President’s Message: Get INvolved

NARPM was built on the foundation of service. Service is defined as the action of helping or doing work for someone. This is an organization that requires leadership to grow and prosper. My theme this year has been “Get INvolved!” There is no better way to Get INvolved in NARPM than to serve on the board of your local chapter. With elections coming up for all our chapters, I want to encourage you to think about stepping up, getting involved, and volunteering to serve your local chapter. You will get more out of your service than NARPM will, but every year, this remains a struggle for most chapters. Let’s look at some of the reasons you should step up and serve.

Of course, the primary reason you should serve on your local chapter board is that you want to make NARPM a better place and you care about your chapter. But, serving on a board and bringing your knowledge, energy, and expertise to the table is something that can not only benefit the organization, but you as well. Getting involved can benefit you in many ways – from networking, to the feel-good aspect of volunteering, to developing lasting personal and professional relationships. Here are a few specific reasons you should Get INvolved:

Reason #1:
Professional Development

Ask yourself the following questions: Are you looking for professional contacts? Do you need a mentor? Are you looking for educational opportunities, certifications, and designations that will further your industry knowledge? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you might want to Get INvolved in your local chapter. Serving on your local chapter board offers development and connections with others in your field and enhances your business profile. Having an industry association on your resume says you are very committed to your profession and actively participating in its advancement. Clients, customers, and employers like that.

Here’s a tip that you can use all your life: Don’t just show up; Get INvolved! Attending a monthly meeting is great for face time, but it may also mean that you’ll get a reputation as an observer instead of a participant. If you really want to get to know people and showcase your own abilities, Get INvolved. Serve on a committee, volunteer for an event, and/ or become a board member. These volunteer activities build long-lasting relationships and potential business opportunities.

Reason #2:
Find Your Passion

There is no quicker pick-me-up than becoming involved with something you feel passionate about. It can feel tough at times to be passionate about property management; but when you are involved in bringing other property managers together to learn and share, you will quickly find the passion that comes from service. These meetings also give you access to like-minded business people and allow you to serve the community.

Reason #3:
Diplomacy

You will have the opportunity to learn about dealing with others as it relates to issues of leadership, finance, and other business areas. Make no mistake; nonprofits are businesses – and there will be times where there will be disagreements. This experience of working with others in different areas will teach you about diplomacy and how to navigate potential landmines and delicate situations.

Reason #4:
Meeting Management

When you serve on a local chapter board, you will gain another career skill, and that’s learning how to have a productive meeting with people who do not report to you. Again, dealing with people is an art. Many young people become managers; and they have team meetings, but frequently this is with people who work for them. Working at the chapter level teaches you a valuable skill of managing individuals who don’t work for you or that you don’t manage.

Reason #5:
Deep Dive int o Property Management

You can learn a lot about education, legislation, and the industry as a whole from serving your NARPM^® Chapter. If you want to take a dive deep into the industry of property management and know it well, serving on your local chapter board is a great place to help you gain insight.

Last Word:
Take the Time

Regardless of your objective, becoming involved in your local chapter is about developing meaningful relationships from which you will learn and hopefully grow your firm or business and yourself. This means a commitment of personal time. The bottom line is that consistent and active involvement is the key to successfully developing relationships and business opportunities.

“A person’s most useful asset is not a head full of knowledge, but a heart full of love, an ear ready to listen, and a hand willing to help others.”