November 29th, 2007 12:18 PM

With the final issue of 2007, I must say Thank you to you, and to everyone in my life that makes it so wonderful.  My wife; Nancy Massengale-Huston that gives me the never ending support necessary to do what we do in our lives together.  Eileen St.Yves, my CAA companion and cherished friend (it feels so good to laugh about our adventures and gossip generated).  Alice Hannan, trusted adviser and soul of this organization.  Darryle Oakman; always staying positive with trying to cram hundreds of years of experience surrounding him at the office, absorbing and adapting to the challenges of member service.  There are more, and you know you are in my heart & prayers always.  Thank you.

 

We have challenges ahead in the coming years. 

 

This magazine must change.  Some form of communication from your local association office needs to be put into your hands each and every month.  The delivery method may change, the content & messages may change--but local news, along with telling you about the educational opportunities and services provided from your Association MUST continue.

 

Membership Meetings.  We've struggled with these events for quite some time now, and I want to personally thank each and everyone of you that keeps attending.  Every event still supplies current information and resources needed in our industry.  Will mini-seminars work for you?  Do guest speakers?  An Annual Golf Tournament?  Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, or Saturday meetings? 

 

Educational Opportunities:  There's a reason the "Managing Rental Housing" book published by the California Apartment Association is 1 1/4 inches thick.  It makes a deep "thud" noise when it hits the table.  Pretty impressive, I might add.  With the historical wealth-building tool of real estate, the knowledge must be learned and passed along if you own rental property.  And it's not ok if you just hire a licensed management company...you still have all the liability.  How you take care of your rental property reflects on the other issue--

 

Political:  How strong are we, and can be in the future?  What relationships do you have with the policy-makers in our communities, and are you able to talk to them about issues?  More importantly, do they call you when they have an issue confronting them that they need resolution on?  How many positive stories can you tell that have impacted the lives of your residents.  And, don't think that a minor event is just that....they are very major to someone else.  Local politics affect State politics.  It's important to be engaged in both.  Shall we discuss inspection ordinances, rent control, crime, blight, health & safety issues?

 

Multi-jurisdicational owner's within the CAA Network:  In joining the Association, an owner reports all their property with their application and pays on the units reported.  However, if an owner has other properties in different area's of the state, owner's have needed to join each chapter/division that there units are located in.  The idea of the "per unit fee" distribution to local chapters/divisions affected without the benefit of the "main" membership has been presented to CAA Leadership for review.  Better reporting of unit counts in the entire State would be reflected, along with an additional income source for the local chapter/divisions in the Network. 

 

With all of the above, we do have challenges ahead.  Of course, the comments are mine, and reflect my thoughts and opinions (how's that for another disclaimer!).  I am totally confident in the direction and future leadership of the San Joaquin County Rental Property Association, becoming past president in 2008 very soon!  As always, take care.........

 

Norbert G. Huston

President, San Joaquin County Rental Property Association

 

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