PROPERTY Dynamics managing director Milton Cations is one of the candidates seeking to be elected to the board of the Australian Property Institute (API).
Australian Property Journal spoke to Cations to find out why he is seeking to be elected to the API board.
Cations said he has a wide understanding of issues and can properly represent the wider membership in what they want the API to do.
He believes all states and territory committees need to be fully informed and well-resourced to ensure all the members understand the decisions being made.
Cations also want the API to continue to raise the profile and promote the Institute, so it remains relevant in the property industry.
- What is your interest to come on board with the Australian Property Institute?
I have been very actively involved in the Australian Property Institute throughout my professional career and for over 35 years as a Member, a State Councillor and a National Councillor.
Important strategic initiatives for the National Board and for the National Finance Board remain unfinished and so I have been encouraged by many API members across Australia to nominate and to contribute my organisational experience and professional expertise to the Board.
Through my past Institute involvement, my close membership relationships and my understanding of membership issues, I believe that I can properly represent the wider membership in what they want the API to do.
Our API Membership want the API and each Board member to:
- Promote who we are, and what we do, to everyone. Raise our profile!
- Ensure a fair and professional business environment. Reinforce professional standards!
- Discipline unprofessional members. Reinforce compliance!
- Help the members operate a better property service. Improve CPD!
- Provide an embracing and united member environment. Encourage involvement!
- Charge a membership fee that reflects ‘value for money’. Ensure efficient management!
- What financial experience or expertise do you bring to the API?
My initial tertiary education was in Accounting and Business Finance and I have always had a ‘hands on’ approach to API financial budgeting and reporting.
Senior Executive financial roles through Divisional and National duties as Treasurer and Chairman of the National Finance Board have demonstrated my financial acumen and risk control experience.
As the API-Victoria Treasurer (2000-05), I reported successive accounting surpluses and as President (2006-07), I completed a full financial restructuring of the Victorian office to establish a strong financial base for Divisional operational expansion.
My National API financial role as Chairman of the National Finance Board strengthened my financial expertise.
- What governance experience do you bring to the API?
Completion of specific modules from the AICD Directors Course have ensured that I understand the role of a Director and Board and compliance matters.
My Institute roles through Divisional duties as President, and Chairman – Governance Board and National duties as Vice President have enhanced my governance skills.
- What strategic planning experience do you bring to the API?
Business experience in my professional career with Knight Frank and Property Dynamics together with my API management and organisational planning experience has strengthened my strategic planning skills.
- To further pursue API’s strategic direction, it would be of great benefit if prospective Directors could contribute advocacy, policy and/or digital communications experience to the Board. What is your experience in one or more of these areas?
In my previous Presidential and Chair roles with the API, I have been a keen advocate for expanding the influence of the API. Consequently, I am strongly identified as having proper experience in advocacy and policy setting and for being an advocate of many existing professional, marketing and educational initiatives within the API.
Policy setting has been a critical part of my past Executive roles within the API, both on a state and national basis, and in my business.
My more recent business experience with Property Dynamics and related corporations has enabled me to strengthen my digital communications skills and I recognise the importance of the API’s strategic involvement in this critical area.
- In general, what can you bring to the API and why should members elect you?
I believe that Members should elect me because through my past Institute involvement, my close membership relationships and my understanding of membership issues, I can properly represent the wider membership in what they want the API to do.
My API involvement and corporate business roles have enabled me to develop strong professional and personal relationships with many API members throughout Australia and across all valuation sectors.
I strongly support our new API National structure, but I also support strong state-based member input into our National decision-making. All State and Territory Committees need to be fully informed and well-resourced to ensure local member involvement on all member and professional issues.
In this role, I will represent all members from all states and territories, and regularly attend all state-based Committee meetings so that I can personally contribute to ensure that we have a completely embracing and united member environment.
Online voting is now open until 23:59 AEST on Thursday 17 May 2018. Members are encouraged to register and vote at https://www.api.org.au/news/meet-candidates-2018-api-board-elections
Australian Property Journal
