Welcome to Ungated

CAI PMDP instructors Mike Packard and Rob Felix and I had the unique opportunity to spend 10 days in Dubai recently as the guests of Emaar Properties. 

Emaar is one of the largest developers in the world and is currently constructing some of the largest, most complex, and most unique developments in Dubai.  Their Burj Dubai project will include the Burj Dubai Tower, the tallest building in the world, along with the Dubai Mall, with over 1,200 stores, a hockey rink, a 10-million-gallon aquarium, and the usual theaters, restaurants, and other attractions, plus 30 additional residential, commercial, and hotel buildings, many over 30 stories tall.

CAI was asked to travel to Dubai to help educate the managers of Emaars' various residential properties on best practices in community management.  Mike and Rob delivered a M-100 program to 35 members of Emaars' Residential Management Department and administered the CMCA exam as well.  The class included managers from Emaars' community management operations in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. 

We were all very impressed with the education, commitment, and skills that the Emaar managers brought to the course and the many projects that they are managing.

We also had the honor of attending and speaking at the first ever Dubai Community Managers Forum, where we had the chance to meet many other members of the Dubai community management industry including developers, management companies, and government regulatory officials.

I have posted some other photos from our Dubai excursion.  Just click on the "Photos" folder in the right column and then click on "Dubai". 

Some other thoughts, impressions and observations:

- There is construction literally everywhere.  If there were a state bird it would be the construction crane.  As a result, it is frequently hazy from all the dust.  And hot and humid too....98F in late October.

- Every project and building is unique.  The attention to architectural design, materials, and artistry is simply amazing.  In addition, many projects include a significant public art component ranging from sculptures and water features to intricate designs and materials in the sidewalks.

- They are building the infrastructure at the same time as the developments.  As a result, the infrastructure (particularly transportation) is challenged to keep up with the growth in population.  In other words, traffic is terrible!!

- Dubai is a melting pot with people for all over the world who have come to help build and be part of its amazing growth and transformation.  So you can find aspects of many other cultures across the city....even an Irish pub with rugby, soccer (football), and cricket via satellite.

Special thanks are due to Jeevan D'Mello and Sameer Kulkarni, who lead the community management department at Emaar.  They were our day-to-day hosts in Dubai, ensuring that we had a chance to meet people, see the city, and thoroughly enjoy this unique opportunity.

Just returned from our most recent APCM Workshop in Florida.  While I was there I had the chance to have lunch with Bob Reinhardt and Dot Thomas at Resource Property Management in Seminole which is one of 142 Accredited Association Management Companies (AAMC) across the country.  Imagine my surprise when I pulled into their parking lot and saw this.

It is wonderful to see a company that has made the commitment to the AAMC (and by extension to their employees and clients) and is sharing it proudly with their community.  Not familiar with the AAMC program.  Learn more here.

Jeffrey Koger, previously CFO of Koger Management Group in Fairfax, VA pleaded guilty this past Monday to defrauding more than 400 associations in Northern Virginia of over $3 million.  In pleading guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of tax evasion, Koger faces federal sentencing guidelines of from six to eight years in prison.  The plea agreement also stipulates Koger make full restitution to the IRS and the homeowners associations he defrauded.

More information from the Washington Post here.

One of our functions at CAI is to encourage active and informed participation by residents in the governance of their community's. A key to building harmonious communities is active engagement of residents. So, in case you missed the near constant campaign commercials of the past few months (it only seems like years), I wanted to encourage everyone to vote on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

And don't forget, election officials in across the country are expecting record breaking turnout. Long lines for voting are likely. So plan accordingly.

Tom

Tomorrow I depart for a week in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.  Along with CAI members and instructors Mike Packard and Rob  Felix, we will be traveling Dubai to administer the first of what we hope will be many CAI educational courses to community managers in this rapidly growing part of the world. 

Working with one of the world's largest developers, Emaar, we will be teaching the M-100 course and administering the CMCA exam to a class of over 30 Emaar employees.  In addition, we will be meeting with a broad group of other management companies, professionals, and service providers to discuss issues and challenges facing Dubai as it continues its rapid growth.

I will be sure to post an update and photos when I return.

In addition to the upcoming November 7th APCM Workshop in Florida, a number of CAI events are open for registration.

The 2009 Law Seminar will be held on January 30-31, 2009 in Palm Springs, California.  Note: Hotel rooms are going fast, so make your reservations early.

CAI's 58th National Conference and Exposition will take place April 22 - 25, 2009 in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Conference this year will coincide with the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (JazzFest), one of the must unique and rewarding musical and culinary adventures in the world. 

And coming soon,

Additional APCM Workshops for Managers in Southern California and Dallas, Texas and the 2009 CEO-MC Retreat at Torry Pines, California.  More information and registration forms will be posted on the web site in the coming weeks.

And finally,

Next week we will launch CAI Connect, a new webinar tool, to provide additional distance learning opportunities for our members.  CAI Connect is a fast, convenient, and easy way to expand your knowledge without ever leaving the office and at the same time earn valuable credits for your CMCA recertification and AMS renewal.  I am very pleased to announce that our first webinar will address the new community manager licensing program in Virginia and will be presented by long-time CAI leader and chair of the Virginia Common Interest Community Board Pia Trigiani, Esq.  Every manager and management company owner in Virginia will want to attend this important program.

After a very successful debut in Baltimore this summer, the Association of Professional Community Managers (APCM) is proud to announce our next Manager Workshop will be held on November 7th in Florida.  This intensive one-day program will focus on career development, professionalism, and business acumen for community association managers.

Looking to get ahead in the industry, broaden your network, and expand your opportunities?  Then this is the program for you.  Join speakers from CAI and FranklinCovey to better understand the community association management industry and how to leverage your skills and expertise.

I look forward to seeing you there.

CAI recently completed its national election process for members to serve on our three Member Representation Groups (MRGs).  The MRGs appoint members of the CAI Board of Trustees, advise the Board on a wide-range of policy issues, and connect individuals from our three primary member groups, community volunteers; professional community managers; and business partners, with our national leadership.

Thanks to the more than 69 candidates who stood for election among their peers.  Their willingness to volunteer and serve is one of the key attributes that makes CAI a vital and effective organization.

Congratulation to the successful candidates in this years election who will take office effective January 1, 2009 for two year terms.

ASSOCIATION OF PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY MANAGERS BOARD

Management Company CEO - Sue Carpenter (re-elected)

Large Scale Manager - Kathryn Danella (re-elected)

Large Scale Manager - Ted Herrle (1st term)

Manager (non-CEO/non-Large Scale) - Paula Santangelo (re-elected)

At-Large - Dennis Abbott (re-elected after gap in service)

At-Large - Lori Loch-Lee (re-elected)

BUSINESS PARTNERS COUNCIL

Accountant - Kevin Cavanaugh (re-elected)

Banker - Mark Nuzollo (1st term)

Insurance - Rob Barlow (re-elected)

Reserve Study - Lynn Voorhees (re-elected)

IT Professional - Mike Magnotta (re-elected)

At-Large - Caroline Record (1st term)

COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION VOLUNTEERS COMMITTEE

Prudence Bachman (re-elected)

Jack McGrath (re-elected after gap in service)

Michael Shiflett (re-elected)

Just returned from the sold-out 2008 Large Scale Managers Workshop in Sunriver, Oregon and I have to report that it was a tremendous event.  More than 110 large scale managers from 26 states spent 3+ days networking, learning, and (as the large scale folks call it) "kicking the tires" in four different communities.  Topics ranged from disaster planning to irrigation to environmental issues, and everything in between.  Combined with the awesome beauty of the high desert region of Oregon, it was a memorable event.

Special thanks go out to host committee chair Bill Peck and all the staff from Sunriver, Black Butte Ranch, Crosswater, and Caldera Springs who put in endless hours to make this a successful and rewarding event for every attendee.

I have put a few pictures to give you a sense of the beauty of the Central Oregon area in the photo/Sunriver album.

As the US looks at landfall from its third major Atlantic tropical system of the season, I just wanted to remind all of our members that CAI has put together a Disaster Resources page on our website.  This page gathers many of the most frequently requested links for individuals and groups planning for or recovering from a natural disaster. 

For those of you who were wondering about next years CAI Annual Conference in New Orleans (and I have gotten a couple of calls) I can tell you that damage and disruption in the Crescent City was minimal.  According to our hotel contacts there was minimal damage from blowing debris, but the vast majority of the the hotels, restaurants, and night life will be up and running by this weekend.  Still worried?  You can take a look at the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau web page for daily updates.

Have a great weekend....Tom

Have you voted yet?  No, not for president, but for your CAI leaders.  CAI is conducting our annual election for our Member Representation Groups and there are just 2 days left.  Voting closes Tuesday August 26th at midnight Pacific Time.

So if you haven't cast your ballot yet please go to our Elections page and follow the instructions to cast your vote.  You will need your member ID and password to enter the secure voting site.

As an added bonus, all members casting their votes will be eligible to win a $50 or $100 gift card.  Eight winners will be selected randomly from among the votes cast.

McCain - Obama is still 3 months away, but CAI members are already choosing their leaders and representatives for 2009.  Our annual elections for members of our three Member Representation Groups is now open and will run until Tuesday August 26th at 11:59 pm PDT. 

Every CAI member has the right to vote for their representation on one of the three MRG's.  MRG members address a wide variety of policy issues, select representatives to CAI's Board of Trustees, and help us configure our member services and benefits to ensure that you get the greatest value for your membership dollar.  The three MRG's include:

> Community Association Volunteers Committee, representing board members, community volunteers and homeowners

> Association of Professional Community Managers Board, representing community managers

> Business Partners Council, representing CAI's wide range of professionals serving the association industry

To vote you will need your CAI member number and password.  Just visit our election page and click on the secure link to access the voting site and cast your ballot.  You will be directed to the appropriate election based on your member classification with CAI. 

Questions/problems with the election site should be directed to governance@caionline.org

The election is being administered by Votenet Solutions, an independent third-party to protect the integrity of the election, and ensure that it is valid and secure.

An interesting op-ed piece from several economists in the Washington Post today regarding housing prices nationally.

Turmoil in the housing market has led to fears that home prices will drop precipitously, particularly if foreclosures force large numbers of homes onto the market in the coming year. Recently, these fears have driven financial stocks down and led to the government rescue of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. But the projected losses have been wildly exaggerated. Most Americans have not experienced any significant decline in the value of their homes -- nor are they likely to.....

The full article can be viewed here.

CAI's Association of Professional Community Managers has recently introduced a new member benefit for manager members!  The CommunityManagers Network is a new listserv available to all CAI manager members. Any CAI manager member is eligible for membership regardless of experience level or position. This tool is designed to provide peer to peer networking and idea sharing for professional community managers nation-wide. 

This networking group is a great tool for learning...no question or comment is considered "too simple".  We are made up of experienced managers and new managers.  Those of you with experience know the value of getting answers from those with more experience when you first entered the community association field. Therefore, ask your questions and provide your expertise regardless of how simple - knowing that someone on the network will benefit from it.  As for the tougher questions, it’s a great opportunity for managers to discuss potential solutions.

More than 100 managers have already signed up!  And we are getting new requests everyday!  We have the potential of growing the CommunityManagers Network to more than 8,000 CAI members.

To subscribe, send an email to communitymanagers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Authorization is required. Please include your name, CAI member number, and your company or association name in the body of the email when you sign up. The moderator will send you a confirmation.  If you want to receive fewer messages you can visit your Yahoo profile and edit the section on how you receive messages.

Be sure to share this opportunity with colleagues who are also CAI members.

Today, the law requiring certification of professional community association managers and the licensing of management companies officially becomes law in Virgina. This legislation will provide homeowners with the assurance that their community association manager has a minimum set of qualifications needed to handle the complex and challenging task of community management.

Also critical is the fact that by statute, persons holding a CAI or NBC-CAM certification will be considered to have met the individual certification requirements and companies holding an AAMC will have met the qualifications for corporate licensure. In adopting the CAI/NBC-CAM family of certifications and designations the legislature has deferred to the experts on management, including the many CAI volunteers who’ve worked to develop these programs over the years.

This threshold will have more of an immediate impact on the Commonwealth government than it will on managers in Virginia. As of today, Virginia will be able to officially begin the implementation process that will include appointing a Common Interest Community Board to draft the regulations necessary to implement this law. As they work through this process we will be able to convey more information to you on when the required provisional licenses will be available and how to apply for one.

In the mean time, we have established an information page where you can learn more about the law and its impact on your association or business. In addition, the Virginia Department of Professional Regulation has published this FAQ on the new law (which also addresses other issues beyond manager licensing including the new Ombudsman and risk management in communities).

Have you been looking for a way to become more involved with CAI on the national level? Now is your opportunity.

In August, elections will be held to fill open seats on CAI’s three Membership Representation Groups (MRGs):

Association for Professional Community Managers (APCM) Board

Business Partners Council

Community Association Volunteers Committee

MRGs represent and communicate with their class(es) of members to ensure CAI is meeting its members’ needs. Each MRG is tasked with giving input on policy matters to the CAI Board of Trustees; electing members to the Board of Trustees, and making recommendations on best practices, education curriculums, and designations.  MRGs meet in person every year at CAI’s national conference and at a retreat with the Board of Trustees, as well as via conference call throughout the year.

Self-nominations for open MRG positions will be accepted online through July 16. For additional information, visit CAI’s website.

This is an excellent opportunity for dedicated volunteer leaders to help shape the future of the Membership Representation Groups and the future of CAI.

Want a chance to win some great prizes and help CAI grow at the same time?  Join the Every One Counts membership recruitment campaign and you could win a all-expense vacation package, a 32-inch flat screen TV, an XM or Sirius radio with one year of service or $500 in gas. 

Each new member you help bring to CAI gets you another chance for these great prizes and helps us become an even stronger organization.  All it takes is one phone call, one email, or one conversation.