Ongoing Professional Development Is Key

The June Community Associations Institute (CAI) Tennessee chapter meeting provided members with valuable information about HOA loans and lending with Pinnacle Financial providing a keynote speaker, Howard Henry.  An overview and specific HOA examples were shared followed by a helpful Q&A session.  Nearly twenty Ghertner & Company managers, assistants, and leaders were present to learn from the seminar and support CAI.

Ghertner & Company is committed to continuing education within the HOA industry and encourages participation with the Tennessee chapter of CAI. 

Our Associates Make a Difference!

On Wednesday, June 22, a lunch of pizza and homemade ice cream was provided to team members in appreciation for the commitment to providing outstanding customer service during the first half of 2022.  This event took the place of the annual July 4th celebration due to the heat wave being experienced in Middle Tennessee.  Building a diverse team of talented members that serve our clients and find value in their work is foundational to Ghertner & Company’s mission. 

Board Leadership Workshop Emphasizes Value of HOA Vision & Mission Statements

Volunteer Board members from Ghertner & Company managed homeowners associations were able to take advantage of a free workshop in person or virtually on Tuesday, June 7th.   Kathleen Sutherland, Director of Development and Training, emphasized the importance of vision and mission statements for an HOA. She shared the variety of reasons a clearly defined mission and value statement can benefit Board members in their roles of leading a successful community. The discussion allowed both in-person and virtual participants to share challenges and practical solutions around this topic. 

To view this recorded session or attend a future Board Leadership Training workshop, please contact your Community Association Manager. 

Associates Participate in Fitness Event!

Twenty-six company associates were excited to participate in the recent 5K on the MetroCenter Greenway on Friday, June 3, 2022, as part of the Humana Go365 wellness program.  The wellness program aims to promote a healthy lifestyle by offering events such as this 5K. These events encourage associates to participate and promote camaraderie while offering wellness incentives through the program.  Monthly events are planned throughout the year to provide opportunities for better physical and mental health.   

Congratulations Graduates!

Ghertner & Company congratulates Summerfield HOA Board president Dr. Joyce Neal and daughter, Michelle Scott, on their recent graduations. They both graduated on the same day, Saturday, May 7. Dr. Neal received a Doctor of Education in Leadership degree from Trevecca University and Michelle received a Master's degree in curriculum and instruction in leadership from Middle Tennessee State University. 

Cumberland River Compact Partners with Tulip Grove Pointe HOA

This spring, with the assistance of Ghertner & Company, Tulip Grove Pointe partnered with Cumberland River Compact (CRC) to plant twenty-one trees in homeowners' yards throughout the community. CRC donated the beautiful native trees, which are valued at about $200 each, for a total of $4,200. CRC also delivered the trees and provided volunteers to assist homeowners that requested help planting the trees. Congratulations to Tulip Grove Pointe for a very successful tree planting event.

The trees will benefit the neighborhood in many ways. The new trees are especially important to this neighborhood since it was hit by a devastating tornado in the spring of 2020. In the years to come, the trees will increase property values, filter air, reduce stormwater run-off and flooding, reduce noise pollution, and reduce energy costs. The trees will also provide many health benefits to the homeowners such as improving sleep, reducing stress, and lowering blood pressure. In addition to all these benefits, the native trees will also provide much-needed habitat in support of biodiversity.

All of the donated trees will count towards the Root Nashville campaign, which is a public/private partnership led by Metro Nashville and CRC to plant 500,000 trees in Davidson County by 2050. For all Davidson County homeowners, if you plant a tree on your own, you can log it and it will count towards the goal. Ghertner & Company is a proud partner of the Root Nashville campaign. To learn more about the Root Nashville, go to https://rootnashville.org/. 

Book’em Program Contributes to Child Development

Ghertner & Company associates recently collected new and slightly used books and donated them to the Nashville Book’em program.  This organization’s mission is the create a more literate Nashville and ignite children’s passion for reading through book ownership and enthusiastic volunteers.  Book’em partners with over 160 schools, nonprofits, children’s programs and government agencies with reading resources for children.  In 2021, over 190,000 books were distributed across all their programs.  Learn more about volunteering, donating resources or getting involved at bookem-kids.org.

As part of its Giving Back to the Community program, Ghertner & Company also made a $500 donation in support of the meaningful work and impact of Book’em in the Middle Tennessee community.

Parmley Cove HOA Tree Planting Event is a Success

Congratulations to Parmley Cove HOA for an extremely successful tree planting event in March. Thirty native trees were planted, twenty in homeowners’ yards and ten in the common area along White's Creek Pike. The project was funded by Cumberland River Compact, which also provided volunteers to plant the trees in the common area and to help any homeowners that requested assistance. The estimated cost of these trees is over $6,500.

The trees will benefit the neighborhood in many ways. Over the years to come, the trees will filter air and reduce noise pollution, which is especially beneficial for the homes along White's Creek Pike. As the trees grow, they will increase property values. Studies have shown a 5-15% increase in the value of homes with mature trees. The trees will absorb stormwater and reduce the risk of flooding. The trees will provide many health benefits to the homeowners, such as reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and improving sleep. The neighborhood will also be supporting biodiversity by planting native trees, especially the willow oak trees. As the willow oaks grow into large canopy trees, they will absorb thousands of gallons of stormwater, serve as host plants for over 400 species of native moths and butterflies and feed the birds who depend on caterpillars to survive and to raise nestlings. These are just a few of the many benefits the trees will bring to the community.

Ghertner & Company is donating $500 to Cumberland River Compact to water and maintain the willow oak trees planted in the common area during the summer of 2022. All of the trees planted in Parmley Cove 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.

Sugartree Easter Egg Hunt

On Saturday, April 9, 2022, Sugartree Homeowners Association held its annual Easter Egg Hunt.  It was a little chilly, but with the little ones bundled up the celebration went on as planned.  The adults celebrated the holiday and Masters golf tournament with mimosas on the porch while the little ones enjoyed a visit from the Easter bunny and hunted Easter eggs.  It was a fun filled event and the first community gathering since the beginning of the pandemic.  Stephanie Gray, the Ghertner & Company Community Association Manager for Sugartree, made a special visit as the Easter bunny!

Spring Board Workshops Address Important Topics

Spring 2022 provided many opportunities for HOA board members to increase their knowledge about their important roles through the Board training workshops provided by Ghertner & Company.  Highlights from the spring trainings included:

The March 8 training featured “Parliamentary Procedure Made Simple”.  Making motions, how to keep order and ways to deal with multiple topics were reviewed. Practical illustrations and ideas on how to implement these items were discussed.

The second March workshop was held on the 22nd and addressed the topic, “Get the Most Out of Your Board Portal: Tools and Tricks to Make You an Expert”. Discussion included navigating ARC requests via the portal and how Boards can review up-to-date financial information and useful association reports. 

On April 5, the focus was “Community Standards: Rules and Regulations”.  Topics included what to consider when making a community rule, voluntary compliance, enforcement and ARC requests.  This training featured a return to an in-person lunch as well as continuing the option to attend via Zoom.

Wrapping up the spring workshops is the topic, “Ten Habits of Highly Effective Boards”, to be presented on May 10.  Kathleen Sutherland, Director of Development and Training, will discuss the many ways Board members can work together to be successful. 

Board members can contact their Community Association Manager to learn more about these complimentary workshops being presented at the corporate office and online. 

Del Sol Commons Habitat Upgraded

In celebration of Tennessee Tree Day on March 19, 2022, Jordan Young with Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC) and Patty Ghertner planted 14 native trees, 3 native shrubs and 12 native grasses in the Del Sol Commons designated habitat area. They also installed the NWF Certified Wildlife Habitat sign. For more information about TEC, go to  https://www.tectn.org/.

Root Nashville Speaker Relays the Value of Trees to Communities

The March Community Associations Institute (CAI) luncheon featured Meg Morgan, the campaign director for the Root Nashville Campaign, a public private partnership led by Metro Nashville and Cumberland River Compact.  She shared a wonderfully prepared presentation showing the need for and value of trees in the Middle Tennessee region.  Meg Morgan reminded attendees of the vision of Root Nashville in building a tree canopy for Nashville that creates more equitable, healthy and climate-resilient neighborhoods.  She challenged all Community Association Managers, Management Companies, Board members and suppliers to contribute to the goal of planting 500,000 trees by 2050 and showed how to register newly planted trees towards that goal.

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

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.