FNYHC | Federation News

THE FEDERATION OF NEW YORK HOUSING COOPERATIVES 44th ANNUAL SEMINAR AND TRADE SHOW

On Sunday, March 25th, 2001, the Federation of New York Housing Cooperatives (FNYHC) held New York's longest running Seminar and trade Show. The beginning of spring on that Sunday, sunshine and warmth filled the air and Queens College. The show opened its doors at 7:45 in the morning. The Federation's President Albert F. Pennisi introduced our opening ceremony speaker City Council Speaker Peter F. Vallone. Speaker Vallone spoke of his support for equity in real estate taxes for all homeowners (one, two, three family homeowners, as well as, cooperative and condominium homeowners). Speaker Vallone told the audience the he would fight to have cooperative shareholders and condominium unit owners classified as class one homeowners (one, two, three family homeowners are in class one). As far as the further extension of the present abatement program, which expires on June 30, 2001, Vallone not only wants to extend the abatement program, he proposed to increase the size of the abatement. Under his plan, buildings with an average assessment under $15,000.00 per unit will increase from 25 to 40% and those buildings with an average assessment over $15,000.00 per unit will increase from 17.5 to 20%. The next step is to negotiate with Mayor Guilinnia as part of the budget process. Speaker Vallone then visited the vendors and spoke to the participants. The well-attended participants snaked thru the aisle of the many trade booths. The vendors at the show reconnected with some old friends and established new leads. All aspects of the building industry from suppliers, service and professional exhibitors were represented. The vendors appreciated a trade show geared to the Directors, or the building decision makers.

The morning seminars opened with such topical subjects as corporate documents, financial planning for buildings, high tech in buildings, preventative maintenance to the developing saga of discrimination. After a break, the participants visited the trade booths and then the midmorning seminars were held. National Association of Housing Cooperative's Executive Director Doug Kleine moderated a session on Albany legislation with State Senator Frank Padavan and State Assemblyman Mark Weprin. Also, topics as energy submetering, the board and how it functions and the problems of "aging in place" were discussed. In addition, the very popular, "ask the attorney round table", were given. After the participants received a head full of information, it was time to visit the vendors. Before you could complete your rounds of vendors, it was time for lunch.

Greg Carlson, the Federation's Executive Director, welcomed all to the scrumptious lunch. Greg introduced the Federation President Albert F. Pennisi. Mr. Pennisi spoke about the great loss of our long time Executive Director Eva Rappaport, who along with her husband Charles made the Federation what it is today. He dedicated the "44th annual seminar and trade show" to the memory of Eva Rappaport and asked for a moment of silence for her. He expressed his thanks to his fellow Board members and acknowledged each of the directors, Al Volpe, Dolores Goidel, Mona Shyman, Harvey Rubin and David Buchwalter. Mr. Pennisi also thanked Greg Carlson for stepping in as Executive Director and keeping the momentum of the Federation going. He also thanked the vendors who make the show possible and the seminar presenters. In addition, the sponsors of the show -- Lunch sponsorship -- 1st Rochdale Cooperative NYC, Twin Pines Fuel and Amalgamated Bank -- Registration sponsorship -- National Cooperative Bank and Raffle sponsorship -- Akam Associates, were acknowledged.

Federation President Pennisi asked Maryann Rothman, Executive Director of the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums and Ed Yaker, Co-Chairman of the Coordinating Council of Cooperatives to join him and Greg Carlson, Federation Executive Director to the podium. Mr. Pennisi ran though a long list of accomplishment of our special awardees. Mr. Pennisi on behalf of the three associations made a small token of appreciation from all of us to Queens Borough President Claire Shulman. The only governmental official to come to the aid of cooperatives and condominiums, she was always on the forefront of cooperative and condominium issues. Queens Borough President Shulman spoke about the tremendous efforts her office, and others standing at the podium have made, to help the cooperative/condominium community. Ms. Shulman also spoke with fond memories of both Charles and Eva Rappaport and will always remember them. One government official, Assemblyman Mark Weprin, also address the luncheon crowd, supporting the needs of cooperatives and condominiums.

Albert Pennisi then asked Eddy Amorse (Rappaport) and Jay Rappaport to join him at the podium. He told the luncheon attendees the Federation Board, in keeping of their mother's memory, has decided to establish the "Eva Rappaport Award" for special merit. This year the Federation had a tie. The first candidate is from North Shore Towers, Zelda Altman. She has been a resident of North Shore Towers for over sixteen years, and on the Board for over five. She has worked on several committees, chaired the admission committee and thru the finance committee, helped to double the cooperative's reserve fund. Our next recipient is Beatrice Hankin, of Knolls Cooperative Section I in Riverdale. Acting as Board Secretary (the unsung heroes of cooperatives) at a self-managing cooperative, she is responsible for the Board minutes, as well as, all the cooperative's correspondence. Beatrice also serves on the admission committee and take an active role in her community.

The Federation President remained at the podium to present the "CHARLES RAPPAPORT, DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR" award. This prestigious honor is given as a memorial to the late Charles Rappaport, long acknowledged as a Cooperative leader in New York City. This year's recipient of this prestigious award went to--Evelyn Deutsch, Board Member of Deepdale Gardens Cooperative, Little Neck. Evelyn, has been an acting member of her Board for over ten years, published a community, and a cooperative newsletter. Ms. Deutsch organized the Deepdale's cooperative community's first "NORC" program. (NORC = Naturally Occurring Retirement Community) Evelyn, as you can see, is very active in her community in addition to her cooperative.

The afternoon was capped off with an excellent professional's roundtable. When the afternoon sessions ended, those who attended, stayed to see if they won the shows spectacular door prizes. All had a great time and learning experience.

Again, the FEDERATION wishes to thank all of our sponsors who helped make this a great show.

It is important for everyone in the Federation's membership to understand the importance of the educational programs that we have at Queens College is produced at tremendous cost and time. Although not everyone could avail himself or herself to participate in the conference, please keep in mind those people, which made it possible. Without the vendors (those who paid for a booth), the Federation cannot produce the conference. The Federation's Board of Directors are asking for all of its members, when considering a vendor for your building, to consider those who are on the enclosed list. They have supported you through supporting the Federation. Please give them a try.

After a few years at the Federation's annual trade show and seminars, the ever-popular "ASK THE PROFESSIONALS" will return at the overwhelming request of our members. The April 26th seminar sponsored by Akam Associates, will bring professionals to a roundtable to answer your burning questions. This is free to all, thanks to Akam Associates.

FOLLOW UP TO RENT STABILIZING FEES

Thank you, Mitch Ungar of John B. Lovett and Associates to alerting the Federation of this injustice to cooperatives. On March 30,2001, the Federation received a call from the Department of Finance, that as long as cooperatives do not own any rent stabilized units, they are not responsible for third party responsibilities, as far are rent stabilization fees as concerned. The Federation will keep you updated on this important outcome. Again thanks Mitch -- for the call. This illustrates what we can do when alerted in time and we can nip it in the bud.

A FEDERATION SERVICE FOR ITS MEMBERSHIP

The Federation of New York Housing Cooperatives, in collaboration with the engineering firm of Herbert E. Hirschfeld, P.E., has received funding from the State of New York (The New York State Energy Research & Development Authority) to provide direct assistance to master metered residential buildings interested in evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of electrical submetering.

These services include a building survey and preparation of a study specific to your building and a meeting with your Board of Directors to review this report, answer questions and address all pertinent submetering issues.

All Fees for these services are paid by NYSERDA and there is NO COST nor obligation to your building.

The Federation urges you to take advantage of this opportunity to reduce your building operating costs now, as funding is limited and buildings will be accommodated on a first come, first serve basis.

Interested buildings may contact Herbert E. Hirschfeld, P.E. at (516) 759-2400 or Greg Carlson at (718) 760.5404

NEW MEMBERSHIP SERVICES

A BULK OF THE FEDERATION'S TIME HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO OFFERING OUR MEMBERSHIP SERVICES THAT MAY HELP TO SAVE YOU MONEY OR HELP YOUR BUILDING.

THESE SERVICES ARE AS FOLLOWS:

The Federation's web site is now online in its infancy stage. We will be mailing to all our members, an opportunity to list their building's information at our web site. Right now, the site provides a legal corner, event list with links to other cooperative sites, legislative issues, a question and answer page where you can ask your questions directly to the Federation and the Federation Newsletter. Please visit our site at "FNYHC.ORG", let us know what you think and don't hesitate to ask us questions.

The Federation has signed on to the Durnan Group Managers Workers Compensation Safety Group. One of the line items' on all of our member buildings with staffs is workers compensation insurance. The Federation has been studying different workers compensation insurance providers and has concluded that the Durnan Group best fits the needs of our membership. With discounted premiums up-front and a substantial dividend at the end of the year, this makes the safety group the best deal around. Each claim is investigated thoroughly, which is why this group can offer the best workers compensation package in the state. To find out more information or to sign up, please call the Durnan Group Managers at 1-212-768-9191 and make sure to tell them you are a Federation member.

ELECTRIC DEREGULATION

With all the confusion concerning electric deregulation, a new Energy Service Company (ESCO) is consumer oriented. 1st Rochdale Cooperative is an energy company that is owned by buildings who belong to 1st Rochdale. They are not just an energy provider, as the other ESCO's. Similar to what happens when you belong to a cooperative, there are no investors, so the consumers are the owners. In addition, they will do energy audits on your building to see what can be done to diminish or reduce your demand side electric bill, which will save you kilowatts and money. Start now in preparing your building, talk to all the "ESCO's" and talk to 1st Rochdale, you will be surprised in what you hear. For further information, please call 1st Rochdale at 1-212-673-3900.