by Perry Pillow, FWAA Director of Government Affairs
Hard work never hurts anyone, but why risk it? If, at first, you don’t succeed, then skydiving is not for you. My keyboard must be broken; I keep hitting the escape key, but I’m still at work.
As the above quotes remind us, it is important to keep a sense of humor in the workplace. FWAA members work hard every day to ensure that their residents’ homes are well maintained, their assets are performing, and their colleagues are successful. Likewise, FWAA volunteer leaders and staff daily strive to provide FWAA members with the advocacy, educational, communication, and networking resources to excel in the ever-evolving multifamily industry. Together, our quest for excellence ensures that FWAA members are prepared for the challenges ahead.
Last month, we continued our series on advocacy myths by exploring the role of money in politics. This month, we debunk the “it is hard” advocacy myth. Many FWAA members view government relations, politics, and policy as hard. Frankly, given the current political environment, many FWAA members are sick of the noise, name-calling, and childish nature of our political discourse.
Advocacy is not hard, but like any skill effective advocacy takes work. Advocacy is a challenge. Advocacy is important. Advocacy means getting outside your comfort zone. The great news, FWAA is here to help.
I recently had a discussion with a multifamily executive who shared with me that advocacy was something they avoided for years. After participating in FWAA-led meetings with elected officials in DFW, Austin, and Washington, this executive shared that advocacy is now their favorite aspect of FWAA membership. When I asked what caused this change, the executive stated the following:
- FWAA prepared them for the meetings;
- Other FWAA leaders participated in the meetings;
- They connected with the elected official on a personal level; and
- Their input made a difference.
FWAA advocacy is a team activity. FWAA staff ensures that FWAA members have the policy research, political background, and meeting coordination necessary to be successful. FWAA members provide real-life anecdotes that put a human face on complex policy issues. Homework is required, but it pays off.
FWAA advocacy is a roll-up-your-sleeves effort. FWAA advocacy is working class; we advocate with class.
The CITY OF SAGINAW $125 PER UNIT ANNUAL INSPECTION FEE – Last month, FWAA board member Darcy Bixby (Valiant Residential), along with FWAA staff members Kevin Pellegrino and Perry Pillow, met with the City of Saginaw officials to discuss the city’s overly egregious $125 per unit per year inspection fee. This fee would be ten times greater than the average inspection fee in FWAA’s service area. While the discussion was highly professional and cordial, unfortunately, we could not persuade the fire and code enforcement staff to reduce or reconsider this fee. FWAA is currently considering potential options to mitigate this fee. Big shout out to FWAA board member Alexis Carreiro with Smart Data for providing us with market data on Saginaw to help us prepare for this meeting.
FWAA STATE LEGISLATOR MEETINGS – In October, FWAA President Bryan Downer, FWAA Government Affairs Committee Chair April Royal, FWAA Treasurer Nicole Zaitoon, Past President Cayce Coon, Past President Cayce Coon, and FWAA Government Affairs Committee members Micah Stateson and Jim Floyd along with TAA staff members Chris Newton, Sandy Hoy, Kyle Jackson and FWAA staff members Kevin Pellegrino and Perry Pillow met FWAA area state legislators including State Senators Phil King (R – SD10) and Kelly Hancock (R – SD 9); state representatives Charlie Geren (R – HD 99), Gio Capriglione (R – HD 98), Ramon Romero (D – HD 90), and Nicole Collier (D – HD 95); as well as state representative candidates John McQueeney (R – HD 97) and Helen Kerwin (R – HD 58).
FALL PAC GOLF – Thank you to everyone who played and sponsored this year’s FWAA Fall PAC golf tournament on October 8th at Texas Star. A big shout out to Golf Chair Chris Jimenez and Beau, Margaret, and Tracy Smith with Service Response Team (SRT), the presenting sponsor.
CONTRIBUTE TO THE FWAA PAC – FWAA advocacy efforts depend on all our members doing their part to financially support candidates that align with FWAA’s interests. Please https://form.jotform.com/220464310148143
Perry Pillow is FWAA’s Director of Government Affairs. For more information, contact Perry at
ppillow@aatcnet.org or call 817-701-6353.
