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WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON?
By
Rafael Aquino
Published March 16, 2022
Many industry leaders thought this would be the
year of change. After the tragedy at Surfside, we all believed that
our legislators would do what was right for our industry so the
lives lost at Surfside would not be in vain. Unfortunately, our
legislators could not reach a common ground to do what's been
overdue for years.
While some associations were fearful of the
potential changes and the financial impacts of such modifications,
many were ready to embrace them because they knew it was the right
thing to do. For years, many associations have gotten away with just
doing the bare minimum to get by, and I'm concerned that many
associations have kicked the can so far down the road that it's only
a matter of time before it will catch up with them.
The truth is that associations have a voice;
however, it's just not being used. Associations have over 13M voters
who live within a community association of the 19M registered voters
in Florida. If we all stood up, heck, if only thirty percent stood
up and told our legislators that this was unacceptable, I can
guarantee that change would happen. Then the question becomes, which
side would you stand on? The side that states everything is ok
within our communities and no change is needed? Or the side that
understands that reserve studies are essential, reserves should be
required for every association, that board certification courses
should be a requirement for all board members, that buildings should
be inspected every thirty years (statewide)?
I know that I stand on the side that change is
needed, and we can't keep doing things the way we've done them.
Tough decisions don't come with much glory; however, you are thanked
by many in the long run.
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As the Co-Founder and CEO
of Affinity Management Services, Rafael P. Aquino leads his team to
redefine excellence. They serve community associations
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and effectively with
dedication and passion. Rafael’s energy and positive
spirit is the foundation of Affinity Management
Services’ company culture, which instills enthusiasm and
excitement when providing expert advice to its board
members and relieving the day-to-day burdens of running
a community association.
Since 2007, Rafael has
developed a work culture that values responsive and
high-quality services. He has led his team by following
a proactive vs reactive philosophy. The same approach
Rafael instills in the day to day operations of each
association. Today, Affinity Management Services
maintains its success and benefits as a result of the
foundation Rafael has built and continues to foster by
providing educational seminars, continuing education
classes for association managers and board members
alike.
Rafael and his team help condominium and homeowners’
associations save money and improve their communities.
His calm, personable, and service-oriented nature helps
him to establish strong relationships with ease. Rafael
is known as a sincere and honest leader who looks out
for the best interests of his clients and communities,
and he strongly advocates for their needs. His role
requires coordination and communication, as such he
takes logical and intelligent steps to approach
challenges head-on.
As a graduate of Florida International University’s
electrical engineering program and a licensed community
association manager, Rafael’s education and skills equip
him with unique insights to tackle complex problems
through critical thinking. He understands how each
component within a system works together in order to
effectively arrive at solutions, techniques, and
conclusions. Therefore, as he manages the multiple
challenges of running a community association management
company, he understands how each property is its own
unique system and tailors’ specific services to assure
that all their needs are met.
For more information about Rafael P. Aquino and Affinity
Management Services please visit
www.ManagedByAffinity.com or call 1-800-977-6279
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Doral Office: 8200 NW 41st ST
Suite 200
Doral, FL 33166
Broward Office: 150 S Pine Island RD Suite 300
Plantation, FL 33324
O: 800-977-6279 ● F: 305-325-4053
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