Current News

LAI Baltimore Newsletter
December 2011

Season's best wishes to you and your families and let's make 2012 the beginning of a new period of growth and prosperity, good health and community.

At our December Board meeting for the Baltimore Chapter, we discussed a number of presenters for our monthly meetings, reviewed our financial health, and discussed ideas and people for membership growth.

Upcoming Monthly Meetings:

Rachel Edds has arranged for continued use of the facilities of the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School for our monthly meetings at 12 noon through the spring of 20121 at the Legg Mason Building in Harbor East.  Our scheduled presenters are as follows:

     Wednesday, January 18th, Kirby Fowler of the Downtown Partnership
     Wednesday, February 15th, Jerry Doctorw of Stifel Nicholaus
     Wednesday, March 21st, Laurie Schwartz of the Waterfront Partnership
     Wednesday, April 18th, Michele Whelley of the Central Maryland Transportation Alliance
     Wednesday, May 16th, Linda Greene of the BWI Partnership (Tentative)

Money & Methods:

Our financial condition leaves us approximately $750 in the treasury, before credits for 2012 member dues.  At the December Board meeting, we voted to donate $250 to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in recognition of the Museum's hospitality in providing us a venue for our Annapolis excursion last summer, and in recognition of the good work of the Museum.  In addition, the Board voted to donate $100 to the Creative Alliance in recognition of the outstanding tenure of Rachel Edds, our past President.

In light of our small remaining balance in the chapter's account, members of the Board discussed a variety of ways to raise more funds for our 2012 fiscal year, as well as future years.  Joe Nathanson generously offered to sponsor the Board breakfast, thus ending 2011 with the first of many sponsored events.  We discussed the fact that members have come to expect that lunch at monthly meetings will be provided as part of Chapter dues, and that this is one of the major cost items in our budget.  It was suggested that we initiate an effort to have a sponsor for each meeting, perhaps at the $250 level.  Sponsors (including sponsor-members) in attendance could present their organizations in a variety of forms, including PowerPoint graphics, hand-outs, and a 1 to 3 minute verbal presentation.  This program could result in a net annual gain of $2,000 or more, which could be used to partially underwrite larger meetings, and make it possible to offer certain visiting speakers an honorarium, lodging and travel expenses.  This is in accord with suggestions at the recent Land Economics Weekend in Sacramento, following the experience of other chapters.

Also, in the past the Chapter has assisted the Chapter President or the designated Alternative by partially reimbursing the expenses necessary to attend Land Economics Weekends.  Jim Leanos noted that the Internation LAI organization is currently offering Presidents partial financial assistance, and for that reason noted that there is no need for chapter assistance in 2012.  As the Internation LAI assistance is not likely to continue permanently, future leaders may require some level of Chapter subsidy.  As no chapter assistance was provided in 2011, more revenues may be required to provide some assistance for the President to attend future Land Economics Weekends.

Membership Growth:

LAI Chapters have distinct qualities - accomplished members able to share their knowledge, information about the economic drivers which enhance land values (or detract from them), opportunities for all meeting attendees to discuss the issues of the day in a confidential setting, opportunities to interact with related professions and professionals locally, nationally and internatiionally, social events which are enjoyable and educational, and participation in International LAI Land Economics Weekends in dynamic cities in the USA and abroad.

There are many reasons to be a member of LAI, and membership is by invitation.  We are examining the professions represented by our members in order to seek new members who bring more professional specialties to the membership.  While not all of our members are currently active, our 
Baltimore Chapter roster exceeds 50,   We should try to achieve a net increase in active members of five to ten per year.  If you have suggestions as to professionals in fields that should be represented, please contact our Membership Chair, Steve Rudow srudow@agmfinancial.com.

We are pleased to report that Michael Cordes has been approved as a new member.  Michael is currently a Managing Director of Columbia National Real Estate Finance at 100 E. Pratt Street in Baltimore.  Welcome Michael!

We also welcome new member Brenda Desjardins, President, New Home Marketing Services of Annapolis.  Brenda is expert in looking at target markets for new home development, and in designing the product for the market.

Two other recent nominees for membership are Owen J. Rouse, Senior Vice President/Capital Markets, Manekin, LLC, as well as Mark Shapiro, President, the Shapiro Company.  We look forward to their approval as members and to their participation in LAI.

Remember to look for the January meeting announdement in your e-mail.  Let's make 2012 notable for the improvements that we are able to make in our world of land economics.

Jim Leanos,
President