Ungated

CommunityManagers Network

Tom Skiba — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:09:47 -0400

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.

Raising the Bar in Virginia

Tom Skiba — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0400

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).

Leaders Needed

Tom Skiba — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:43:54 -0400

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.

Every ONE Counts

Tom Skiba — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 11:14:44 -0400

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.

I'm Just Saying......

Tom Skiba — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:37:35 -0400

CNN: Ed McMahon's home facing foreclosure

Money Where Our Mouth Is

Tom Skiba — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:38:58 -0400

Well thought out licensing of professional community association mangers serves to provide vital consumer protections to homeowners, foster good governance and raise the standards of professionalism across the industry.

When such efforts are based on industry-created certifications (CMCA) and or designations (AMS, LSM, PCAM and AAMC) they provide assurance that professional managers have the needed skills to take on the difficult task of community association management. Having such regulations based on industry-developed national designations also enables companies and managers to operate in or move to different states without having to undertake differing educational and licensing requirements.

For years, CAI’s member advocates have been working toward that goal. 2008 has been a landmark year in advancing our agenda on manager licensing. Virginia has recently passed a comprehensive licensing bill where manager certification and company licensure are linked with CAI-developed designations. Currently similar bills are pending in Illinois, Rhode Island and North Carolina and initial licensing efforts are underway in South Carolina.

CAI is pleased to announce that our Issues Advancement Fund (IAF), after a successful online auction this Spring, is issuing two grants in support of these important efforts. This week, the IAF Committee will be sending seed grants to the Illinois Legislative Action Committee and the Rhode Island Legislative Action Committee in support of their Licensing Efforts. This money will be used in conjunction with locally raised funds to support the efforts to pass these bills in the current legislative cycle. The efforts of these LACs, as well as that of our more than 300 advocacy volunteers across the country, are a critical means by which we shape the future of our industry. We are proud to support their efforts..

What Ever Happened To The Right To Contract?

Tom Skiba — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:26:44 -0400

The Arizona Legislature, like many other state legislatures this year, is in the process of considering a number of bills that would further regulate and restrict the community association industry. CAI's Arizona Legislative Action Committee (LAC) is working with legislators and their staffs, as do all of our 28 state LAC's, to make sure that CAI members voices are heard.

It is rare though, to have an independent think tank enter the fray and express an opinion on HOA related legislation. But that is just what the Goldwater Institutes Center for Constitutional Government has done. Thought some of you would find this interesting.

Regulating HOAs Violates Freedom of Contract

Nick Dranias

Goldwater Institute Daily EmailMay 22, 2008

The Arizona Senate is considering a bill that would regulate homeowner associations by imposing government mandates on HOA contracts.

This bill runs afoul of freedom of contract, the principle that the government should not interfere with agreements reached by willing parties. This principle recognizes that the state should not superintend the wisdom of contractual relationships.

Because the relationship between homeowner associations and their members is a voluntary contract, any law that overrides that relationship violates this principle. Moreover, such laws risk violating Article 2, § 25 of the Arizona Constitution, which provides, “No…law impairing the obligation of a contract, shall ever be enacted.”

If enacted into law, the bill under consideration would override “loser pays” provisions in homeowner association agreements that require a losing litigant to reimburse the association for the attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in defending a lawsuit. The law would thereby erase provisions that are meant to discourage litigation. This threatens homeowner associations and their members with a greater risk of litigation and higher assessments.

The regulation of homeowner associations is unwise and unconstitutional. Even if a few abusive homeowner associations deserve to be sued more often, it would be ham-fisted to encourage an across-the-board increase in litigation against all associations. If freedom of contract means anything in this state, it means that we shouldn’t all suffer together when the state overreaches in deciding what’s best for us.

Nick Dranias is the Director of the Center for Constitutional Government at the Goldwater Institute.

The Magic of Community - Photos

Tom Skiba — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:04:40 -0400

Photos from our 57th National Conference and Exposition in Orlando have been posted to the web site. Enjoy

Manager Licensing Update

Tom Skiba — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:59:08 -0400

Last month Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has signed HB-516 establishing a mandatory community manager licensing requirement for managers and management companies doing business in the Commonwealth. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2008 with some of the initial deadlines occuring by the end of 2008. Although the specific regulations and requirements have not yet been written and approved, we do know that individuals holding the AMS or PCAM designations from CAI or the CMCA certification from NBC-CAM, along with management companies holding the AAMC accreditation, will meet the requirements for licensing in Virginia.

In addition, we are closely tracking very similar licensing initiatives in Illinois, North Carolina, and South Carolina at this time. CAI is committed to providing all of our members with the necessary training and support to meet the requirements of the new licensing requirements in Virgina (and any other state) simply, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

We have developed a new Manager Licensing page on our web site to provide information on manager certification and licensing requirements and initiatives from across the country, including in Alaska, California, Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, and Virginia. Check back regularly as new information and details are added as they become available.

Future Dates and Events

Tom Skiba — Tue, 20 May 2008 15:46:27 -0400

Conference in Orlando was great and I am already getting calls from folks starting to plan for next years annual conference in New Orleans. So here are some dates to remember for future CAI national events and activities. Click through on the highlighted events to get more information from the web site:

2008 EVENTS

APCM Workshop for Managers - Career and Professional Development: (Baltimore, MD) June 12, 2008

21st Annual CEO-MC Retreat: (Salt Lake City, UT) June 19-21, 2008

Large Scale Community Managers Workshop: (Sunriver, OR) September 10-14, 2008

Professional Manager Development Program Courses: Take place throughout the year and across the country (Schedule)

2009 EVENTS (for those who like to plan ahead)

30th Annual Law Seminar (Palm Springs, CA) January 29-31, 2009

CAI's 58th Annual Conference and Exposition (New Orleans, LA) April 22-25, 2009 (NOTE: For those of you of a musical persuasion, the weekend of April 25-26 is the opening weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, commonly known as JazzFest. You may want to plan on staying a couple of extra days for a once in a lifetime musical experience)

22nd Annual CEO-MC Retreat (La Jolla/Torrey Pines, CA) June 25-27, 2009

Large Scale Community Managers Workshop (Sandestin, FL) September 9-12, 2009

The Magic Of Community - Wrap Up

Tom Skiba — Wed, 07 May 2008 13:58:25 -0400

Well, another CAI National Conference is in the books and it was an incredibly successful one. Our visit to Orlando brought opportunities to learn and share, meet new friends and reconnect with old friends, have some fun, and use the Magic of Community to re-energize ourselves and our careers. Those who were there know what I am talking about. If you weren't there, you should have been. Just ask someone who attended about all the things you missed, including:

* 1,100+ attendees

* 130+ exhibitors and sponsors

* 34 chapter and individual awards

* 24 educational sessions and workshops

* 6 receptions and cocktail parties

* 2 fascinating general sessions

* 1 fabulous awards dinner and dance

And that's just the high points of the official program. There was also Disney, golf, and lots of other diversions.

It's not to early to begin planning for next years conference in New Orleans, LA. You can help us bring community to NOLA from April 22nd through 25th 2009.

Community Green

Tom Skiba — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 09:12:11 -0400

Today is Earth Day 2008 and an appropriate time to remember that we all have an important obligation to manage our resources wisely and leave the world a little bit better than we found it. And communities across the country are already living "green" in many ways.

CAI is pleased to announce a new program to help community associations of all types and sizes make their communities a little more green. Community Green is a new website dedicated to providing associations and their residents with resources, tools, and examples of how they can conserve energy, reduce their environmental footprint, and maybe even save money at the same time.

In the spirit of the environmental movement's credo "Think Globally - Act Locally", Community Green is designed to give community associations the tools they need to identify opportunities to be more environmentally active, build consensus within the community around particular initiatives, and achieve practical, measurable results. Results that have a positive impact and still reflect the unique nature of community association living.

And we want to hear more about what you are doing in your own community. Tell us how your association has made a positive environmental difference. Share your story on the Community Green website or click on the comment link below so that others can learn from your experiences.

Only 3 More Days For The IAF Auction

Tom Skiba — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:15:58 -0400

The on-line auction to benefit CAI's Issues Advancement Fund is in full swing and only has 3 more days to run. You can review the various auction items and place your bids at our auction site. Funds are made available to our Legislative Action Committees to support key advocacy initiatives year-round.

Whether it is a quick get away to Mexico, some unique artwork, or more Disney secrets than you ever wanted to know, there is something in the auction for everyone.

Special thanks also go to our auction sponsors...

...and all the individual contributors of auction items.

The Magic of Community - Getting There And Having Fun

Tom Skiba — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:58:55 -0400

CAI has arranged some additional resources and benefits for attendees at the upcoming National Conference in Orlando. (Hard to believe it is less than 2 weeks away).

Interested in spending some time at DisneyWorld, Epcot, or one of the other parks? You can get discounted tickets as a CAI meeting attendee. These Special Disney Meeting/Convention Theme Park Tickets are available only in advance and only to meeting attendees, their guests and family members. Disney's multi-day and half-day Meeting/Convention tickets are designed to fit any agenda and can not be purchased at the Theme Park Gates. For ticket purchase, visit www.disneyconventionears.com/tickets or contact our office at (407) 824.3869.

Need to get to your hotel? You can arrange an airport transfer from Disney's Magical Express Service - If you are arriving by air at Orlando International Airport, Disney's Legendary service starts the moment you touch down and continues throughout your stay. This exclusive complimentary shuttle and luggage delivery service conveniently takes you from the airport directly to your Disney Resort and back stress-free. For more information and to book, call (407) 827-6777 or visit www.disneyconventionears.com/dme.

The Magic of Community - 2 Weeks to Orlando

Tom Skiba — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 11:40:20 -0400

CAI's 57th National Conference will convene in a little more than 2 weeks. Our first event will be our Welcome Reception on Wednesday evening from 5 - 7 pm. This is a great chance to see and be seen, to catch up with old friends, and to meet some new ones. If you haven't registered yet, there is still time to register online. Need more info? Check out the conference page and the full brochure detailing all the educational sessions.

We couldn't deliver conference without the generous support of our sponsors. CAI gives our special thanks to the following sponsors:

Platinum Partner

TOPS Software, LLC

Also co-sponsor of PCAM Reception

General Session Sponsor

Associa

Gold Partners

AmeriFlood

Community Archives, Inc.

Also sponsor of Leadership Break and CED Scholarship

SmartStreet

Events Sponsors

Welcome Reception

Association Voice, Inc.

CGI Windows & Doors, Inc.

Jenark

U.S. Lawns

PCAM Reception Co-Sponsor

The Flood Company

TOPS Software, LLC

Managers Reception

Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Chapter Leadership Breakfast

Colonial Bank

Chapter Leadership Break

Community Archives, Inc.

SouthData

Name Badges

dwellingLive, Inc.

Going Once! Going Twice!.....

Tom Skiba — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:19:33 -0400

I want to invite you to participate in an exciting event CAI is hosting as part of the upcoming National Conference. As part of our effort to raise money for the Issues Advancement Fund (IAF), CAI will be launching an online auction in the weeks leading up to our meeting in Orlando.

From April 7-14, you can preview the auction catalog online.

Bidding begins on April 14, and concludes on Thursday, April 24.

You’ll find a selection of items covering a variety of prices and interests, including:

The online bidding will begin Monday, April 14 and concluded on Thursday, April 24^th.

Roundtrip travel for 2 on Southwest Airlines
An amphibious tour of Washington, DC
A Nintendo DS-Lite portable video game system
A Disney Secrets package
And other great donations

The online auction will give you the opportunity to bid on exciting products and services while supporting advocacy efforts across the country.

CAI maintains the IAF to provide grants to state Legislative Action Committees (LACs). Grants support member efforts in shaping public policy related to community associations.

Democracy In Our Communities?

Tom Skiba — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:29:18 -0400

Community associations are not governments -- many years of legislation and court rulings have established that fact beyond a reasonable doubt. Yet they are clearly democratic in their operations, electing their leadership from among the homeowners on a periodic basis. In fact, associations operate much more democratically than almost any other form of corporate entity. You can own a couple of shares of ExxonMobil, but they certainly aren't going to give you an opportunity to serve on the board, and the process for nominating and electing directors is pro forma from the perspective of a small shareholder. But if you want to get involved in your community's leadership the barriers to entry are much lower. In fact, many communities go begging for folks to serve as volunteer leaders.

The Magic of Community - Early Bird Conference Registration Deadline

Tom Skiba — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 08:53:59 -0400

Don't forget, today is the deadline for Early Bird Registration for National Conference in Orlando. Save $50 by signing up today online, by fax, or by phone (888) 224-4321 (M-F, 9-6:30 ET). Need more information? Check out the full conference brochure and the conference web page.

Why Community Management Is A Great Business

Tom Skiba — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 14:54:16 -0400

Julie Adamen is well-known fixture in the community management profession. A former manager herself, she now focuses her time on recruiting professional community managers, speaking on industry issues, and training managers and boards across the country. Julie's monthly newsletter is always timely and provocative -- you will never be in doubt about how she thinks about a topic.

This month, her lead article focuses on why community management is a great industry to be in, especially right now as other portions of the real estate market wither to a shadow of their former selves. I encourage you to give it a look.

Julie rightly points out that our industry continues to grow, that it is fundamentally safe from outsourcing, and can be intellectually and personally challenging. This certainly agrees with my observations, including the continued demand for experienced, trained community managers. Existing communities must still be managed, perhaps more so now that foreclosures and falling sales prices have made being budget conscious even more important than ever.

Coming Soon, CAI's 21st Annual CEO-MC Retreat

Tom Skiba — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 11:14:29 -0400

Hard on the heels of the National Conference in Orlando next month, CAI will be holding its 21st Annual CEO-MC Retreat in Salt Lake City, Utah from June 19 - 21. Designed as a unique once a year learning and networking experience for management company CEO's and senior management, the retreat is an opportunity to hone your leadership skills and learn what works and what doesn't in today's challenging association management environment. The Retreat begins at noon on June 19 and ends around noon on Saturday June 21.

In addition to the Retreat, we will also be conducting our one-day CEO Bootcamp on June 18th from noon to 5pm. If you are new to your company or your leadership position, the Bootcamp is a great way to familiarize yourself with the critical issues and management challenges you will face, understand the dynamics of our industry, and network with other company executives.

And for those of you who chase a little white ball around in the sunshine, we will once again be holding our annual CEO Open golf outing on June 18 and 19.

All the information on times, dates, and costs is on the registration form. (Note: the final costs for golf have not been determined yet. Please indicate your interest on the form, any requested playing partners, and your handicap so that we can reserve you a tee time. We will collect the golf fee at a later date.)

Orlando Update

Tom Skiba — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:40:55 -0400

Don't forget that the "early bird" registration deadline for CAI's 57th National Conference is coming up on March 31st. Register by the end of this month and save $50.

And we have just added two additional special events to the conference schedule.

Mid-Florida Chapter Party—Thursday, May 1, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Enjoy an evening of food and fun at the dance club MOTiON, located in Downtown Disney Pleasure Island. Admission includes a buffet reception, two drink tickets and entertainment. Tickets are just $75 before March 31 and $85 at the door.

Behind the Scenes Tour—Wednesday, April 30, 1-4:00 p.m.; Saturday, May 3, 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Have you ever wondered what goes on "behind the scenes" at the Walt Disney World® Resort? This tour is an unforgettable journey—where you see, firsthand, just how the "magic" is made!

I hope to see you in sunny Orlando.

Community Manager Licensing in Virginia

Tom Skiba — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:36:51 -0500

A number of manager licensing initiatives are moving through legislatures across the country. CAI has been working with diverse groups to support these bills and provide a mechanism to ensure accountability, consumer protection, and adequate education and skill requirements are addressed. It appears that the Commonwealth of Virginia will be the first out of the chute with a new licensing law.

On Tuesday, March 4, 2008, the Virginia General Assembly passed HB 516, requiring the Commonwealth’s professional community association managers to be licensed. The bill moves to Governor Tim Kaine (D) for his signature. If signed, the law becomes effective July 1, 2008.

Under the bill, individuals and entities offering management services to community associations in the Commonwealth must be licensed with the Common Interest Community Board (the Board). The Board, to be appointed by the Governor, will be comprised of representatives of the management industry and community associations.

Under the law, employees of community association management firms who have principal or supervisory responsibility for persons providing management services must be certified according to standards established by regulations adopted by the Common Interest Community Board. Specific language in the statute allows those standards to be met by any manager holding a Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA), an Association Management Specialist (AMS), a Professional Community Associations Manager (PCAM), or a company holding an Accredited Association Management Company designation.

Provisional Licenses; Future Board Actions

The Board will issue provisional licenses to individuals and entities after July 1, 2008, until December 31, 2008. After that time, applicants will have to meet all licensing requirements. The provisional licenses will be valid until June, 2011.

Over the course of this summer, the appointed Board will begin the process of developing regulations to implement the requirements of the legislation – which include substantial other provisions that will affect community associations: establishing an office of community association ombudsman, and substantial modifications to resale disclosure requirements.

A brief Q&A is included in the attached file. As more details about implementation of this far-reaching bill become known, and once it is signed by the governor, CAI will pass it on to our members. Check back to our Political Heads-Up page for more information as it becomes available.

Rocky Mountain High

Tom Skiba — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:11:45 -0500

CAI's Rocky Mountain Chapter has had a long history of leadership in the community in and around Denver, Colorado. Recently, the chapter has been expanding their efforts to work with media outlets in Colorado to help educate board members and homeowners in associations throughout the state.

In their most recent effort, Gary Debus, community manager of Highlands Ranch (one of the largest associations in the United States with over 90,000 residents) appeared on local ABC affiliate 7News to talk about resolving conflicts in your association. Gary did a great job and clearly demonstrated the thoughtful, positive process that CAI works to bring to every situation like this.

Check out the Rocky Mountain Chapters homepage for other recent articles and media appearances. And congratulations to the chapter and Gary for a job well done.

Next Stop Orlando

Tom Skiba — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:39:35 -0500

Come and share the magic!

CAI's 57th National Conference and Exposition is coming to Orlando, Florida from April 30 through May 3. With programming designed for managers, association board members, and business partners alike, Conference is CAI's premier event of the year, bringing together all of our members to network, learn, and experience what makes good communities work.

You can check out the conference page, the full conference brochure, and the registration form online.

Some of this years emerging topics include:

- Immigration issues: Dealing with verification requirements

- Licensing professional community managers

- Green commuities: Find out how your community can reduce its environmental impact

In fact, our entire conference is going green this year. No more bulky handouts to lug around. Copies of all the conference presentations will be available on the web before and during the conference and every attendee will receive a searchable CD-ROM of all the materials at registration.

Don't forget, register by March 31 and save $50 off the full registration price. First time attendees can save an additional $50. Not sure what the conference experience is all about, or if it is for you? Check out our blog, Live From Las Vegas, which chronicled last years record-setting event at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, NV.

And for those community managers looking to advance their professional skills and expertise, we are also offering a comprehensive slate of Professional Manager Development Program (PMDP) courses from the introductory M-100 through the PCAM Case Study in the days leading up to conference.

A special thanks to our sponsors:

Platinum Partner

TOPS Software, LLC

Also co-sponsor of PCAM Reception

Speaker Sponsor

Associa

Gold Partner
AmeriFlood

Community Archives, Inc.

Also sponsor of Leadership Break and CED Scholarship

Events Sponsors

Welcome Reception

Association Voice, LLC

Jenark

U.S. Lawns

PCAM Reception Co-Sponsor

The Flood Company

Managers Reception

Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Chapter Leadership Breakfast

Colonial Bank

Chapter Leadership Break

SouthData

Name Badges

dwellingLive, Inc.

Thanks again to all the sponsors and all the volunteers who make conference such a unique and valuable event. I hope to see you there.

Protecting Association Finances

Tom Skiba — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:21:05 -0500

There have been a number of well publicized cases of financial malfeasance in the community association industry over the last year or so, some by managers and others by board members. So what can an association do to protect themselves from this kind of risk?

Attorney Kelly Richardson recently wrote an article for the Orange County (CA) Register outlining ten tips that associations can implement to increase the procedural and system controls over their funds, ensure appropriate spans of control, and reduce the risk of loss. Among his recommendations are:

~ Review financial records regularly

~ Don't concentrate responsibility in a single set of hands, whether that is a board member or manager. Require multiple signatures for checks and other material transactions.

~ Manage the overall risk through timely audits and reviews, as well as appropriate insurance coverage.

~ And always remember that as a board member you can delegate responsibility for some activities, but you cannot delegate ultimate accountability for performance.

I encourage you to take a look at Kelly's article.

Buy In Bulk And Save - Or Maybe Not

Tom Skiba — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:56:26 -0500

Dealing with the process of drafting regulations or commenting on those drafts can be enough glaze over the eyes of even the most seasoned government affairs staff. But despite the painful process of pouring over page after page of detailed regulations, which can sometimes read like the phone book, the end results can and do have a direct impact on our communities. Most recently, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has determined it has the authority to regulate exclusive contracts for video services (e.g.- cable) provided to associations and other multi-family developments. In that same order the FCC also asked for comments on a proposal to regulate associations ability to use bulk service agreements to bargain for better prices. CAI has submitted extensive comments on both these issues and you can read them here.

The FCC’s proposals raise valid questions. Do exclusive agreements between providers of video services and associations help or hurt consumers? Should an association be banned from using the number of residents in the association as a tool to bargain with cable giants for better rates? And just as importantly, is the FCC authorized under existing law to expand its authority in these areas or is it required to get permission for expanding its authority from Congress?

As the voice of community associations, our job is to make sure that the FCC hears our side of the story and that’s something we will continue to do. For more information on the current status of the FCC rulings and other hot legislative and regulatory topics from around the country check out our Political "Heads Up" page.

Build vs. Destroy

Tom Skiba — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:35:00 -0500

As I sit here in my office on a cold, sunny Alexandria day, I am watching as two small one-story office buildings across the street are being demolished to make way for a new multi-story mixed use project. It's amazing that just three workers and a couple pieces of heavy equipment can make so much noise and reduce these buildings to rubble in just a single morning, taking apart buildings that took the cooperative efforts of dozens or even hundreds of workers and weeks to build: architects to craft the vision, engineers to design the structure, skilled craft workers to do the masonry, electrical, plumbing, and other systems, and many others who contributed to construct buildings that were a successful, thriving place of business and employment for many years.

I guess I see some ironic parallels in the community association industry.

On the one hand we have literally millions of homeowners who are working to make their communities better places to live, serving on their boards, volunteering to staff events and activities, and building community each and every day. Together with management companies, professional community managers, and the many other professionals who support communities across the country, they are the builders who are committed to protecting property values, ensuring that communities serve all of their members, and giving of themselves and their time.

On the other hand, we have the folks bent on making a lot of noise and tearing down the work of others, the individuals who believe that there is no good community association, that all boards are corrupt, and that if you are happy in your community you are at best a dupe and at worst an unindicted co-conspirator in the great community association conspiracy, a conspiracy that exists only in their minds. Their goal is not to make communities better, their goal is to eliminate communities, to cripple them, and to turn every homeowner into a victim. They do not have a prescription for improvement, unless you call total destruction a reasonable and thoughtful prescription. Kind of like swatting a mosquito with a cruise missile.

The best way to protect and serve homeowners is to arm them with information and knowledge, to educate them on their rights and responsibilities. And that is what CAI and our members are all about. Building community and consensus is not easy, but it is not something we can or should outsource to a far off State House. Successful communities are built by connecting neighbors, empowering them, informing them, and always, always communicating. The siren call for greater regulation by the state, however alluring, can in the end result in disenfranchising homeowners, increasing costs, and eroding community values and sense of ownership.

So this vision outside my office window leads me to take a moment and express my heartfelt thanks to all of the CAI members out there who are the builders, to those who teach courses, participate in legislative initiatives, run youth programs, serve their communities, and work every day to build better and better communities. You are the ones who are making a positive difference in our industry, you are the builders. Just remember that it takes an awful lot of cooperative work by many dedicated, industrious people to fend off the efforts of the few who build nothing themselves, but seem to delight in tearing down the work of others.

Perhaps we should remember the wisdom of Theodore Roosevelt, who said "It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things."

Emails We Get Emails

Tom Skiba — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:52:35 -0500

Despite CAI closing in on its 35th anniversary this year, we frequently hear from folks who don't understand our mission, aren't really sure who we represent, or want to know more about what we do and why we do it. Herewith a recent, but typical, exchange between a writer and our VP of Communications, Frank Rathbun.

Dear Mr. Frank Rathbun, VP, Communications & Public Relations,

Do you represent the interests of the Home owner Associations, Management Companies or the owners of the individual units. Although HOA's often have a beneficial role, there are cases that they are very arbitrary, discriminatory and often cause anguish and loss of home and great deal of money.

Please respond to this e-mail. Thank you for your anticipated assistance in this matter.

Respectfully,,

(Name Withheld)

And Frank's response:

CAI does its very best to represent the best interests of community associations and the people who make their homes in common-interest communities. That means providing tools and resources to our entire membership which includes individual homeowners along with homeowner volunteer leaders (board members), professional community managers, management companies and other professionals who support community associations. See the description below.

CAI is a national membership organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, competent, harmonious common-interest communities. Founded in 1973, CAI and its 58 chapters provide education, tools and resources to the volunteers who govern communities and the professionals who support them. CAI’s 28,500+ members include community association volunteer leaders (homeowners), professional association managers and management firms and other professionals who provide products and services to community associations. We believe homeowner and condominium associations can and should exceed the expectations of their residents. We work toward this ideal by identifying and meeting the evolving needs of the professionals and volunteers who serve associations, by being a trusted forum for the collaborative exchange of knowledge and information, and by helping our members learn, excel and achieve. Our vision is reflected in community associations that become better—even preferred—places to call home.

In short, we strive to promote harmony, responsible citizenship, effective leadership and a sense of community. Ultimately, however, homeowners are responsible for setting the tone and direction for their community.

We are under no illusions with respect to the issues that arise in some association-governed communities. Not all associations live up to the ideal embodied in our mission. There are incompetent boards. There are also irresponsible homeowners. Nationally, an estimated 60 million Americans live in close to 300,000 homeowner and condominium associations, cooperatives and other planned communities. It isn't’t realistic to expect each and every association to run smoothly all the time, without conflict, misunderstanding and dissension? Utopia doesn't exist in any universe of this size.

Some issues are brought on by individual residents who either don't know the rules or decide that certain rules and obligations don't apply to them. Other conflicts are created by poor communication and faulty decision-making by community boards. Still other situations are the result of circumstances that do not lend themselves to simple solutions. Individual preferences can conflict with the best interests of the community at large, even in the very best of communities. Mistakes, missteps and misunderstandings are inevitable.

But this is not the norm. While conflict makes headlines, there is little news in harmony. We read about planes that crash, not the millions of flights that arrive safely. Most residents are content with their community associations. Almost 9 in 10 believe that their board members strive to serve the best interests of the community. You might want to review the results of a November 2007 national survey conducted by Zogby International. More than 1.5 million Americans serve on community association boards. These volunteers are elected by their neighbors to serve the best interests of the community as a whole. The overwhelming majority of them are doing their best to build community, protect property values and meet the established expectations of residents. In the vast majority of communities, they are succeeding! That’s why we don’t hear about them!

I encourage you to visit our website and review Rights and Responsibilities for Better Communities, a series if 42 principles and practices adopted by countless associations nationwide. Visitors to the website should also review our Community Association Governance Guidelines, 12 principles that can help homeowner volunteer leaders build better communities. We also have an extensive Reading Room. Homeowners can also gain a wealth of knowledge and perspective by downloading our popular education primer, An Introduction to Community Association Living. In fact, many associations and management companies include this document in their "move in" package for new residents in their communities.

All of these resources are free to members and nonmembers alike. Lastly, you can peruse more than 100 book titles on a wide variety of topics related to community associations in our bookstore .

I hope this information is helpful. Best regards.

Frank Rathbun

Vice President of Communications

CAI

It's The Economy Stupid

Tom Skiba — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 08:44:08 -0500

Last night provided a fascinating opportunity to observe the U.S. political process in action. Despite lots of money, many talking heads, and more TV advertising than the Super Bowl, the Super Tuesday returns haven't settled anything. What they have done is make it clear that the economy is issue #1 for the vast majority of Americans.

Just as individuals are being crunched by tight credit, collapse of the subprime market, and flagging productivity, homeowners associations face similar challenges. Because whether everyone agrees or even likes it, associations are businesses and association boards have a legal and ethical obligation to manage them in a business-like way. That means ensuring that the associations assets are protected, that funds are collected and controlled appropriately, and that the interests of the entire association are served.

CAI past-president and current Dean of the College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL), George Nowack, authored an interesting and thoughtful article in yesterdays Atlanta Journal Constitution. I thought it clearly defined some of the challenges facing boards in this turbulent economy and provided a thoughtful and balanced approach for boards to carry out their fiduciary duty in an business-like but equitable way. You might want to take a look.

Just The Facts Ma'am

Tom Skiba — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:15:51 -0500

I can remember watching Dragnet growing up and being impressed with Sgt. Joe Friday's focus on the facts of each and every case, down to the smallest detail. Sometimes facts are tough to find in our industry. That is why the Foundation for Community Association Research has undertaken a long term initiative to gather statistically valid, relevant data on homeowner opinions from across the country.

Working with Zogby International, one of the most trusted polling organizations in the US, the Foundation sponsored a comprehensive survey of homeowner attitudes in 2005, which demonstrated that the vast majority of condo and HOA residents value their associations, are happy with their home choice, and believe their association boards and managers serve their interests effectively. This followed, and reinforced, a similar study completed for the Foundation by the Gallup Organization in 2000.

Well, the Foundation and Zogby just completed a new survey using the same questions from 2005. We wanted to see if attitudes, issues, and concerns were changing along with the changing real estate environment in the US. And the results clearly demonstrate that the vast majority of Americans living in community associations continue to be satisfied with their homes, their leaders, and their associations.

Some of the key findings from the survey include:

+ Homeowners overwhelmingly (88%) believe that their association boards are working to serve the best interests of the community.

+ A significant majority (73%) believe that their professional community managers provide support and value to the association.

+ A similar majority (74%) believe that association rules protect and enhance their property values vs. very small minority (3%) who believe rules harm values.

+ An even larger majority (77%) believe that they receive positive returns on the assessments that they pay to operate their associations.

+ Overwhelmingly (80%) they do not desire any further government intervention into their communities.

+++ Overall, more than 7 in 10 homeowners (72%) have a positive experience in their associations and less than 1 in 10 (9%) have a negative perception, with the remainder being neutral.

I think any of the vast multitude of candidates currently running for president would sacrifice body and soul for numbers like these. Perhaps more important than the individual results, though, is that the findings support and reinforce the data collected by the Foundation in 2000 and 2005. This consistency further strengthens the validity and robustness of this survey and the results.

So what does that mean for CAI and the Foundation. Some would say that this is great and that our job here is done, but that is far from the case. This data helps us understand our industry, identify areas for improvement, and continue our ongoing efforts to make good associations even better, to make weak ones stronger, and to make all associations even better places to live.

So for the thousands of homeowners, board members, managers, and other who will attend a CAI education program in the coming year, you can be assured that we will be using this data to make our programs even more relevant and informative. We will also be using the data to be sure to educate the media, legislators, and regulators regarding what is really going on in communities and the need (or lack thereof) for counterproductive government intervention.

And I am sure that I am going to get some comments and emails from those who don't believe the data, think that the survey was rigged, or some such similar rationalization. All I can say is show us the data. We have put our data and results out there, so show us yours. Show us another national, statistically valid, and independently gathered data set with a different result--or any result for that matter.

The fact is there aren't any because no one is spending the time, money, and effort on such a survey other than CAI and the Foundation. Probably because they don't want to see and have to explain the results. And please don't waste anyone's time with web polls, which say nothing, prove nothing, and are no more statistically valid or relevant than asking your dear old Aunt Rose how they did it in the 1930s when FDR was President.

CAI welcomes constructive conversation and dialog, even debate, but we see little value in anecdotal criticism that doesn't include practical solutions to bring greater contentment to the small minority of association residents who express dissatisfaction--practical solutions that also maintain or even raise the satisfaction levels of the vast majority who are already happy with their association.

Want to learn more and see the data for yourself? Check out the press release, the survey summary, or the full survey report from Zogby on our web site.