FCAP Alive! – July 2014

FCAP Alive! – July 2014

by Lisa Whitson, Director of FCAP Operations / Published July 2014

TIME FOR RENEWALS 

The first FCAP membership renewals began hitting inboxes over the past few weeks. As you are evaluating your future with FCAP, I’d like to thank you for supporting Florida’s only statewide professional organization and those who work in or serve the community association industry. I’d like to remind you of the importance of the organization and encourage you to renew your commitment to FCAP and your profession. 

The benefit of your membership in FCAP impacts not just your own career and local community; instead, your membership impacts thousands of homeowners and residents across the state. Did you know that the FCAP Family of Services has been instrumental in placing on average more than 80 managers per year in needed community association positions while advancing the careers of many more? 

Or that 28 community association managers spent more than 1,100 hours of additional study of the Florida CAM profession? Did you also know that your membership in FCAP has provided needed funds for an annual statewide conference where homeowners and residents learned that this is indeed an “industry?” 

Your membership in FCAP and its Family of Services provides benefits that are both personal and professional. 

  • Membership in a Florida-specific community association industry organization
  • Complimentary subscription to your industry’s very own trade publication, FLCAJ
  • Career services through CondoJobs Recruiting Services
  • Education and information offered through FCAP and its network of content providers
  • Information-packed industry conferences
  • Access to the FCAP Membership Directory
  • Member profiles published monthly
  • Weekly e-mail updates
  • Statewide industry website

Watch your e-mail inbox for your FCAP membership renewal notice, and return it at your earliest convenience. If you are not a member of FCAP, I encourage you to join us. Visit us online at www.fcap group.com or call (561) 277-8152.

GOLD LEVEL 

READER’S CHOICE AWARD WINNER 

0714-allied-secondary-picAllied Property Group

Allied Property Group, Inc. 

is a full-service management company specializing in condominium and homeowners association management. Allied Property Group, Inc. currently manages more than 60 associations consisting of approximately 6,500 units.

 Since its inception, Allied Property Group, Inc. has acquired 95 percent of its business through referrals. The referrals have not just come from the members of the board of directors and attorneys, they have also come from unit owners themselves. This is a testament to the quality of service being provided to its clients, the homeowner. 

“We are honored to have won this award. We are the only management company with less than 25 employees to win this award. This reflects the faith and trust our clients have bestowed on us. It reflects our hard work and dedication, as well as our relentless effort to provide excellent customer service. We would like to extend a very big thank you to all of our clients for their continued faith in us.”

For a free proposal, please visit www.alliedpropertygroup.net or call us at (305) 232-1579.

 

LANDING YOUR FIRST CAM JOB, PART ONE

CondoJobs Director, Lisa Pinder, and FCAP Director, Lisa Whitson, recently sat down to discuss realistic expectations of the job market for new community association managers in Florida. Here is part one of a two-part series that is an easy read but so very important to keep on hand for CAMs looking for their first managers’ position. 

“Getting your first CAM position can be very challenging especially in today’s difficult job market. However, it can be done. It doesn’t always happen as fast as we would like.” 

Lisa Pinder, CondoJobs

Job Openings < Searching CAMs

LW: This is great advice given what you shared with me that there are fewer open positions than searching CAMs. It’s an upside-down market. Giving CAMs every opportunity to be more competitive is important to FCAP. 

LP: There are some real challenges, but this is a very good industry, and finding a job in this industry can be done. We have been doing this for 27 years, and I’ve seen it happen. This process works if CAMs have realistic expectations at the beginning of their search. 

 

Best Advice for Your Job Search: Follow Directions When Applying. 

LP: At CondoJobs, a good indicator for success starts with the membership kit. Those who are able to follow instructions and complete the membership kit without difficulty are usually more successful. 

 

Network with Other Professionals in the CAM Industry.

LW: Join industry organizations like FCAP and get involved. Don’t wait until you find the perfect job. Get plugged in today. Many of the service providers in the CAM industry offer social and educational events for low cost or no charge. Look through the “Meeting Notices” section of our magazine, Florida Community Association Journal, to find an event near you. Our website is also full of event notices and information at www.flcaj.com

 

Don’t Be a Know-It-All.

LP: Community association managers don’t need to know everything, but they need to have the right attitude about it and know where to get the correct answers. My favorite response is, “I don’t know the answer to that, but I will find out and get back to you right away.” 

LW: I love that! How great would it be to receive a nice thank you e-mail from a CAM you just interviewed with the information you asked about or maybe even a vendor name and phone number for a project your community is working on? 

 

Have Realistic Expectations.

LP: It doesn’t always happen as fast as we would like. Finding the right fit for a new CAM can be challenging as a recruiter. I am faced with balancing the needs and requirements of the community with the skills, talents, and management style of the managers. Both sides of this dynamic are extremely important to the success of CondoJobs and those we serve. 

If you have a CAM career success story you would like to share with us, please contact Lisa Whitson at lisa@fcaponline.net or Lisa Pinder at lisa@condojobs.com.