CHALLENGES = GROWTH
By
Rafael Aquino
Published January 6, 2021
2020 has been, without a doubt, a very challenging year for
everyone. It was filled with so many unfortunate events that have
grabbed headlines, our attention. It impacted our lives: coronavirus,
unemployment, divisive politics, very active storm season, and more
national and international events that make it easier to say goodbye
to 2020 without hesitation. However, it is within these challenges
and hardships that growth happens. If we look past the headlines, we
can uncover some lessons learned and improvements made.
Everyone looks back and thinks of failures, goals yet to be met, and
comes up with some resolutions to be better in the new year somehow.
With that said, there are a few things we can certainly glean from
the experience in 2020 and resolve to maintain these improvements or
work towards them:
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Maintain a moderate effort towards education on what it means to
live in a community association, governance, and operations.
This blog is a great educational platform, and in addition,
there is also this YouTube Page,
which helps disseminate information to empower and educate its
audience.
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Rely on trusted professionals such as your management agent and
attorney for advice on how to govern and operate your community
association. These professionals were, in fact, key in tracking
and reacting to the multitude of executive orders and guidelines
from federal, state, county, and city agencies. They are also
the key partners to board members, not just during a pandemic.
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Treat association employees with dignity and respect. Moreover,
be thankful for their service as they are the ones in the front
line of the lockdowns and most efforts to keep the community
safe when we think twice about what we touch and the cleanliness
of the areas we are in. Putting aside the pandemic, a dedicated
employee will bring value to the community and go above and
beyond for the community’s best interests.
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Embrace technologies that improve operations and service. This
means management tools like hosting meetings through video
conference, approving vendor invoices/payments online,
facilitating unit owner account access and payments online,
storing and accessing association records online, providing unit
owners access to services like applications, estoppels, account
inquiries, architectural modifications, etc. In a time where
reduced person to person interaction is a requirement and
precaution, these are invaluable operational tools. However,
they are also preferable to increase community participation,
communication, and services.
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Implement a strong governance structure that includes preset
regular meeting schedules, specialized active committees
(finance, rules, projects, etc.), and a written management plan
detailing operation for the year.
While we have certainly experienced a challenging year, if we can
all commit to 2021 resolutions that would wholeheartedly embrace
these five items, maybe 2020 wasn’t a complete waste.
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As the Co-Founder and CEO
of Affinity Management Services, Rafael P. Aquino leads his team to
redefine excellence. They serve community associations
efficiently |
and effectively with
dedication and passion. Rafael’s energy and positive
spirit is the foundation of Affinity Management
Services’ company culture, which instills enthusiasm and
excitement when providing expert advice to its board
members and relieving the day-to-day burdens of running
a community association.
Since 2007, Rafael has
developed a work culture that values responsive and
high-quality services. He has led his team by following
a proactive vs reactive philosophy. The same approach
Rafael instills in the day to day operations of each
association. Today, Affinity Management Services
maintains its success and benefits as a result of the
foundation Rafael has built and continues to foster by
providing educational seminars, continuing education
classes for association managers and board members
alike.
Rafael and his team help condominium and homeowners’
associations save money and improve their communities.
His calm, personable, and service-oriented nature helps
him to establish strong relationships with ease. Rafael
is known as a sincere and honest leader who looks out
for the best interests of his clients and communities,
and he strongly advocates for their needs. His role
requires coordination and communication, as such he
takes logical and intelligent steps to approach
challenges head-on.
As a graduate of Florida International University’s
electrical engineering program and a licensed community
association manager, Rafael’s education and skills equip
him with unique insights to tackle complex problems
through critical thinking. He understands how each
component within a system works together in order to
effectively arrive at solutions, techniques, and
conclusions. Therefore, as he manages the multiple
challenges of running a community association management
company, he understands how each property is its own
unique system and tailors’ specific services to assure
that all their needs are met.
For more information about Rafael P. Aquino and Affinity
Management Services please visit
www.ManagedByAffinity.com or call 1-800-977-6279
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Doral Office: 8200 NW 41st ST
Suite 200
Doral, FL 33166
Broward Office: 150 S Pine Island RD Suite 300
Plantation, FL 33324
O: 800-977-6279 ● F: 305-325-4053
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