I’ve answered this question sever it ma
ral times over the past nin
nemon
o ths, “Sowhat are you doing now tha
By Cheryl Murphy, Executive Director, CAI-Illinois h t the e are no in-person events to plan?” While
h re ay seem like this is an opportunity to sit back and relax for a while, I can assure you the chapter has been working harder than ever planning,
re-planning, strategizing, and evaluating solutions to provide our members what they need during this unprecedented time. Thankfully, we have a talented staff and a pool of dedicated volunteers who continue to modify and execute the chapter’s five strategic plan goals. Here is what the chapter has been doing and some lessons we’ve learned along the way.
Education Thankfully we were able to hold our largest education event, the IL Condo- HOA Conference & Expo, before the pandemic hit. However, shortly after, every planned education session was shifted to an online platform. The chapter already used Zoomsowe quickly pivoted to utilize virtual technology. Our all-virtual Legal Forum reached our highest number of attendees to date with high satisfaction survey ratings. Additionally, committees reacted quickly to informational needs surrounding the pandemic and were able to present timely topics to offer much needed skills for Community Association Managers and Homeowners. Topics such as “Cleaning in a Pandemic,” “Elections & Collections Concerns for an Extended Stay-at- Home Order,” “Navigating Reserves Now & In the Future,” “Reopening Association Amenities,” as well as several Live Legal Updates helped keep our members informed. These recordings are all available on YouTube.
Embracing the new virtual education reality, thechapter contracted with a Learning Management Systems (LMS) tocreate an online education library with catalogs and tracks. The LMS will give users the ability to track sessions, progress, credits, certificates, and more. This new system will be rolled out by the end of 1st Quarter, 2021.
Connection Nothing can completely replace in-person events, but we also realize the tremendous need to connect with each other somehow. Humans are social creatures and social events help build business and personal relationships. For this reason, we moved the golf outing from June to September toallow for a modified in-person event. I’ve neverexperienced such enthusiasm for an event, even though the hugs and handshakes were fewer. Our members truly enjoyed seeing each other outsideof a screen, giving air hugs and fist bumps to create the connections we have all beenlonging for. Throughout the summer, the golf outing was re-envisioned time and time again to offer a safe and enjoyable event for our members. All thatextra effort was worth it for the smiles on our members’ faces!
The summer social on Spirit of Chicago did not fare as well because there was no wayto safely hold that event in-person. However, our creative team of committee volunteers wanted to give our members a fun, social outlet throughout the summer and created the Social All Summer Networking Series. Bingo and Triviavia Zoom was a fun alternative given the current restrictions. TheSocial Committee and Fundraising Committee even teamed up to create these events and it was uplifting to see the creativity and cooperation within the two groups.
Organization The chapter is fortunate to maintain a strong commitment from our volunteers, even when many are juggling a myriad of additiona
r al
responsibilities at home and at work. We shifted our Volunteer Orientations in June and September to be virtual events and placed over 20 ne
ew
volunteers on our active committees. Additionally, our Volunteer Commission developed and rolled out a new committee chair training program to help our committee chairs develop their own leadership skills and effectively guidetheir committees toward successful programs and events.
6 | COMMON INTEREST® • Winter 2020 • A Publication of CAI-Illinois Chapter
Legislative Action This year’s legislative session was like no other, with session initially getting cancelled and then reconvening at the end of May with many modifications. Legislators met in the Springfield Convention Center to allow for social distancing. All meetings, such as committee pre-meetings, caucuses, and negotiation sessions for bills were conducted via phone or video conferencing system in advance, where possible. Although most of the legislative discussions revolved around COVID19-related issues, our lobbyist, Jeff Dixon, was involved in several texts and phone conversations regarding potential bills affecting community associations. We are fortunate to have Jeff’s expertise and connections at a time when we can’t “catch someone in the hallway” to present our position.
Membership/Marketing The membership committees were also restricted from holding their in- person membership breakfasts and happy hours, so they planned several online networking events in the Fall. Their unique ideas helped foster one- on-one conversations and connections which our members desire.
The Board of Directors personally reached out to members to offer support and ask for feedback on what the chapter could do to provide additional value for their membership. Additionally, the membership committee and staff continue to talk to new members, welcoming themand helping them engagewith the chapter in this new environment.
Lessons Learned
1. Nobody can predict the future. However, we can plan for as many scenarios as possible to be prepared when it comes. The 2021 chapter budgets include in-person events as well as contingencies for virtual or hybrid modifications. We don’t knowwhat will happen, but we will be prepared for what comes our way.
2. Relationships matter. Most ofthe conversations we’ve had with our members have been very positive. Our membership understands that our chapter is doing its best to offer education and connections within the confines we are given. Our staff, board, and committees care deeply about our membership and appreciate the relationships we’ve built over they years so we can all help each other continue to move forward.
3
3. It’sIt all about attitude. Do we like the fact that we had to cancel most of our
prese virtual education? Absolutely
in-personerson eventsevents this year? No. Do we like thatwe sometimes have technical difficulties while ying tryin toto present
not. Do we enjoy planning all 2021 programs d and eventsevents 2-3 different ways? Not really. We can’t change what is happening so we do our bestbest, spread positivity, encourage each other, and smile along the way.
While we can’t predict what’s coming, preparation and positivity are the best indication of a promising future.
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