10 Reasons to Join BOMA

Have you ever wondered why one should belong to BOMA? Perhaps you are not aware of the benefits that membership offers.
If you ever need justification as to why one might belong, then consider this:

1) NETWORKING - Meet your peers/meet your next box/meet your next employee/Find out what is happening in the market.

Don't work in a vacuum.  Unless you get out of your office and meet others in the industry, you minimize your potential.  Knowing what is happening in the market and who is who in the industry is essential for professional growth.

2) VALIDATION - Did you handle a situation correctly/How would someone else have handled it/sharing horror stories.

Regardless of how long you have been in business, sharing information is vital to be a top performer.  One of the great things about this industry is no matter how long you have managed property, you can't possibly know everything there is to know. There are so many facets to property management, no one person can be an expert on everything.  And with the continual advancement in technology, every facet of the industry gets more and more complicated.  This is true whether you are discussing how you handled a situation with another manger to gain validation on the way you handled it - or whether you are sharing information with someone else to prevent them from making the same mistake.

3) EDUCATION - Earn an industry recognized designation thru BOMI/take a BOMA seminar/Learning something new at lunch/Trade shows/Audio conferences/Boot Camps/On-line Seminars, Continuing education.

Don't be stagnant.  Learn something new from one of the many education avenues available through BOMA and BOMI.  Not only is it easy; it is fun.  You know the old saying" if you aren't growing; you are dying".

4) ADVOCACY - Time extension of old buildings to comply with fire escape routes due to economic hardship on owners in NC/Depreciation/Terrorism Insurance.

The legislative aspect is one of the most important things that BOMA does for us.  BOMA International has full time employees working in Washington on legislative issues such as terrorism insurance, depreciation, and codes.  These are all things that affect us in our every day management.  There are also opportunities to work on legislative issues in the local area.
 
5) RECOGNITION - Earn industry recognition by earning a TOBY or MOY

You work hard every day.  Be recognized for your achievements as the Member of the Year: Or Submit one of your buildings for a TOBY award.  Things you put together in a TOBY submission is information you need to know about your building anyway.  A submission will gain you great brownie points with your clients.  Winning a local TOBY is exciting; going on to Regional is an achievement; proceeding to International is quite an honor.

6) MARKETING - Getting your name out helps your company and helps you.

The more involved in the industry you get, the more doors seem to open up to you.  You and your company are taken more seriously and given more opportunities because people know you are serious about the industry.  By getting involved in a national committee you can help change the face of the industry.

7) GIVING BACK TO THE INDUSTRY - Be a mentor to new folks within the industry.

Just as you have gained from being involved in industry organizations, it is important to give back to the industry.  There are various means to get involved, whether through committee involvement or as a mentor in a particular area in which others may not have as much experience.

8) STANDARDS AND RESEARCH - "Standard BOMA Method of Measurement"/Let your buildings help set the standards for income/expenses for Experience Exchange Report/Compensation/Compensation Survey.

When was the last time you picked up an office building lease that didn't refer to the "Standard BOMA Method of Measurement for Office Buildings"?  What reports do you use for benchmarking? How do you measure your salary level? BOMA has an incredible program to gather information to continue to "raise the bar" within the industry.  Participate in the research and utilize the results as tools to assist you in processes such as budgeting and hiring among others.

9) PUBLICATIONS - ADA, How to Develop a MOB, BOMA's Guide to Security and Emergency Planning, Standard BOMA Method of Measurement - Go online to see what is available.

The number of resources available through BOMA are limitless.  Go on-line to see what publications are available.  Discounts are available to members.  Information is available from A to Z, including telecommunication or legalese.  Check it out and make your job easier.

10) WWW.BOMA.ORG - Be a part of something big/Look on-line at benefits/very inexpensive/we all benefit.

MEMBERS WORKING FOR MEMBERS!
 
BOMA MEMBERS REPRESENT

     Office Buildings
     Government Facilities
     Medical Buildings
     Financial Institutions
     Regional/National Retail Properties
     Regional/National Hospitality Facilities
     Institutional/Educational Facilities
     Industrial Properties


MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

     Professional designations
     Outstanding educational opportunities
     Informative lunch meetings on industry related topics
     Networking
     Industry elated legislative information
     Advertising opportunities
     Access to top vendors and property management professionals


BOMA'S PRIMARY GOALS

     Assist owners and managers in becoming expert professionals through education and information sharing.
     To represent the needs of the membership to government officials.
     To provide network for members to share experiences and knowledge.
     To increase professionalism through education - designations, programs, classes, seminars and lunches.

CURRENT ADVOCACY ISSUES

     Terrorism Insurance Coverage
     Telecommunications - Forced Building Entry
     High Speed Rail
     Electricity Utility Deregulation
     Americans with Disabilities Act
     Mold
     Sustainability
     Energy Conservation
     Codes and Standards
     Indoor Air Quality
 
 
EDUCATION/INFORMATION

     RPA/SMT/SMA/FMA Professional designations through BOMI
     Seminars on relevant topics
     Luncheon Programs on local issues
     Publications - Access Only to Members
     Access to Information


BOMA PUBLICATIONS/ COMMUNICATIONS

     Local Quarterly Newsletter
     BOMA/International
     Provides updates on current legislative and regulatory issues and BOMA's
       activities on Capitol Hill.
     Provides Code Updates
     International Membership Directory
     http://www.bomacwv.org/
     www.boma.org
     Experience Exchange Report

EVENTS AND NETWORKING ACTIVITIES

     Bi-Monthly Luncheons
     Committee Meetings
     Trade
     Seminars and Classes
     Regional Meetings
     National Meetings and Conventions
     Golf Tournaments
     Building Tours
     Social Nights


 NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES WITH BOMA

     Events and Activities, including "meet and greet" cocktail parties,
     casino night, annual golf tournament, etc.
     Committee Membership
     Advertisements on BOMA Website
     Sponsorship of a Luncheon or Seminar
     Speak at a Luncheon
     Sponsor or Contribute to an Event
 

THE RESULTS

     Form new personal and business relationships
     Increase your business
     Learn about your industry
     Make a difference in your community

 
ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS

Enhance the level of professionalism and ethics - Our goal is to maximize the level of professionalism, industry knowledge and ethics in the market.   Our membership consists of property management professionals, owners, developers and vendors, many of whom have years of experience but also those that are new to the business.  Our seasoned managers give back to the industry by sharing their experience and knowledge with newcomers.  While many of us are competitors, we encourage our members to share information both to educate and help increase the level of professionalism in the industry, without divulging privileged information.

Education - A key focus of BOMA/Carolina's West Virginia is to educate its members on industry trends, upcoming concerns, and current market conditions through regular luncheon meetings, ethics classes, webinars, conferences and networking events.  Through the BOMI Institute, BOMA offers its members the most comprehensive educational resource for commercial real estate professionals, giving candidates the resources to achieve industry designations.  In addition, BOMA publishes many research tools including the Experience Exchange Report, and sets standards for the industry such as the 'BOMA standard method of measurement" used by most real estate professionals when measuring square footage..  We are committed to quality education for our membership.

Commercial real estate industry - In addition to property management professionals, members include building owners, developers and vendors representing all types of industries related to the commercial real estate industry. Members manage properties for private owners, REITs, Institutional clients, Non-profits and Corporations.  Properties under management include office, industrial, laboratories, retail, flex, airports, dormitories, jails and condos.  The diversity of projects and the wide-range of experience offered by our members gives everyone an opportunity to increase their scope and knowledge.

Advocacy - BOMA fights for legislation friendly to the commercial real estate market on both the local and national level.  Recently, at the local level we lobbied to have the NC Rehab Code accepted statewide.  On a national level, a full staff works on legislative issues and are often called in as experts when the national government needs input on matters relating to our industry.  In this area it is critical that we work in force, rather than as individuals, if we wish to make a difference.  In 2007 BOMA International had some important victories.  Most significant was the passage of key legislation to extend the federal terrorism risk insurance program and we continue to have victories in the adoption of BOMA supported building codes in key jurisdictions.

Development of strategic relationships - Our meetings foster the development of strategic relationships.  These are networking opportunities that will help build your business, and  provide essential resources.  Your fellow members are a great source of information and through the BOMA membership directory you have an opportunity to cultivate these relationships.


ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

BOMA/International was founded in 1907.  The Federation began with ninety seven (97) Local Associations consisting of 18,900 total members.  The International Federation now represents 8.5 billion square feet of property and is the principal advocate for the commercial real estate industry.
The association assumed its present name in 1968 as it broadened its reach to include Canada and other affiliates around the globe. Today, BOMA International represents 91 local associations throughout the United States and ten affiliates in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Finland, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines(2) and South Africa . BOMA's 16,500-plus members own or manage more than nine billion square feet of commercial properties in the United States.
BOMA International is a primary source of information on office building development, leasing, building operating costs, energy consumption patterns, local and national building codes, legislation, occupancy statistics and technological developments. Throughout BOMA International's long history, its goal has always focused on actively and responsibly representing and promoting the interests of the commercial real estate industry through effective leadership and advocacy, through the collection, analysis and dissemination of information, and through professional development.
The Carolinas and Virginias formed a local association in the 1920's, as a federation of the Building Owners and Managers Association International in Washington, DC.  Raleigh and Virginia now have their own groups.   We currently hold regular local meetings in Charleston, SC, Charleston WV, Charlotte, NC, Greensboro, NC and Greenville, SC.
Each of our presidents has impacted the organization in significant ways.  Past Presidents have made great strides in propelling BOMA Raleigh-Durham forward such as:  breaking away from the larger group and started months of procedures to get approval from Carolinas-West Virginia and the local membership, formalized and implemented the new federation and led the group to record membership numbers as well as instituting a board of directors to continue to develop leadership.

Today, we have an outstanding board of directors in place and numerous committees each with considerable responsibilities.  We have become a leading sponsor of many civic and charitable events.  Our membership has continued to grow and along with that, we have been able to offer more networking opportunities, such as our annual "casino" night and golf tournament.  We continue to offer outstanding educational programs and have led many of our members to industry recognized designations.  We have also been able to give back to our community through significant fundraising and charitable donations.

In 2011, BOMA Raleigh-Durham will host the BOMA Southern Region Conference.  This is a huge accomplishment for such a young chapter.  Industry leaders throughout the country will descend on our city to attend this conference.  As a member, you will have an opportunity to be an integral part of this event which promises to be one of our chapter's most significant achievements.