Letter from the Executive Director for October 2015

This month I would like to tell you about the most recent addition to our board of directors and why it matters.

MassLandlords is a 501(c)6 not-for-profit trade association. Our mission is to create better rental housing in Massachusetts by helping current, new, and prospective landlords run profitable, compliant, and quality businesses. To this end, we organize opportunities for landlord education and networking and advocate appropriate changes to the laws.

We are governed out of Worcester by a board of directors who volunteer their time to steer the organization. Since we launched in February 2014, these directors have been elected by the founding group of landlords in Worcester. But last month we adopted a member resolution to expand the board geographically, as needed. We then awarded our first non-Worcester seat to a landlord in the Rental Housing Association of Greater Springfield.

In parallel with that, I now attend all the board meetings of the Small Property Owners Association in Cambridge.

We have for the first time created a form of state-wide governance and cooperation. This structure will change and adapt as our needs and opportunities develop.

The first service contract was signed with the Southern Worcester County Landlord Association in October 2014, one year ago. Since then we have signed five of the 20 landlord groups in Massachusetts, up to and including the Metro West Property Owners Association (May 2015).

These five core groups have been enough to achieve our first paid staff person. Our network of professional contractors now powers key aspects of accounting, marketing, and the web site. And with September's member resolution, we now have the new ability to add regional representation at the board of directors.

Everything is looking good at the state level.

Here is my challenge to you: volunteer to help. If you're eligible for an elected seat on the board of directors, email me that you want stand for election this December. If you attend meetings of your local group, ask the registration desk staff for literature, cards, or pens, and leave these at the local court or hardware store. We need to spread the word about what a force for good we can be in Massachusetts.

"Thank you" to all the local volunteers who make MassLandlords possible. I'm looking forward to what the future has in store.

Sincerely,
Doug Quattrochi
Executive Director