Thalia Station Condominium Association in Virginia Beach, Va., is being recognized today as Community Association Institute’s 30,000th member. The ceremony is taking place during the Opening General Session at CAI’s National Conference and Exposition at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.
Thalia Station and recruiter Glenda Carroll, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, the community’s manager, each received a free registration to the conference, as well as $1,000 in travel and lodging expenses. Long-time Thalia Station board member Diane Lundien is representing the community at the conference. A record 1,400-plus people are attending the four-day event.
Thalia Station is a mid-rise condominium with 197 units featuring a club house and a pool. A member of CAI’s Southeastern Virginia chapter, Carroll is a portfolio manager with The Select Group, Inc., in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.
"I was very excited to hear that we won," said Carroll. "Thalia Station joined CAI to take advantage of the excellent educational opportunities that are offered to its members. We are pleased to play a part in this great accomplishment for CAI."
La Vita Homeowners Association in San Diego and business partner member Isaac’s Paving in Bear, Del., received free iPods for being the 29,999th and 30,001st members, respectively.
"We’re pleased to reach this milestone, especially in today’s economic climate," said CAI President P. Michael Nagle, Esq. "Our membership grew by more than 5,000 members between 2005 and early 2010 despite a severe recession during the past few years. That speaks volumes about the value CAI membership provides to homeowner volunteer leaders and the professionals who support associations across the country."
About 100 CAI recruiters signed almost 199 new members during CAI’s early 2010 campaign to reach 30,000. Thalia Station joined CAI in early March.
CAI’s membership has grown steadily since its founding in 1973, from 1,000 members in 1975 to 10,000 in 1988, 15,000 in 1996 and 25,000 in 2005.
"A membership association cannot grow—in either size or effectiveness—without dedicated staff and member volunteers," said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. "CAI would not be the organization it is today without the commitment and expertise of thousands of member volunteers during the past 38 years. Add that to skilled and dedicated national and chapter staff and you have the ingredients for continued long-term success."
CAI member growth and other milestones are chronicled in CAI Through the Years, a downloadable PDF located under “Also of Interest” in the About Us section of the CAI website.
Members can learn more about the Recruiter Club on the website. In addition to recognition, recruiters are eligible for campaign rewards.
CAI is dedicated to successful common-interest communities, providing education, resources and public policy support to associations, board members, community managers and other professionals who work on behalf of associations. Visit www.caionline.org or call (888) 224-4321 for more information.