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As the Santa Ana winds lessen and give firefighters their first chance to gain ground on the wildfires ravaging Southern California, we have a chance to see what makes us great.  It isn't the massive integrated government response with federal, state, and local agencies pouring enormous amounts of money and personnel into the area (although that is absolutely critical), but it is our communities and our individual expressions of support and assistance. 

It is the individuals bringing food and water to Qualcomm Stadium for the evacuees being housed there.  It is families opening their homes to others.  It is neighbors checking up on the safety of neighbors, and helping them dig out when the time comes.

This is what makes communities great, that no matter what the disaster - hurricane; fire; earthquake; or terrorist attack - we will step up and be there.  Individually we may or may not have much in common with those in need, but Americans always recognize the need first and are there with a helping hand. 

Throughout California, CAI chapters, members, and our Legislative Action Committee, are working to assist those who have been displaced and the communities that have been damaged.  CAI has also developed a comprehensive Disaster Recovery page on our website which we have updated to include specific data related to the California fires.  In addition to information and assistance for those who have suffered direct losses due to the fires, it also contains information for those who would like to help those families and communities directly effected.

I have already heard many stories about individuals and communities reaching out, but I always like to hear more.  If you have a story about your family, community, or company and how they contributed to the effort in this massive evacuation and recovery process, I would certainly like to hear about it.  Just click on the comment button below to share your experiences.

You can’t open a newspaper or flip on the television without seeing a story on global warming, environmental concerns, or energy issues. In recent weeks, reporters have latched on to the “right to dry” movement, pitting HOA rules against those residents who want to conserve energy by hanging their laundry on clotheslines. Regardless of your political affiliation or stance on the issue of global warming, I think we can all admit that we could be better stewards of our planet and our, ultimately, limited resources. 

And while each of us as individuals can contribute to conserving energy and reducing pollution in a number of ways, communities working together can do even more.  And many have already begun to do so.  Across the country, communities have implemented water recycling and reuse systems, energy management plans, and even green space/wildlife conservation initiatives.  Nor is CAI new to these issues. Several years ago, the Foundation for Community Association Research worked with the U.S. Department of Energy to publish Energy Efficiency, a free best practices report explaining how homeowners and associations can reduce energy consumption and costs.

So we would like to hear your ideas.  How has your community taken steps to manage resources more efficiently and reduce your environmental footprint?  What has worked and what hasn't in your community?  How have you gotten your residents engaged in the process?  How have you partnered with government, schools, or other groups?

Just click on the comment button below and share your stories.

Everyone knows that there are tremendous career opportunities in community management and the community association industry across the country.  In fact, one of the biggest challenges facing management companies is their ability to identify, qualify, and hire experienced and knowledgeable managers.  Now those companies and job seekers looking for new career opportunities have a new resource—CAI’s  Job Market, a comprehensive, user-friendly website dedicated exclusively to the community association marketplace. Job Market is part of CAI's on-line Career Center, which brings together a variety of job search and career development resources.

Job seekers can post their profiles for free—and they can be reviewed by anyone at no cost. While the site focuses on community management, attorneys, accountants, bankers, and other industry professionals can also post profiles. Job Market allows job seekers to post profiles for free, enabling individuals to stay connected to the employment market, while protecting their identities and maintaining control over their confidential information. As an added bonus for job seekers, Job Market provides an advanced job-alert system that notifies candidates of new opportunities matching their specific criteria.

Employers can access profiles for free. If a recruiter or employer wants to access a full resume, that individual must provide permission. Only then does the employer pay a small fee. There is no cost to the job seeker, who maintains complete control over who can see his or her resume.

Employers who are members of CAI can post a specific job opening for only $195 for 30 days. That’s considerably less than the cost of generic job-search websites, newspaper helped-wanted listings or professional search fees.  Non-member pricing is slightly higher.

And as a special introductory offer, job openings posted by March 1, 2008 will remain active for 60 days, instead of the standard 30.

Congratulations to CAI's Orange County Regional Chapter on their 30th anniversary.  I had the pleasure to attend their 30th Anniversary Luncheon earlier this week and celebrate with over 325 chapter members.  More than 20 of the chapters past presidents were also able to attend this event.  Congratulations and here's hoping for an even more successful second 30 years.