President’s Message Alicia Graham, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, Chapter President


Can you believe that summer is ending? The good news is that fall is right around the corner. Football season is getting started and the “Most Wonderful Time of Year” is almost upon us. That’s right, the Holidays. Also, if you weren’t aware, the biggest day of the year for WSCAI is coming up,


CA Day (Community Associations Day). This year CA Day is set for Saturday September 29th, 2018 so please be sure to register.


How do I register for CA Day you ask? Simply visit https://wscai. org/ca-day-2018/ and you can register. Even if you are not a current member of WSCAI, you can still attend. CA Day is Washington’s largest educational conference/trade show for condominium, homeowner associations & community managers. Don’t forget to follow WSCAI on Facebook, Twitter, Google, LinkedIn and share with your friends and neighbors.


Speaking of social media, in this day and age, technology is always on the move, always evolving and expanding. Like it or not, it is a way of life, designed to simplify and help us in our day to day operations both personally and professionally. It helps connect us as a society, as well as in our industry of community association management. It helps connect homeowners, renters and board members with information, news and events in our communities. Statistically, nearly 68% of Americans are Facebook users. Between the different social media outlets, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, LinkedIn, the average American uses at least three of the eight most popular social media sites. Social Media is the fastest way to send or receive information and keep up to date with current affairs.


Keeping with the technology theme. How can I stay up to date with social media or current affairs? Today, more than ever before, it is as common and easy to stay connected thanks to a great little invention called Wi-Fi. Unlike the old days when we were plugged in to gain the internet, we are spoiled in the sense that we can now communicate virtually anywhere thanks to Wi-Fi. Many properties or communities these days are cable/Wi-Fi compatible. Homeowners have the capability to choose their provider and have cable/Wi-Fi set up in their home. There is a convenience factor in having a building be Wi-Fi accessible. It makes life a bit easier for those busy bodies that don’t have the time to contact a vendor and take time away from their day for an installation appointment. Many communities these days are Wi-Fi compatible and to find out for sure, you can simply contact your preferred internet service provider and have a tech survey your building for compatibility with their system. If you already have data services in your building, you can have Wi-Fi Installed. One key benefit to having Wi-Fi for the building or community is the potential on revenue opportunities of the ownership. For more, here is a great informational site that explains how beneficial Wi-Fi may be at your community: https:// www.madebywifi.com/services/residential-wifi/


Along with the possibility of upgrading your building to accommodate Wi-Fi, why not also investigate updating the look and feel of your community room. No sense in having state of the art technology while living in the past in terms of décor, furniture, paint & flooring. The most common excuse for not updating a community room is typically the thought that nobody really uses the space. Is that the case? It could be a matter that there is no need for the amenity. Or perhaps the space isn’t used because the room is outdated and not inviting. There are cost effective projects that can be done such as a fresh coat of paint, changing out the art décor. Typical lifespan of community rooms is roughly 8 to 12-year


6 Community Associations Journal | September 2018


intervals in which more costly repairs or upgrades may be needed such as flooring, changing out appliances, upgrading kitchen & bathroom countertops or cabinetry, upgrading or replacing HVAC/ ventilation, lighting or plumbing. To help maintain the value of your property and its amenity spaces, it is a great idea to keep up with the ever-changing times and make the look and feel of your community room stay up to date and as inviting as possible. It’s a win/win all around.


Did you know that September is National Preparedness Month? The Pacific Northwest is not a stranger to emergencies or natural disasters. Back in 2008 and early 2009, the Kent Valley and surrounding communities were on high alert as the Green River remained at flood stage due to heavier than normal rainfall for the season. This forced local businesses to enact emergency plans and system backups in case of the high probability of evacuations. The word “Emergency” is easily defined as: An unforeseen combination of circumstances or the resulting state that calls for immediate action. Therein comes the question? How can we prepare for the Unforeseen? Here are some quick tips on how to prepare for the unexpected.


• Early warning sign for alerts specific to your area or neighborhood. i.e., hurricane alerts for southeastern and gulf state area, tornado warnings for midwestern regions, earthquake and tsunami alerts for western/coastal states.


• Have a Family Emergency Communication plan. Who is the point of contact for your family that lives outside the affected emergency zone?


• Medical needs. If you must evacuate, do you have the needed medication for a minimum of 7-10 days? Is the first aid kit fully stocked? It’s a good idea to keep up with your first aid kit, supply levels & to check on expiration dates on medication.


• We can’t forget about our non-human family, Our Pets. Remember to include family pets in the evacuation plan. Anticipate your pet’s needs before an emergency strikes. This will save valuable time and avoid confusion during an evacuation.


To learn more about emergency preparedness and for helpful checklists for you and your family, please visit: https://www.ready. gov/make-a-plan


Here is a list of Upcoming Events! • Budgeting Seminar, Saturday September 8 at the Sheraton, Bellevue 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.


• CA Day, Saturday September 29 at the Washington State Convention Center.


• M-206 Financial Management, Thursday, October 18 - Friday, October 19 at the Sheraton, Bellevue.


• Annual Meeting & Awards Gala – Tulalip Resort & Casino, Saturday, November 3.


For more information on upcoming educational/social activities, please visit the WSCAI Calendar at https://wscai.org/calendar/


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