Summerfield HOA and Cumberland River Compact Team Up for Tree Planting

At the end of January, homeowners in Summerfield HOA partnered with Cumberland River Compact (CRC) to plant trees in homeowners’ yards throughout the community. Forty-nine trees were planted, including flowering crabapple, willow oak, American elm, and red maple. 

In addition, homeowner and planting captain, Jen Zimmerer, planted two red maples in the common area of the community that she will also care for. 

CRC donated the trees, which are worth about $200 each, for a total of $10,000. CRC also delivered the trees and provided volunteers to help homeowners plant the trees.  This is a substantial contribution to the neighborhood. Studies have shown a 5-15% increase in the value of homes with mature trees. The trees will also absorb rainwater and reduce the risk of flooding. They will improve air quality, reduce noise pollution and reduce energy costs. These are just a few of the many benefits the trees will bring to the community.

Summerfield HOA property manager John Kidd and all of Ghertner & Company congratulate the homeowners, volunteers, and CRC for a very successful planting event, despite snowstorm delays and frigid temperatures.  

CRC is the lead organization of the Root Nashville campaign, a citywide effort to plant 500,000 trees by 2050. All of these donated trees count towards this restoration initiative. For more information about the Root Nashville Campaign, please visit http://www.rootnashville.org.

HOA Insurance Needs Are CAI Meeting Topic

The February Community Associations Institute (CAI) luncheon featured insurance professionals Jeffery and Jennifer Tirado speaking on the topic of financial stability in the community association market and insurance industry. The Tirados are also nationally regarded and highly respected community association specialists.  The focus of the presentation was the accountability of the individual/Board/community manager and insurance agent related to fiduciary duty.  During the presentation, attendees were able to participate in the discussion by asking relevant questions about their own insurance-related needs.

 As industry leaders, Ghertner & Company encourages attendance and involvement in CAI as part of their professional development.

Conducting Meetings Virtually in 2022

Conducting HOA committee, Board or annual meetings virtually is no longer a novelty, but a must.  February’s Board Leadership Seminar reminded attendees of the benefits, structure and particulars of meeting online instead of in-person. Focus was given to conducting the various aspects of an HOA’s annual meeting: purpose, agenda, voting and interacting with homeowners. Kathleen Sutherland, Director of Development and Training, offered the session at 11:30 AM and 6:00 PM for the convenience of Board members and associates with busy schedules.

Two workshops are planned for March 2022.  On March 8th, Parliamentary Procedure Made Simple and on March 15th, Getting the Most Out of Your Board Portal.  

2022 Leadership Seminar Series Begins

Ghertner & Company’s Board Leadership Seminar Series kicked off for 2022 on January 18 by focusing on the need for an HOA Board to have a strategic plan. The presentation reminded attendees of the reasons why planning is important in reserve funding, setting goals and being proactive in each step of the process.  Kathleen Sutherland, Director of Development and Training, offered the session at 11:30 AM and 6:00 PM for the convenience of Board members and associates with busy schedules.

The next seminar on February 8 will cover how to conduct a remote Board meeting and annual meetings.

Del Sol Commons HOA Partners With TEC

A hardy group braved the cold and rain to clean up trash and remove invasive plants from Del Sol Commons Park on Saturday, January 15.  This common area is a designated Wildlife Refuge with the City of Murfreesboro. This project is a collaboration between Del Sol Commons HOA, Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC) and Ghertner & Company. Many thanks to TEC for providing volunteers, tools, and refreshments. We will be planning another clean up and planting day this spring. Ghertner & Company has committed $500 towards purchasing plants to turn this common area into a beautiful park for the neighborhood. Jordan Young at TEC and Patty Ghertner with Ghertner & Company are providing expertise regarding native habitat restoration.  

 Thanks to everyone who attended: HOA President Reese Shivers, TEC volunteer Luis Calderon, TEC staff Allison Davenport, Anna Ergish, Cynthia Hernanadez, and Jordan Young, and Patty Ghertner with Ghertner & Company.

St. Jude Dream Home Groundbreaking in McDaniel Estates

This year marks the 18th year of the St. Jude Dream Home Giveaway as a community service effort to raise funds benefiting the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  This is Signature Homes’ 9th year serving as the St. Jude Dream Home builder, raising over $10 million since the partnership began. Many other businesses and trades are contributing their services to the building of this home.

Tickets will be available in spring 2022 and you can find out when tickets are available and follow the progress of this project through the media partner, WKRN News 2.  Danielle Breezy, WKRN's chief meteorologist, aired the recent groundbreaking onsite. Ghertner & Company provides HOA management services for McDaniel Estates and Janice Tantaris is the manager.

Virtual Workshop Emphasizes that Communication is Key Within Your HOA

The need to communicate effectively with the leadership and members of an HOA has never been greater than in these challenging times of less face-to-face interaction.  The October 12 Board Leadership workshop focused on the benefits and challenges of getting the message conveyed using today’s wide variety of communication tools.  Meaningful and relevant communication should be appropriate in its message and methods to be successful.  Kathleen Sutherland, Director of Development and Training, reminded virtual attendees of the value and purpose of sharing HOA information in a way that best fits the personality of the board and homeowners. 

 This session was recorded and a link to the video, along with handouts, can be requested through your Ghertner & Company Community Association Manager.

 Another October Zoom seminar dealing with ‘Reserve Studies’ for HOAs is planned for October 26th.  Board members will receive more information by email about this training.

August Workshop Shares the Basics on Financial Reports

The August Board Training Workshop focused on the importance and understanding of an HOA’s financial reports.  Often a hurdle for volunteer board members, attendees were led through an overview of the various reports: balance sheets, monthly statements, delinquencies, and the general ledger. The relevance of these reports for planning and decision making was shared by industry leader, Kathleen Sutherland, Director of Development and Training.   Sessions were offered midday and in the evening via Zoom and participants were able to ask questions and share about their challenges as well.

This session was recorded and a link to the video, along with handouts, can be requested through your Ghertner & Company Community Association Manager.

Farmington HOA Monument Welcomes Homeowners & Guests

The Farmington community, located in Lascassas, was started in 2001 and has 170 single family homes. The neighborhood is situated on the corner of Lascassas Pike and Barlow Lane with the main entrance monument on Lascassas Pike and Farmington Road. The Board discussed areas where they could add improvements to the community and decided that adding pillars at the second entrance to match the existing entrance monument would add value to the community. Chanel Mumford, the Community Association Manager, worked closely with the Board obtaining proposals and helping to navigate through the construction process. The final design will have two pillars on either side of Old Orchard Drive, with landscaping and uplighting. This addition will add curb appeal to the entrance and will help showcase the community. 

Workshop Focuses on Creating a Code of Conduct

Board members attending the recent Zoom Leadership Training session learned about the value of creating an appropriate ‘Code of Conduct’ for matters relating to their HOA.  Topics included the reasoning behind adopting a code, how to deal with conflicts of interest, the board’s fudiciary responsibility and building on an ethical foundation. 

Kathleen Sutherland, Ghertner & Company Director of Development & Training, made the presentation on Tuesday, June 8th with a midday and evening option provided for the convenience of our board members.   This session was recorded and a link to the video can be requested through your Ghertner & Company Community Association Manager.

Wyngate HOA Features Walking Trail

David Huebner, Wyngate HOA President shares with Scott Ghertner about the many benefits of the Peter Jennings Walking Trail on Thursday, June 3rd.  Several months ago, Ghertner & Company donated one hundred trees as part of the preservation effort taking place in this Spring Hill community.  HOA volunteers are partnering with environmental agencies, like the Tennessee Environmental Council, to enhance and preserve the area.

Workshop Focuses on Vision & Mission

Creating, developing and implementing your community’s vision and mission is important to leading a successful HOA.  Board members were challenged to take the time to work with their fellow board members and homeowners to establish the purpose and meaning behind their association.  Having these determined and shared will minimize distractions and keep everyone on the same page and track to success.  Kathleen Sutherland, Ghertner & Company Director of Development & Training, made the presentation on Tuesday, May 11th at noon and in the evening for the convenience of our board members leadership.

This session was recorded and a link to the video can be requested through your Ghertner & Company Community Association Manager.

Avondale Park Community Realizes Benefits of Trees!

Congratulations to Avondale Park for an extremely successful tree planting event in March. Over two hundred native trees were planted in homeowners’ yards. The project was funded through the Root Nashville Campaign. The donated trees were worth over $30,000. A huge thank you to Angelie Quimbo for organizing this project. She applied to be a “Planting Captain” through the Root Nashville campaign. Angelie is a high school junior who lives in Avondale Park and is a member of the Mayor's Youth Council and a planning team member for the Cumberland River Compact's Youth Climate Summit.

The trees will benefit the neighborhood in many ways. One of the immediate benefits has been to build community. The project has given the neighbors an opportunity to improve communication, foster new connections and build relationships. As the trees grow, they will increase property values. Studies have shown a 5-15% increase in the value of homes with mature trees. Over the years to come, the trees will filter the air and reduce noise pollution, which is especially beneficial for a community located near Interstate 40. The trees will also absorb rainwater and reduce the risk of flooding from the nearby Harpeth River. These are just a few of the many benefits the trees will bring to the community.

Some quick facts about the project:

●      202 trees were planted in homeowners’ yards (56 sweetbay magnolia, 77 redbud, 10 honeylocust, 14 nuttall oak, 45 tulip poplar.)

●      79 total households participated in the project.

●      Ghertner and Company donated two bur oaks, planted next to the playground, which will provide shade as they grow into large canopy trees.

All of the trees planted in Avondale Park count towards the Root Nashville campaign goal. Root Nashville is a public/private partnership, led by Metro Nashville and the Cumberland River Compact, to plant 500,000 trees in Davidson County by 2050 (rootnashville.org.) If you are interested in applying to be a “Planting Captain” for your neighborhood, go to https://rootnashville.org/organize/. For all Davidson County homeowners, if you plant a tree on your own, you can log it and it will count towards the goal.

To learn more about the importance of trees, the following is a link to a recent workshop we offered which focused on the benefits of trees to homeowner’s associations. You can view the recording at  https://ghertner.com/sustainability-initiative or directly on https://vimeo.com/514029991.

HOA Delinquencies Workshop Presented on April 6th

Over 60 participants took advantage of the recent Board Leadership Training workshop dealing with delinquencies of Homeowner Association dues.  The guest speaker was attorney Joel Surber, who discussed the legal considerations that are taken in the pursuit of delinquent owner accounts.  He described the step-by-step process of managing these accounts, before and after they are referred for legal action. Attendees were able to ask pertinent questions and gain practical insight through the responses. 

This session was recorded and a link to the video can be requested through your Ghertner & Company Community Association Manager.

Sugartree Arboretum: A Tree Sanctuary in Nashville

Sugartree Homeowners Association is a certified level four arboretum through the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council. The arboretum is a collection of over one hundred twenty species of trees covering fifteen acres of common space. Through the leadership of Vicki Turner and other dedicated residents, the beautiful trees in Sugartree have become one of its greatest assets. In addition to the many mature trees, the arboretum contains unusual and endangered species. Sugartree is a proud partner of the American Chestnut Foundation, working to re-introduce the American Chestnut. They have also set aside a small tree nursery tucked in a protected area of the common space to nurture trees before they are planted in other areas of the community. In 2009, the Sugartree Arbor Society was formed with fifty-nine founding members. The mission statement is “A membership society dedicated to the beauty, health, diversity, and life of the trees of Sugartree with special emphasis on education, preservation, and re-establishment of endangered species of trees.” The Arbor Society hosts tree-related activities throughout the year, funded by annual dues from its members. Many thanks to Vicki Turner for guiding Ghertner & Company through the arboretum qualification process. If your community association would like to pursue becoming an arboretum, contact sustainability@ghertner.com. We will be glad to offer guidance to your board.

Fair Housing Act Workshop Informs HOA Board Members

The March 2nd virtual workshop focused on HOA Board members raising their awareness and responsibility as it relates to the Fair Housing Act.  Guest speaker and attorney, Gerald Wigger, Esq., gave an overview and dealt with several facets of the act.  His presentation also included practical examples to give attendees an idea on how their communities can be proactive in this area. 

Workshop Focuses on HOA Remote Meetings

The February 23rd virtual workshop focused on the emerging trend over the last year that is now expected: remote meetings for Homeowner Association boards and members.  Professional guidelines and practical tips were shared with over 75 participants on how to make board and annual meetings effective and productive.  Industry leader, Kathleen Sutherland, led the training and fielded questions from attendees.

The next Board Leadership Training workshop will be held Tuesday, March 2nd at 11:30.  Guest speaker and attorney, Gerald Wigger, Esquire, will be sharing on Fair Housing considerations for HOA Board members. 

Trees Matter!

The benefits of trees to our communities was the topic of the Feb 9th virtual workshop for board members.  Several speakers shared their professional and personal perspectives about the positive impact of trees.  Meg Morgan of Root Nashville shared data showing the economic benefits of trees as well as the many important health and environmental benefits.  David Huebner, president of Wyngate Estates HOA, described the HOA's efforts over 15 years to plant over 1000 trees in their 17 acre common space and to create a walking trail that leads to their neighborhood elementary school. David explained their process of board planning and cooperating with a local non-profit and their landscaping company to create an incredible asset to their community. Jordan Young, with the Tennessee Environmental Council, shared about the partnership projects with Wyngate Estates and their overall mission.  Patty Ghertner and Michael Ryckeley wrapped up the discussion with an overview of the Level One Certified Arboretum located at the Ghertner & Company corporate offices in MetroCenter.  Several resources were posted to get involved and make a difference in your own yard or community.  Board members are encouraged to share their stories about environmental improvements in their HOA by emailing sustainability@ghertner.com.  

This recorded workshop is available for viewing at https://ghertner.com/sustainability-initiative or directly on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/514029991.

Effective Boards Develop Good Habits

Successful HOA boards are the result of implementing healthy habits.  The January 26th Board Leadership Training virtual seminar focused on ‘Ten Habits of Highly Effective Boards’ as developed by industry professional, Kathleen Sutherland, Ghertner & Company’s Director of Development and Training.  Those habits dealt with strategic planning, teamwork, decision-making, defining roles, the board/manager relationship, evaluating and assessing, prioritizing time and energy, orderly meetings, using feedback, and committing to learning and leading.  Over eighty board members and associates attended this complimentary virtual training event.   

The next training presentation is February 9th, 2021 and reservations can be made by emailing Theresa.Savich@Ghertner.com. 

Team Member News

Congratulations to Dorothy Ratliff, CMCA, AMS, for being named the 2020 Community Association Manager of the year for the Tennessee Chapter of the Community Associations Institute.  

Dorothy has been involved in real estate for over 30 years, starting in Florida with her own company.  She joined the Ghertner & Company team in 2014 as on onsite manager and in 2015, she started managing a portfolio of HOAs. 

She believes strongly in the value of the education opportunities provided through Ghertner & Company, Community Associations Institute (CAI) and other professional resources.   She has completed the M200 series and looks forward to the M300 series. Dorothy knows that homeowners and vendors will realize and value that she is an informed and educated professional.

Dorothy enjoys the challenge of taking a struggling association to a successful one, especially as it relates to the process of building, teaching, implementing and reviewing budget challenges…she loves to “crunch the numbers”.  She likes to lead board members in gaining a sense of accomplishment regarding projects and budgets.  She believes the keys to success to treat everyone fairly, honestly and directly coupled with disciplined work ethic of doing what needs to be done.

Dorothy feels fortunate to be a part of the Ghertner & Company team that values her experience and work but also encourages her to keep balance in her personal life and professional growth.