and closer to completing the remaining level 200 courses I need. Last year I finally took the time to read the PCAM application to see what exactly would be needed to fast track me to obtaining my PCAM. I have to say
that I was floored when I realized I needed a minimum of 125 points to even have my application considered. This is spread between my formal education, professional designations, as well as CAI and industry-related educations and service. Cue the dramatic sound effects! What?! I quickly tallied up my points and came up with a whopping 90 out of 125. But I digress. This article is not about how slow my PCAM progress has been but how this realization spurred me into action.
a speaker. You know, the normal humdrum we fall into within our industry. Or, so I thought…
Having never attended a Jump Start January event, I had no idea what to expect. I assumed it would be the standard networking breakfast with other managers and vendors, probably some committee presentations about why everyone should join theirs and
After schmoozing with colleagues, new and old, it was time for the guest motivational speaker. To say I was impressed is the understatement of the year. Ursula Burgess, with Rees Broome, spoke about her journey to climb a mountain in such a way that it had me reflecting on my journey as a runner. Having been through my own personal challenges the last 3-4 months I found myself understanding her trials and what it took for her to overcome them. She spoke about the night they hiked to the summit. 30,000 feet in elevation and all she wanted to do was cry and quit. She goes on to explain how her husband’s motivation suddenly changed from making it to the top to making sure she made it to the top. Ursula ended her speech with a few key points that I didn’t just hear – I felt them. She said, “Failure makes us who we are, and how you deal with failure is what matters.” The stories of failing, or almost failing are far more interesting than those where we succeed, because only in failing do we find what we’re made of.
What I experienced was so far from humdrum it blew me away! Walking in I noticed each committee had their own booth all decked out in ways that showed me exactly what their committee’s purpose was. Three committees immediately caught my attention – Quorum Editorial, Chapter Events and Virginia Legislative Committee.
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Walking out of the banquet hall it struck me – why had I waited so long to attend a Jump Start January event? I always thought it was because I didn’t have the time, but in reality, it was that I was scared. Scared of failure, scared of putting myself out there, scared that I wouldn’t have anything to offer. I left Jump Start January committing my time over the next year to three committees. Quorum being one of them. If you had told me a year ago that I would have co-written an article and was on my way to writing another, I would have laughed at you.
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This year has been about taking that chance, making that leap, and putting myself out there. Whether it be climbing that mountain, signing up for that marathon, or simply volunteering at the Chapter level…Just do it! I can’t guarantee you’ll succeed, but I can promise it’ll be an experience you won’t soon forget.
DECEMBER 2019
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By Melvin E. Key Melvin is the CEO of MVP Protective Services, a security firm serving D.C., Maryland and Virginia. He is board certified in security management (CPP) and physical security (PSP). Melvin is also a retired Police (MPDC) Captain and a CAI member.
Ensure a
Joyous Holiday Season with These
Holiday Safety Tips T
he holidays are a joyous time of year for friends and family to reunite and bond with one another. It’s also a time where lots of shopping is done. Despite all of the joys and festivities the holidays bring, the season also has a dark side. For it is also the season of increased robberies, burglaries, home invasions and theft from autos. So, this holiday season we wanted to prepare readers with a few tips on how to increase
your safety and reduced your chances of becoming a victim. 1. Deliveries - Brick and mortar stores still have a significant place in holiday shopping, but more shoppers are doing their shopping online and getting the goods delivered right to their doors. However, as deliveries increase due to online shopping,
so do home invasions, scams, and thefts of packages. If you’re going to be doing online shopping this year here are a few recommendations to reduce your chances of becoming a victim. • Track your packages - when ordering online oftentimes sellers will provide you with a tracking number. Be sure to record it for future reference and use it to track your package for expected delivery dates and times. • Try to be present when packages are expected. Packages left on doorsteps are often stolen by perpetrators that cruise neighborhoods looking for delivered packages that the owners have not yet claimed. • Always check for your delivery person’s credentials. Many delivery companies hire contractors to deliver packages. Oftentimes the delivery trucks are not marked with company logos, and the delivery staff aren’t in any type of uniform. If you feel uneasy about anyone representing themselves as a delivery person, “Do Not Open Your Door.” Especially, if you weren’t expecting any packages. It’s also not a bad idea to have your cell phone in your hand just in case you need to make an emergency call if something goes wrong. 2. Travel - If you’re going to be traveling this year, take time to make your home a less attractive target for criminals. A few good measures to do this are: • Ask a trusted neighbor, friend or family member if they can check on your home
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periodically, retrieve your mail, and bring your recycle, trash bins and newspapers in if necessary; • Put your interior and exterior lighting on a timer. Setting them to turn on and off at certain times of the day gives the appearance that someone is always home; • Avoid posting pictures and videos of your holiday travel on social media until you return home. Oftentimes the people who would take advantage of you are the people that you know best. Posting pictures of your vacation hundreds of miles away is just asking to be robbed. 3. Camera System - Home surveillance systems are very affordable these days. The “Ring” brand doorbell is rated four stars on Amazon and four and a half stars on Best Buy by customers. Ring appears to be a formidable security measure for home security, sending homeowners alerts when it detects someone on their property. The homeowner in turn, can view the person on her property via mobile phone, tablet or desktop app, and verbally challenge the person from the app via the speaker in the ring device. For more information on the Ring Doorbell you can do an online search for “Ring Doorbell”. 4. Trash – The best way to get your 65-inch television stolen is to let everyone know that you have it. Every year the boxes of
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unwrapped Christmas gifts are laid curbside for trash pick-up. Often the discarded boxes once contained high ticket items like TV’s, video game consoles, computers, jewelry, tablets and etc. For skilled burglars, and even opportune thieves, seeing these types of boxes in the trash is a signal that your house is a candidate for burglary. To reduce your chances of being burglarized be sure to discard your Christmas trash as discreetly as possible. 5. Fire Safety – According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires per year that started with Christmas trees.” Let’s make fire safety the number 1 priority this Christmas season. Good rules of thumb are: Always connect string lighting and devices at or below the stated capacity. Always place candles in non-combustible areas and remember to blow them out at night, and finally, always water live Christmas trees at least once a day to keep them from drying out and becoming combustible. Following these simple rules will make this Christmas much safer for you and your family. Thanks for reading and Happy Holidays!
DECEMBER 2019
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By Bruce Fonoroff Bruce serves on the Park Potomac Condo, HOA, and Master Association Boards of Directors and is the Chair of the Park Potomac Ice Cream Social for Charity. Previously, he served eight years on the Montgomery County Commission on Common Ownership Communities (CCOC) and is a longtime member of WMCCAI.
It Takes a Village…
And, a Lot of Volunteers! L ast year the WMCCAI named Park Potomac (a 57-acre mixed use community off route 270 in suburban Maryland) their “Charitable Community of the Year.” At the time, Park Potomac had just celebrated the 10th anniversary of our “Ice Cream Social for Charity” (ICSC)—an event that has collected more than ten thousand new backpacks over the years for underprivileged children in Montgomery County. Many of my colleagues have asked me, “What’s the
secret? How do you motivate volunteers to participate in a major charity event even once, much less for more than ten years?”
It’s a good question. As the event has grown, planning and execution has become more and more complicated. In addition to recruiting corporate sponsors and soliciting donations from local merchants for door prizes, we now have to worry about logistics, tents, flyers, posters, a sound system, vendor
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contracts, insurance, security, marketing and social media, and professional photography, not to mention selling ice cream tickets and collecting donations! That’s a lot of stuff to worry about. The idea for a neighborhood charity event originated back in 2008 when a group of us who had just moved into the neighborhood were musing about what we could do to give back to the larger community. Someone in the group suggested working with an organization called Interfaith Works of Montgomery County to help underprivileged children get ready to go back to school. We realized early on that none of us had the experience or skill, much less the time to do this alone, and so we formed a committee— we called it the ICSC Planning Group. Looking back, here are some thoughts on how we managed to pull it off:
• Someone must be the zealot. In order for there to be a vision there has to be a visionary—someone whose passion for the cause is so deep that it infects the others who are asked to help. • Articulate the cause. Although by some measures Montgomery County is among the wealthiest in the nation, the fact is that over one in three county school children qualify for free or reduced-price meals—a Federal government program for low income families. Many of these families struggle to provide the supplies their children need to begin the school year excited, proud, and ready to learn. That is a story that needs to be told.
• Don’t be shy about asking for help. There are lots of people who may be willing to help but are reluctant to volunteer on their own. This may be the hardest part of the whole process because it is socially awkward to ask for help and sometimes it means facing rejection. • Assign clear responsibilities. Once we had the Planning Group in place it was a pretty simple matter to break down the project into pieces and assign each to a member of the group. Our process starts in early June with a kick-off meeting, then one or two status meetings in which each person reports on their area of responsibility prior to the actual event (in late August). • Make the event fun. In general, people want to help the less fortunate and are willing to work on a project if you are clear in articulating your cause. But, at the same time, you must make it fun in order for them to enjoy the experience. We try to create an atmosphere of comradery both in planning and during the event itself. And, we give each person a logoed t-shirt to wear at the event so that they can easily be identified as a volunteer. • Partner with an organization that can provide full time follow through. It is important to recognize your group’s inherent limitations. In our case, we were pretty sure we could collect backpacks and school supplies, but we knew we needed help in getting them to the families that needed them. Interfaith Works (http://www. iworksmc.org/) provides a long list of emergency and empowerment services to low income county residents and was the perfect partner to handle the distribution. • Recognize your sponsors, donors, and volunteers. Most people don’t volunteer or contribute to charity because they seek recognition. But it is nevertheless important to thank all the people involved for their time, hard work, and other contributions. Finally, it may seem counterintuitive, but it is important to publicize your accomplishments. Working hard may be its own reward, but it is also nice to know that you have made a difference in children’s lives. Last August, we collected 2,946 backpacks and thousands of other school supplies. To see a short video of the last Park Potomac Ice Cream Social for Charity, visit youtube.com and search “Potomac Ice Cream Social”.
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By Dalia Martinez, CMCA, AMS Dalia is a Portfolio Manager at National Realty Partners, LLC. She has been a stellar performer in serving many common interest communities in the Northern Virginia area for over 10 years. Dalia has also been a consistent member of WMCCAI involved in various volunteer opportunities.
Oh Where, Oh Where Have All the Volunteers Gone?
Avoiding a Board Without Quorum Due to Lack of Volunteers
O
ne of the most frequent challenges a community handles is the lack of volunteers.
Homeowners are busy with their day to day activities and do not have time to volunteer to be on the board of directors. Unfortunately, the lack of volunteers prevents the community from holding proper meetings due to lack of quorum and from being able to take action on the growing list of tasks for regular upkeep in a community. While a lack of volunteers is a challenge due to lack of interest from residents, it also creates a challenge for the management company. When an association cannot reach a quorum for board meetings, the manager often is stuck in a position where they cannot get proposals approved and complete both
major and minor work in the community. When faced with this struggle, managers need to get creative and find ways to get homeowners to get involved in the community. Often managers ask vendors to donate door prizes to be raffled at meetings, provide food for a meeting, or organize a guest speaker such as a representative from the local police department to provide the community with neighborhood crime reports and stress the importance of community involvement. If refreshments, encouraging words, and raffles still don’t work to recruit volunteers, the association may need to seek the assistance of their legal counsel. An association’s legal counsel can help to draft a notice to residents expressing the severity of the situation and explain to res-
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idents the implications of not having volunteers to serve on the board of directors. Having a lack of quorum and no participation does not just mean that project cannot get done, it means crucial contracts cannot be approved or negotiated, it can also results in an increase of legal expenses if the association’s legal counsel or another receiver is forced to step in and make decisions for the community to ensure they are in compliance with state statues. This letter can often assist with an increase of volunteers because the last thing that residents want is someone that does not live in their association or understand their specific needs making all of the decisions about the community and increasing the assessments to cover their expenses. To avoid receivership and this huge financial impact on the association it is important that residents are involved in the governance of the community and attend meetings regularly. This situation can be prevented by ensuring residents have ample notice of meetings with communication via mail and their website as well as notices on community memo boards. It is always a good idea to find a way to involve the membership with Town Hall meetings about major upcoming projects and ensuring residents understand that they are part of the process and giving them the opportunity to serve on committees until they are comfortable with serving on the board of directors. By taking a “preventative maintenance” approach and working with residents on involvement throughout the year; it will help to prevent a situation where no one wants to serve on the board at the Annual Meeting. DECEMBER 2019
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CUL-DE-SAC
By Tiago D. Bezerra, ESQ. Tiago is an associate with MercerTrigiani and is a member of the Virginia Legislative Committee of the Washington Metropolitan Chapter of CAI. He has also contributed to WMCCAI’s monthly Quorum magazine and has been a speaker in multiple programs, including most recently at the WMCCAI Conference & Expo in February 2019.
: s a e e r m a A g n ng i r t o n e u H m g eer m n D y o u r e h C Arch ur Community o In Y
D
eer are everywhere. But while nice to look at and evoking fond memories of childhood movies, more often than not, deer are known to wreak havoc. They eat flowers and plants. They dart through congested roadways at all times of day – often leaving anxious, swerving drivers in their midst (if the deer are lucky). Deer certainly make their presence known, particularly in more urban areas where they have fewer wooded places to go.
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fishing (“Department”) is in the middle of a ten-year deer management plan to stabilize deer populations in the Commonwealth. As of this year, the goal in Northern Virginia is to reduce deer populations which is accomplished primarily through hunting. Although Virginia is one of twenty-two Right to Hunt states in the country, hunting is not unregulated. In fact, a whole title in the Code of Virginia is designated for game, inland fishing and boating. Additionally, the Department has exercised statutory authority to adopt hunting regulations on a wide variety of issues. Among these regulations are established hunting seasons.
For deer, hunting season depends in part on the county where the hunt will occur and on the type of weapon being used. However, this past May, the Department amended regulations establishing deer hunting season with archery equipment specifically for common interest community associations, regardless of where the community is located. Now, upon application to and approval of the De-
partment, associations are permitted to allow bow-and-arrow-carrying gamesmen to hunt deer in communities governed by an association during urban archery season! Urban archery season opens one month prior to open deer season. The objective – reducing human and deer conflicts in urban areas by encouraging gamesmen to hunt in urban and
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suburban areas. Prior to the changes to the Department regulations in May, urban archery deer season was limited only to certain cities and localities across Virginia where human population density meets certain levels. Now, community associations have specific authority to take advantage of the early deer hunting season as well. In order for urban archery to be permitted in a community governed by an association, the association must submit a certified letter to the Department prior to July 1st requesting to participate in urban archery season and the Department must approve the request. However, the Department regulations do not supersede local ordinances or association governing documents. In other words, the association governing documents must be reviewed to ensure hunting is permitted in the community. If association governing documents prohibit hunting on lots or the common area, associations cannot overcome the prohibition through the urban archery regulation amendments without first amending the governing documents. If an association wishes to participate in urban archery deer hunting season, care should be taken to confirm authority to permit hunting in the community. In addition, it is unlikely an association can authorize hunting on individually-owned lots without lot owner consent – associations should permit hunting only on common areas owned by the association. Associations should consult with insurance providers to ensure coverage exists to mitigate risk of financial liability in the event of an accident. Associations may also limit liability by only permitting hunters associated with a local hunting club or deer management program that enters into a written agreement with the association. The written agreement should address the length of the agreement, insurance and indemnification (among other important terms) and preserve the limitation of liability established for landowners in the Code of Virginia. Above all, any decision to permit archery hunting must be subject to other state and local law governing the activity – some jurisdictions impose certain requirements in order to participate in urban archery (e.g., requiring all arrows to be shot towards the earth).
Insurance coverage is a must! Coverage may be difficult to find, so work with an experienced insurance professional
Support Hunters for the Hungry Encourage hunters to donate field-dressed deer to Hunters for the Hungry which processes and donates venison to local shelters, foodbanks and soup kitchens across Virginia. More information regarding the organization can be found at www.h4hungry.org
Legislators and regulators continue to acknowledge the vast responsibility held by common interest communities in Virginia and that community association leadership best understands residents and issues facing communities. By providing associations with the authority to participate in urban archery season, the Department has created opportunities for associations to address rampant deer populations regardless of where the association is located. You can learn more about urban archery season and other laws and regulations governing hunting in Virginia by contacting the Department at 804-367-1000 or visiting the Department website at www.dgif.virginia.gov. DECEMBER 2019
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Directory and Classifieds AMUSEMENT & PARTY RENTALS
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
MANAGEMENT SERVICES (CONT’D)
Fantasy World Entertainment 124 Jibsail Drive T: (800) 757-6332 Prince Frederick, MD 20678 www.fwworld.com Brooks Grady brooks@fwworld.com
Ploutis Contracting Co, Inc. T: (703) 360-0205 8365 Richmond Hwy F: (703) 360-5439 Alexandria, VA 22309 info@ploutiscontracting.com Stella Ploutis www.ploutiscontracting.com
Cardinal Management Group, Inc., AAMC 4330 Prince William Parkway, Suite 201 T: (703) 569-5797 Woodbridge, VA 22192 www.cardinalmanagementgroup.com cardinal@cardinalmanagementgroup.com Thomas A. Mazzei, CMCA, AMS, PCAM
ASPHALT PAVING/MAINTENANCE/REPAIR
INSURANCE
Brothers Paving & Concrete Corporation 9469 Hawkins Dr T: (703) 393-1927 Manassas, VA 20109 F: (703) 393-1928 Paul Battista info@brotherspaving.com
Griffin Owens Insurance Group www.GriffinOwens.com 847 Station Street, Herndon, VA 20170 T: (571) 386-1000 Offices also located in Falls Church & Manassas Daniel Flavin, CIC, CRM dan@griffinowens.com
Espina Paving, Inc. Asphalt/Concrete 15441 Farm Creek Drive T: (703) 491-9100 Woodbridge, VA 2191 F: (703) 491-9101 Serving: MD, DC, VA info@espinapaving.com ATTORNEY
McMillan Metro, P.C. 7811 Montrose Road, Ste. 400 Potomac, MD 20854 McMillanMetro.com
Attorneys at Law T: (301) 251-1180
Thomas Schild Law Group, LLC www.schildlaw.com 401 North Washington Street, Suite #500 T: (301) 251-1414 Rockville, MD 20850 Thomas C. Schild, CCAL tschild@schildlaw.com Scott J. Silverman ssilverman@schildlaw.com BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES
WINTRUST Community Advantage T: (734) 276-3330 Metro DC www.communityadvantage.com Kim Myles kmyles@communityadvantage.com A leading provider of financial services to condominium, townhome, and homeowner associations. ENGINEERS
ETC Engineering and Technical Consultants Inc. Water intrusion, roofing, exteriors, windows, balconies, property studies, structural & architectural services www.etc-web.com T: (703) 450-6220 Mindy Maronic mindy@etc-web.com The Falcon Group www.falconengineering.com 7361 Calhoun Place, Suite 325 Rockville, MD 20855 T: (240) 328-1095 Stew Willis info@falconengineering.com
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JANITORIAL
Clean Advantage Corporation 9701 Philadelphia Court, Suite G-7 T: (800) 315-3264 Lanham, MD 20706 F: (301) 595-3331 www.cleanadv.com info@cleanadv.com LAUNDRY ROOM EQUIPMENT AND SERVICES
Caldwell & Gregory, Inc. Your Commercial Laundry Professionals 129 Broad Street Road Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103
T: (804) 784-6100 F: (804) 784-7418
MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Associa Community Management Corporation, AAMC 4840 Westfields Blvd, Suite 300 T: (703) 631-7200 Chantilly, VA 20151 www.cmc-management.com John Tsitos, CMCA, AMS, PCAM jstitos@cmc-management.com Barkan Management Company, Inc 8229 Boon Blvd., Suite 760 T: (703) 388-1005 Tyson Corner, VA 22182 F: (703) 388-1006 Michael Feltenberger, CMCA, AMS, PCAM CAMP, AAMC (Community Association Management Professionals) www.gocampmgmt.com T: (703) 821-CAMP 4114 Legato Road, Suite 200 Fairfax, VA 22033 hgraham@gocampmgmt.com 209 West Street, Suite 302 Annapolis, MD 21401 sblackburn@gocampmgmt.com Capitol Management Corporation 12011 Lee-Jackson Highway, Suite 350 Fairfax, VA 22033 L. Peyton Harris Jr., CMCA, CPM lph@capitolmanagementcorp.net
T: (703) 934-5200 F: (703) 934-8808
CFM Management Services, AAMC 5250 Cherokee Ave, Suite 100 T: (703) 941-0818 Alexandria, VA 22314 F: (703) 941-0816 Christiaan Melson, AMS, PCAM cmelson@cfmmanagement.com Comsource Management, Inc. AAMC www.comsource.com 3414 Morningwood Drive T: (301) 924-7355 Olney, Maryland 20832 F: (301) 924-7340 Gary M. Simon, CMCA, AMS, PCAM gsimon@comsource.com FirstService Residential DC Metro LLC, AAMC 11351 Random Hills Road, Suite 500 T: (703) 385-1133 Fairfax, VA 22020 Robert Teeling robert.teeling@fsresidential.com KPA Management, AAMC www.kpamgmt.com 6402 Arlington Blvd., Suite 700 T: (703) 532-5005 Falls Church, VA 22042 F: (703) 532-5098 Offering personalized service Ed Alrutz, CPM, CMCA, PCAM ealrutz@kpamgmt.com Legum & Norman Inc. AAMC 3130 Fairview Park Drive Ste 200 T: (703) 600-6000 Falls Church, VA 22042 www.legumnorman.com Marc B. McCoy, CMCA, AMS MMcCoy@legumnorman.com Sentry Management www.sentrymgt.com 7619 Little River Turnpike, Suite210 T: (703)642-3246 Annandale, VA 22003 602 South King Street, Suite 400 T: (540)751-1888 Leesburg, VA 20171 Dave Ciccarelli, AMS, PCAM dciccarelli@sentrymgt.com Sequoia Management Company Inc., AAMC 13998 Parkeast Circle T: (703) 803-9641 Chantilly, VA 20151-2283 www.sequoiamanagement.com Craig Courtney, PCAM ccourtney@sequoiamgmt.com
INDEX TO ADVERTISERS A Associa-Community Management Corporation, AAMC......................................................................9 B Barkan Management, LLC, AAMC..................................................................................................14 Brothers Paving & Concrete..............................................................................................................4 C Caldwell & Gregory, Inc...................................................................................................................34 Capital Painting Co.........................................................................................................................25 Clean Advantage Corporation T/A Condominium Cleaning Service..................................................40 PAINTING SERVICES AND RETAILERS
Capital Painting Co. www.capitalpainting.net 5520 Oakwood Road T: (703) 313-0013 Alexandria, VA 22310 F: (703) 922-1826 George Tsentas george@capitalpainting.net Reston Painting & Contracting 619 Carlisle Drive Herndon, VA 20170 David Hamilton
T: (703) 904-1702 F: (703) 904-0248 dave@restonpaint.com
Williams Professional Painting 110 S. Floyd Street VA: (703) 768-8143 Alexandra, VA 22304 DC: (202) 751-2026 williamsprofessionalpainting.com Rick Williams Rick@williamsprofessionalpainting.com RESTORATION SERVICES
Titan Restoration Co Warrenton, VA T: (540) 349-1503 www.titanrestoration.com F: (540) 349-1512 Anita Puckett apuckett@titanrestoration.com ROOFING
TWC Services, LLC PO Box 150277 T: (703) 971-6016 Alexandria, VA 22315 www.twcserv.com Linda Walker info@twcserv.com WINDOWS & DOORS
Windows Plus, LLC 4321 Markham Street T: (703) 256-0600 Annandale, VA 22003 F: (703) 942-6987 Kimberly Wayland kknight@windowspls.com
E EJF Real Estate Services, Inc..........................................................................................................15 F Fantasy World, Inc. dba Fantasy World Entertainment.....................................................................28 The Falcon Group.............................................................................................................................7 FirstService Residential DC Metro, LLC, AAMC................................................................................39 G Gardner Engineering, Inc................................................................................................................27 M McMillan Metro, P.C.......................................................................................................................16 Miller-Dodson Associates................................................................................................................26 Mutual of Omaha Bank@Community Association Banking & CondoCerts.......................................25 P Ploutis Contracting Co., Inc.............................................................................................................39 R Reston Painting Company................................................................................................................2 S Segan, Mason & Mason, PC...........................................................................................................20 Sentry Management, Inc.................................................................................................................19 T Titan Restoration Co........................................................................................................................29 TWC Services, LLC..........................................................................................................................15 W Williams Professional Painting.........................................................................................................33 Windows Plus, LLC.........................................................................................................................32 WINTRUST Community Advantage Bank.......................................................................................30
DECEMBER 2019
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