Carin’s Corner
Sustainability: What Does that Mean, Anyway?
W
elcome to the latest edition of Minnesota Community Living! In this issue, our focus is on sustainability and how it can relate to the actions and functions of community associations. Ideally sustainability can help associations save money in the long run while at the same time, much like a doctor (or an editor), first “doing no harm” in the actions and functions they perform. As it turns out, “sustain” has four definitions as a verb (by the way, if you like words as much as I do, check out www.visualthesaurus. com, it is so cool), but the definition we’re focusing on is “lengthen or extend in duration or space.” There were lots of ideas from our committee on how associations can use this tactic to their advantage, and I think today’s content is a pretty good array of information. Speaking of arrays, check out the article by Walt Burris of BEI Exterior Maintenance: He offers a follow-up to one of the stories in the Jan-Feb “Solar Edition,” with insight on a new method of solar installation called a flush-mounted array. This becomes part of the roof instead of something mounted on the roof. There’s also a wonderful article contributed by the LEAP asphalt company from the Twin Cities: What they are doing with a patented process makes better, stronger and long-lasting hot asphalt mix out of 100 percent recycled asphalt. This is not only giving associations a better product as they build or redo roads and driveways, it’s cutting down on landfill deposits and making hot asphalt available year-round.
By Carin Rosengren | CMCA, Keller Property Management
Attorney Matt Drewes supplies us with answers to the “can we” and “should we” questions about sending these sometimes-legal, sometimes-informal mailings electronically, with his article, “Please Consider the Environment Before Printing this Message.” Finally, we offer an article that tells a rich story about a Minneapolis condominium association’s journey as it explores, learns, communicates and works hard together, to land a solar array on its roof. This element is now saving the association money on utilities as it generates clean, sun-provided power. We hope the articles in this month’s issue leave readers with two more definitions of sustain: Provide with nourishment, and supply with necessities and support.
What Would You Like to See in Future Editions? If you have ideas for future articles or if there is a topic you’d like this committee to explore, expand upon or explain, please let us know! We are continuously looking for ideas for articles that will inspire or benefit our readers. Every idea is welcome. Please know: if it interests you, it interests those who contribute to this magazine. Ideas for articles may be submitted to Monte Abeler via email: MonteA@ewald.com, or to Carin Rosengren at crosengren@kellerpm.com. Thank you!
When we consider how many mailings, notices, newsletters and more are delivered every year to owners in associations, thinking about sustainability can help us find room for improvement.
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