April 2016
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New Talent, New Members and New Goals: a Q&A with Membership Chair, Rosemarie Subasic

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In this last of a series on BOMA/NY committees, we focus on the committee fundamental to the health of BOMA/NY—the Membership Committee, now headed by Rosemarie Subasic, CFM/LEEP AP.

Rosemarie, a 2016 Pinnacle nominee for Outstanding Local Member of the Year and a Membership Committee veteran for the past nine years, joined the committee shortly after making her transition from the public sector to the private.

After a distinguished 20-year career with the City of New York's DEP and the DOT, where she spearheaded programs benefiting the entire real estate community, Rosemarie became the Senior Operations Manager for the Morgan Stanley portfolio at Hines.

There, while overseeing a 7 million-sf portfolio, enhancing operational effectiveness and lowering costs, she’s also found time to promote BOMA/NY programs and initiatives.

BOMAfacts recently spoke with Rosemarie as she takes her commitment to BOMA/NY to a higher level as the Membership Committee chair.

Q. Rosemarie, can you tell us about any new approaches or changes you’ve made?

A. While reviewing membership applications and dues payment status is critical to the work our committee does, we did not want it to be the sole focus on the meetings. So our committees are a little less formal now...more of an open discussion about new ideas on how to increase and retain membership. We’re also aware of the demands on peoples’ time, and so have been more flexible in scheduling meetings, and are using teleconferencing more.

We’re excited to welcome Paul Magda, a long-standing BOMA/NY member and active contributor, who joined the committee earlier this year. But we’re still looking for new blood! We’d especially like to see a few more Principal members on the committee. Our ultimate goal is to have representation from each of the membership groups, including Student and Emerging Leader members.

Q. It may seem like an obvious question, but why is this committee so important?

A. The committee, working with the BOMA/NY staff, plays an integral part in sustaining membership. Members are the lifeblood of our organization and we need to ensure that we are effectively communicating the value of BOMA/NY membership by ensuring the process of joining is transparent and easy. It’s also essential that we uphold the values of BOMA/NY by vetting all applicants to ensure membership criteria are met.

Q. Does the committee have a membership target?

A. We’d love to increase our membership by at least 10 percent every year. A main focus this year is to attract Student and Emerging Leader members, both of which are new membership categories established last year. We know that attracting younger members will have a long term positive effect on BOMA/NY and the industry as a whole.

If any of our readers know of anyone, especially individuals new to the industry, who would benefit from being part of the BOMA/NY community, please send your information directly to Ami Shah, the BOMA/NY Director of Membership and Special Events, at ami@bomany.com.

Q. Is there anything you’d like potential committee members to know?

A. I think people may be hesitant to join because they think it will take too much time or produce little ROI. As for the time commitment, we meet once a month, early on Friday mornings, which we selected because it tends to be a slower day. (Even with my hectic schedule, I can make it work!) As to the value of investing one’s time, I have found that the ROI I’ve received has been the relationships I have built with the other committee members, the BOMA/NY staff and the industry as a whole.

Q. And now the big question: Why should someone join BOMA/NY?

BOMA/NY is the premiere New York Commercial Real Estate organization. It has an unparalleled relationship with the City and State governments. Its governing board and members are some of the most respected in the industry. BOMA/NY’s training, networking, benchmarking and alert system are all tools that I keep in my toolbox, and which have helped to make me an expert in my field.

As we move toward BOMA/NY's 50th Anniversary next year, it is truly an exciting time to be a part of the Association as it embraces a new generation of emerging leaders that can benefit from both our rich talent base and half century of experience, while bringing us new energy and ideas.