Sunday, July 10, 2011
Congress Goes into Recess From August 8 – September 5: Now Is Your Time to Stand Up for the Apartment Industry!
Greetings Apartment Industry Advocates!
This is the second in a series of monthly communications to members of the Apartment Industry Mobilization Service (AIMS) to help you advocate for the apartment industry. This information will focus on our federal policy initiatives, the legislative process, important committees, key members of the House and Senate, and briefing materials. We hope you find this valuable and invite you to suggest other topics to cover.This month our focus is a call to action! Now is the time to make your voice heard by meeting face to face with your members of Congress when they are in recess in August.
Many NAA members cannot travel to Washington, D.C., in March for the annual Capitol Conference lobby day. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard for nothing more than a little time and the cost of gas.
You may not think that your involvement will make a difference. Or, you may think you don’t have time even to set up a meeting – and even if you get one, what would you say?
NAA Government Affairs wants to make it easy for you. Here’s how:
- Your involvement will make a difference. In fact, you have a seat at the head of the table! Among Congressional staff recently surveyed, 46 percent said that an “in-person constituent visit” will have “a lot” of influence on a member of Congress who is undecided on an issue. Another 51 percent said it will have “some” influence.
Information on how to plan and schedule your meeting in the district/state office is available below. Since the meeting will be held during the recess, you should schedule your meeting with the district/state office. At other times, the meeting should be set up through the Washington, D.C., office.
To help you prepare, issue talking points and issue fact sheets will be made available next month. If you still feel you need an “Inside-the-beltway” perspective for your meeting, we will do our best to arrange for a NAA/NMHC policy expert to be on the speaker phone for a two-way conference call.
- If you are turned down for a meeting in the district/state office, you are still in luck. In 2010, the House of Representatives’ calendar had five district work periods. This year’s calendar has 13. That means Representatives have more time to participate in town hall meetings and local events – as well as more time to spend conversing with you in those venues.
- Almost every member of Congress holds town hall meetings to take the pulse of their constituents. While they are considered an underutilized resource, the same survey reported that 87 percent of Congressional staff said that questions from constituents at town hall meetings had “a lot” or “some” influence on an undecided member of Congress.
To find out the date, time and location, check your local newspaper or the member of Congress’s website. However, it is best to contact your member of Congress’s district/state office. While some town hall meetings are open to everyone, keep in mind that some offices will only contact constituents who have signed up to be notified. Be careful to note if you need to register to attend, send an RSVP, or sign up to ask a question (the latter typically occurs on-site). Always provide your name and home address, telephone number and e-mail address. (This will be used to verify that you are a constituent.)
- Events provide a great opportunity for two-way dialogue – especially if you’re the event’s host. Invite your member of Congress to tour your apartment community and meet with residents over an informal barbecue. Or, invite your Senator or Representative to speak at a breakfast with your employees.
Pitch the visit to your local newspapers and television stations. This type of face time with constituents makes for good news media coverage for both the member of Congress and you! (And if you are in an early primary state, you might be lucky enough to piggyback on a Republican presidential hopeful’s visit to town as well.
- Always remember that your personal stories trump everything else you say. You don’t need to be an expert on federal issues affecting the industry, but rather a resource on your business and how a particular issue impacts it. Members of Congress want and need to benefit from your expertise and point of view. By doing so, you become a relied-upon source for future multifamily housing issues, and they become more knowledgeable about our industry and the impact of legislation on your livelihood.
- Measure your success in increments over time. To oversimplify an arduous process, it can literally take years for most bills to become laws. Added to that, most proposals never pass. Those that do frequently are re-introduced numerous times over different legislative sessions. And that’s not taking into play the growing Election Day turnover in Congress. So celebrate the baby steps, such as when a U.S. Senator finally agrees to meet you after declining your requests for several years.
Thank you for your attention to this e-mail. If you have questions or comments on any of the material contained in this message, please contact me at 703-797-0633 or Kathleen@naahq.org.
Good luck!
Kathleen Youngblood
Director, Political Affairs
National Apartment Association
Links:
Planning Your Congressional Recess MeetingTips for Meeting with Your Members of Congress
Find Your Elected Officials
Check Back on July 22 for Talking Points and Issue Fact Sheets
Thursday, May 12, 2011
NAA Education Conference Scholarship Winner Announced
Congratulations to Courtney MacDermid with Colonial Grand at Quarterdeck
Courtney is the recipient of the $2,000 NAA Education Conference scholarship, and will represent the CAA along with a couple other board members, at the 2011 NAA Education Conference inLas Vegas , NV
Courtney joined the membership committee for the CAA in 2008. After her first meeting, she knew the CAA was a group of people that she wanted to be involved with. Later in 2008, she also joined the Charleston Cares Committee and assisted with the silent auction and the annual golf tournament.
In 2009, Courtney was given the opportunity to run for the Board of Directors. In Courtney's application essay she said, "It was truly an honor for me to be entrusted with the daily operations of this fabulous association." Chosen by CAA President, Marysa Raymond, to be co-chair of the Education Committee, Courtney was ecstatic. She and co-chair, Kymberly Mentz, have worked very hard through 2010 to come up with new and exciting ways to educate CAA members.
Courtney has been in the industry for 4½ years and during her career she received the Charleston Apartment Association's Assistant Manager of the Year in 2008, and in 2010 Courtney and her other team members received Property of the Year 2010.
Courtney is the recipient of the $2,000 NAA Education Conference scholarship, and will represent the CAA along with a couple other board members, at the 2011 NAA Education Conference in
Courtney joined the membership committee for the CAA in 2008. After her first meeting, she knew the CAA was a group of people that she wanted to be involved with. Later in 2008, she also joined the Charleston Cares Committee and assisted with the silent auction and the annual golf tournament.
In 2009, Courtney was given the opportunity to run for the Board of Directors. In Courtney's application essay she said, "It was truly an honor for me to be entrusted with the daily operations of this fabulous association." Chosen by CAA President, Marysa Raymond, to be co-chair of the Education Committee, Courtney was ecstatic. She and co-chair, Kymberly Mentz, have worked very hard through 2010 to come up with new and exciting ways to educate CAA members.
Courtney has been in the industry for 4½ years and during her career she received the Charleston Apartment Association's Assistant Manager of the Year in 2008, and in 2010 Courtney and her other team members received Property of the Year 2010.
May Membership Meeting on May 17, 2011
The Mind Game of Business! Shift Your Thinking. Get Results.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
6:00 p.m. - Registration
6:30 p.m. - Dinner & Program
Crowne Plaza
4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd
N. Charleston, SC 29418
CAA Member registration - $35.00
Member Spotlight:
The CAA May Membership Meeting will host national speaker Terri Norvell. She will help you get into the Mind Game of Business.
The Mind Game of Business! Shift Your Thinking. Get Results.
What if you could immediately improve your problem solving, decision making, productivity, efficiency... and overall happiness at work? You sure can! If you've been curious as to why 'you know what to do and yet sometimes are just not doing it' you will not want to miss this presentation.
You'll learn how the science of overcoming inaction opens new possibilities. Combined with the art of rewiring your mind for action enables everything in your life to shift.
This evolutionary system drills down to the core thinking processes that determine your daily results. You can achieve sustainable and measurable long term success. You'll love the energized feeling!
National Speaker Terri Norvell: "Breakthrough To What Really Matters"
Breakthrough To What Really Matters...Experience 3-Second Success!
In this session you and your team members will literally and symbolically break through obstacles to discover new opportunities and a new way of thinking. It's results-focused, confidence building and filled with breakthroughs. You'll learn a powerful technique for focusing on what's most important, taking action and following through for ongoing effectiveness.
This session is not only powerful...it's fun. This remarkable process is guaranteed to kick-off a whole new way of thinking...in 3-seconds! Call it self-leadership in action with a commitment to success.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Crowne Plaza
4831 Tanger Outlet Blvd
N. Charleston, SC 29418
CAA Member registration - $60.00
Non-Members - $100.00
Sponsored by:
Additional sponsorship available. Please contact Kymberly Mentz for more information.
Breakthrough To What Really Matters...Experience 3-Second Success!
Positioning yourself and your community at the front of your market is essential today. Yes, challenges exist. It's your ability to recognize and define what's hindering progress that's a key first step. The answers are at your finger tips whether in sales, service or management.
In this session you and your team members will literally and symbolically break through obstacles to discover new opportunities and a new way of thinking. It's results-focused, confidence building and filled with breakthroughs. You'll learn a powerful technique for focusing on what's most important, taking action and following through for ongoing effectiveness.
This session is not only powerful...it's fun. This remarkable process is guaranteed to kick-off a whole new way of thinking...in 3-seconds! Call it self-leadership in action with a commitment to success.
Legislative Update
Plans for the NAA Industry Experts Service Announced
Government Affairs is developing the Industry Experts Service to create a resource linking the news media, researchers, Congressional staff and others with NAA members on key industry issues. While NAA and NMHC staff can always cover the key points of any issue, nothing touches the impact of an actual practitioner explaining the nuts and bolts of how the apartment industry works and how a particular issue affects the individual’s business. This service not only benefits our advocacy efforts but it expands the profile of the Association and our industry overall. Members of NAA’s Legislative Committee will lead the charge as experts service volunteers and other NAA members are encouraged to join the bandwagon.
NAA Files Brief With U.S. Supreme Court
NAA together with NMHC, AACSC, SDCAA, AAOC and AOBA recently filed an amicus (friend of the court) brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in the Guggenheim v. City of Goleta case. The Guggenheim case involves the issues of rent control and regulatory takings.
Monday, May 2, 2011
ADA Update for Businesses
The Department of Justice has revised its regulations implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This rule takes effect on March 15, 2011, clarifies issues that have arisen over the past 20 years, and contains new requirements, including the 2010 Standards for Accessible Design (2010 Standards). This document provides guidance to assist small business owners in understanding how this new regulation applies to them.
Compliance Dates
Businesses need to know two important deadlines for compliance. Starting March 15, 2011, businesses must comply with the ADA's general nondiscrimination requirements, including provisions related to policies and procedures and effective communication. The deadline for complying with the 2010 Standards, which detail the technical rules for building accessibility, is March 15, 2012. This delay in implementation was provided to allow businesses sufficient time to plan for implementing the new requirements for facilities. In addition, hotels, motels, and inns have until March 15, 2012, to update their reservation policies and systems to make them fully accessible to people with disabilities.
Topics Include:
The full publication is available here: http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/smallbusiness/smallbusprimer2010.pdf
Compliance Dates
Businesses need to know two important deadlines for compliance. Starting March 15, 2011, businesses must comply with the ADA's general nondiscrimination requirements, including provisions related to policies and procedures and effective communication. The deadline for complying with the 2010 Standards, which detail the technical rules for building accessibility, is March 15, 2012. This delay in implementation was provided to allow businesses sufficient time to plan for implementing the new requirements for facilities. In addition, hotels, motels, and inns have until March 15, 2012, to update their reservation policies and systems to make them fully accessible to people with disabilities.
Topics Include:
- Policies and Procedures
- Service Animals
- Wheelchairs and Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices
- Communicating with Customers
- Barrier Removal
- Accessibile Entrances
- Alterations
- New Construction
The full publication is available here: http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/smallbusiness/smallbusprimer2010.pdf
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