FOR AND ABOUT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LIVING
We’ve compiled a curated set of resources and information for Community Association board members and homeowners.
GUIDE TO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION LIVING
Anyone who lives or participates in an HOA or condo association needs to have a clear understanding how community associations are organized, governed and managed. 44-page overview.
FREE NEWS SITE
Search for topical advice in written and video formats. Information and tools for condominium and homeowner association leaders.
CIVILITY PLEDGE
Community association boards regularly face complex issues that can spark strong emotions. By adopting the Community Association Civility Pledge, community association boards commit to embracing principles that establish a framework for effective community conversations.
Free download and more about the Civility Pledge.
Free download: Model Code of Ethics for Community Association Board Members
COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION SEAL OF DISTINCTION
Recognizing community associations who do the right things.
The Seal of Distinction program honors association boards and managers who create and lead communities that are great places to own and live. Community associations rely on volunteer elected leaders to responsibly govern. Often these Boards choose to partner with a management company.
When those leadership teams consistently recognize, fund and follow best practices, the result is most often a quietly well-governed and well-managed community. CAI-NC honors those community associations with the Seal of Distinction, recognizing them as a Community Association of Excellence.
HIRING MANAGEMENT & OTHER PROFESSIONALS
A community association operates as a government, a community, and a business. Its leaders have fiduciary responsibilities requiring them to make decisions that can have profound financial and social impacts. Professional, accurate guidance can make all the difference.
- Whether and how to hire a manager
- Selecting a Management Company
- About Professional Management Credentials (link to that page under Credentials)
- More about hiring service professionals
Community associations offer choices, lifestyles, amenities, and efficiencies; they also face complicated issues, none more common than balancing the rights of the individual homeowner with those of the community as a whole. Issues often arise because of false expectations, misinformation and misunderstanding. Learn all you can about a community before you buy or rent a home in that neighborhood.
Free download: Principles for Homeowners and Community Leaders
Free download: Governance Guidelines
BEST PRACTICES REPORTS
Free from the Foundation for Community Research:
- Community Harmony & Spirit
- Community Security
- Energy Efficiency
- Ethics
- Financial Operations
- Governance
- Green Communities
- Maintenance – PDF
- Maintenance – Online Version
- Natural Disasters
- Reserve Studies
- Strategic Planning Transition
MEMBERSHIP
- Discount pricing on chapter and national webinars, education events and publications
- Annual subscriptions to publications from national CAI:
Common Ground magazine (print + digital)
Community Manager digital newsletter
CAI@Home digital newsletter
Community Association Law Reporter digital newsletter
- Members' Exchange: Online Community Q&A Forum
- Member Discount programs
- Community Conversations Online
- Online Research Library Access
Up to 15 individual board members can join for only $305. Join here.
Speak with a more credible and confident voice, gaining deeper knowledge in:
Module 1: Governing Documents and Roles & Responsibilities (70 minutes)
Module 2: Communications, Meetings and Volunteerism (50 minutes)
Module 3: Fundamentals of Financial Management (60 minutes)
Module 4: Professional Advisors and Service Providers (30 minutes)
Module 5: Association Rules and Conflict Resolution (40 minutes)
$99 for members/$199 all others – You have one year from the date of purchase to complete the course and earn your certificate. Order here.
ASSOCIATION GOVERNANCE & MANAGEMENT ARTICLES
A free collection on how you can make your community an even better place to call home.
- Adopting & Enforcing Rules
- Architectural Design Review
- Aspirational Communities
- Board Conflicts of Interest
- Collecting Assessments
- Conflict Resolution
- Developing a Disaster Plan
- Developing Bid Specifications
- Electronic Meeting Notices
- Enhancing Outdoor Spaces
- Fair Debt Collection
- Finding the Right Attorney
- Hiring an On-Site Manager
- HOA Property Taxes
- Leasing in Associations
- Liabilities & Insurance
- Managing & Governing
- Newsletters and Websites
- Pet Rules for Pets & People
- Reserve Funds
- Resident Volunteers
- Risk Management
- Selecting a Management Company
- The Board President
- The Board Secretary
- The Board Treasurer
- The Landscape Contractor
- Transition of HOA Control
- Trees, Turf & Shrubs