President's message: Awards and a thank you!

As I pen my final article for 2007, it is important to note the accomplishments of the past year in order to measure progress towards IREM's local chapter and national goals in the property management industry. Fortunately, I am proud to note that the successes were many and we can include significant items for the year as follows: 1) Increased overall attendance at events by 22% over the prior year to more than 1,125 participants. 2) Doubled the attendance at courses offered by the Boston Chapter. 3) Created a new website, replacing a ten year old one, implemented a web provided email messaging service, professionalized all marketing communications including brochures, mailings and emails. 4) Purchased new office equipment including two computers and a color copier. 5) Implemented a volunteer day for the new Bedford Veterans Housing with Caritas Communities. 6) Changed the annual golf event to Granite Links Course in Quincy, with a sell-out course, great reviews and success. 7) Donated $6,100 to charities including Father Bill's Place (a homeless shelter), Toys for Tots and also sent boxes of toiletries to the platoon of a member's husband serving his 3rd tour in Iraq. 8) With an unexpected surplus of funds, established a regular meeting award named the Robert B. Toothaker Award to members and guests totaling $10,000 to be awarded over five years. 9) Helped plan, implement and fund an anniversary gala celebration for 2008. It is important to note the accomplishments of several industry professionals who received special recognition and were awarded plaques at the last meeting: *Barry Familetto, CPM of the year *Colleen Costa, ARM of the year *Therese Quijano, Friend of the year *Jonathan Donahue, CPM candidate of the year *Gene Willette, associate of the year *Erin Gannon, student of the year I owe special gratitude to Kelley Hannon, IREM association executive who has been phenomenal in fulfilling her duties and leading the organization forward; Chris Mellen, regional vice president; Winn Nordblom, Kathy Franco, Donna Hall, and all the other officers and councilors for their devotion to real estate professionalism, help and dedication to the real estate industry. And thank you to Andy Burnes, CEO of HallKeen Management, whom I work for and who has generously supported IREM's mission. At the December holiday in early December, the gavel of leadership will be passed to Winn Nordblom, of Nordblom Management, a seasoned professional whom I hold in high regard to lead not only his company forward but also the chapter, with significant goals identified for 2008. Please join him in the January 17 breakfast economic forecast meeting at the Sheraton Needham featuring John Bitner, chief economist at Eastern Bank. And please mark your calendars for the May 17th, Saturday evening gala celebration to celebrate the Boston chapter's 70th Anniversary, plus the joint 75th anniversary of the founding of the International Organization. And, believe it or not, Winn's own grandfather was the first president of the Boston chapter in 1938! Best of luck for the coming seminal year, Winn!! Robert Krauss is the 2007 president of the Boston chapter of IREM.