1. ChristianLauter
WeidnerApartmentHomes
LeadershipLyceum –Essay Competition
Capitol Improvement
Show-up,be informed,educate,anddonate.These are the fourprinciplesof beingapositive
part of a non-profitorganization. Cosmically,these are alsoprime facetsof beinginvolvedwitha
successful political campaign.The ApartmentAssociationof SouthernColorado(AASC) fillsthe void
betweencorporate ornon-profitsectorsandlegislativegoverningbodies.The AASCLeadershipLyceum,
devotedtotrainingyoungprofessionalsinthe multifamilyhousingindustryinordertobe valuable
ApartmentAssociationMembers,hastaughtme that eachApartmentAssociationisanindispensable
assetto owners,operators,suppliers,andresidentsnationwide.
As WeidnerDirectorof PublicRelations,GregCerbana,toldourLyceumClass,“The Apartment
Associationisthe bestwaytoget intouch withlocal,state,andfederal electedofficials.The scale that
the associationgivesregardingpublicpolicyisunprecedented.Itisincumbentuponustoworktogether
on a state and local level.”Accordingtothe ApartmentsWorkpamphletproducedbythe National
ApartmentAssociation,the multifamilyhousingindustrysupports25.4millionjobs,and34.6 million
residents.While thatmaysoundlike enoughconstituentstomake multifamilyhousinganimportant
subjecttolocal, state,and federal legislators,ApartmentAssociationsserve asvital ambassadorsfor
owners,operators,andresidentstomake sure the voice of our industry,andwayof life,isrepresented
fairlyandproductively.
Anotherfunctionof apartmentassociationsistokeepthose whoserve the residents
accountable andethical within andoutside of the industry.GregCerbanaaccuratelypointsout,“Atthe
endof the day,we take care of people’shomes…Everydecisionhastobe lookedatthroughthe lensof,
“Is itgood for the association.””Byattendingthe Capitol Conference,Ihope tobetterprepare myself to
be a valuable partof the ApartmentAssociationateverylevel.Iwill be able tosee firsthandhow
political figuresinteractwithourgoalsof addressingthe shortage of qualityhousing,ensuringreliable
financing,supportingeconomicgrowththroughtax policy,reducinghousing coststhroughlegislative
reform,investinginbuildingenergyperformance,andbalancingenvironmental stewardshipand
economicgrowth.
The knowledge Iwouldgainatthisnational levelof legislative interactionwiththe multifamily
industry wouldbe easilyretainable to redirecttowardseffortsof promotingourindustryonalocal level.
I hope to be a leaderona local level in ordertotransformindustryoutlooksandopinionsonanational
level.GregCerbanaagaineffectivelysummarizedwhatourgoals shouldbe whenhe said,“If we donot
ban together,there are lawsandlegislationthatcouldhurtus.The changesoverthe last20 years
demandsthatthe industrychangesandadapts as well.” Asalocal industryleaderIwouldbe
enthusiasticaboutservingthe needsof the industryandthe residents.Iwouldfocusonfindingsolutions
to issuesthatmaythreatenthe qualityof multifamilylifeinourcommunity.

2. Laura Nelson,Executive Directorof the AASC recognizesthatApartmentAssociationshave to
continuallyprove theirvalue totheirmembers.The mostvaluable knowledgeIgainedduringmy
traininginthe LeadershipLyceumclassisthat, while there maybe noconsistentlyphysical ortangible
productthat arisesfromthe effortsanddailyenterprise of the apartmentassociationsaroundthe
country,the services provided andconnectionsthatare made at everyapartmentassociationlevelraise
the overall positionof professionalism andprofitabilitythroughoutthe multifamilyhousingindustry.
True to the fourthingsthat make a gainful non-profitorganization,GregCerbanasays,“The folkswho
getinvolvedare the oneswhogetthe phone calls.The healthof the volunteersandcommitteesiswhat
makesa vibrantassociation.”AccordingtoBoardsource,anon-profitnon-profitorganization,healthy
characteristicsinclude honesty,communitybuildingskills,personal integrity,concernfordevelopment,
and a sense of humor.FromeveryeventandclassI have attendedthroughthe AASC,Ican tell thatit isa
thrivingorganization.
The LeadershipLyceumwasthe mostbeneficialandinformative endeavorIhave undertakenin
the multifamilyindustrysince graduatingfromBall State Universitywithadegree inResidential Property
ManagementandsimultaneouslyreceivingmyCAMdesignation.Ifeel equippedtobe avaluable partof
my local ApartmentAssociationandthereforeaproductive memberof mycommunityandadvocate for
my industry.The Capitol Conferencewouldonlystrengthenanddevelopthe idealswhichwere
conveyedinourLyceumclasses.Iam thankful tohave had thisopportunityandhope thatone day the
impactsthat I have made on the multifamilyindustrywill be worthyof passingontofuture Lyceum
Candidates.