Ghertner & Company is a proud member of the Tennessee Chapter of the Community Associations Institute (CAI) and the Greater Nashville Chapter 71 of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).  Keep reading for more information on these organizations.

The Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) is celebrating its 75^th anniversary in 2008.  For more than seven decades, IREM has been the source for education, resources, information and membership for real estate management professionals. An affiliate of the National Association of Realtors, IREM is the only professional real estate management association serving both the multi-family and commercial real estate sectors. With 80 U.S. chapters, eight international chapters and several other partnerships around the globe, IREM is an international organization that also serves as an advocate on issues affecting the real estate management industry.

Members of IREM are obliged to uphold the IREM Code of Professional Ethics, thus, conducting their professional activities in accordance with the Code.  IREM actively enforces the Code – violations are processed within a defined structure, including an established peer review process which may result in disciplinary actions.

Through IREM, managers and their firms have the opportunity to earn the coveted CPM  and AMO designations further described below.

 Ghertner & Company has earned the designation ACCREDITED MANAGEMENT ORGANIZATION (AMO®).  This accredation recognizes excellence among real estate management firrms.  Requirements to earn accreditation are:

• Maintain appropriate insurance coverage – to ensure financial stability and to protect owner’s funds
• Pass an independent fi nancial review
• Have a CPM Member in an executive position to supervise management operations
• Promise to abide by the AMO Code of Professional Ethics and Minimum Standards

CERTIFIED PROPERTY MANAGER® (CPM®) Designation – for individual real estate and asset managers working with large portfolios of all property types – residential, commercial, retail and industrial.  Requirements are:

• Education – though IREM courses, through other organizations, through academic achievement
• Experience – minimum of 36 months of qualifying real estate management experience
• Ethics – promise to uphold the IREM Code of Professional Ethics and pass the IREM ethics course
• Examination – show competency in all aspects of real estate management by passing a certifi cation exam. In addition, demonstrate the practical application of all that has been learned on the job and in the classroom through a written management plan

Both Scott Ghertner and Steve Ghertner and other managers at the firm have attained this designation.

Community Associations Institute (CAI) is a national organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, competent, harmonious community associations. For more than 30 years, CAI has been the leader in providing education and resources to the volunteer homeowners who govern community associations and the professionals who support them.  Members include community association volunteer leaders, professional managers, community management firms and other professionals and companies that provide products and services to associations.

Accredited Association Management Company™ (AAMC™)

The AAMC accreditation is awarded to companies that specialize in community association management and that are committed to providing unique and diverse services to their clients. A company that holds this designation ensures their staff has the skills, experience, and integrity to help your community succeed.

• The requirements of the AAMC are:At least 50 percent of the company's managers must hold designations or certifications
• The senior manager must hold a PCAM designation
• The company must have a minimum of three years experience providing community association management services.

An Accredited Association Management Company commits to upholding the highest ethical standards and is required to meet CAI's financial management and reporting standards.

Professional Community Association Manager^® (PCAM^®)

The PCAM designation is the highest professional recognition available nationwide to managers who specialize in community association management. A manager who has earned the PCAM designation has displayed a significant commitment to the industry. Through extensive education requirements, they have gained an understanding of all aspects of community association management.

To obtain this designation, one must:

• Earn both a CMCA certification and AMS designation
• Pass all six of CAI's 200-level courses which cover instruction on a variety of complex management issues
• Complete an extensive Case Study
• Comply with CAI's Professional Code of Ethics
• Have at least five years of community management experience
• Continue with additional education requirements every three years to maintain the designation

A manager with a PCAM designation is a dedicated professional at the top of their field.

Both Scott Ghertner and Kathleen Sutherland have attained the PCAM designation.

Certified Manager of Community Associations^® (CMCA^®)

The only national certification program designed exclusively for condominium, cooperative, and homeowner association managers, the CMCA program provides standards for association management and gives homeowners and boards confidence in their manager's knowledge and ability to provide professional service.

The CMCA certification is administered by CAI's affiliate organization, the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM). The CMCA is the first level in a manager's professional education process. It recognizes individuals who have demonstrated the fundamental knowledge needed to manage community associations. To obtain this certification managers must:

• Successfully complete CAI's Professional Management Development Program (PMDP) course, M-100: The Essentials of Community Association Management
• Pass the CMCA Examination administered by the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM)
• Adhere to standards of professional conduct
• Continue their education with additional course work every two years to maintain their certification

Ghertner & Company is proud to have several managers who have attained this designation.