Michelle Hill, CAI-GRIE President

Our Greater Inland Empire Chapter services a very large territory and you haven’t had to live in the area long to have witnessed its tremendous growth.  This has created more choices, availability and diversity.    Our neighborhoods have changed, in some cases, dramatically.  And of course we’re facing more challenges than ever before.  But with all challenges come opportunities.  So how has our growth in the IE affected you?  What opportunities can you envision? 

These are just a couple questions our Chapter’s Board of Directors asks itself.  We are fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated and resourceful membership.  I believe there are no challenges we cannot resolve together.  The trick is to identify and proactively address them.  Please offer, suggest and be heard.  We’re listening. 

We’ve seen our share of changes over the last few years.  But as much as we’d like the number of changes to subside, that’s not likely.  A couple changes we’ll see in 2008 are a reduction in the number of vendor breakfasts and manager luncheons.  This decision was based on feedback from event attendees; for example, too many events and requests for more education.  We listened.  This year, we will reduce the number of vendor breakfasts to 3 and manager luncheons to 4.  We anticipate improved educational content and delivery on topical subjects.  For example, we plan to deliver suggestions about how best to respond to associations faced with the financial impact of foreclosed properties.  The reduction of breakfasts and luncheons is a vast, historical departure.  It will be critical for our leadership to follow through on delivering quality to the membership and for the membership to commit to attendance.  We are committed to scheduled dates and no cancellations, although unavoidable circumstances may still arise.   We will also be holding 2 evening educational programs, 4 Essentials and 2 PDMP courses for association directors.  Our Annual Business Expo is in March.  Don’t miss this event!   We will still hold our social events-and we’ve added a new one-so that we may continue to express our gratitude and friendship to each other.   Some truly great ideas are generated at these social events too…hmm, could it be the atmosphere?   

Now, about all those challenges; let us help you!  Get educated!  None of us were born into our current professions.  But if we use our innate talents combined with those skills we’ve acquired and mix in some specific education, then reaching our mutual goals of harmonious living and retained property values can be reached!  Community Association Volunteers: please enroll in our training and spread the word; let’s not wait until our legislators make this a law!  Managers:  please attend our educational programs, teach and share your successes.  Business Partners:  please share your educational value with our committee chairpersons or chapter directors, please continue to provide your high level of professionalism and please continue to generously sponsor!    

Speaking of educational mandates, this is just one initiative being considered.  Reasonably, we can agree that some legislation is clearly needed but sometimes a bills author doesn’t live in a CID to fully understand its evolution, needs and the potential impacts of some laws.  Although written with good intent, sometimes the language creates loopholes, unenforceable actions or unmanageable processes.  That’s where   California Legislative Action Committee, CLAC, steps in.   CLAC is our advocate whose representatives are experts in deciphering bills and foreseeing potential conflicts.  These representatives work with our legislators to express concerns, share knowledge, and work revisions to bills.  CLAC gets results.  In some cases, CLAC has helped associations avoid catastrophic financial consequences to associations.  So it is vital that we remember CLAC in our budgets and to make donations when we can. 

Our committee volunteers work tirelessly year after year.  We’re lucky to have these awesome, dedicated individuals and we are beginning to see some new volunteers step up.  Anybody can volunteer and everybody is welcome to join!  Please remember that the benefit of your membership is relative to your involvement and marketing skills.  Don’t be a spectator. 

In closing, finally, thank you very much for the opportunity to serve our chapter.  Thank each of you for your contributions, dedication and the commitment you consistently demonstrate.  I am honored and privileged to work with such a fine group of people and will strive to fulfill your expectations.  Keep up the good work you do and make 2008 a fantastic year!

Sincerely,

Michelle Hill
2008 Chapter President
CAI-GRIE