What Do You Know about Bird Flu?

This from the AP: Bird Flu Has 6 in 10 Americans Worried

ATLANTA (AP) -- Nearly 60 percent of Americans are concerned about bird flu, but fewer than one-third think it will show up in the United States this year, according to a new poll. The survey also found that blacks tend to be more worried than whites, and that most people would hole up if human outbreaks erupt.

The Harvard School of Public Health telephone survey asked a series of "What if" questions of 1,043 adults.

It's the first public, in-depth survey to ask Americans what they know about bird flu and how they might respond if the virus evolves to spread among people, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What will property managers do if we see an outbreak of bird flu in the U.S.? And what role will they play if the disease begins to spread from person to person? Find out what you can do and how you can prepare...

Attend the afternoon seminar at the IREM Georgia Chapter Conference on February 28th at the Cobb Galleria. The seminar begins at 1:30pm. Our panel of experts will discuss emergency preparedness including weather, terrorist and health emergencies. Darren Collins, of the Center for Public Health Preparednes will discuss the role of the property management professional when it comes to dealing with global health issues.

The seminar is approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission for 3 continuing education credits.

Get ahead of the curve. Be prepared. It's better to act now, than to react later.

Register now.

New Job Posting

iStar Financial is seeking a Closing Manager, Underwriting. See details here.

Chapter Conference & Tradeshow is Tuesday

You can still register for the Chapter Conference and Tradeshow.

Seminar Update
Morning seminar on negotiating skills and vendor contracts - John Warthman, CPM and Bill Hamilton, CPM are ready to provide you with in-depth information that will teach you how to get the most from your negotiations. Seminar starts at 8:30a.m. in Ballroom A.

Afternoon seminar on emergencey preparedness - we've confirmed speakers from the American Red Cross, the Atlanta Division of the FBI, SHB Consulting and the Center for Public Health Preparedness. The panel will moderated by Sherle Brown of SHB Consulting, a Chapter Industry Partner. Sherle will also be talking covering the risk management portion of the panel. Jon Watson, Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordinator for the FBI Atlanta Division, will speak about terrorist threats. Ann Lukens of the American Red Cross will discuss preparedness issues as it relates to emergency management, especially in regard to weather and natural disasters. And Darren Collins of the Center for Public Health Preparedness will talk about what lies ahead if the avian flu or other widespread illness arrives in the U.S. Your owners and tenants rely on you, so you'll want to be prepared to handle any contingency.

Each seminar is approved by the Georgia Real Estate Commission for 3 hours of continuing education credit.

Thank you to our sponsors!

IREM Products & Offerings

NEW! "Introduction to Real Estate Management" Course to Debut March 1
IREM has created a new introductory-level course called "Introduction to Real Estate Management" (IREM01) to deliver IREM education to broader audiences. The course focuses on the fundamentals of real estate management and is an ideal resource for training your new hires and entry-level staff. Lessons cover the history of real estate, the career outlook for the industry, and all the core functions of professional real estate management. IREM01 will be offered as a non-facilitated online course beginning March 1, giving your employees the flexibility to complete coursework around their work schedule.
To learn more about IREM01 as well as other online courses slated for the March 1 online session, visit the IREM Online Courses page.

Enhanced Usability for IREM Financial Analysis Spreadsheet
The IREM Financial Analysis Spreadsheet, an invaluable tool that helps you evaluate your financial operations, is now more convenient and easy-to-use. Users no longer have to acquire additional plug-ins to utilize all functionality - every spreadsheet function is now pre-programmed into the spreadsheet!

Remember: IREM members have FREE access to the IREM Financial Analysis Spreadsheet. To download the spreadsheet and other useful financial tools free of charge, login to the IREM Web site with your username and password and visit the IREMFIRST Financial Tools page.

Retake IREM Courses at 50% Off!
Do you want to brush up on your skills or experience a newly revised curriculum that will enhance employee training? Take advantage of the new repeat course policy today! All IREM Members are eligible to retake a course already taken, or the equivalent of a prior course taken, in any delivery format -- regardless of pass or fail status or the format in which it was originally taken -- for half price! Please contact IREM at (800) 837-0706, Ext. 4650, to register for a repeat course or to obtain additional information. PLEASE NOTE: The ARM Exam, CPM Exam, and MPSA or Management Plan are NOT included in the repeat course policy.

Submit Data by March 1 to Receive a FREE Income/Expense Analysis Report
Interested in receiving a FREE Income/Expense Analysis report for your building category - up to a $365 value? Then submit your operating income and expense data to the 2006 IREM Income/Expense Analysis program! The data submission deadline is March 1, 2006 (April 1, 2006 for Shopping Center data only). E-mail incomeexpense@irem.org with any questions or submit your data now.

Congratulations to IREM Foundation Scholarship Recipients
Upon conducting its first quarter review, the IREM Foundation has awarded the following scholarships:
Minority Outreach Scholarship - fosters a more diverse property management workforce and more diverse membership by funding the educational requirements to become a CPM

Marquesha White of Brad Bradford Realty and Construction in Atlanta, Georgia

Congratulations, Marquesha!

Visit the IREM Foundation Scholarships page to find out more about these scholarships and to download applications.

Recruit New Members for a Chance to Win $2,500!
Want to help IREM grow and earn the chance to win $2,500? Then get involved in the 2006 IREM Member-Get-A-Member Campaign - all it takes is ONE! IREM's membership would grow by 17,000 if every member referred just one new member. And, with your first referral, you'll be entered into the grand prize drawing for $2,500! In addition, the top 25 referring members will each receive $500. All winners will be announced at the IREM Business and Governance Meetings, October 17-19, in Tampa, Florida.

To be considered for Member-Get-A-Member rewards, IREM must receive applications with your name listed as the referring member between October 1, 2005, and September 30, 2006. To learn more about the Member-Get-A-Member campaign, login to the Member Services section of the IREM Web site and visit the Member-Get-A-Member page.

First American Tax Calendars Offer Convenient Members-Only Benefit
Created just for IREM members, the First American tax calendars conveniently consolidate tax deadlines across the U.S. These tax calendars are particularly useful when you manage properties in multiple states. To find out if you have real estate and personal property tax deadlines coming up between February-April 2006, view the First American Tax Calendars.

As an IREM service partner, First American Commercial Real Estate Services is dedicated to working with IREM to deliver timely products and solutions that are directly applicable to your business. For more details about First American's full suite of tax consulting and valuation services, contact Terri Matthews at 800-211-1700 or tmatthews@firstam.com.

New Job Posting

Weingarten Realty Investors is seeking an assistant property manager. Please send resumes to ccayce@weingarten.com

February Update

Chapter Conference & Tradeshow:
February 28th at the Cobb Galleria Centre
This month, we're focused on our Chapter Conference & Tradeshow. We've planned two fantastic seminars which are approved for continuing education credit (3 hours each) by the Georgia Real Estate Commission. We'll also have University of Georgia's Vince Dooley as our keynote over lunch. Our tradeshow runs from 11:30 - 1:30p.m. We offer a menu of attendance options including the full conference, one seminar only, the lunch & tradeshow only or a combination of the morning seminar and lunch; the lunch and afternoon seminar; or both seminars with lunch on your own.

Register Now

Share Your Property Details, Get a Free Book
Be a part of the 2006 IREM Income & Expense Analysis. Post your office, apartment, or condominium property(ies)'s information by March 1, 2006 and you'll receive a free report. Post shopping center information by April 1, 2006 to receive a free report.

All contributors whose data is accepted will receive a complimentary individual building report.

Submit your data online.

Market Forecast Luncheon

We had a great turn out for our market forecast luncheon today. Much thanks to David Haddow of Haddow & Company for speaking today. He's a great draw for our audience and we appreciate the fact that he'll come out year after year and speak to our Chapter.

Thanks, too, to our sponsors Woodall Roofing and Dorothy Long Search. We appreciate your support of our Chapter.

Congratulations to Rob Rector of Gables Residential Properties and Charnelle Stanley of Park Management for being installed as our newest ARM members. Congratulations to Diane Chastain of Mid-America Apartments and Holly Conley of Post Properties on achieiving the CPM designation. To each of you, your hard work and dedication to being ethical and educated property management professionals is something to be proud of!

Job Postings with Property Management Companies

We've got employment opportunities!

Property Manager position available immediately on high profile property in Stone Mountain, 2 years of LIHTC management experience, 120 unit senior community, 55+ and better, new construction and still in lease up, layered finance and multiple regulatory compliance requirements. Great benefits. Salary based on experience, education and certifications. Fax resume to 404-371-8928.

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING
Multifamily Development & Management Firm

PROPERTY MANAGER
OPERATIONS / ACCOUNTING

Update Your IREM Record

Interested in maximizing your IREM membership? Just take a few minutes and update your IREM member profile online! Visit www.irem.org and follow these easy steps to update your profile:
1. Login with your username and password on www.irem.org and go to the Member Services main page.
2. Click on the "Managing Your Record" option in the menu that appears on the right-hand side of the page.
3. Click on "Member Profile" and fill out the form.
4. Once you update your profile, owners and investors - your potential clients and employers - will be able to find you and access your expertise faster and easier through the online member directory on the IREM Web site.

Updating your profile also helps IREM address your professional needs more proactively. Your profile gives us important details about your background and job responsibilities - essential information we need to deliver products and services that are most relevant to you. And the Chapter gets calls from people who are seeking managers and firms that manage particular types of properties. We can refer you and/or your firm if we know that you fit the profile that the caller is seeking.

Help IREM serve you better - update your profile today!

We Want Your Feedback

We're planning a site visit for 2006. We have some ideas and we want your feedback. Please take this short survey and share your opinions and ideas. Thanks!

Amanda Piper Receives Prestigious Scholarship from IREM Foundation

Amanda Piper of Inland Southern Management Corp. and member of the IREM Georgia Chapter No. 67 has been selected to receive the Paul H. Rittle, Sr. Memorial Scholarship from the IREM Foundation. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to Ms. Piper as she completes IREM courses in pursuit of the CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER® (CPM®) designation.

In recognition of the importance of education to the enhancement of the property management industry, the IREM Foundation is a major provider of scholarships for the real estate management profession. The intent of the scholarship program is to reach out to and assist those who are interested in pursuing an education in real estate management. The IREM Foundation has scholarships available for students at all levels, from those currently in college to those wishing to achieve an IREM credential.

Amanda joins Chrissy Blackwood, a previous scholarship winner in this honor.

You can find information about scholarships available through the IREM Foundation here or by visiting www.iremfoundation.org.

This Chapter's Friends of IREM also provide a scholarship. For more information email lisagolden@irem-georgia.org or call 770-590-9995.

The Chapter congratulates Amanda on her accomplishment!

How 2 Log in to www.irem.org

IREM Member Web site Registration

This section of the IREM Web site is for the exclusive use of CPM® Members, CPM Candidates, ARM® Members, AMO® Companies, Associate Members, Student Members and Academic Members.

To access this portion of the web site, you will need a username and password.

For CPM Members, CPM Candidates, ARM Members, Associate Members, Student Members and Academic Members:
Your username and password have been preset to the following:
Username: Your 7-digit IREM Member ID (ex. 1234567)Password: Your last name (ex. Smith. Please make sure to capitalize the first letter of your last name)

If you do not know your 7-digit IREM Member ID it is located on your Approval Letter or at the top of the Journal of Property Management mailing label. If you have any further questions you may contact IREM Customer Service at custserv@irem.org or 800-837-0706.

NOTE: Once you have successfully logged in for the first time, you can change your username and password on the Individual Update screen.

For AMO Company Members:
Your username and password have been preset to the following:
Username: Your AMO Company's 7-digit IREM Member ID (ex. 1234567)Password: The first 8 characters of your AMO Company Name (ex. INSTITUT)

If you do not know your company's 7-digit IREM Member ID, please have the Executive CPM of your company contact IREM Customer Service at custserv@irem.org or 800-837-0706.

Position Open for Property Manager

PROPERTY MANAGER
OPERATIONS / ACCOUNTING

Lillibridge Healthcare Real Estate Trust, the nation’s leader in medical building property management, is seeking an experienced Property Manager for a 351,325 square foot assignment in Atlanta, Georgia. Reporting to the Atlanta General Manager, this position will oversee the day-to-day management and operations of three medical office buildings located on a North Atlanta hospital campus.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee the development of financial and operational aspects of the buildings
• Direct and supervise building staff to conduct activities in accordance with the Company and Owner’s policies and procedures
• Tenant space planning and construction build-out oversight
• Strategic capital planning, budgeting, expense control and analysis, and variance reporting
• Prepare monthly reports, proposals, and presentations as required
• Prepare bid specifications, request proposals, evaluate bids
• Negotiate vendor service agreements and insurance compliance for contractors and tenants
  
  REQUIREMENTS:
  
• Three to five years of commercial office management experience
  (medical office building experience preferred)
• Bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrated lease negotiation experience, lease administration
• CPM, RPA, or CCIM designation a plus
• Heightened attention to detail, ability to manage multiple projects and work with a sense of urgency
• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills
• Property management software experience
• Above average technical proficiency
  (Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word software essential)
  
  Principals Only
  Lillibridge is an equal opportunity employer
  No paid relocation
  Visit us at www.lillibridge.com
  
  Send resume with salary history to:
  
  E-mail: tredmond@lillibridge.com
  Fax: 404-843-0634
  Mail: Terri Redmond, RPA, FMA
  General Manager
  Lillibridge Healthcare Real Estate Trust
  5669 Peachtree Dunwoody Road, Suite 250
  Atlanta, GA 30342

Become an IREM Governing Councilor

IREM is now taking applications for Governing Councilors....

The IREM governing council is the highest decision-making authority in the Institute. As such, elected governing councilors participate in leadership at the highest level as the voice of the membership-at-large. The role of the Councilor is explained here.

Application for Governing Councilors.

If you would like to become a Governing Councilor, please contact the Chapter Office at 770-590-9995 for a recommendation.

Register Now for our Wireless Seminar

Hosted by: IREM Georgia Chapter & BOMA Atlanta

Eliminate wireless dead zones in your building with the installation of wireless antenna systems. In-building wireless systems support cell phones, pagers, two-way radios, emergency communications, wireless LANs, WiFi, wireless building system devices, and more! The world is "going wireless" and you need to learn how to enable wireless communications inside your building. This seminar will discuss wireless solutions for tenants, wireless building applications for property management and building operations, system equipment and infrastructure, case studies, financial models, and much more.

This seminar has been approved for 3 hours of continuing education units (CEUs) by the Georgia Real Estate Commission.

WHEN: Tuesday, January 24, 2006
8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Wireless Seminar
WHERE: THE INFORUM 250 Williams Street, Atlanta, GA

To register online go here, select "seminars", select "schedule",select "register now."
You will be required to pay on our secure server using your credit card. We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express.

Leading the Way....

Leading the Way in Property Management
The IREM Path to Success
Conference and Tradeshow presented by the IREM Georgia Chapter No. 67

When: Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Where: Cobb Galleria Centre, Atlanta

Schedule
8:00 a.m. Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Seminar: Negotiating Vendor Contracts
11:30 a.m. Tradeshow opens
12:00 p.m. Keynote Luncheon with Vince Dooley
1:30 p.m. Tradeshow ends
1:30 p.m. Seminar: Are You Prepared? Emergency Preparedness & Homeland Security Panel
4:30 p.m. Closing remarks

To register, please visit www.irem-georgia.org or call 770/590-9995

Thank you to our sponsors!
Scottie's Building Services

IREM Georgia Chapter Is Region 4's Chapter of the Year

IREM Georgia Chapter was awarded the 2005 Region 4 Chapter of the Year. During the IREM Education Conference last month, Region 4 Vice President Jay Windsor, CPM selected our Chapter as the 2005 winner based on a criteria that include member services, programs, communications, administration of the Chapter's business and compliance with IREM requirements. Specifically, Jay mentioned the first annual Chapter Conference and Tradeshow as one of the Chapter's outstanding activities.

Pat Harris, CPM, Chapter President accepted the award on behalf of the Chapter. Pat, along with Betsy Bullard, CPM, Trish Elmore, CPM and Susan Harden, CPM represented the Chapter at the recent national conference in Scottsdale. Highlights of the Conference are here.

In addition to governance, the IREM Education Conference offers a dynamic array of professional development seminars. IREM members are welcome to attend to this valuable and affordable conference. Next year, IREM and CCIM are joining forces to produce an exciting Conference and Tradeshow in Tampa on October 20 and 21. Watch here for details.

SPACESAtlanta by CITYFEET

We're in with pictures!!!!!

The Chapter's September luncheon and member installations are featured prominently on page 6 of a new magazine "SpacesAtlanta" published by Cityfeet, Inc. and the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

Here's who they are and what they do:

Cityfeet.com, the nation's premier commercial real estate network, now produces locally focused magazines, designed to bring you listings, news, market reports and much more. CityfeetSpaces Magazines are distributed to the local commercial real estate industry and to potential tenants and investors.

To subscribe go here.

Principles of Real Estate Management - New edition now available!

Update your library with the new edition of Principles of Real Estate Management. A respected resource for years, this book covers it all!

You will learn:

• Financial management - managing real estate as an investment
• Staffing - establishing staffing requirements through retention and termination
• Maintenance - scheduling, managing and inspecting
• Tenant relations - finding and keeping qualified tenants and residents
• Technology - using the Internet and other technologies to do business more effectively
• Unique concerns of specific property types

IREM, 2006
ISBN: 1-57203-113-1
Softcover, 372 pages
Order # 920
Non-Member Price: $64.95
Member Price: $51.95

Buy this best seller today!

Call (800) 837-0706, ext. 4650 or order online at www.irembooks.org.

Stay on Top of Legislation that Affects You, Your Business & and the Industry

In the December issue of the IREM Legislative Bulletin:

• Tax Reform Proposal Finalized
• Budget Compromise Bill Passes U.S. Senate
• 2005 IREM Legislative Victories
• Mark Your Calendar for the 2006 Capitol Hill Visit!
• IREM Legislative and Public Policy Committee Approves New Statements of Policy
• Terrorism Insurance Likely to Revisit Congress
• Senate Compromise Small Business Health Plan Bill Introduced
• Patriot Act Update
• U.S. House Passes Bill to Restrict Eminent Domain
• Banks Out of Our Real Estate for at Least One Year
• Congress Still Debating Some Budgets
• REMIC Update
• Tenant-in-Common Guidelines
• New Flood Insurance Laws
• Congressional Response to Disasters
• Violence Against Women Bill Contains New Housing Title
• IREM National Federal Housing Liaison Advisory Board Meets with RHS
• Lead Paint Renovation Proposed Rule Expected

The Institute of Real Estate Management is strongly committed to legislative advocacy. Through its affiliation with the National Association of Realtors®, the Institute is part of a legislative advocacy team that consistently monitors and advances issues of public policy to promote and protect the right to own, use and transfer real property. As an IREM Member, you have access to legislative and regulatory information as well as channels to understand issues and seek solutions to public policy problems.

Learn where the Institute stands on various legislative and regulatory issues both at the federal and state levels. The Bulletin, our legislative newsletter, is sent to members via email and tracks legislative issues that affect property managers and the real estate industry. As always, the latest version of The Bulletin is posted on www.irem.org in the "Public Policy" section.

Read the bulletinand get the most out of your IREM membership
Problems? Click the Link Below: http://www.irem.org/publicpolicy/bulletin.cfm