Community Associations Institute (CAI) has approved the establishment of a chapter in the Jacksonville, Fla., area, bringing to 59 the number of state and regional chapters chartered by the national organization.

The Jacksonville Metropolitan chapter will be a “chapter in organization” until it meets CAI certification requirements, a process that generally takes about two years. Alabama, Louisiana and New Mexico also have chapters in organization.

"The community association industry in the Jacksonville area has grown tremendously in recent years," says Amy Layne, chair of the chapter’s organizing committee and an association manager with Community Management Concepts of Jacksonville, Inc. "The formation of a local CAI chapter is evidence of that growth and demonstrates the commitment of local companies to build a strong chapter that serves all stakeholders in the local community association industry.

"My colleagues and I are thrilled to be involved with the start of the local CAI chapter," Layne adds. "CAI is such an integral part of the community association industry, providing education, professional designations, best practices and more. We are honored to be a part of it."

The population of the greater Jacksonville area is about 1.3 million. Located in the northeastern part of the state, Jacksonville is CAI’s eighth chapter in Florida, more than any other state except California, which also has eight.

Layne says the chapter’s goals include:

• Becoming a credible and reliable source for information about homeowners associations and condominium communities in Northern Florida.
  
• Providing superior educational programming for management professionals, association board members, homeowners and product and service providers.
  
• Sponsoring networking events for chapter members in the metropolitan area.

"We’re pleased these leaders took the initiative to establish a chapter in Jacksonville," says Crystal Danielson, CAE, CAI’s vice president of membership and chapter relations. "The formation of this chapter will bring the benefits of CAI education, networking and collective advocacy to thousands of people who live and work in Jacksonville-area common-interest communities. We look forward to helping industry leaders build a strong and vibrant chapter."

For information about the Jacksonville Metropolitan chapter, write alayne@cmcjaxfla.com. 

Founded in 1973, CAI is dedicated to fostering effective, vibrant, harmonious common-interest communities. The nonprofit group provides education, tools and resources to the volunteers who govern associations and the professionals who support them. CAI members include community association volunteer leaders (homeowners), professional community managers and management firms and other product and service providers.

For more information, visit About CAI or call (888) 224-4321.