The Community Associations Institute (CAI) has been elected to the 2002 Associations Advance America Honor Roll, a national awards competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Washington, DC.

The CAI received the award for its Operation Old Glory!, which was developed in response to the House Concurrent Resolution 225, passed on September 13, 2001, encouraging all Americans to fly the American flag. Recognizing the impact that the terrorist attacks had on America, CAI’s Operation Old Glory! stemmed from a strong belief that all Americans should have the opportunity to demonstrate their patriotism and support by flying the flag. As a result, via Operation Old Glory, CAI asked all community associations to allow residents to support the House Resolution by permitting the flying of American flags. For community associations that had rules prohibiting the flying of flags, CAI asked that they place a six-month moratorium on enforcing those rules.

To simplify the process, CAI developed a sample resolution that community associations could adopt within their own communities, which was made available online, by faxback service, and via regular mail. This resolution allowed associations to place a moratorium on the enforcement of prohibitions on flying American flags.

When Operation Old Glory! was announced, Barbara Byrd Keenan, CAE, Chief Executive Officer of CAI, said: "With more than 40 million Americans living in association-managed planned communities, condominiums and cooperatives, it's only reasonable that everyone have an opportunity to demonstrate their patriotism by flying their flags."

Many associations were able to use the tools and information provided by Operation Old Glory! to quickly put a moratorium in place in their communities, allowing flags to fly.

"CAI's Operation Old Glory! program truly embodies the spirit of the Associations Advance America campaign. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase this activity as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance American society," remarked ASAE President Michael S. Olson, CAE.

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Now in its 12th year, the prestigious Associations Advance America Awards program recognizes associations that propel America forward—with innovative projects in education, skills training, standards-setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship, and community service. Although association activities have a powerful impact on everday life, they often go unnoticed by the general public.

The Community Associations Institute is a nonprofit association created in 1973 to provide education and resources to America's 231,000 community associations—condominium associations, homeowner associations and cooperatives. CAI members include homeowners, associations and the professionals who provide products and services to them.