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From the Summer 2017 Issue

RCM Profile

Elaine Waller

RCM Profiles || Elaine Waller

Elaine Waller, RCM
DEL Property Management
Year entered the profession: 2003
Year RCM obtained: 2005

Other Education: Marketing Administration and Human Resources

Mentor in the industry: Barb Grier who was my accounting support when I first started out. She showed so much kindness and patience as I was learning the industry. She took the time to explain the whys, hows and whos. How you perform and succeed in your career is not just what you do and know, it is also how the people in your team treat one another and support one another. If it wasn’t for Barb’s help, kindness and perspective, I do not think I would have lasted my first year. I hope to always remember the patience she had given me and to pass it forward.

Under a newly proposed Act, licensing for condominium managers will soon be a reality. How will a licence benefit your career as a condo manager? What impact might this have for condo managers in Ontario? I feel licensing will elevate the level of professionalism in the industry, especially those that have and keep their RCM.

The required licence will protect the communities, residents and their homes, but managers with a licence and RCM designation will be the ones that are going above and beyond what is required to provide a higher level of service and knowledge. I have always been proud of my designation, but many people outside the industry do not know its importance and significance. Buildings are fortunate to have an RCM managing them as they are the best in their industry. Licensing is something more recognizable but managers with a licence and RCM, well they will be the best of the best.

This year ACMO is celebrating its 40th anniversary. What does ACMO mean to you? ACMO and their seminars/webinars have been a great resource for me throughout my career. It is the first place I go to for current and relevant information on how to handle everything from a management, contractor and/or legal perspective. I know the source is reliable and relevant to the time and local community.

Tell us about a personal success story on the job. I have been at my current site for over eight years. We have a wonderful team which includes the cleaners, superintendents, admin, security guards and of course board members. We have gone through everything together and their support and trust in me has made the past eight years challenging but well worth it. Being able to see the building change throughout the years, residents come and go, fitting all the pieces of the complex puzzle together. I want the best for the boards, residents and their home and to have their support and trust has kept me here, trying my best all these years.

What’s your biggest challenge as a manager? What is your favourite part of the job? My biggest challenge is not to take things personally. As a rules enforcer, sometimes people don’t take it too well. It still shocks me when someone says I’m mean.

Being a manager can also be a little stressful, but I find running helps with the stress. This year I have already run over 400 km before it turned to May. I hope to do my first marathon this year; I think I will need it.

Every day is an adventure, I feel condominium managers have one of the most exciting careers and we have the best sense of humour. You need a sense of humour.

Best business advice you ever received. Send any letter that could evoke negative emotion on the Friday right before you leave the office. That will give the receiver the weekend to cool off. Hopefully they won’t be waiting outside your office Monday morning to inform you that ‘you’re mean’.


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