Committees

About GCNKAA Committees

[Partial update: 1/16/24]

Committees are one of the most productive tools an association has to accomplish the organization’s goals and objectives. Whether you are chairing a committee or are a committee member, you face the challenge of getting involved in the work the committee was formed to accomplish. The recommendations of a committee often have a direct impact on the decisions made by the officers and the board of directors of the association.

Most committees are open to the whole association. To join one, simply e-mail us!

Learn about each committee below and for further questions don't hesitate to reach out.

 james@gcnkaa.org | nicole@gcnkaa.org | michele@gcnkaa.org | zach@gcnkaa.org 

Business Exchange | DE&I | Education | Fall Golf Outing | Holiday Cheers | IRO | Legislative

 Membership | NextGen | Social Media | Summer Golf Outing

Business Exchange is one of GCNKAA's signature annual events. Considered by most to be the highest valued event for our Associate Members, the structure prompts great networking and allows our members to get down to....business! Being on this committee means you'll be involved in the planning of the event, marketing, and coordinating sign-ups of our members. 

Open to: Primary and Associate Members.

Initiative: To plan and secure participation for the annual business exchange.

Meetings: Meetings are held on Zoom on the following dates: February 9, March 8, April 12, and April 26; meeting time is 11 am

Staff Liaison: Michele Klusman            Chairs: Megan Lawhon and Mark Arnold

One of the newest committees at the association, the DE&I Committee doesn't have defined or limited actions. Rather, the committee has the sole purpose of advancing the DE&I mission statement as seen below. The committee acts as a hub for the association to pool ideas on how to best to forward the mission. The activities and projects undertaken by this committee range form surveying, mentorship programs, event planning, education, and more!

"As the voice of the rental housing industry in our region, GCNKAA will model inclusion and embrace the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of those with whom we work and exist to serve."

Open to: All under-represented individuals within our industry, including those supporting the DE&I mission statement.

Initiative: Coordinates activities related to increasing the overall diversity of GCNKAA’s membership and to ensure GCNKAA is an inclusive organization with programming to meet the needs of our diverse stakeholder community.

Meetings: Monthly online meetings via Zoom. Second Wednesday of every month 11:00 - 12:00 PM

Staff Liaison: James Combs            Chairs: Nichole Wiley, Jessica Doctor

One of the 3-pillar benefits to being a GCNKAA member is getting access to our member-priced training. Ranging from industry essentials like Fair Housing, to more specific courses on Social Media, and even getting physical with Maintenance seminars, the association offers 20-25 classes a year for it's members. The Education Committee are the overseers of our training. This means they decide what topics are offered each year, decide instructors (sometimes including themselves), give feedback on courses, and generally help make connections with stakeholders. 

Open to: Primary and Associate Members.

Initiative: Sets the direction of the association education calendar including NAA designations, in-house content, and works with the trade show committee.

Meetings: Monthly online meetings via Zoom. Second Wednesday of every month 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Staff Liaison: James Combs              Chairs: Angela Lacy, Mike Markus, Jason Lonsbury

Fall Golf Outing is one of GCNKAA's signature annual events. Golf outings are certainly a fan favorite in the association! They offering a phenomenal blend of professionalism, good times, and networking opportunities. Being on this committee means you'll be involved in the planning of the event, marketing, and coordinating sign-ups of our members. 

Open to: Associate and Primary Members.

Initiative: Involves securing sponsors, creating promotional pieces, and overall general input regarding the golf outing. Proceeds to fund Industry Defense Fund. (Better Government Fund)

Meetings: Meeting dates and times to be announced. Committee meets May through October

Staff Liaison: Michele Klusman           Chairs: John Recob, Grant Saunders

'Tis the season for giving back! Whether it's the holiday aesthetic, the fun of getting dressed to the nines, or the feeling of helping others, Holiday Cheers is certainly the association's most joyous event of the year and one of the largest. With silent auctions, live auctions, rapid raffles, and other mini games, the association comes together to raise money for GCNKAA Outreach. A partnered non-profit that gives to rent assistance, school supplies, food pantries, senior events, and more. Being on this committee means you'll be involved in the planning of the event, marketing, helping come up with mini games, working the room, and even get to help decorate! 

Open to: Associate and Primary Members.

Initiative: Involves securing donations, event coordination, and set up. Net proceeds directly benefit the Outreach program.

Meetings: Meeting dates and times to be announced. Committee meets June through December

Staff Liaison: Michele Klusman       Chairs: Gerry Johnson

Did you know 50% of owned apartment units are Independent Rental Owners? The association is not just for the large communities, we are for all Multi-Family operators. However it's not hard to imagine that the needs of an Independent Rental Owner are very different than that of a large company. This committee, made up of IROs, is how we make sure we are servicing the needs of our independents. They plan separate events, oversee resource creation, and make sure to establish a network of IRO's to lend a helping hand to those entering our industry and even those seasoned Owner/Operators. 

Open to: Independent Rental Owners (An individual or individuals that are active in both the ownership and management of their properties)

Initiative: Plans the IRO meetings and topics to be discussed.

Meetings: Monthly online meetings via Zoom. First Wednesday of every month 10:00 - 11:00 AM

Staff Liaison: James Combs                         Chairs: Brian Lane, Heather Barrow

One of the 3-pillar benefits that the association provides it's members is in the arena of legislation & government relations. As an individual or company within the rental housing industry there is no better place to get up-to date information & news about anything good or bad that that will affect your businesses. We work with city, town, state, and federal government to not only advocate for the Multi-Family Industry but to give our feedback and input on important issues. 

Open to: Primary and Associate Members.

Initiative: Work with the state associations and the local city council to keep abreast of issues related to our industry.

Meetings: [insert meeting structure here]

Staff Liaison: Pat Crowley                  Chairs: Brian Fullenkamp, Justin Seger

Are you a people person? Do you want to know who is coming and who is going? Membership may just be the committee for you! This committee focuses on the recruitment, retention, and mentorship of GCNKAA members. Help us grow the family here at the association and empower those in the family to be as successful as those who have come before and those who will come after.

Open to: Associate and Primary Members.

Initiative: Responsible for membership retention & recruitment, membership drive, and mentoring new members.

Meetings: Monthly meetings via Zoom with quarterly in-person meetings. Second Tuesday of the month from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Staff Liaison: Nicole Metz & Rick Holste          Chairs: Craig Coffman, Oksana Luk

NextGen is a peer group dedicated to networking and professional development of the future leaders in the multi-family housing industry. No leader is too young or too old! NextGen events are free, usually come with food & drinks, and fun activities. What's not to love?!? In all seriousness, we know how important it is in this industry to have a great network around you and to constantly be developing yourself. This committee is always looking for more ways to do just that. Get involved and help plan events, activities, and resources for helping those looking to build a career in the Multi-Family Industry!

Open to: Primary and Associate Members.

Initiative: Promote, support, and mentor career-focused professionals in the Multi-Family Housing industry. 

Meetings: Monthly online meetings via Zoom. Second Wednesday of every month 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Staff Liaison: James Combs       Chairs: Jordann Morgan

Calling all social media savy individuals! The social media committee can be considered the distribution hub for all things GCNKAA. Their goal is to keep everyone in the know for all events and other things happening in the association. They aren't all GCNKAA promotion though, they also create custom content to give perspective and insight into some of the more day-to-day happenings with our members! Get involved with this committee if you have a desire to help create content, generate ideas, disseminate information, or you just want to learn more about social media!

Open to: Primary and Associate Members.

Initiative: Creates and promotes industry, association, and events across all social media platforms.

Meetings: Monthly online meetings via Zoom. Fourth Tuesday of every month 9:00 - 10:00 AM

Staff Liaisons: Michele Klusman & James Combs                       Chairs: Ann Padgett, Mack Pairan

Summer Golf Outing is one of GCNKAA's signature annual events. Golf outings are certainly a fan favorite in the association! They offering a phenomenal blend of professionalism, good times, and networking opportunities. Being on this committee means you'll be involved in the planning of the event, marketing, and coordinating sign-ups of our members. 

Open to: Primary and Associate Members.

Initiative: Involves securing sponsors, creating promotional pieces, and overall general input regarding the golf outing.

Meetings: Meetings held the last Tuesday of the month from January through July. Meeting time is at 12 pm. Meetings are mix of in-person and virtual depending on date of meeting.

Staff Liaison: Michele Klusman              Chairs: Rod Herper, Craig Coffman