Michigan Association of Housing Officials
Spring Seminar Agenda
April 25, 2008
8:30 a.m. Registration and continental breakfast
9:00 a.m. Welcome by Howard Asch, MAHO President
9:15 a.m. Communication: Introduction to Spanish for Code Enforcement Personnel
Are you interested in adding another professional skill to your resume? If so, then join us as we continue to broaden and improve our communication skills by immersing ourselves in this very popular language for a half day. This half day overview session of Spanish , which is an Act 54 accredited course, will open your eyes to the beauty of the second most popular language spoken in America and fourth most commonly spoken language in the world . It will also give you the confidence necessary to continue exploring the language on your own and to attempt simple, but meaningful conversation. Conversation important to performing code compliance with property owners, agents, occupants and relatives whose primary language is Spanish. If you have not had the opportunity to learn a second language in your lifetime, and if you are excited about learning to communicate in an unfamiliar language, this session is for you. Come join other code enforcement officials in the fun and excitement of a new journey exploring Spanish communication, for both professional benefit and personal satisfaction.
Training will be conducted by Mr. Miguel Colon-Mercado, Code Compliance Officer II (ICC Certified Housing and Zoning Inspector), for the City of Grand Rapids. Miguel has a lifetime of experience speaking Spanish and has nine years experience with the City of Grand Rapids where in addition to his inspection duties, he also translates several codes and housing notices as well as numerous handouts into Spanish. Miguel is retired from the military after 20 years of service in the U.S. Army. While in the Army, Miguel served as a computer and electronics instructor for almost 8 years. He also taught computer concepts and basic programming for Central Texas College at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico and other private institutions. Miguel is trainer certified by the International Public Management of Human Resources and is Act 54 qualified for this course.
(M.A.H.O./Act 54 credits – 3 hours)
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Communication: Introduction to Spanish for Code Enforcement Personnel
Continuing presentation by Miguel Colon-Mercado, City of Grand Rapids.
Noon Lunch (Almuerzo): drinks (bebidas), salad (ensalada), main course (platillo) and desserts (postre)
1:00 p.m. ABC’s of LLC’s
Spend the afternoon with us as we examine what is a Limited Liability Company. What different types of Limited Liability Companies (LLC’s) exist. What are the advantages and disadvantages of LLC’s and what resources are necessary to locate individuals who own, manage or maintain property under an LLC.
Training conducted by Mr. David Meyers, attorney with the law firm McGinty, Hitch, Housefield, Person, Yeadon & Anderson PC. McGinty, Hitch, Housefield, Person, Yeadon & Anderson is a leading municiple law firm and serves as the attorney for several municipalities in the Lansing area.
(M.A.H.O. credits – 2 hours)
2:00 p.m. Break
2:15 p.m. ABC’s of LLC’s
Continuing presentation by Mr. David Meyers
3:00 p.m. End of Training
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Future M.A.H.O. Seminar registrations will now have an earlybird registration deadline. So, in order for M.A.H.O. members to save money and a spot at future seminars (and to assist your Board in preparing for seminars), a new earlybird deadline has been established for receiving registration forms and payments.
Check out our website at www.maho-mi.org to keep up-to-date on the happenings of M.A.H.O. If you are attending this seminar, make sure that you find the web question, put the answer on the back of your business card and turn it in at the registration desk. One lucky person with the correct answer will win a $25 gift card.
M.A.H.O. Educational Scholarship and Building Safety Week Grant applications are both due by April 1, 2008.
Coming M.A.H.O. Events:
Annual Conference- June 11-13, 2008 (Ralph McMullan Conference Center, Higgins Lake)