Growth in the number of condominium, cooperative and homeowner associations nationwide has spurred membership in the Community Associations Institute. CAI now serves more than 17,000 members through the most extensive collection of educational products and publications available for community associations as well as legislative and regulatory advocacy.

"There are simply more community associations seeking authoritative resources on all aspects of association management and operations, and CAI is the only national organization that provides these tools," said Barbara Byrd Keenan CAE, president of CAI. "Consumers realize that an informed board of directors and specialized professional guidance are vital to fostering harmonious, effective community associations."

Among CAI's most successful initiatives of the past year were:

• National conference programs and periodical features highlighting the importance of building more harmonious communities;
• A new edition of Community Associations Factbook that details growth statistics and trends in community associations in the U.S.;
• Free consumer brochures explaining the industry's professional credentials;
• Conducting Meetings and Be Reasonable! How Community Associations Can Enforce Rules Without Antagonizing Residents, Going to Court, or Starting World War III, two best-selling books on effective community association governance;
• The Essentials of Community Association Management, CAI's flagship management course, now available on line and on CD-ROM;
• Victories in protecting community association interests before lawmakers and regulatory agencies on issues including taxation and over-the-air reception devices such as satellite dishes and cable television; and
• An award-winning manager education program, bimonthly magazine and web site.

Among CAI's 57 chapters, the highest growth rates were posted by Michigan, up 79 percent; South Carolina, 47 percent; Central Indiana, 27 percent; and Heartland (Missouri), 22 percent.

For more information, call CAI at 703/548-8600 or visit www.caionline.org. The Community Associations Institute is a nonprofit association created in 1973 to educate and represent the nation's 205,000 community associations—condominium associations, homeowner associations and cooperatives. CAI members include homeowners, associations and related professionals and service providers.