President’s Message

As I looked out my office window over the past few months, I’ve seen a growing increase in traffic. Some pessimists will think “OMG, the traffic is back.” But I look at it as an anxiousness to get back to what we feel is normal. I view it as optimism, or better put, opportunity.

We’re managers and industry professionals in the community management industry. We’re used to adjusting daily, often hourly or minute-by-minute.

These last few months have been a challenging and difficult (okay, very strange and weird) time that had a negative impact on many people on an unprecedented global scale. But for me, that was an opportunity to learn. I took advantage of that time to learn how we can change. How we can adapt to this strange new norm. How CACM can offer you, the valuable members we serve, an opportunity to continue to learn in a virtual world that has been thrust upon us. I learned, or rather was reminded, of the incredible industry partners, both corporate and individuals, that I have had the honor of knowing for many years, and whom I now serve.

The kindness and generosity of our industry partner donors (see who these companies are on page 53) that stood beside us in our efforts to move forward is overwhelming. But it didn’t stop there. On the tails of being forced by government mandate to cancel the Southern California Law Seminar and Expo and the related challenges, we changed the annual membership renewal dates for industry partners from a calendar year to July 1 to June 30 fiscal year. But again, regardless of the results from the pandemic impacting all of us, the industry partners that were able to help did just that. It is a reminder to me exactly how valuable our industry partners are, not just to CACM, but to all managers across California.

But it didn’t stop there. I heard of the challenges being faced by managers and management companies trying to adjust to a new virtual working world. Individuals that were sick, or had family members sick. Children’s schools canceled. Internet challenges. Not enough technical knowledge or equipment. How do we follow statutes, CC&Rs and bylaws in this new style of business? How do I open up a common area safely? We had a quick study of what the CDC was, what the WHO is (um, no, not the vinyl rock band, although there was plenty of that). I heard the stories of people overcoming these challenges. I heard of managers balancing work/life/babysitting/homeschooling/site visits and emergencies all at the same time.

I have no idea at the moment what our future looks like in terms of events, personal gatherings for expos, education or networking. What I do know is that we’re professionals in the community management industry. We’re essential workers to those communities. Increased traffic? Who cares?! I see increased optimism. I see opportunity. I see professionalism in each of you.

Until we get to see each other in person again, I hope you and your family, both personal and professional, stay safe, healthy and happy.