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Why did CAI develop the guidelines? |
We developed the guidelines to define basic expectations for board members and other homeowner volunteer leaders who govern community associations. Our mission is to help foster vibrant, competent, harmonious common-interest communities, and that objective begins with the individual homeowners who are elected by their neighbors to lead their communities. |
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What topics do the guidelines address? |
We identify the most important and potentially contentious components of governance: assessments, communication, conflicts of interest, elections, financial transparency, foreclosure, governance and the law, grievances and appeals, annual membership meetings, access to association records, reserve funding and rules. These topics cover the vast majority of issues that face community associations. |
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What do you expect the guidelines to accomplish? |
We hope they will inform boards, prompt constructive community dialog and lead to more responsible and responsive governance. The guidelines are just one of the many ways we try to help associations become better--even preferred--places to call home. We work toward this ideal by identifying and meeting the needs of the homeowner volunteers who govern associations and the professionals who support them, and by being a trusted forum for the exchange of knowledge, information and best practices. |
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Does CAI acknowledge that some boards need guidelines? |
Although most community associations function without major controversy, problems can and do arise in some communities. Nationally, almost 60 million Americans live in close to 300,000 homeowner and condominium associations, cooperatives and other planned communities. It's not realistic to expect every community association to operate smoothly all the time, without disputes, disagreements and some dissention. Utopia doesn't exist in any segment of society. But we believe the guidelines can help some associations move closer to this ideal. |
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Does this initiative indicate that most community association residents are unhappy? |
No. While some associations do experience problems, independent national research conducted in late 2007 by Zogby International shows that community association residents are overwhelmingly pleased with their communities, expressing strong satisfaction with the board members who govern their associations and the community managers who provide professional support. In fact, more than seven in 10 community association residents told Zogby they are satisfied with their community association experience, with only 9 percent expressing some level of dissatisfaction. Almost 20 percent expressed neither point of view. |
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Does other national research affirm these findings? |
We are not aware of any recent national research along these lines, although the 2007 Zogby findings are strikingly consistent with a similar survey conducted by Zogby in 2005. |
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Do you think community association board members do a good job?
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Absolutely. Almost two million Americans serve on community association boards. The overwhelming majority of them do their best to build community, protect property values and meet the established expectations of residents. In the vast majority of communities, they are succeeding. |
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How do you know that board members do a good job? |
The Zogby research shows that close to nine out of every 10 community association residents believe their board members strive to serve the best interests of the community. The same research shows that 89 percent of residents are on friendly terms with their board members. These statistics belie any suggestion that most board members aren't doing a good job. |
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Do these guidelines apply to all common-interest communities?
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The guidelines were written as benchmarks to which virtually any community association board can and should aspire. In that sense, they are applicable in almost any community. But just as people are diverse so are communities. One size does not fit all. Communities have unique circumstances and challenges. They are subject to the mandates of differing state and local laws and regulations, as well as bound by their own governing documents. Ultimately, homeowners must decide what works best in their own communities. |
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Why didn't you add more specificity to each topic? |
Our goal was to develop very basic guidelines that would apply to virtually any community. Greater detail would inevitably complicate adherence by conflicting with provisions in governing documents and state laws. Instead of trying to tell associations how to govern their communities, we are providing basic benchmarks. Our ultimate objective is to help associations create and sustain an atmosphere of trust, mutual respect and shared expectations. When this occurs, associations experience increased harmony, reduced conflict and greater contentment. |
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Don't you think community boards should strive to go beyond minimum expectations?
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If you have Rights and Responsibilities, why do you need the guidelines? |
Because there are communities, especially new and struggling community associations, which can benefit from a clear set of basic expectations. And we know there are some community association boards that need to be reminded that there are reasonable expectations that should be met. We hope these guidelines resonate in communities where minimum thresholds aren't being achieved. |
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How can an individual resident bring the guidelines to the attention of an association board? |
Download a copy of the  guidelines, as well as the background information, and share both documents with your board president, a member of the board or your community manager. You can even ask to have the guidelines addressed during the next board meeting, or at the next annual membership meeting. |
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What can CAI do when a board ignores the guidelines? |
CAI has no authority to intervene. Without having detailed knowledge of the situation--and that would include reviewing the association's governing documents as well as relevant state and local statutes--we cannot judge or offer specific solutions. What we can do is encourage all sides to be as reasonable and flexible as possible. At a minimum, everyone should take the time to read and understand the association's governing documents, especially provisions that may have a bearing on the nature and specifics of a particular dispute.Needless to say, all rules, including the requirement to pay assessments, should be enforced fairly and equitably.
If enough residents are unhappy, they can elect new members to the board during the next elections. Ultimately, homeowners are responsible for setting the tone and direction for their community. |
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Where can I get more information about community association governance? |
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How do I learn more about CAI? |
Community association board members, other homeowner volunteer leaders and association residents can visit CAI's Web site or call CAI toll free at (888) 224-4321 to learn more. When homeowners or board members join CAI, they are automatically enrolled in CAI's Center for Community Association Volunteers (CCAV), which entitles them to a bimonthly e-newsletter, access to the Members Only section of the CAI website, our popular Board Member Tool Kit, discounts and more. |
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