Reflecting on the past . . .
As my term as president comes to a close I cannot help but reflect on the past and share in anticipation what the future holds for us.
In the past two years our Association has accomplished so much for our members. With a vast array of educational offerings, we continue to provide and be a source of quality programs for our membership. The upcoming 2018 Education Programs will be no different and I encourage all members to take advantage.
We worked extremely hard, to your benefit, in the last two years on the legislative front. Your Association leaders were instrumental around our region in several areas. We worked with properties and owners in Warsaw on several proposed ordinances including trash and sewer rate changes (which have reared their head again in a different so stay tuned!). Closer to home your Association leaders were able to defeat certain aspects of the proposed Chronic Property Ordinance in Fort Wayne which would have posed huge fines to apartment communities based on police calls. We instead worked with the City legal department and Fort Wayne Police Department, in conjunction with the Upstate Alliance of Realtors and IAA, to draft language which better addresses the problem and the correct person(s) creating the problem. I am 100% confident that in the upcoming year your Association leadership will continue to monitor legislative issues and work on your behalf.
Your Association web site was completely revamped and upgraded! It now offers prospects searching for a rental community all the tools they need to find you. It’s our printed guide in web form!! Search engines including amenities, school districts, areas of location, pet friendly, etc all enhance the user’s ability to find you with ease. You can also find great resources, register for classes and meetings, and find an Associate member for your next project using the website. In an ever changing world of the internet it is exciting to see us growing and to watch for what the future holds for us.
None of these things would have been possible without your Association leadership and most definitely would not have been accomplished without the hard work of your Association staff. Beth, Peggy and Hope thank you so much for all that you do, day in and day out, to ensure that our Association truly is such a valuable asset to our membership. I cannot imagine where we would be without these three ladies!
To our dedicated Board of Directors, thank you so much for all you have done for the Association these past two years. Your dedication, time investment, vision and passion have indeed brought us to new places as well. I am excited to watch the Association grow under your guidance.
And to all those I have met along the way…….my sincere thank you. Whether we have become acquaintances, comrades, business partners or lifelong friends, please know that your confidence in me has touched me in ways you will never know….and I am extremely grateful to you for allowing and helping me to grow under your wings.
Carole McConnell, CAM, CFO, PLP
Jehl Apartments, LLC
AAFW-NEI President 2016-2017