Community Associations Institute (CAI) and its affiliate, the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM), have signed a letter of intent with South African housing authorities to develop a partnership that will enable the South Africans to take advantage of education curriculum, professional credentials and best practices created by CAI and NBC-CAM.
The agreement with the Services Sector Education and Training Authority and the Association of Residential Communities in South Africa states that the groups will work together to create an international CAI affiliate model in South Africa. The affiliate would be the first of its kind.
Not coincidently, the CAI Board of Trustees passed a resolution April 28 affirming its commitment to “expand international reach and pursue the acceptance of best practices and professionalism.” The board met in conjunction with CAI’s National Conference and Exposition at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. The event was the most well-attended CAI national conference ever, with more than 1,600 participants, including more than 50 international guests.
Adopted unanimously, the CAI board resolution states that CAI intends to leverage its resources to “enhance the experience for all people living in common-interest communities.” The resolution formalizes CAI’s increasing global involvement and expanded partnerships with international organizations that are similarly dedicated to professionalism in association management and successful common-interest communities.
“It’s our intent to become an increasingly valuable and trusted international forum for the collaborative exchange of knowledge and information,” said CAI President P. Michael Nagle, Esq. “This commitment will continue to enhance the stature and effectiveness of CAI domestically and internationally as well as advance community association professionalism wherever there are common-interest communities.”
The conference was followed by a tour hosted by CAI for visitors from Australia, Canada, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. The tour included visits with executives with Capital Consultants Management Corp., where they were hosted by Chief Executive Officer Bart Park, III, CMCA, AMS, CAAM, PCAM, and RMI Management LLC, where their met with President and Chief Executive Officer Kevin Wallace. The group discussed community association management company operations, corporate administration and operations and best practices.
The group also visited Siena Community Association and Sun City Anthem, meeting with leaders from both associations. Siena is a 667-acre, 2,001-home, age-privileged community located within the master-planned community of Summerlin in Las Vegas. Visit www.sienalv.org. Sun City is an age-restricted community in Henderson, NV, in the foothills of the Black Mountains and close to Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Visit www.sca-hoa.org.
"The National Conference and community tours were excellent opportunities to learn industry best practices, a rare opportunity to network with international peers in the industry and get answers to questions I always had about managing my communities,” said Jeevan J D’Mello, senior director at Emaar Community Management in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. “We discussed practical challenges and different solutions to resolve them. The input I received both from a national and international perspective was extremely helpful. It was certainly worth traveling half-way around the world to be there.”
“This was a great opportunity for people from different parts of the world to exchange ideas, information and best practices,” said CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. “While we were excited to organize the tour, the value goes in both directions. With these kinds of exchanges, we are all introduced to new ideas and unique approaches to common challenges. We will expand this kind of invaluable international cooperation in the months and years ahead.”
“The tour was an enlightening two days for everyone who participated,” added CAI Vice President Dawn Bauman, CAE, who organized the tour. “Siena and Sun City are beautiful, well-managed, top-flight communities, and Capital Consultants and RMI Management are leading association management companies. On behalf of our international visitors, we thank all of them for their time and hospitality.”
CAI represents homeowner and condominium associations, providing education and resources to the volunteer leaders and professionals involved in the governance and management of common-interest communities. CAI’s 30,000-plus members include community association volunteer leaders (homeowners), professional association managers and management firms and other professionals who provide products and services to community associations.
For more information, visit www.caionline.org or call (888) 224-4321.