02-2021 One Voice

ONE
VOICE
FEBRUARY 2021
SOCIAL PURPOSE INITIATIVES
ACRES GROUP: MAXIMIZING LANDSCAPE BUDGETS
“WHERE SHOULD I KEEP MY FILES?”
FIRSTSERVICE CONSTRUCTION & MAINTENANCE
AND MORE!
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Message from
Asa Sherwood
President
FirstService Residential Illinois
Dear Associates,
Introducing the new all-associate newsletter!
Communication is important to the success of our
company. With the One Voice newsletter, we continue our practice of bringing you
departmental news, celebrating successes and providing tips and tricks to help you work
more effectively. I hope you enjoy this edition.
dfasdfs
Meet your colleagues
Name: Lida Evans
Role: Executive Assistant
What are some of the best things you get to do in your role? I love working with different
departments and getting to meet so many great people.
What’s your favorite pastime? I love to travel. I’m looking forward to new adventures this year.
Favorite hidden gem restaurant? Pasta D’Arte on the Northside
What quote do you like to live by?” It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that
matters.”
We want to hear
from you!
What would you like to read in the new One Voice
newsletter? Drop an email to OneVoice@fsresidential.
com, and we will incorporate your suggestions!
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Social Purpose
Throughout FirstService Residential, we are driven not only by our strong desire to deliver exceptional
service and solutions to our managed communities, but also by our compassion for others. We instinctively
direct that compassion to our customers, to the underserved people in our communities, to causes that help
those in need and to each other in times of suffering and crisis.
It is our proven passion for caring for others that has sown the seeds of our company’s Social Purpose.
We engage in socially responsible activities in our local markets, in our regions and as an organization. We
volunteer our time, fundraise and donate money to help those in need.
As a firm we also focus on diversity and inclusion, making the world a better place for underrepresented
residents and colleagues. Illinois is ably represented on the corporate Diversity and Inclusion committee by
Randy Grimes and Brian Butler. In addition, coast-to-coast we are leaning into five important social purpose
pillars:
» February: Black History Month
» March: Womens’ History Month
» June: Pride Month
» September-October: Hispanic Heritage Month
» November: Military Appreciation
In addition to these big initiatives, we will be celebrating a wealth of commemorative days. Stay tuned for
special events, activities and information about both Social Purpose and Diversity & Inclusion!
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
There are many thought-provoking and inspiring chapters in the history of African Americans. Take time this
month to learn something new about our shared past, with these resources:
https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/collections/teaching-content/black-history-month/
https://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/
https://africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/for-teachers/
12 Years a Slave: Primary Sources on the Kidnapping of Free African Americans - https://bit.ly/3jeRXNV
African American History and Primary Sources - https://bit.ly/3timsr7
The Civil Rights Act of 1964: Making Our Nation Whole - https://bit.ly/2YICQTu
Frederick Douglass on Abraham Lincoln: The Writer and Abolitionist Remembers the President - https://bit.
ly/2NUjwR4
Looking Behind the March on Washington: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the Civil Rights Movement, and Labor -
https://bit.ly/3tq70ZS
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CORE VALUES AWARDS
the winner is...
Our core values are an important of our daily work lives. Each year, associates
nominate coleagues that they believe exemplify those values in they way they
conduct their business. Congratulations to the twelve people who won Core Values
Awards this year!
Values
Genuinely Helpful
Build Great Relationships
Aim HIgh
Own It
Do What’s Right
Improve It
Winner
Jessica Dishroon
Mavis Mather
Angel Rodriguez
Deb O’Hagan
Jermise Steele
Maria Lamberti
Winner
Cynthia Rios
Jennifer Rewerts-Schneider
Andrew Fung
Alex Wade
Jermaine Jackson
Lisa Ketter
OTHER NOMINEES:
Alexandra van
Ginkel
Alitzya Jedrzejek
Allie Sylvester
America Moyeno
Amy Eickhoff
Andrea Ritter
Angela Gibson
Anita Pope
Anna Rzeszutko
Archana Acosta
Bethany Nelson
Brooke Zemlan
Bruce Chappelear
Carolyn Clifton
Catherine Kordell
Chandra Banks
Charlene Rimsa
Chrissy Bialek
Christina Colborn
Clifton Taylor
Dan Harvey
Daniel Valdes
Dawn Roth
Demetrios Santers
Donna Curtin
Edison Giles
Elice Williams
Elise Mallon
Eric Pounder
Eric Ruby
Eva Chmielewska
Freda McKay
Helen Fischer
Irma Ruiz-Collins
IT Department
Jackie Abraham
James Bukowski
Jamie Rouse
Jeanne Steines
Jennifer Garza
Jennifer McCaw
Jennifer Medja
Jessica Towles
Jessica Wagner
Jodi Middleton
Joni Hoffer
Judy Howells
Judy Ziner
Julie Strickland
Katherine Harrell
Kathleen
Helmstetter
Kathy Weinstein
ONE
Katie Brow
Kelli Rick
Kendra Rudder
Kendra Sheetz
Kim Heis
Kim Schultz
Kristal Jones
Kristin Ward
Krisztina Hynes
Kyla Mercer
Laura Alexander
Laura Burlacu
Lisa Repsold
Lucia Rudy
Luka Popovich
Madelyn Srajer
Maria Zingerman
Marjorie Comber
Michael Kell
Nanci Gonzales
Nick Cordello
Phil Zmurk
Razi Syed
RDs of Team Ziner
Regina Juarez
Rich Krilich
Richard Hiles
Richard Krillich
Richard Zielinski
Robert Kroll
Rona Thaci
Ruby Guzman
Sarah Florie
Sarah Thomas
Sean Gaynor
Shannon Grealy
Shannon Skeels
Sharon Giancola
Simon Fox
Steve Peterson
Susan Bujak
Taylor Latz
Tiffany Best
Tracy Repsold
Tycee Hightower
Vicky Keene
Wacker Accounting
team
Wendy O’Rourke
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LEARN DAY!
Continuous learning and improvement are a big
part of who we are at FirstService Residential and
it is a big part of our culture. Because of this, we
are setting aside an entire day each month for you
to learn and grow!
When: Beginning February 12th and then the
second Friday of each month.
Length: Each Session is 1 hour long –
approximately 45 minutes for presentation
(you do not have to use the entire time),
approximately 10 minutes for Q&A and 5
minutes to sign in/sign out.
Presenters: Anyone can volunteer to present on
Learn Day!
Topics: Up to the presenter.
Topic Criteria: It does not necessarily have to
be business-related. It can be about a hobby,
another country, an experience, an interest
or passion the presenter has, or it can be
business-related.
(No topics will be allowed that would be in direct
violation of FirstService Residential’s code
of conduct, ethics, values, etc. FirstService
Residential has the right to review and approve
topics/presentations prior to associate
delivering same on Learn Day.)
Attendance: Not mandatory. You will receive
email invites to all the sessions, and you can
attend any session that your schedule allows.
Sessions can be recorded so if you cannot
attend on Learn Day you can view it later.
• Do you have a hobby or favorite pastime you
would love to share?
• Do you have unique expertise in something
and want to tell others?
• Did you have an interesting experience and
are willing to speak about it?
If so, we want you!
We need presenters for our first Learn Day.
Please contact Jan Magree, Director of Training
at janet.magree@fsresidential.com if you would
like to be a presenter for our first Learn Day on
February 12th.
This is a GREAT OPPORTUNITY for your
professional development to share what you
know and get experience speaking in front of
others.
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English Insight
HOW TO USE ‘MYSELF’ IN A SENTENCE
Use ‘myself’ when you’re both the person doing
something and the person it’s happening to. For
example:
• I treated myself to chocolate cake for
breakfast.
• I made myself ill by eating too much.
Use ‘myself’ to add emphasis. For example:
• I myself made the chocolate cake.
• I would drive the car myself, but I haven’t
driven since the pandemic started.
In these sentences, ‘myself’ is added only for
emphasis. If you remove it, the sentences still
make perfect sense.
Take care when including yourself in a list of
people. It’s easy to use ‘myself’ incorrectly when
adding yourself.
• Wrong: Email Harold, Miri or myself for the
management report.
• Correct: Email Harold, Miri or me for the
management report.
Always think of the sentence as if you were the
only one in it. You wouldn’t say ‘Email myself’,
you’d say ‘Email me’. Once you have the sentence
right, add in the other people.
Note: The above rules also apply when using
ourselves, herself, itself, yourselves, etc.
“I’m quite sure you’re aware of what I think of
Madelyn Srajer. And I can assure you, without
the slightest hesitation, that realtors and
attorneys on both sides of our transaction
also share my sentiments. The sale of our unit,
#2501, took approximately six months. From
day one to closing was exactly, to the day, six
months. And from the very beginning to the
end, Madelyn was beyond helpful, incredibly
professional, prompt and respectful and above
all patient. All parties were simply blown away
with how quickly and accurately multiple
requests were handled. Most times within the
same day, and in many instances, within the
hour. I can’t recall any question or issue that
went unanswered.
I was rather apprehensive when we put our
place on the market with a new building manager
who had no prior experience or knowledge
regarding past issues. However, it soon
became apparent Michigan Avenue Towers
had hired a replacement that was the best
of the best! I’m sure the staff at First Service
Residential, together with yourself and the
board, had something to do with the fortuitous
decision to hire Madelyn. All owners, present
and future, can sleep well knowing they are in
good hands as long as Madelyn remains the
building manager.
If not for Madelyn’s help, knowledge and support,
our deal would likely NOT have closed.
That’s how good she was. She was a difference
maker! Simply can’t thank Madelyn enough!
Regards,
Joseph J. Galati, Jr.”
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CONNECT TIPS AND TRICKS
by Krisztina Hynes
Connect Star
The Connect Team would like to recognize a
Connect Star: Property Manager, Daniel Trebac
of R+D 659. From his first day with FirstService
Residential, Daniel has been passionate for the
use of Connect. Daniel spent the last couple of
weeks tirelessly learning and utilizing Connect
to prepare both his staff and residents for
the transition from ActiveBuilding. The effort
included: entering resident data, answering the
InfoCenter questions, uploading documents,
marking feature documents, setting up package
tracking and setting up the amenity tool. He’s
taken all his new-found knowledge of Connect
and has trained his staff. Daniel remained
fully transparent and communicative with the
residents regarding the changes and features
to come with their introduction to Connect
Resident Portal.
Reports
Connect offers many standard reports from the
dashboard. The most common are: Occupant
Listing Report, Insurance Tracking, Renters by
Unit and Amenities by Unit. There is a search
ability on the reports main screen. Reports can
be exported to PDF, CSV and XML.
Unit Phone/Cell Phone
Contact numbers are very important. Did you
know that the Unit Phone field on the Occupant
record feeds multiple purposes?
1) Customer Care uses the Unit Phone field
when the occupant calls to identify them.
2) The Unit Phone field is presented to the
Board on the Resident Portal.
If the occupant only has a cell phone number,
copy the cell phone number into the Unit Phone
number field; making sure the NE:EM check
boxes are only checked for the cell phone.
If you have any questions, please email us at
connect.il@fsresidential.com or feel free to call
us as well.
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Where’s the best place to keep our files?
by Jamie Rouse, IT Director
Over the past few years, our tech resources have
grown and the tools we use have evolved. With all
the applications we have, what are the pros and
cons for using different types of storage systems?
File Share: This is the location where you save work
related files that are accessible to everyone who has
been granted security access. This includes dayto-day
files that you need to do your job, and that
are organized roughly by department. This location
includes files related to Accounting, HR, Operation
(including folders for each property), marketing,
as well as policies and procedures. This storage
location is accessible from your local computer
in the corporate offices as well as via Illinois
Desktop(s) from within Citrix.
Your H Drive: This location is where you can store
your individual work-related files. If you have
documents that are related to work, but you don’t
feel should be stored in the general File Share, this
is the place for them. This is also the location where
your Desktop and Documents from Illinois Desktop
are stored.
One Drive: This location is an alternative to your
H drive. You can put your personal work related
files in here. There are a couple of great benefits to
OneDrive:
If you sign into the OneDrive app on your
mobile device or local computer, your files will
automatically synchronize with your FirstService
Office365 account, so that they are backed up, and
so that they can be accessed in multiple locations.
For example – if you save a file in OneDrive on your
computer, you can access it from within the app
on your phone, and from the OneDrive website at
login,microsoftonline.com.
You can share documents from within OneDrive
to people inside and outside the organization
regardless of file size. Ever had a large file that you
needed to send to a vendor or a board member? Put
it in your one drive, right click it and select share!
Though you cannot use the OneDrive app directly
from within Illinois Desktop, this is a great tool to
use if you are primarily a local desktop user.
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FIRSTSERVICE
CONSTRUCTION
& MAINTENANCE
Tips from FSCM
ABOUT FSCM
FirstService Construction and
Maintenance provides quality
maintenance and construction
services exclusively to high-rise,
mid-rise, cooperatives and townhome
communities managed by FirstService
Residential.
We will soon be introducing our new
website - a place to learn more about
our services and areas of skill. You’ll
also find helpful articles (such as the
excerpt on the right) and case studies
from your colleagues’ projects.
Don’t forget our incentive
program! For every dollar
invoiced and paid, the assigned
manager will receive 1% back in
a Visa gift card or donation to an
organization of their choice!
CONTACT US
Shannon Skeels 847-777-7058
Elise Mallon 847-777-7035
REDUCING ICE DAM RISKS
After a snow storm, ice dams can appear on roofs
due to premature melting of the snow from heat
buildup in the attic. Ice freezes at the gutters,
additional snowmelt backs under the shingles and
into the roof envelope causing interior leaks.
This leaking water can cause substantial damage
to the roof, soffits, gutters and interior ceilings,
walls, and finishes. Some ice damming may be
inevitable.
What are some steps to eliminate or reduce ice
damming in the future?
1. Seal all ceiling penetrations (light fixtures,
fans, and ducts) to keep warm, moist air out of
the attic.
2. Determine the R-value of the insulation (R20 =
approximately 8”).
3. Calculate the ratio of soffit to ridge vents to
attic area (approximately 1 sq. ft. of ventilation
per 200-300 sq. ft. of ceiling area.
4. Ensure that soffit vents are not blocked by the
insulation or painted shut.
5. Install ice and water shield at the bottom 5’ of
the roofline and in the valleys.
6. Clean all gutters and downspouts prior to
winter.
7. Set the home thermostat lower to reduce the
amount of heat loss into the attic, if the attic is
not adequately insulated.val services.
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Maximizing Value in Your Landscape Budget
Our In Good Company vendors have extensive knowledge in their fields. Each month, we will feature an article
from a vendor to educate our staff and introduce you to their services.
Our clients come to us looking for additional ways to
maximize their full landscape budget allocation with
impactful enhancement projects. What projects are
going to get you the most out of your investment?
We advise choosing the right additional services
in the right order so that you truly get the most out
of it. Here are some best practices we encourage
our HOAs to consider when maximizing the value of
enhancements.
1. Conduct Property Inspections with Your
Contractor
We always recommend conducting two property
walks each year; one in the spring and one in the
fall. Come with a list of priorities that you want to
address, which could be anything from drainage,
replacing dead plants, re-designing entryways etc.
Property walks have three core functions. Safety
Items to look for but not limited to:
• Hazardous trees
• Trip hazards
• Line of sight obstructions for traffic
Functionality: Over time, landscapes change, and
corrections need to be made such as:
• Dormant prune or remove oversized plant
material
• Install cobbles in heavy foot or vehicle traffic
• Fix poor drainage
• Remove turf in shaded areas and make a planting
bed
• Retaining walls that solve grading issues
Aesthetics: This is always the most fun category
to work in. We love to make big improvements on
property and enhance curb appeal, like:
• Re-designing entryways or monuments.
• Implementing a new design with fresh, compact
plant material suitable for commercial use.
• Incorporating an annual flower display.
2. Mulch
Yearly top-dressing of mulch is a great way to
enhance your property’s curb appeal and benefit
your plants. It is also a very tangible product that
gives a fresh look to the landscaping. Homeowners
can see where their monthly assessments go, and
everybody gets something on an annual basis.
Mulching each year might sound too expensive, but
when broken out year over year it comes out to be
about 10-20% higher than a 2” layer applied every 2
years.
3. Incorporate Plant and Turf Health Care
A turf care program includes all the necessary
treatments that your commercial lawn needs to look
its best. Most landscape contracts come with three
fertilizations; however, to take your turf to the next
level we recommend some of these services:
• Core aeration with overseeding
• Soil amendments such as capsulated gypsum or
Carbonpro
• Organic dormant fertilization or winterization
fertilizer
• Grub control
Healthy, green plants will ensure your commercial
landscape continues to look lush and attractive. A
plant health care program supplies your landscape
with necessary nutrients and helps your plants
defend against threats like insects and disease. You
might think of it as a protection of the investment
that you have in your landscape.
(continued on next page)
Riley V Skaggs
Vice President of Sales & Marketing
23940 W. Andrew Road | Plainfield, IL 60585
(847) 878-1322
www.acresgroup.com
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Maximizing Value in your Landscape Budget (continued from previous page)
Consult with one of our experienced staff members
first, but here are some preventative measures that
can be taken:
• Organic deep root fertilization with mycorrhizae
• Apple scab treatments
• Anti-desiccant for evergreens
• Dormant oil
• Soil drenches for harmful insects
4. Irrigation
Many properties already have a system, it’s just
more outdated than our clients realize. If that’s the
case for you, then it might be time for an upgrade.
Today’s smart irrigation systems tailor their watering
schedules to actual weather conditions as opposed
to a predetermined schedule. With these real-time
adjustments, your landscape is getting the right
amount of water, and only when it needs it. This
ensures you use water more efficiently and saves
money on your commercial property’s water bill.
5. Add Wow Factor with Color
If you’ve added an irrigation system and
incorporated health care programs for your turf and
your landscape, then it’s time to move on to thinking
about some wow factor. The addition of color always
makes a big impact, so implementing an annual
flower rotation or colorful perennials in key locations
can make a big difference. Implementing color at
your property’s entryway or clubhouse is where
you’ll likely get the most attention.
6. Incorporate New Trees or Prune Existing Trees
Additional tree work is another investment in smart,
impactful landscape enhancement projects. Trees
can add so much value to a property by providing
beauty and shade. But trees that are suffering from
disease, fungus, a pest problem, or even age should
be inspected and potentially replaced. The last thing
that you want is for a tree to become a hazard or an
eyesore.
Sometimes, trees just require some pruning to
freshen them up and help them look their best. If you
have money that can be utilized for tree work, you
might want to have your trees’ canopies cleared or
thinned so they look and perform better.
We recommend getting an inventory of your
property. Our arborists use a software platform
called TreePlotter to inventory all trees and provide
recommendations. We like to create tree pruning
contracts that can be broken into three phases
throughout the property to help spread the cost out.
Choosing a Landscape Contractor Who Can Work
With Your Budgetary Needs
Acres Group is always here to help support you
in making the best choices when it comes to your
landscaping budget. You can count on us to give you
honest information as to how to spend your money in
a way that makes sense.
That doesn’t just mean telling you what you want
to hear. You deserve to be able to trust that your
landscape company is steering you in the right
direction and being fully transparent about what
services need to be performed (and in what order).
After all, you want impactful results for your
investment but you also want to make decisions that
are best for the long term—not just the “here and
now.” That will mean that your property will continue
to look and perform its best for many years to come.
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SUBURBAN
MANAGEMENT
by Jessica Towles, VP
VILLA OLIVIA
Bartlett, IL
Suburban Management
Team Introduction
Our suburban management portfolio is made up of
187 communities ranging in size from 21 units to
2,338. Our team includes six Regional Directors:
Karen Balinski Jen McCaw
Rich Hiles Charissa Ziobro
Lynda Lange Melissa Khan
We have four Senior Property Supervisors:
Kyla Mercer
Kim Hart
Meaghan Bollenberg
Jennifer Rewerts-Schneider
Finally, we have 24 Portfolio Managers and 42 Sited
Property Managers and onsite staff (combined
numbers).
This team handles anything and everything you can
imagine ranging from sewers to snow and landscape
to light bulbs. In the upcoming issues of One Voice
I will be highlighting a manager, property or major
project we have in the works.
This month’s spotlight is on one of our Portfolio
Managers, Carolyn Clifton, and Villa Olivia
Townhouse Association No. 1, one of the
communities within her portfolio.
Carolyn took over this community late in 2019 at
the start of a year long roof replacement project.
The project involved a roofing consultant and many
meetings as we entered the pandemic. Over the
course of the year Carolyn had to coordinate skylight
removals or replacements with 30 different units,
loan payments, and parking and garbage issues as
the roofer moved from building to building. And they
threw in a community wide tax appeal to top things
off.
Carolyn did all of this with grace under pressure
while performing the standard duties for Villa
Olivia and all her other properties. This property
is certainly keeping her busy! Thank you for your
efforts, Carolyn!
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REMINDERS:
• 2/4: Complete your
associate performance
reviews, if you haven’t
already.
• 2/12: All performance
review sign-offs are due
in ADP.
• 3/5: 2021 SMART Goals
should be agreed upon
and added to ADP.
• As of 11/2020, the
Twitter link should be
removed from your email
signature line.
• Week of 2/8: our
redesigned website
will be rolled out coastto-coast.
No action
is needed by you to
prepare.
• Read and sign your
copy of the Associate
Handbook in ADP.
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