Excellence in the Industry.

The PARAGON Awards, which recognize excellence in the multifamily housing industry, were presented at NAA's 2001 Education Conference & Exposition in June. Read more about the contributions each winner has made to our industry in A Model of Excellence, on page 32. Tami Martin, who won the 2001 Designate of the Year PARAGON Award, has earned four of the property management designations NAA offers (NALP, CAM, CAMT and CAPS). She's been active in the multifamily housing industry for more than 17 years and is the President of the Austin Apartment Association (AAA). Martin is also an instructor for Archstone Communities and AAA. I encourage you to take this opportunity to learn more about Martin and the other PARAGON Award recipients.

The PARAGON winners for community service represent a growing trend among apartment communities and NAA affiliated associations who are becoming involved in their communities by volunteering their time and resources. In Giving Back--The Industry Becomes Part of its Community Through Service, on page 64, learn how volunteer work and community service not only help those in need, but how it can also improve and solidify residents and owners relationships through examples of successful programs. Regents Park in Chicago has been involved in community service for more than 20 years in a variety of different areas, ranging from sponsoring local events to assisting in finding jobs for member of low income housing. The Atlanta Apartment Association's food drive is legendary and the Greater Orlando Apartment Association sponsors the Walk for the Kids, which helps to raise money for the Community Coordinated Care for Children.

NAA is aware that mold is quickly becoming a hot topic in our industry. This month's issue of Units has a special report on Mold. Mold: What Is It? Why Should We Care? & What Can We Do About It? on page 52, will answer some of your basic questions about mold and give you some starting points for dealing with it in your apartment communities. Toxigenic Mold--A Management Response on page 56, by John C. Manly Esq., stresses the importance of being familiar with your insurance coverage concerning mold and what you need to do to protect yourself from future litigation. John McDermott and Radhika Veerapanen, through the use of case studies, give you information about remediating mold in your apartment communities and protecting yourself in court if necessary on page 60 in Mold Liability: Protect Your Residents and Your Communities Through Reasonable Response.

Making your community better--through volunteer services or keeping your home safer and cleaner--can make your community healthier for everyone involved.