News from the Chicago Chapter

IREM CHICAGO LEADERS SHARE WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE AT PAST PRESIDENT’S LUNCH

What questions would you ask to a collective body of commercial property management leaders gathered for a casual mid-day lunch? Well, the current leadership of IREM Chicago Chapter 23 posed three questions to 18 past presidents during a private luncheon September 29.

The three questions:

1. How did you get people involved in succession and committees?
2. Who in the companies did you outreach to- the heads or others?
3. What did you do to drive membership and education?

The purpose of the event was to gain insight to better guide the chapter in the years ahead, and of course, to reward these industry professionals for their dedication and service. What follows is an edited version of notes taken by President-Elect Angela Aeschliman, CPM®.

Barry Katz -- 1977

Use the “80/20” rule to choose quality people to get involved.  If you can get five to six people that are really good involved, you are doing well.  Seek people who are divergent; you want people who are outspoken and challenge the way the chapter has done and is doing things.  The meetings then become exciting because people have different views and new ideas can emerge.

Draft a person to attend meetings and take notes and report on what took place. People want responsibility.  Find owners and ask them to assign someone to get involved with the Chapter. Consider forming a Past President’s committee.

Nick Helmer--1983

1. When you network with people be sure to follow up.  Many times we meet people and do not take the extra time to follow up. These people might be great additions for the chapter.
2. For AMO programs, there was previously a process designed to follow up regularly with AMO firms to invite them to functions and keep them involved. Make a graph since the 1990s to determine if this number increased or decreased.
3. To increase membership and education, reach out to suppliers and vendors; these companies may have employees who are interested in IREM training, programs and committee participation.

Randy Rosen -- 1988

People need a buy in for committee involvement, to speak at classes and promote IREM.  Promote just what are the benefits to the individual.

Vic Ortiz --1989

Plan administration: After you spend years of moving up through the leadership ranks, when you become President just administer your plan.

Susan Glenn -- 1992

When she was Education chair, Susan visited all IREM Chicago classes and brought donuts. She wanted to personally be there for those taking the classes and share more insight on the chapter.

Look to the AMO firms to send employees as members and find out what they need (from the Chapter) to get the employees involved.  Contact small companies, and inform them about events and scholarships or other ways to get their people involved. 

Greg Martin -- 1997

Find people who have the time and resources to get involved.

Dale Nasubam -- 1995

1. By personal invitation, identify several candidates and host a meeting with refreshments.  Ask each member of the counsel to identify one or two people to invite.
2. Contact the lead person at a company.  Invite that person to attend a Chapter event and cover expenses.
3. In 1995, National efforts by IREM caused new blood to enter through its marketing program.

Pat Trombello --1996

1. Regarding personal calls and emails: The council would divide the list and commit to calling the people on their list so everyone got a personal call to get involved.  Keep scholarships always in the discussion for those who really want the education, but can’t afford the cost or will not get reimbursed by their company.
2. Have a structured procedure for people to sign up for committees.  In the past, the chapter would place an interest sheet at luncheons, then the counsel would follow up personally. Focus on just a few things you want to accomplish or a few people you want to get involved initially, like newly installed members.
3. Bring back fun events that address current topics of interests and keep commercial real estate in the events; tours of buildings and new construction projects are examples.  Ask our membership what they would like, perhaps a training on budgets.

Lillian Howard -- 1998

There is a lot of work to do, and members have full-time jobs, making it challenging to have consistent meetings.  Prepare on travel circuits when traveling for the council.

Paula Lewis -- 2000

Conduct phone trees on a monthly basis.  Invite and pay for top speakers at events. Select good event topics to encourage more people and different attendees to register.  Add these goals in the budget.

Linda Carrasco --2004

In the years of high membership, executive leaders in large management companies required classes and membership, as they were CPMs and found huge value in the programs.  Get in touch with their higher ups and inform them about IREM.

Shari Vass -- 2006

Is someone teaching a class? Physically go to those classes where there are young people interested in commercial property management. Talk about IREM and get them involved.

Kimm Donnelly -- 2009

Determine what is the first thing you need to accomplish, then ask for help.

Mel Jackson -- 2011

What is it that the individual can get out of IREM?  Keep this on the forefront of your mind so people understand the benefits of getting involved.  Broaden members that cross sectors.

Kim Sisney -- 2012

Invite all to stay involved.  Ask past presidents to attend meetings

Sara Kennedy -- 2013

Look for someone who has the support to push them; a company that is willing to assist.  Find people who are people pleasers.  What is the service and what is important to them and give them something to do keep committees doing work.