The third quarter (July – September) REACH class brochures are going in the mail today so you should receive it early next week. Be sure to check out the many interesting classes pertinent to all property types and staff, scheduled throughout the state this summer. You can also check out the schedule online.

Additionally, we still have our four June classes to be held all around the state - Loveland, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs and Lakewood. Customer Service, Fair Housing and Fire Safety are topics that are beneficial to all staff and all property types. The Balancing Tenant Advocacy class is targeted more toward service coordinators and site management. Representatives from local resources on the western slope will present information on advocacy services they can provide for your tenants.

Please call or email me if you have questions on any of the classes and remember there is no fee if you are a REACH member.

Customer Service Essentials
(full day)
In today’s fast-paced and complex work environments, customer service expectations have changed dramatically for both affordable and conventional properties. Did you know that on the average it costs seven times more to get a new resident than it does to keep an existing resident? Providing excellent experiences to our customers requires new skills and understanding. When the interaction of all activities and events are positive, we become priceless! In this workshop we’ll explore what it takes to create priceless experiences for those you work with and serve. Our instructor has a varied background in the marketing field and has served as the Membership/Marketing Director for the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce. Discover and reinforce essential customer service skills that help you manage various situations and meet the expectations of others. Make both your internal and external customer service priceless!

Date: Friday, June 13^th
Time: Registration: 8:45 a.m. Class: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Mirasol Senior Living, 1145 Finch Place, Loveland (970.635.5931)
Instructor: Sheri Fisher, Living on Purpose
Who Should Come:  Site Managers, leasing staff, maintenance staff and all staff that interact with your tenants – all property types

Balancing Tenant Advocacy with Management’s Rules and Regulations
(partial day)
This workshop will explore the different advocacy resources available to tenants and the conflict and complex relationships with that can result with management. What is a service coordinator, and how are they funded? A panel of tenant advocacy professionals, and property managers will discuss their respective roles in dealing with tenant issues while staying in compliance with property rules and regulations. The class is designed to be interactive so please bring issues that you would like the panel to discuss. Attendees will also have an opportunity to share local resources and discuss potential solutions for common problems.

Date: Tuesday, June 17^th
Time: Registration: 8:45 a.m. Class: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: CHFA, 348 Main Street, Grand Junction
Instructor: June Robertson, Service Coordinator, and a panel comprised of management and tenant advocates
Who Should Come:  Owners/managers, and tenant advocates of all property types

Fair Housing – the Law and Your Development
(partial day)
Few things can be as time consuming, exasperating, and as expensive to defend as a Fair Housing complaint. This basic class will give a general overview of Fair Housing and will identify the protected classes. You will learn how to avoid those headaches that are often encountered in advertising, and how an “innocent comment” can turn into a discrimination complaint. Reasonable accommodation and renting to residents with disabilities will also be covered.

Date: Thursday, June 19^th
Time: Registration: 8:45 a.m. Class: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: Villa San Jose, 1810 S. Corona, Colorado Springs (719.632.7444)
Instructor: Mark Feilmeier, CHFA Section 8 Manager
Who Should Come:  Owners, managers, and all other staff that has direct contact with tenants and applicants, including maintenance of all property types

Fire, Safety, Evacuation and Recovery Workshop for Multifamily Properties
(full day)
This comprehensive workshop provides training in fire safety and emergency planning for apartment managers and maintenance staff. It identifies the most common fire hazards, writing and practicing your evacuation plan, and how and when to use a fire extinguisher. Fire codes will be discussed, as well as how and why they are enforced. Also, in the unfortunate event of a fire, you will learn how to return to normal as quickly as possible. Participants will be instructed in crisis communication with victims and family members, employees, community leaders and the media.

Date: Thursday, June 26^th
Time: Registration: 8:45 a.m. Class: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
LocationWest Metro Fire Protection District, 433 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood
Instructor: West Metro Fire Protection District
Who Should Come:  Managers and maintenance staff of all property types