Good morning!

We’ve all heard the phrase “It takes a village.”

This week, with our STR Advocacy Summit just days away, I’ve been thinking a lot about what that actually means.

When a township proposes a bad ordinance, an HOA starts restricting STRs, or an owner suddenly finds their livelihood threatened, we rally the troops. We make phone calls. We show up at meetings. We share information. We donate. We advocate.

And we absolutely SHOULD.

But I think a strong community is built long before the crisis arrives.

It’s built in all the little moments when we have an opportunity to help someone else—not because we have to, but simply because we CAN.

A guest wants to book your house, but you're already booked. Do you send them back to Airbnb to start searching again? Or do you say, “I know another owner with a great place right down the road. Let me connect you.”

A guest asks where they should go for dinner. Do you send them a Yelp link? Or do you tell them, “Go to this place, order this dish, and ask for so-and-so. You’ll love it.”

You're a property manager who's at capacity. Do you simply say, “Sorry, we're not taking new properties right now”? Or do you introduce that owner to another property manager you trust?

You're a Realtor selling a home to a new STR investor. Do you hand them the keys and wish them luck? Or do you connect them with a great property manager, cleaner, photographer, insurance agent, lender or contractor—and tell them they should join the Poconos VRO?

Someone in a Facebook group asks a question you already learned the answer to the hard way. Do you scroll past? Or do you take two minutes and save them two HOURS of frustration?

And here's another question:

How personal are your referrals?

There's a big difference between sending someone a name in black and white and adding a little color.

“Here's a cleaner.”  versus...  “Call Maria. She's incredibly reliable, her team has saved me more than once on a crazy turnover day, and tell her I sent you.”

THAT is community.

It's sharing your relationships, your knowledge, your experience and sometimes even your business with someone else.  And here's the funny thing about helping people when you don't have to: it tends to come back around.  Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not from the same person. Maybe not even in the way you expect.  But strong communities remember who showed up.

That matters tremendously in advocacy.  Because when the day comes that you need 50 people at a township meeting...  When your HOA proposes a rule that threatens your property...  When your business needs someone to speak up...  You don't want to start building your village that morning.  You want to discover it's already there.

That's the kind of STR community I want us to keep building here in the Poconos.  One where we compete, sure—but we also collaborate.  Where we recommend each other.  Where we share what we know.  Where we celebrate each other's successes.  Where we show up when things are good—and especially when they're not.

Because none of us can do this alone.  It really does take a village.

Have a great week!

Rebecca

P.S. Speaking of lifting each other up... I have some pretty exciting news to share! I'm a finalist for a VRMA Excellence Award for Advocate of the Year! 

It's an incredible honor, but I see this as recognition for the Poconos VRO and the advocacy work our entire community is doing. To have that work recognized on a national stage is pretty darn cool.

And we're not the only familiar names on the ballot! Several of our sponsors, exhibitors, partners and conference friends are finalists too, including HostGPO, SuiteOp, Guesty, Branson Family Retreats (Tyanne Hammond spoke at our conference!), Hospitable and PriceLabs.

So please take a moment to VOTE and show some love to the Poconos VRO family and friends... our COMMUNITY!

And THANK YOU. Awards are nice—but the village behind the work is what makes it possible & worthwhile.