MRHA - How it all started back in 1983
The Idea!
Over the summer of 1983, Paul E. Jenny of the Rental Housing
Association of Greater Springfield (RHAGS), engaged Estelle Fisette, of
the Greater Holyoke Rental Housing Association (GHRHA), and David Craig,
of the Southern Worcester County Landlord Association (SWCLA), in
conversations of starting a statewide rental housing organization
comprised of whatever existing individual groups they found in the
commonwealth.
The Action!
A meeting was
arranged for the fall at The Public House in Sturbridge to further
discuss the idea and to invite all of the associations from around the
state to participate. Finding over a dozen groups, the invitations went
out, and every group responded positively and planned to attend.
The Meeting!
With over a dozen
groups in attendance, a unanimous desicion was made to form a statewide
parent association under which all of the organizations would reside.
It's purpose would be to strengthen, connect, and unite the local groups
and to present a single unified voice for rental property owners in the
state. SWCLA member, John F. Durbin, an attorney from Shrewsbury
suggested the statewide association be incorporated and prepared the
necessary articles of organization.
The Filing!
With all the groups blessings,
the organization documents were filed with the Secretary of State on
December 13, 1983, by the first president Paul E. Jenney (RHAGS) and
listing the officers, Estelle Fisette (GHRHA) as the first Vice
President, David Craig (SWCLA) as the first Treasurer, and Jean Decoteau
(SWCLA) as the first Clerk, forming the Massachusetts Rental Housing
Association; The first, and only, statewide rental property owners
association with local affiliated associations. The corporation formed
consistent with Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 180, became entitled
to exemption from Federal Income Tax as a Non-Profit Corporation under
501 (C)(6) of the Internal Revenue Code.
MRHA was formed to
promote a common interest amongst owners of rental housing and to
improve the communication with tenant associations for the resolution of
problems and the improvement of rental housing in Massachusetts.
Past Presidents
Krystine Hetel Haverhill 2013 -2015
Mark Leger,
Waltham (WRHA)
2004 - 2013
Jo Ann Geissler, Worcester (WPOA) 2002 - 2004
John Luchini, Quincy (SSRA) 19?? - 2002