5 Tips for Connecting with State Reps. & Senators  

Mike Hodges, NARPM of NE Florida Legislation Co-Chair, shared these pointers at our last meeting that are certainly worth putting into practice:

1)      Be patient & flexible; getting an appointment could take awhile.

2)      If you can't meet with the the Representative or Senator, it is still valuable & effective to meet with their staff if presented with the opportunity.  

3)      Once you get an appointment, bring the data! Facts and supporting evidence makes a better case rather than philosophy alone. 

4)      Be diplomatic.

5)      Be responsive.  

Mike also recommends utilizing this website:  Flsenate.gov/tracker  

If your government knowledge is rusty, ensure you refresh your memory: research the difference between a Senate bill and a House bill, and the difference between State Representatives and Senators.   

NARPM: Did you know...

NARPM logos are available at this link. These are just the national logos. For chapter specific logos, look within your member portal (you must sign into the NARPM site). You can also find the logo usage guidelines on the site.

Got Ethics??

You will soon if you attend our Sept. 16th Convention!  

NOTE: NARPM members who do not take the mandatory Code of Ethics class as required (every 4 years), will become inactive. Every member  

in our Chapter needs it this year! 

Gail Moncla will be facilitating this course.

"Gail's Code of Ethics Course was the first property management course I ever took years ago. I've stayed in touch with her ever since, and she continues to serve as a great source inspiration and information for me. I encourage all members to sign up for the September 16th course even if you don't need it this year!" ~Jack McSwain, NARPM of NE Florida Legislative Co-Chair, Past President (2008-2009); Broker at WeRentSunshine (Walter Williams Property Management)

READ MORE ABOUT GAIL 

COST: $25 NE Florida Chapter members  

$35 non-members

These costs are for the entire convention: class, luau, tradeshow. The "Read More" and "Register Now" links both will show you more cost options, such as a luau-only ticket, etc.  

READ MORE about the event,  

see the agenda & register

Register for the 2011 NARPM

of NE Florida Convention 

If you are a property manager that has not joined our chapter yet, please contact debbieb@werentsunshine.com for an application! 

John Bradford, III--NARPM Southeast Regional Vice President--shared great information at our August chapter meeting.

One of the most important takeaways John emphasized was the willingness NARPM members have to share info with one another. This is something that makes NARPM and its chapters unique. John also touched on the following NARPM facets:

Thank you, John! Thank you also to Mecarni Flooring for sponsoring our August Luncheon! We appreciate your continued dedication and support.

• Member benefits Read more 
• Updated website
• Logos (see bottom left article) 
• Local & state chapter grants: Funds are available to Chapters that submit completed applications; active chapters have a good chance at obtaining funds. 
• Chapter Excellence Award: To qualify, Chapters document all the steps taken throughout the year that fulfill andpromote the NARPM mission within theirchapters andcommunities.  

• Establish a state-level permanent trade association for RPM
• Establish ethics, professionalism & fair practices  
• Establish and promote education of members on Florida-specific issues 
• Provide a venue to exchange ideas & information regarding residential property management in Florida;  
• Educate & promote legislative initiatives in the state of florida

Did you know?

Gail shared that NARPM members are automatically a member of the state chapter.

Gail also urged everyone to become active with state representatives and their local government at some level (See tips at left from Mike Hodges). 

In addition, Gail explained that industry stats that would be available to NARPM members who participate in the Zelman survey (contact Gail for details on how you can participate:   

Property Managers:

Are you screening applicants through a third party and sometimes turning them down by way of adverse action based in whole or in part on a numerical credit score? If you are, then you need to know about the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act: Credit Score Disclosure. Section 1100(f) of the Dodd-Frank Act amends Section 615(a) of the FCRA to require the disclosure of the credit score when the adverse action is based in whole or in part on a numerical credit score. This is a new disclosure that went into effect July 21, 2011.

Read the information at this link provided by NARPM and you'll learn:

• Who must comply with Dodd-Frank credit score disclosure.
• That a credit score is not the same as a "point system".
• A consumer report is not the same as a credit score.
• Certain information must be provided in the Credit Score Notice.
• There times a property manager may not have to reveal a credit score to an applicant.

Submitted by Jack McSwain, Legislative Chair, NARPM of NE Florida