Finances, conflict resolution, community involvement and long-term planning are often front-and-center issues for the 54 million Americans who live in homeowner and condominium associations.
Community association leaders can now deal more effectively with these and other issues with the help of free "Best Practices" reports available from the Foundation for Community Association Research, a nonprofit, research-driven group established by Community Associations Institute (CAI).
The reports address:
- Financial Operations
- Governance, Resident Involvement and Conflict Resolution
- Community Harmony/Spirit/Involvement
- Strategic Planning
- Reserve Studies/Management
- Transition (from developer to homeowner control)
- Energy Efficiency
The documents can be downloaded free at www.cairf.org.
"We develop these reports so individual community associations don't have to reinvent the wheel," says Foundation President Howard Goldklang, CPA. "The reports are prepared by leading experts in their fields. Best of all, they convey practical information that can save homeowners—and governing boards—time and unnecessary expense, not to mention aggravation."
More than 1.3 million Americans serve on community association boards. Many more are involved by serving on committees that address landscaping, architectural guidelines, budgets, social activities and more.
The Foundation supports and conducts research and makes that information available to those involved in community association governance, both homeowner volunteer leaders and professional community managers.
"We help volunteers and professionals better understand the increasingly sophisticated nature of community association management and governance," says Executive Director Michele Jerome, CAE. "Our goal is to provide insight and information to those who work to make communities the best they can be."
The Foundation is supported by voluntary contributions.
CAI is a national organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, effective and harmonious community associations. CAI members include community association volunteer leaders (homeowners), professional managers, management firms and businesses that provide products and services to community associations.
More information on CAI and its 55 local, regional and state chapters is available at www.CAIonline.org or by calling toll-free (888) 224-4321.