The Seal of Distinction program honors association boards and managers who lead communities that are great places to own and live. These association leaders actively demonstrate that the best way to serve their members is through understanding, funding and following Best Practices. Earning the Seal of Distinction (a 3-year honor) is not only an achievement to be proud of, but also a tangible asset for home values in the association.

INTERNAL "REPORT CARD" FOR NC COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS:

The program also serves as an aspirational tool, to publicly demonstrate a set of standards that can be a work-in-progress goal.

Even if you're not quite there yet, use this checklist of best practices for North Carolina community associations as  an internal "report card" to help guide your leaders and owners in aspiring to ultimately earn the Seal of Distinction.

How does your community association stack up? See the 2025 Seal of Distinction checklist.

Community associations earning the 2025 Seal of Distinction will be announced and celebrated at the 2025 Annual Conference & Expo in August in Wilmington, NC.

Submissions for the 2026 Seal of Distinction will open in January 2026.

Background:

The program launched in 2023, resulting in the recognition of these 24 communities across the state who demonstrated excellence across objective standards in the arenas of finance, insurance, reserves, governance, and enforcement of community policy.