NEWS BRIEF

JANUARY 2018
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Message from President Marsha Parham
Dear Colleagues:

Happy New Year!  The New Year is a chance to start fresh, a time to set goals or to make significant changes.  In my first communication to you as Regional President, I write to share with you a significant change. Kristen Damazio is the region’s new Service Officer. Some of you may have met her, as she is the Service Officer for the Pacific Northwest Regional Council. Read more about Kristen in the article below. Sylvia, LaTonya, and Reggie will be on hand to work with Kristen as she settles in and to provide support to her when needed.

I am both honored and humbled to assume my role as President of MARC NAHRO. I begin this journey with enthusiasm and excitement.    Why? Because collectively, MARC NAHRO has the talent and resources to achieve greatness—by working together and connecting every agency, the possibilities are endless.  Earlier I mentioned change.  Continuity is essential as well. We will not abandon the good work accomplished during Clif’s and Regina’s presidencies. Rather, we will build upon it. Specifically:
  • We will continue to keep you up-to-date on regional and industry news via our revamped website http://marcnahro.org/; so carve out time for frequent visits;
  • We will provide educational and networking opportunities at the MARC NAHRO-PAHRA Conference in Hershey, PA -- June 24-27, 2018;
  • Member Services Committee will be tasked with leading a membership promotion drive (there is more strength in numbers);
  • Professional Development Committee will lead our efforts to bring educational opportunities to you at the local level;
  • I will work with the region’s six standing committees to develop achievable objectives over the next two years; and
  • We will work to increase MARC NAHRO’s presence and visibility in the region via Housing America

As you may know, in 2016, we established the Gilliam, Milan, Smith and Moyer Memorial Scholarship for our members’ benefit-- to fund tuition and/or certification examination fees for NAHRO Professional Development offerings. Currently, we are not in a position to offer scholarships because of a lack of seed money. We can solve this quickly and easily if each MARC NAHRO member made a donation to the fund.

I encourage each of you to play an active role in MARC NAHRO so that we can continue to grow and thrive. And, I invite your suggestions on how the region can best meet your needs in the future. 

Feel free connect with me at [email protected] or any member of the Executive Board or RSO Kristen Damazio at [email protected]

Again, Happy New Year. I hope to hear from you soon.

Regards,

Marsha Parham
President 
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2017-2019 MARC NAHRO Officers
Their terms began at the conclusion of the NAHRO Conference, October 29, 2017 and will end at the conclusion of the NAHRO Conference in October 2019.

(l-r) Marsha Parham- President; Nathan Bovelle- Secretary; Diane Haislip- Treasurer; John Mahon - Senior Vice President and swearing in officers, Clif Martin, Past President- MARC NAHRO.
Stay current on the work of the Executive Board by reading meeting minutes -
they are posted online .
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Meet your New Regional Service Officer
National NAHRO is pleased to announce that Kristen Damazio will serve a MARC NAHRO's Regional Service Officer (RSO) effective January 1, 2018. Sylvia Bowen and La Tonya Rajah will be on hand to provide support to Kristen as needed. Feel free to reach Kristen at [email protected] . Kristen brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this position.

Kristen has been the Regional Service Officer for the Pacific Northwest Regional Council since October 2014. During that time she has updated the regional website including frequent news posts, created a monthly e-newsletter, posts regularly on Facebook and Twitter, has had attendance and revenue record breaking regional conferences, been the liaison between the region and NAHRO in assisting with advocacy, professional development and member services and much more.

Before joining NAHRO, Kristen was the Manager of the Enumclaw Expo Center (formerly the King County Fairgrounds) where she was responsible for creating events, marketing the venues, oversight of permanent and seasonal staff, as well as budgeting and reporting. In her time at the Expo Center, she increased revenues by more than 35% and reduced expenses by more than 50%. Prior to managing the Expo Center Kristen was the Regional Member Development Specialist for Foresters, a member benefit organization. She was responsible for creating relationships and activities for members to serve their communities and to enjoy networking and social events as well as providing sales opportunities for the organizational sales team to increase membership. 

Kristen is skilled in conference planning, event management, member/vendor relations, managing project plans, reports, budgets and timelines and works well independently or with Board members, volunteers and colleagues. In her free time Kristen and her husband enjoy traveling around the Pacific Northwest in their RV along with their two Yorkshire terriers and tuxedo cat. Kristen grew up in Colorado but has lived in Washington state since 2001.

Kristen looks forward to bringing her experience and skills to MARC NAHRO and hopes to develop productive and beneficial relationships with MARC NAHRO leadership and members.
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MARC NAHRO Needs You!
Volunteer to serve on one of six regional committees
Serving on a committee broadens your knowledge and perspective while contributing to MARC NAHRO. Click here for rosters of your peers who have already volunteered.

Members interested in serving on a committee should complete the survey or send an email to [email protected] .

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Save the Date!
PAHRA/MARC NAHRO
Spring Conference
You don't want to miss it! Hershey, PA
June 24-27, 2018 

Details and frequent updates will be posted on the MARC NAHRO Website, simply click on the banner on the homepage.   

MARC NAHRO Salutes and Congratulates Regional Winners
Elizabeth "Liz" Glenn - John D. Lange International Award
At the NAHRO Conference in Pittsburgh this past October, the John D. Lange International Award was bestowed upon Liz Glenn.    "Liz’s international work has provided NAHRO with vital and varied perspectives on affordable housing and community development worldwide," said Adrianne Todman, NAHRO Chief Executive Officer. “The knowledge and wisdom that she brings back from other countries helps us more effectively serve those who need safe, decent and affordable housing in our own country.” 

Glenn’s international credentials include being a member of the U.S. State Department’s official delegation to Habitat II in 1996 and again at Habitat III in 2016. She was appointed by the United Nations as a Policy Expert on Urban Services and Technology as part of the preparation of the New Urban Agenda, approved by 193 nation states at Habitat III in October of 2016 .

The Lange award was established in 1983 in the name of John D. Lange, Executive Director of NAHRO from 1951 to 1970, who actively participated throughout his professional career in international exchange and, in his retirement, carried out executive service assignments in Argentina, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
2018 What Home Means To Me Poster Contest Winners
Each of the eight NAHRO regions was asked to select one winner for three categories—elementary, middle, and high school for consideration for the 2018 Calendar. MARC NAHRO submitted these winners:  

Elementary School: 
Jonathan, Bayonne, NJ;
Middle School: 
Jake, Bayonne, NJ;
High School: 
Savannah, Pasadena, MD

National judges selected Jake’s artwork for the month of November.    Click here to order calendars, which are $7 each (includes shipping charges).  Proceeds from sales help offset the grand prize winners’ travel expenses to the NAHRO Washington Conference.  

As part of the Housing America Campaign, a poster contest is held each year for children living in affordable housing owned or administered by NAHRO member agencies. The contest reflects the national theme “What Home Means to Me.” It is a collaborative effort of NAHRO’s state chapters, regional councils and national NAHRO. Housing America is NAHRO’s campaign that raises awareness of the need for, and importance of, safe, quality, affordable housing through education, advocacy and empowerment.

(2019 Poster Contest Rules will be posted on the MARC NAHRO Website upon release by national NAHRO.) 
Arianna Hall - Inaugural NAHRO Merit College Scholarship
Arianna Hall from Wilmington, DE, was selected as this year’s regional recipient.

The scholarship program, which is administered by the Housing America Task Force, was established earlier this year to provide financial support to residents of public and assisted housing who attend an accredited institution of higher education.
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Amendments to the Region's Bylaws Approved
As previously reported, then-president Regina Mitchell formed a working group to examine the region’s bylaws through the lenses of practicality, technological advances and other perspectives. On October 7, the amendments were submitted to the membership for online voting and was unanimously passed by all voters. Both the national Member Services Committee and the NAHRO Board of Governors approved the amendments at their meetings, which were held in conjunction with the National Conference in Pittsburgh on October 27-29, 2017.

MARC NAHRO Senior Vice President and Chair of the Bylaws Working Group John Mahon reports that additional amendments will be forthcoming and will be submitted to the membership for approval. Watch your inbox for forthcoming details within a few months.
Donate to the Region's
Gilliam, Milan, Smith and Moyer Memorial Scholarship Fund
Established in 2016, the region’s Gilliam, Milan, Smith and Moyer Memorial Scholarship was designed to fund tuition and/or certification examination fees for NAHRO Professional Development offerings. Members of MARC NAHRO who are commissioners and/or trustees and employees of housing and community development agencies may apply for a scholarship.  We seek to award annually two $1,000 scholarships and a number of smaller scholarships. To help us do so, we need your donation and there is no better time than now to donate to the Scholarship Fund. All donations are tax deductible. 

or send a check, payable to:
MARC NAHRO Scholarship Fund
630 Eye Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
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Share Your News!
Has your agency had a groundbreaking or ribbon cutting, have you received media recognition or maybe have new leadership? We would love to share your news with others in the region in the next newsletter. We rely on you, our members to add to the vibrancy and relevance of the newsletter by sharing your news. If you have something to share, please send it to [email protected]. Please include pictures!
NATIONAL NAHRO NEWS
NAHRO Professional Development
NAHRO's comprehensive agenda of educational and informational opportunities enables participants to learn firsthand from recognized experts. From basic to advanced learning, NAHRO offers indispensable sessions, courses, & briefings throughout the year on vital topics impacting the industry.
 
Check out    All Trainings for a comprehensive list of our professional development opportunities & make sure to visit our Training Calendar for our most current offerings! 
 
  • Live Trainings - A traditional in-person classroom experience hosted by our 20+ Designated NAHRO Training Centers. 
  • e-Learnings - Convenient online distance courses. 
  • e-Briefings - 90-minute online information sessions led by industry experts dedicated to updating housing & community development professionals. 
  • Certification - Candidates are immersed in curricula that promote knowledge, leadership skills, & professional experiences vital to career advancement. 
  • On-Site Training - Customized sessions brought right to your agency for a personalized learning experience.
  • Technical Assistance - Consortia TA, Salary Comparability Studies and Executive Director & CEO Search

If you have any questions or need additional information please feel free to contact the NAHRO Professional Development Team at (877-866-2476) or  [email protected]