Is it an Oxymoron?

There are numerous opinions regarding what type of clothing falls within the category of business casual. Some companies consider khaki pants and short-sleeved polo shirts as business casual. Other organizations require slacks or skirts and long-sleeved shirts when they refer to business casual. Business casual can be defined by the geographic region, industry, or individual companies. The best way to determine is to conduct research or simply ask.

The old adages say that “clothing maketh the man (or woman)” and that “you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.” Nowhere are these sayings more true than in the business world in which potential employers, clients, and colleagues all make judgments based on the way you dress. However, image is not just about dress and designer jeans. It’s all about your ability to talk to people, your self-confidence and your appearance.

Moving around from coast to coast and doing business in almost every state of the U.S. I have personally experienced one extreme to the other. In 1995 while doing business in Hawaii I thought I would take the opportunity to attend a local IREM chapter meeting. I was slightly concerned as to how I would dress but thought that since I was coming from California (with a somewhat less conservative dress code) I would “fit” right in. When I arrived, I was met by the Chapter President who was wearing a beautiful floral print MuMu and, yes, flip-flops. The rest of the membership dressed similarly with the men in khaki shorts and colorful Hawaiian print shirts. I clearly misunderstood the dress code.

Times have changed and so have we. Now, men wear Dockers and women wear pant suits. In general, business casual means dressing professionally, looking relaxed yet neat and pulled together. Business casual is not a license to be sloppy or dress inappropriately. That means cut-offs and flip-flops probably won’t land you that new job. It does mean respecting and following your company’s dress code or industry standard.

Recognizing these changes in our industry but not diluting the importance of professionalism we encourage you to “come as you are”. Our new location at Lee’s Lakeside was partly chosen to promote and encourage networking and “fitting in”. Guy’s don’t run home to put on a tie and ladies don’t feel like you have to wear a business suit just to fit in. While we do not encourage your golf or tennis attire we do hope you will be comfortable stopping in for lunch with diet ice-cream, networking and interesting guest speakers.

As anyone who knows me well will tell you…I am all about being comfortably dressed.

Robin Stinson
RCStinsonFL@aol.com

Had only we known what 2002 would bring. Peeking from the shadows of 2001 we delicately tiptoed into 2002. With an air of caution and uncertainty we faced escalating vacancy in both commercial and multi-family assets. As companies were reluctant to take on additional space they downsized in an effort to increase productivity with fewer people, in less space and create cost reductions. We saw concessions in the office sector for the first time in years. Low interest rates on home ownership tore at the market supply for renters creating unheard of concessions up to three months free resulting a reduction in net rental income. Consumers normally seeking “value” began bargaining for the “best deal” and “value”. While we tend to see some slight improvement in all sectors, the economy remains uncertain and just isn’t getting back on track as fast as the Crystal Ball of 2002 indicated.

What does the future hold for the world of property management and financing? Ever wish you could gaze into the future? Imagine the strategic advantage, not to mention the financial advantage, of knowing exactly when or where to sell or buy; whether to outsource or simply reorganize internally; refinance or hold solid.

While crystal ball sales might be non-existent, your local chapter is stirring up its own version of wizardry. We cornered some of the best minds in the industry to find out where they think the hot spots will be and what 2003 will bring us in opportunity and challenge. Some of these “wizards” are well-established names in our area, others are folks immersed in the day-to-day operations of producing the best “bottom line”. All will offer fascinating insights about the future of commercial, office, industrial and multi-family ownership and management.

Join us on Tuesday Jan. 14th at Lee’s Lakeside for our “Industry Report-2003”.

NEW MEMBERSHIP MEETING PLACE

Many have spoken & we have listened! We’re changing the location of our bi-monthly general membership luncheon meetings to
Lee’s Lakeside,
431 E. Central Blvd.
Orlando.
407-841-1565.

There is free parking across the street from the restaurant or if you choose to park in their garage, the cost will be $1.00 per hour after the first hour that will not be included in the luncheon price.

The meeting charge will stay the same at $25.00 for pre-registration or $30.00 without reservations or billed. We feel the new atmosphere will allow for many of our members who have a policy of casual work attire to attend without having to “dress up” for a luncheon.

If you plan to pay at the door; we now accept MC and Visa.

SEVENTH ANNUAL STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT
A distinguished panel of executive property managers will discuss the current state of the property management business and provide their forecast for business conditions in 2003.

Distinguished Panel:
Hal Cottingham, CPM, CSM, Vice President, Edens & Avant
Pedro Vermales, CPM, President, Reliance Management Services, Inc.
Burt Lock, RPA, General Manager, PM Realty

It's not too early to start marking your calendar and getting your four-somes lined up for our annual charity golf tournament. Our proceeds go to the Arnold Palmer Women and Children's Hospital.

This event will be held on May 12, 2003 at Lake Nona with registration starting at 7:30 a.m. with tee time at 8:30. Continental breakfast and lunch will be included in your fees which are to be determined. An official brochure mailing with registration forms will be sent out within the next few weeks. Scott Pollock, CPM is chairing this event for us again this year.

At our January Executive Council meeting, the members decided we would reduce the newsletter publications to every other month rather than every month. We will have the regular meeting announcements being sent out about a week in advance of meetings for your official notice. The newsletter will be published the following month that we do not have a meeting. This will give us an opportunity to provide you a more information in our "off" months. This new schedule will begin with our February publication.

The RES201 Successful Site Management class will be offered on February 10-15th at the Florida Association of Realtors (FAR) at 7025 Augusta National Drive, Orlando 32822 from 8-5 Monday through Friday. The exam will be given on Saturday which will be held from 8-1pm at the Hampton Inn-International Airport at 65767 TG Lee Blvd., Orlando 32822.

The cost of the course will be $550 for members and $635 for non-members. Registration is being handled by IREM Headquarters either through their website – www.irem.org; fax 800-338-4736; or phone 800-837-0706. This course is recommended for any Residential Manager who wants to hone management skills and improve property operating success as well as those who are interested in the ARM designation. Completion of this course earns 5 points towards the 5 point minimum IREM education requirement for the ARM designation.

Each year, one of the successful accomplishments of our Chapter has been member participation in IREM’s Income/Expense Analysis program. Thus your participation by submitting data on your properties is encouraged and much appreciated. Some salient features of the program area as follows:

· Submit data online at http://ie.irem.org/irem/cwb
· Print the data of the website and mail it to IREM headquarters in Chicago
· To get a FREE book, submit data by March 1st (price $275-$315)
· Anyone can participate to get a FREE book, not limited to IREM members
· Get a 50% discount between March 2-31
· Deadline for submittals if April 1st
· Please mention Chapter 60 to receive credit on the submittal forms
· To maintain your fiduciary and confidentiality, building name can be fictitious
· BOMA and IREM use the same form for Office Buildings, please submit to both
· Receive a complimentary report on your building for comparison.

For additional information or any assistance, please feel free to contact Mez Birdie, CPM, 407-650-1150 or mez.birdie@cnlreit.com.

Thank you for your participation in assisting our Chapter meet its 2003 goals.

IREM Central Florida Chapter #60 Important Links:

Committee Chairs

Board of Directors

Friends of IREM

Calendar of Events

IREM National

Please note the mailing address only for our local IREM office has changed. Please make changes to your database immediately to reflect the following: IREM Chapter 60, P.O. Box 160580, Altamonte Springs, FL 32716-0580. The physical address is 491 N. S.R. 434, Suite 125, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714-2182.

The following CPM and ARM members in our chapter celebrate their membership anniversaries marking 5, 20 and 25 years with IREM this month. Congratulations!

Nikki Cobb, ARM, Picerne Development
– 5 years
Steven Ira, CPM, Property Asset Management
– 20 years
Steven Jankowski, CPM (President Elect),
Cameo Professionals
– 25 years
Arthur Keller, CPM (Lifetime Member)
– 25 years

This year we are beginning a new section in the newsletter to show our members where we are in numbers of each membership classification. These numbers will reflect the previous month’s report from our executive council meeting. As of 12/4/02 we had the following:

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FRIEND OF IREM

Congratulations to Bruce P. Wallick, Wallick Construction, Inc. who was recently appointed as the new chairman of the Seminole County advisory board for Colonial Bank. Bruce’s contributions to the board will include advising the bank on community involvement and business planning within Seminole County, keeping up-to-date with new business trends and brings new business prospects to Colonial Bank. Colonial Bank is the sixth largest bank in Florida with 44 offices in eight counties with assets of $1.3 billion. Bruce is president of his Lake Mary based company and has been a general contractor throughout the Southeast for more than 18 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in building construction from the University of Florida.

MORE KUDOS!

The AmSouth Bank Center in downtown Orlando achieved the 2002 Energy Star label. The Energy Star label signifies excellence in energy performance, and distinguishes AmSouth Bank Center as one of the top performing buildings in the United States. The building is managed by Jane Bullock, CPM, USAA Realty Company.

Published by IREM Chapter 60 Newsletter Committee, Jane Bullock, CPM, Chairperson

Administrative Office
IREM Chapter 60
PO Box 160580
Altamonte Springs, FL 32716-0580
Attn: Meridythe Kanaga, CPM, LCAM

admin@irem-centralfl.org

Tel: 407.862.2292 x 10
Fax: 407.862.1819

©2002 IREM Chapter 60. Design by B2B Solutions, Orlando, FL.