January 2018 Dues Drive
This is a time of change not only for Pollard Estates but also for your CAPE Board. While the neighborhood is getting new, young families every day, the CAPE Board is working hard behind the scenes to improve processes, manage the business of the organization, and build a stronger sense of community and togetherness in the neighborhood. It has been an exciting first month for your CAPE Board to say the least! In addition to holding our first board meeting of the year, we have also already made the following great strides in bringing you a better Pollard Estates:
We sent out the first Pollard Estates Resident Survey in an effort to get your vital feedback (results at PollardEstates.org/news);
We have set up online credit card payments for CAPE dues on PollardEstates.org (check payments by mail are still welcome);
We have set the 2018 CAPE Calendar of Events (listed at PollardEstates.org/events);
We have updated the CAPE Bylaws (can be found on Pollard Estates.org/bylaws);
We have installed a new Board of Directors consisting of 6 seasoned members and 3 new faces (find out their names and committees on PollardEstates.org/board-of-directors);
We started a News Blog on our website (PollardEstates.org/news) as a means to give you a constant resource for information on the neighborhood; and
We have set 2 goals for each committee to be accomplished during 2018 based off of your survey responses.
The month of February is now officially CAPE Month. The entire month will be devoted to increasing membership in the Association. To that end, we are hosting a weekly drawing during February. Prizes include $25 gift cards to various restaurants in the area. Additionally, the week of February 19, you will see a board member at the main entrance to the neighborhood Monday-Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Please stop by to pay dues, ask questions or just to say hi. You can find more info on the February Membership Drive at PollardEstates.org/events.
A strong participation from the neighborhood in CAPE is essential to our success. Historically, dues have been utilized for private security patrols by off-duty BRPD officers throughout the neighborhood as well as insurance coverage for and maintenance of the common areas by a lawn care company and the Beautification Committee. With continued and new participation, CAPE anticipates an expansion of these programs as well as the possible addition of others. Expansion possibilities may include but are not limited to security cameras, increased security patrol, redesign of the front entrance, new street signs, etc. However, without a drastic increase in CAPE participation and possible other fundraising efforts, the status quo will remain. Please encourage your neighbors to join CAPE today!
The amount being assessed for the period of January 1, 2018, through December 31, 2018, is One Hundred Dollars and Zero Cents ($100.00), which is indicated on your invoice. Invoices will be emailed out to all email addresses on file on February 1. Lots without an email address on file will have invoices delivered via the CAPE Flier Committee. Dues can be made by clicking the link in the email you receive, by sending a check to the address listed above or by making a credit card payment on PollardEstates.org. Payments are due by March 1, 2018. Regardless of your payment type, all are asked to complete the CAPE Member Registration Form located at PollardEstates.org/membership to aid in updating our records.
Property owners who lease their homes may be eligible for a tax write-off for the amount of the dues, but we urge you to consult with your own CPA for verification.
As mentioned above, each board member has set 2 goals for the year. As President, my goals are as follows:
Update and improve CAPE Board processes, procedures and record maintenance to ensure a smooth transition to future boards.
Increase the flow of information from the CAPE Board to the General Membership in all areas but specifically regarding budgeting and forward planning.
Thank you for your support of CAPE and Pollard Estates. We invite and encourage you to be active in the Association and to help us make this neighborhood a better place to reside, regardless of whether you own or lease a property. If you have any questions or concerns or would like to be involved on the Board or a committee, please feel free to email us at the address listed.
If you feel that you have received this letter and/or invoice in error, are currently leasing your property or no longer own property within the neighborhood, please email us at the address listed above.
Thank you for your participation and also for your commitment to keeping our neighborhood the best kept secret in Baton Rouge! If you should need anything from us, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Kelley Stein, President