NAA'S CONTINUING EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

Taking Strides to Strengthen NAA's Education Programs

NAA's Education Department experienced many achievements during the 1998 calendar year, developing new curriculum, updating its student database, reviewing its education materials, developing new marketing materials for affiliates,

NEW Technical Service Curriculum

The first five programs of the new Technical Service Curriculum, released in September, received an outstanding response from NAA affiliates. These first five programs constitute the first half of a two-part revision to the Certified Apartment Maintenance Technician (CAMT) training. Program topics include: Basic Orientation to Apartment Community Maintenance; Fair Housing; Safety; People Maintenance; and Customer Service. The remaining programs will be developed in 1999 and will include sessions on HVAC, plumbing, electricity, and small appliance repair.

Database Update

This year also saw the conversion of the Association's database into a new software system named iMIS. The Education Department has taken the lead with this new software and has implemented a number of procedures to ensure that the certification process runs more smoothly. These improvements helped the Education Department track designate dues records, allowing the department to surpass the year-end total for 1997 dues by September 1998. With 5,316 designates in NAA education programs and the number expected to climb, students and affiliates alike will reap the benefits of 1998's work in the year to come.

Education Material

The Education Department began to review the education material NAA is using for certification programs. In 1998, new GBC-bound materials became available in modular format for the National Apartment Leasing Professional (NALP) and Certified Apartment Manager (CAM) programs. This improvement was made at the suggestion of NAA affiliates and promises to make the programming more flexible to the students.

Marketing

During the fall of 1998, the Education Department began the development of generic marketing templates for use by NAA affiliates. Additionally, marketing material including slicks, brochures, and flyers were created.

Education Publications

One new publication was developed in 1998: The Syllabus. The publication, designed exclusively for affiliate educators, is produced monthly and sent via fax. It contains updates on NAA training programs and helpful training tips.

National Apartment Association Education Foundation

The NAA Education Foundation continued its strong growth in 1998, with a total fund balance of $733,548 as of the end of the year, and pledges for $37,500, thus helping to realize its mission to advance industry professionalism through education The interest from the fund--the principal is never spent--will be used to develop and implement NAA education programs for the good of the industry.

The NAA Education Foundation is committed to its goal, which will result in:

* A better trained, more professional work force;

* Better managed, more profitable apartment communities;

* Enhanced apartment resident value and satisfaction;

* Informed employees who comply with federal regulations; and

* The development of multifamily industry strategies that address the wants and needs of tomorrow's apartment residents

Sponsorship levels for the Education Foundation are:

* Founders' Circle--donation of $25,000 or more

* Patrons of the Foundation--donation of $10,000 to $24,000

* Benefactors of the Foundation--donation of $1,000 to $9,999

* Friends of the Foundation--donation of $5 to $999

Founders' Circle sponsors receive several benefits for their contributions, including recognition in Units and at the NAA Education Conference, in addition to special invitations to Education Foundation meetings and events

Founder's Circle members are:

* ECI Management Corporation, Henry Hirsch, Marietta, Georgia

* Focus Group, Gerry Blonder, CAPS, Atlanta, Georgia

* Julian LeCraw and Company, Julian LeCraw, Atlanta, Georgia

* The Pinnacle Companies, Rob Johnston, CAPS, CPM, Atlanta, Georgia

* Post Apartment Homes, LP, John Williams, Atlanta, Georgia

* Trammell Crow Residential, J. Robert Terwilliger, Dallas, Texas

* Warshaw Properties, Jerry Warshaw, CAPS, Atlanta, Georgia

* Atlanta Apartment Association, Anna Swann, CPM, President, Atlanta, Georgia

* Apartment Association of Greater Dallas, Brad Williams, President, Dallas, Texas

* Houston Apartment Association, Eileen Subinsky, CPM, President, Houston, Texas

* Apartment Association of Tarrant County, Linda Marshall, President, Fort Worth, Texas

* Texas Apartment Association, Stacy Hunt, President, Austin

* Coinmach Corporation, Mitchell Blatt, Duluth, Georgia

* For Rent Magazine, Ernie Martin, Dallas, Texas

* HAAS Publishing Companies, Robert Metz, Norcross, Georgia

In the fall of 1996, 1997 President Rob Johnston decided to jump-start the Foundation with a $200,000 check from members in Atlanta. He appointed 1996 President Hap Hunnicut as Foundation President and charged him with raising another $300,000 by the Education Conference in June 1997, which he surpassed. Johnston has since spent countless hours spreading the word and soliciting donations, bringing the Foundation to where it is today.