PAA-East Blog
The CBS Apartment Living Advocacy Campaign continued today with an appearance by Jim Korman on Talk Philly. Jim discussed why renting is becoming a popular option in this economy and how Korman Residential is providing renters with lifestyle options comparable to home ownership.
Click here to view Jim Korman on Talk Philly
Visit the AAGP website for more information about the CBS Apartment Living Advocacy Campaign.
Looks like at least one landlord in Reading could use some pointers from the good guys on why it’s always a bad idea to resort to self help:
The Associated Press recently reported on an owner of a rooming house in Reading who has been accused of attacking a tenant with a machete. The tenant was three weeks behind on his rent and the landlord was executing his own personal (very personal) evictions proceeding.
It’s gratifying to know all responsible landlords, even those who have not graduated from our education classes, would recognize this as the supreme story of definitely what not to do!
But it does remind us of a scene from the Adams Family movie, a sardonic spoof on the macabre side of life:
Morticia stops her precocious son as he passes through the kitchen with a paring knife.
“Pugsley!” She challenges him, accusingly, “Is that for your sister!?”
“Yes,” Puglsey answers, his head bowed in shame, realizing his evil intentions are all too transparent.
Morticia casts her son a disapproving look, as she takes the paring knife from his hands.
She replaces it with a much larger carving knife, and sends him on his way.
It’s August. Chill, and have a great weekend.
Say good bye to the summer with the Phillies (Phillies vs. Brewers), the NFL season opener (Green Bay vs. New Orleans), and raise money for 700 children in need of backpacks. Join us for a night of fun at the Field House where all of your favorite owners will be guest bartending!
Field House
$20 gets you the 3-4-5. $3 beers, $4 wine, $5 mixed drinks
Raising money for charity does not have to mean taking unnecessary risks. Because we are concerned about people having “too good of a time” and driving, we have arranged for discounted rooms for $99.00 at Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City, 1100 Arch Street, 215-923-0100. Use the link below or call and use the group name and code below to receive the rate!
Group Name: Apartment Association of Greater Philadelphia
Group Code: APA
AAGP has partnered with CBS to air an Apartment Living advocacy campaign with the primary goal to promote AAGP members as “The Good Guysâ€. The campaign will run 30 second spots featuring the benefits of apartment living, encouraging renters to look for the AAGP logo when renting their next apartment, and highlighting the eight Owner members participating in the CBS campaign. Many thanks to these participants for covering the expense of this endeavor, through their generosity ALL members of AAGP benefit!
AAGP is stepping out into the public eye with a fresh new look. The updated AAGP logo will debut on CBS; look for the spots to air on the CBS Early Show, Talk Philly at noon and the CBS Evening news on August 15. Each participating Owner will be interviewed for a weekly segment on Talk Philly by hosts Pat Ciarrocchi and Ukee Washington discussing their company and why being an AAGP member benefits not only their company but their residents as well. Set your DVRs for August 16 at noon to see David Adelman, Campus Apartments on Talk Philly.
Thank you to our fabulous PR Committee Chaired by Jim Korman! The Committee made up of Larry Falkow, Christine Gertz, Aaron Helfman, Jenel Marraccini, Ron Monson, Paul Small, Ellen Thompson, Jessica Scully and Gunti Weissenberger have in one year created 1)The Renters Bill of Rights 2) The website FAQ’s and great new content and design 3) produced monthly newspaper advocacy articles 4) created the fresh new logo and look for all AAGP communications and 5) finally the CBS Advocacy Campaign. So much progress in one year!!!
If you have any questions regarding this new and exciting outreach, please give Pam Bennett a call at 610-664-1800
Check out Campus Apartments on CBS:Â http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jj-V8Yz1S4Q
View the Talk Philly Interview Schedule: http://aagp.com/associations/11216/files/CBS%20Talk%20Philly%20Interview%20Schedule.pdf
~posted by Erica Hunter 8/9/11
AAGP held its wildly successful annual picnic in July. As usual, hundreds of enthusiastic AAGP members came out to play, despite the record-breaking heat. One of this year's highlights was that hundreds of attendees – both on the property management side and the vendor side – proudly wore matching corporate T-shirts. In fact, some attendees embellished their shirts to match their personal style (hooray for scissors, glitter and fabric paint!). Your team members proudly wearing their corporate shirts, and even decorating them, speaks volumes about unity and morale.
Does this sound like your company? Or do you think you could use a little boost to help foster this kind of unity among your team? Next week AAGP has Bill Nye coming to Philadelphia to present Building a Healthy Organization. Bill thinks that to be healthy means that your customers and your employees rave about you and enjoy the relationship they have with the company. Come to class next week (Thursday, August 11 at 9 am) to get that boost you’re looking for. This session is designed specifically for regional property managers, owners and executives. Bill may even provide instructions for embellishing your company T-shirts…
Linda
"Wouldn't it be great," we wondered, "if all the District Justices got to know us?" "After all, we’re the authority on Pennsylvania’s apartment industry. So we sent every DJ a copy of our Landlord/ Tenant Handbook. Our ample calling card may not exactly be good beach reading , but it really shored up our image as industry experts. MDJ’s are still recommending it! This week we received yet another book order from a rental owner who said the judge hearing his eviction case suggested it as a helpful resource. It’s still a best seller, but don’t expect the movie any time soon. How could we do it justice?
Now that the budget debate in Harrisburg is over, everyone expects to see a great deal of legislative activity this fall. It all goes in to high gear in September. The Pennsylvania Senate will resume session days on September 19th. The House has not yet released its fall schedule.
In the meantime we are reviewing issues (tell us what's bugging you besides bed bugs) and preparing for our annual trip to the National Government Affairs Roundtable with fellow lobbyists from NAA affiliates around the country.
One of the issues we'll be talking about is the great number of inspections ordinances around our fair Commonwealth. We'll be exploring various approaches such as North Carolina's recently enacted law that allows municipalities the option of periodic inspections if there is reasonable cause to believe unsafe, unsanitary or otherwise hazardous or unlawful conditions may exist.
So please send your thoughts on whether we should pursue a statewide inspections law. Include your experiences with your own local inspections ordinances. You can contact Christine at cgertz@aagp.com
The AAGP Helping Hands Committee is hard at work.
On June 29, AAGP and representatives from Habitat for Humanity had the honor of presenting the keys to two deserving families at the home dedication on West Stiles Street in Philadelphia. The Helping Hands Committee and the recipient families broke ground September 2010 to begin building two new Habitat for Humanity Homes. After months of hard work, hundreds of volunteers and the tremendous support of all of our members, the houses were complete and the families received their keys. Congratulations!
The Helping Hands Committee does not rest on their laurels. Shortly after the home dedication they got together to discuss the next big event…the 5k Race. Plans are underway for another fabulous race. The 2nd Annual 5k Race will be held October 16 at Hatfield Village Apartments. Proceeds from the race will fund the AAGP Backpack Giveback program. Over 700 backpacks filled with school supplies will be distributed to more than 30 AAGP properties.
There is nothing more important in business than being healthy, yet so few organizations have a plan in place to ensure their ongoing good health. To be healthy means that your customers and your employees rave about you and enjoy the relationship they have with your company. Do your customers rave about you? If not, why not?
Next month, AAGP will host a training session for property owners, executives and regional managers to provide insight into this issue. Bill Nye, a national apartment industry speaker and former regional property manager, property manager and maintenance director, will share critical tips on how to build cohesion, clarity and better communication within your organization.
To all of you execs and regionals out there – give yourself a treat and get into class on August 11th. In addition to picking up great tips from Bill, you will leave refreshed and energized after having a couple of hours with your industry peers. And, as usual, AAGP will provide decent coffee and surprisingly good muffins. Grab the flyer or register online at www.aagp.com. Hope to see you there.
Linda
Thursday, July 21
Mermaid Lake, Blue Bell PA
4 – 10 pm
This fun members-only event was awarded The Apts “Best Apartment Industry Event” for the past three years…featuring The Apts Apartment Idols Finale, Great Picnic Food, DJ, Swimming Pool, Volleyball, Horseshoes, Cornhole Tournament, Basketball Contest. This is a great opportunity to reward your team for all that they do.
Visit www.aagp.com for more details or to register online!
Equal Housing Opportunity