FT. LAUDERDALE, FL--(Marketwire - November 12, 2008) - The Florida Community Association
Journal today announced the call for entries in the 2008 "Florida
Communities of Excellence Awards," a new statewide recognition program for
Florida condominium and homeowners associations designed to identify and
promote innovative solutions and best practices in maintaining and
improving the quality of life for residents of community associations
throughout the State.
Professional condo and HOA association managers, board members, unit- and
home-owners, residents and vendors representing the nearly 4 million
Florida community association residents are encouraged to nominate their
favorite communities for the awards, which will be judged by a
distinguished panel of independent experts statewide in fields ranging from
safety & security to the environment, from disaster preparedness to
communications and civic involvement.
Nominations may be made online by completing an entry submission form at
http://www.flcaj.com/coe/, with the final deadline for submissions set for
January 15, 2009.
The first independently judged program to bring attention to the quality of
Community Association living state-wide, the Florida Communities of
Excellence Awards are co-sponsored by Becker & Poliakoff, P.A., a
diversified commercial law firm with the largest community association law
practice in the State of Florida. The awards will highlight significant
accomplishments and best practices in addressing the needs and concerns of
residents and communities in five categories: Environmental Initiatives,
Disaster Preparedness, Communications, Safety & Security and Civic
Involvement.
A total of 10 communities will be recognized for their achievements, with
separate judging in each category for communities that have more than 200
units and communities with fewer than 200 units. Winning communities will
be invited to participate in a special awards presentation event and will
be profiled in the pages of The Florida Community Association Journal, the
largest independent publication serving professional Community Association
managers. There is no limit to the number of categories for which
communities may be nominated.
"All too frequently we hear about the negative side of community living,"
said Jim McMurry, publications director of the Florida Community
Association Journal. "All one has to do is open the newspaper or watch the
local news to hear that there can be financial, relational, contractual and
other issues when people live close together and share resources.
"We rarely hear about the unsung heroes and progressive communities, and
Florida is blessed to have a great number them. These awards will shine a
spotlight on those communities that come together for the common good and
produce results that enhance not only their community, but their city,
county and state as well," McMurry added.
In announcing the call for entries in the 2008 Florida Communities of
Excellence Awards, the sponsors today also announced the panel of
independent experts who will evaluate the entries. The following business
and community leaders, Condo/HOA industry officials and recognized
authorities have agreed to participate in judging:
Environmental Initiatives
-- Rebecca Bray, Director of Account Services, Environmental PR Group
-- Dennis Hector, Professor, University of Miami School of Architecture
Center for Ecosystem Science and Policy
Disaster Preparedness
-- Laura Hagan, Executive Director, Community Associations Institute,
Suncoast Chapter
-- Terry McMurry, Editor, Florida Community Association Journal
-- Richard Thompson, Florida Community Association Journal contributor
and publisher of Regenesis Report, monthly newsletter about Condo/HOA
management practices
Communications
-- Betsy Barbieux, CAM, Professional Development Coach, Image Inside &
Out
-- Mark R. Benson, Member, Regulatory Council of Community Association
Managers of Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation
-- Joe Kollin, former Condo/HOA columnist, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Safety & Security
-- Carmen Caldwell, Executive Director/Crime Prevention Practitioner,
Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade County
-- Victor A. Hill, Chairman, Florida Society of Public Fire & Life Safety
Educators
-- Charles Milsted, Associate State Director, AARP
Civic Involvement
-- Wendy Spencer, CEO, Volunteer Florida
-- Marilyn Wills, President, Florida League of Women Voters
About the Florida Community Association Journal
Founded in 1986, the Florida Community Association Journal provides news
and vital information to operators of condominiums, homeowners
associations, cooperatives and other multi unit communities and has earned
the reputation of being the industry's most authoritative voice. The
monthly publication contains news and feature articles dealing with areas
of interest to managers and board members, including legal matters,
accounting practices, insurance, rules enforcement, cost-saving practices,
industry events, building and grounds maintenance, security solutions,
education, and more. Additional information at
www.flcaj.com/.
About Becker & Poliakoff P.A.
Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. is a diversified commercial law firm based in Ft.
Lauderdale with more than 120 attorneys in 13 Florida offices and U.S. and
global offices in New York and Czech Republic and affiliated offices in
China, France and Israel. The firm's core areas of practice include Real
Estate, Condominium and Homeowners Association Law, Construction,
International Business & Trade, Government Law & Lobbying, Civil and
Commercial Litigation, and Corporate, Securities & Tax Law. For more
information, visit:
www.becker-poliakoff.com.
Contact Information: Media Contact:
Tom Howell / Michael Tangeman
The Pen Group Communications
Tel: (305) 529-1944
email: tom@thepengroup.com