As mentioned in previous issues of Weekly Connections, the Emerging Leaders Shared Interest Group has partnered with our 2019 charity, The Harbour, to bring our members a BOMA-exclusive, hands-on volunteer project! On Friday, May 3 our Emerging Leaders invite you to join them in their efforts to help renovate and refurnish one of The Harbour’s shelter sites, located in Des Plaines.

The project involves painting the site’s “Resource Room,” which is used for the young ladies to do their homework and apply to jobs. The project also includes the painting of additional bedrooms so the Emerging Leaders will need all hands on deck. Please take some time out of your busy schedules to give back for a great cause! Come for the whole day, half a day, or as much time as you can afford!  

Perhaps you can’t attend the Emerging Leaders Volunteer Project but would still like to contribute. That’s great! Here are some other ways to help.

These are photos of the Resource room and bedroom that need painting.

The Emerging Leaders have requested the following items:

• Paint
• Ladders/Step stools
• Paint brushes
• Paint rollers
• Painters tape
• Paint tray
• Drop cloths/plastic tarps
• Buckets
• Rags
• Paper Towels
• Garbage bags

By purchasing items on The Harbour’s Amazon Wish List, you can contribute to this project as well. Items marked as “Shelter Resource Room” will be used to furnish the room.

Please help BOMA/Suburban Chicago and the Emerging Leaders make this a successful volunteer effort!

Earth Day is a day where we show our love for the planet. This year the theme is "Protect our Species." Visit the website Earth Day to find out about how you can get involved and help Protect our Species.

BOMA International is currently accepting applicants for the BOMA Sustainability Scholarship.  This new scholarship, made possible with support from a grant provided by BOMA International Cornerstone Partner Yardi, will be awarded to five students or professionals studying or working within the sustainability field who share BOMA’s vision of energy efficiency and environmental stewardship.  It is intended to connect sustainability-minded individuals with the broad array of opportunities offered at BOMA International’s annual conference through the education sessions, networking opportunities and products and solutions featured on the trade show floor.

The scholarship will cover registration to the 2019 BOMA International Conference & Expo, as well as up $1,000 for associated costs, such as travel and lodging. There is no age or experience requirement for the scholarship, but applicants cannot have attended the BOMA International Conference & Expo previously.  Applicants do not need to be BOMA members. 

Applications are due April 15. To learn more information on how to apply, please click on this link:  Yardi BOMA Sustainability Scholarship.pdf

As you may be aware, BOMA/Suburban Chicago and its Government Affairs Committee have been monitoring a critical issue potentially affecting many of our members. In recent months, the Cook County Department of Revenue has been auditing private parking operators, related to a tax imposed on all parking lots and garage operations. Initially, the tax was intended for parking lot operators and valet services. However, the County expanded the scope of the ordinance and is now conducting audits on some suburban commercial office properties, including some of our members' buildings, leaving them with hefty bills for back taxes, interest, and penalties.

After extensive research, the Government Affairs Committee has concluded that a recent attempt by the County to reinterpret the parking lot tax and collect new revenue appears to be in violation of its own ordinance.

For more details regarding this ordinance, please read the Cook County Parking Lot and Garage Operations Tax Summary, provided by the Government Affairs Committee.

We are excited to announce our 2019 Charity, The Harbour!

The Harbour, Inc., located in Park Ridge, Illinois, is a non-profit organization and is licensed as a Child Welfare Agency in Illinois with authority to operate and supervise foster homes for youth. The Harbour serves North and Northwest Cook County area. The Harbour has served over 800 girls in their shelters since its inception in 1971. 

Their Mission is: The Harbour offers youth safety today and opportunities for a successful tomorrow.

Please help us support The Harbour clients by clicking on this link to visit their website and get involved or provide financial support. 

BOMA has earned an award from Constant Contact, our e-blast and e-news Campaign Provider, for being an All Star Community!

Hold a blood drive now through August 31. We challenge Regular and Associate members to hold a friendly competition for the most units collected during the given time period. Prizes will be awarded to the member that is able to collect the most donations, between now and August 31.

All donations must be collected between January 1, 2019 and August 31, 2019 and reported to the BOMA office by Monday, September 9.  The winner will be announced at the September Members Lunch.

Members should report the total number of units collected from the blood drive to Susan Pearson. Results can be reported any time during the contest. 

The Red Cross has some helpful tips for running a successful blood drive in this pamphlet.

ASSET MANAGEMENT
Lease Analysis, Valuation, Negotiation, and Approval
April 17 & 18, 2019
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Don't miss this nine-module, two-day course, which is targeted for commercial real estate property managers with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience. This interactive course: 

• Focuses on asset management of investment properties, i.e. commercial real estate that is owned and operated solely as an investment for its owner.
• Is designed to help property managers better understand the function of the asset manager in order to be more valuable to the entire commercial team, from owner on down.
• Will help participants understand how different types of investors analyze an asset and make decisions.
• Examines the most efficient ways to work on the leasing process with the property management team, brokerage team, architects, engineers, designers, consultants, government regulators and inspectors, mortgage servicing team, and tenants.
• Provides course participants the opportunity to participate in a case study regarding the leasing process, serving the role of either the tenant or landlord in a mock lease negotiation, followed by group discussions and sharing team results.

See our Event Calendar for more information. 

Register Now! 

For the safety of both members and staff, the BOMA/Suburban Chicago Office will be closed on Wednesday, January 30, due to the extreme cold temperatures and wind chill warning in effect throughout the Chicagoland area. 

If you must venture outdoors in the cold, please exercise extreme caution. The dangerously cold winds could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as five minutes. In addition, the gusty winds will result in blowing snow throughout the afternoon and evening, which could result in reduced visibility and hazardous travel. 

As the new year begins, BOMA/Suburban Chicago's 2019 Board of Directors took their place on January 1, 2019. They look forward to leading the association to continued success over the next year. Congratulations to the newly elected and returning Board members. 

Officers:  

President Catherine Carlson, RPA GlenStar Asset Managment, LLC	Vice President Christopher J. Wilimitis, LEED AP JLL
Secretary-Treasurer Kimberly DeFily, RPA American Landmark Properties	Immediate Past President Jennifer Sweeney Millbrook Properties

Directors: 

Maggie Amaya, RPA, FMA JLL	Suzanne Boryscka, RPA Lincoln Property Company
Daniel J. Flores, LEED AP Atomatic Mechanical Services, Inc.	Kita Harris, MBA, RPA Colliers International
Eric Hartmann Tovar Snow Professionals