Welcome To The January Edition Of "The Green Marble" Newsletter


The January Issue Includes:

- Embracing Community - Howard Middle School
- Thank You! You're The Best!
- Upcoming Seminars/Events/Meetings
- "Former Board Members Must Turn Over Association Files"
- Our Flat Rate Collections Services
- Who's The Most Awesome In Your Association?
- We Want To Meet You At Your Annual Meeting!
- Kudos To!
- Not A Client, But Interested In Hiring Clayton & McCulloh?
- Quote Of The Month
- January Birthdays


Embracing Community - Howard Middle School
By: Michelle Tylutki, Collections Manager
 
(Lisa Rodriguez-Davis teacher at Howard Middle, and Michelle Tylutki

Embracing C ommunity has never meant more to the staff and attorneys at C&M than it does around the holidays.  Ten years ago an Association Client Board Member , sought Clayton & McCulloh's assistance in providing gifts for her class.  Her class consisted of students who's families were very poor and/or had special needs.   The first year was quite humbling as we discovered the list included items not normally requested as Christmas gifts.  Besides requesting toys, the students requested gifts, food, and toiletry items for their parents and sibling.  We learned that many of these children would not receive any gifts without our assistance.  Clayton & McCulloh made the decision to embrace this class in 2006 and every year since. 
 
Over the years the class has grown, but the needs remain fairly consistent.  Personal hygiene items, food for the families, and food for the classroom for those students who don't have enough to eat at home.   This year was another huge success due to the generosity of our staff and we are honored to continue embracing these children.  The look on the children's faces when we show up with car loads of gifts and food and candy is priceless and brings unimaginable joy to all those who participate.
 
Embracing Community - for us it is not a slogan - it's a way of life!

Thank You! You're The Best!
By: Arlene Ring, Director of Public Relations


Florida Community Association Journal's 
Readers' Choice Award 
Diamond Level Award Winner

Thanks to you, we won and won big!  There are three levels of winners:  Diamond, Platinum, and Gold.  We placed in the elite group as there were 340 nominees.  And we weren't just competing with other law firms, we were competing with all the nominees whether they are a management company, accountant, engineer, etc.    As a small law firm, we were competing with many statewide (and national) companies. 
 
We are so honored and humbled by your vote of confidence.  Our success is due to your support and we cannot thank you enough.  

Upcoming Seminars/Events/Meetings

Our upcoming seminars and events are listed below.

Community Connect Chats are a new and improved spin on our popular Fireside Chats which originated in 2010! Community Connect Chats are small, educational, sometimes entertaining classes covering a wide variety of subjects both for Community Associations and a series on issues that affect you and your family. Each month, we will be featuring various small group one and two hour classes presented by our legal team complete with refreshments, ample time for questions and answers, a copy of the PowerPoint presentation, and a certificate suitable for framing. These classes will be hosted at our Maitland and Melbourne offices featuring free parking and are available for 1 or 2 CEUs for managers.  Check out our website for information on specific classes by clicking  here.  

Saturday, January 14 - Hosted by BCAM (Brevard Community Association Management) 
Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront. Registration at 8:30 a.m. Clayton & McCulloh Partner, Joe Stayanoff will be a featured speaker at BCAM's January Breakfast Meeting speaking on "To Fine or Not To Fine? That is the Questions." Additionally, Bill Jackson, CPA, will be speaking on "Cracking the Code."  BCAM does charge a small fee to defray the cost of hot breakfast buffet.  They also features door prizes and a 50/50 drawing. For more information or to make a reservation, please click here.

Tuesday, January 17 - Hosted by Clayton & McCulloh
Maitland Office.  Registration at 6:30 p.m. Partner, Paul West, will be presenting "You Can't Take It With You!" A  complimentary class with appetizers including a complimentary glass of wine. For more information  please click  here.

Thursday, January 19 - Hosted by Clayton & McCulloh
Melbourne Office.  Registration at 6:00 p.m. Partner, Brian Hess, and Partner, Joe Stayanoff, will be presenting "The Legislature Did What? 2017 Legal Update." This  Chat covers all the laws passed in 2016.  And no, it is not a typo - the State requires the class to be called the year ahead Legal Update.  A complimentary class with appetizers including a complimentary glass of wine. For more information click  here.

Tuesday, January 24 - Hosted by Clayton & McCulloh
Melbourne Office.  Registration at 6:30 p.m. Partner, Paul West, will be presenting "You Can't Take It With You!"  A complimentary class with appetizers including a complimentary glass of wine. For more information click  here .

Thursday, January 26 - Hosted by Clayton & McCulloh
Maitland Office.  Registration at 6:00 p.m. Partner, Brian Hess, and Partner, Joe Stayanoff, will be presenting "The Legislature Did What? 2017 Legal Update."  This  Chat covers all the laws passed in 2016.  And no, it is not a typo - the State requires the class to be called the year ahead Legal Update.  A complimentary class with appetizers including a complimentary glass of wine. For more information click here.

Saturday, February 4 - Hosted by BCAM (Brevard Community Association Management) 
Hilton Rialto at the Melbourne Airport . Registration at 8:30 a.m. Clayton & McCulloh Partners, Joe Stayanoff, Brian Hess and Attorney, Jennifer Davis, will be featured speakers at BCAM's February Meeting presenting "What every Board Member Needs to Know: The Board Certification Class." BCAM does charge a small fee to defray the cost of hot breakfast buffet.  There are door prizes and a 50/50 drawings. Including special guests the Brevard County Humane Society . For more information or to make a reservation, please click here.

Monday, February 13 - Hosted by Clayton & McCulloh
Maitland Office.  Registration at 9:00 a.m. Partner, Paul West, will be presenting "You Can't Take It With You!" A complimentary class including a continental breakfast with quiche. For more information please click here.

Tuesday, February 21 - Hosted by Clayton & McCulloh
Maitland Office.  Registration at 9:00 a.m. Attorney, Jennifer Davis, will be presenting "Foreclosure Sale - Now What?" complimentary class including a continental breakfast with quiche.  For more information click here.

 
"Former Board Members Must Turn Over Association Files"
By: Clayton & McCulloh

With the start of the New Year, many Associations will be having their Annual Membership Meetings within the next month or two.  Because some Directors may not be re-elected or decide not to accept nomination to be a Director again, issues may arise regarding what items in possession of the departing or "X-Director" are part of the Association's "Official Records" and, therefore, should be returned or delivered to the Association for its maintenance as part of its Official Records. 


 
Our Collection Flat Fee Services
 
If an Association was a human body, assessments would be its lifeblood. When there is good "circulation," the body is fed and can maintain itself well. However, like the body, the Association fails when owners in the community fail to timely fulfill their financial obligations to the Association. When an owner does not meet his financial obligation, the Association may seek relief by placing a lien on the property, filing suit against the owner and even foreclosing on the property.   We are known for our aggressive and creative approach to Collections.  If you are using a collection agency, you will want to consider switching to C&M.  Ask us why you should cease using a collection agency and how we protect the Association.

Phase I - Pre-Litigation
We feature a
flat  fee service (plus costs) for our pre-litigation collection efforts. It is during this pre-litigation stage that a title search will be conducted, the statutory notice requirements will be fulfilled and a Claim of Lien will be prepared and recorded in the Public Records. It is also during this period that we are commonly contacted by the owner to discuss their delinquency and resolve the account. The fees for Phase I of our legal services are deferred until we complete the pre-litigation stage and the case is ready to proceed to foreclosure against the delinquent owner. It is at that time that fees and costs for Phase I are billed to the Association. Of course, if the delinquent owner does bring the account current while we are handling Phase I of the Collection process, then we will collect our fees and costs directly from the owner.

Phase II - Lien Foreclosure
After Phase I is completed, we will seek approval from the Association to proceed to the next stage with the collection of an account. Upon receiving payment of our cost retainer and Phase I pre-litigation fees, Clayton & McCulloh will file a foreclosure suit against the delinquent owner. There are additional fixed fees (plus costs) for an uncontested foreclosure proceeding. Our
flat fee for the litigation stage is also deferred until completion of certain stages of the litigation. This fixed fee is billed in two installments - first, when the suit is filed, and second, when the Motion for Summary Judgment is filed. If a collection/lien foreclosure matter becomes contested at any time, then the fees will no longer be fixed or deferred, and will be based on our standard hourly rates for contested collection matters.   If you are a client and would like more information, please call our offices and request to speak to Client Services.  Not a client and want more information on this service?  Ask for our Public Relations Department.

 
Who's The Most Awesome In Your Association?

The Most Awesome Award ran throughout last year and was a huge success with numerous winners truly deserving of the title Most Awesome Manager or Board Member. We are excited to say that based on the success last year, we will be continuing the Most Awesome Award this year. The winner will receive a framed certificate marking their achievement, and a $25 Visa gift card!  Nominations for the 2017 First Quarter Most Awesome Manager and Board Member closed last week. The winners will be presented in our March edition of "The Green Marble". If you didn't get your nominee in for the First Quarter Award don't fret. The Second Quarter Most Awesome Award deadline is April 6, 2017. 
 
Use the buttons bellow to nominate a Manager or Board Member you know that has truly gone above and beyond the call of duty for your Association. Be sure to elaborate  and make sure we know why your nominee is the Most Awesome!



We Want To Meet You At Your Annual Meeting !
 
Do you have an Annual Meeting coming up? As one of our many complimentary services, we will send an Attorney or Key Staff member to attend your next Annual Meeting where they can answer general questions and meet your board. Upon request and based on availability, we will come visit you at your Association to discuss the issues that matter most to you.

For more information or to schedule a visit please contact our our Client Services Department at (407) 875-2655 or by e-mail at dbatan@clayton-mcculloh.com

Kudos to!
  
Partner, Brian Hess from Bob Morrison of Sawgrass Key Homeowners Association:
Bob gave high praise to Partner, Brian Hess saying "Brian has continuously exceeded expectations while dealing with ownership of common areas in our HOA. His advice and counsel has been outstanding. Thanks, Brian!" 

-We really appreciate the kind words, Bob, we are honored to be working with you and Sawgrass Key Homeowners Association! 

Not A Client, But Interested In Hiring Clayton& McCulloh?

You can request the Clayton & McCulloh Legal Services Package right from our website without having to contact our Public Relations Department. For those that are actively looking for new legal counsel  the best place to start looking that includes the most up to date information (including our hourly rates) is our Legal Services Package. 

Using either of the links below you can request the the Clayton & McCulloh Legal Services Package that best suits your needs.



 
Quote Of The Month


Get The Latest Trending News!
 
Like us on Facebook and you will receive:
  • Late breaking news on topics affecting Community Associations;
  • Seminar invitations;
  • Legal Updates;
  • Human Interest Stories; and
  • Much more!
This isn't your parents' law firm Facebook Page. Like Us on Facebook !


   
Join Us In Celebrating These January Birthdays!

Michele Cloutier - File Clerk, Clayton & McCulloh - January 6 
Elizabeth Ryan - Independent Manager - January 10
Emily Isip - Manager, Towers Property Management - January 11
Arlene Ring - Director of Public Relations, Clayton & McCulloh - January 16
Penelope Holladay - Manager, Sentry Management's Rockledge Office - January 15




STAY CONNECTED:
   
Like us on Facebook Like us on Facebook     Connect on LinkedIn View our profile on LinkedIn
 
 
Orlando Office: Maitland
The Clayton & McCulloh Building
1065 Maitland Center Commons Blvd.
Maitland, FL  32751
Phone: (407) 875-2655
Fax: (407) 875-3363 
Melbourne Office: Suntree/Viera
Baytree Corporate Park
1301 Bedford Drive, Suite 101
Melbourne, FL 32940
Phone: (321) 751-3449
Fax: (321) 751-3450 
Toll Free: (888) 793-1486
After Hours / 24/7: (407) 808-2553
You are receiving this e-mail as you fall into one of the following categories:

* You are currently a client or client's manager; and/or
* You have requested to be on our mailing list.

If you elect to be removed from this e-mail service, we will no longer be able to send you seminar invitations, information on changes in the law concerning Community Associations, newsletters, or any other information regarding the Community Association industry.  You will not receive solicitation for business unless you have requested that information.  We sincerely hope we can continue to assist you with the challenges that face Community Associations today through this service.