Lucia Anna “Pia” Trigiani, Esq., a principal with the Virginia-based law firm MercerTrigiani, received one of CAI’s most prestigious honors April 19 at the organization’s 2013 Annual Conference and Exposition.

Given at the discretion of CAI’s immediate past president, Kathryn C. Danella, CMCA, LSM, PCAM, the President’s Award was presented to Trigiani in recognition of her exemplary service to CAI and the instrumental role she has played to support CAI and the 63-million-plus Americans who live and work in community associations.

Donald E. Dyekman, Esq., a member of the Central Arizona chapter and a past president of both CAI and the College of Community Association Lawyers, received the prestigious Distinguished Service Award for long-standing and extraordinary contributions to CAI. Among other activities, Dyekman prepared case law update materials for the Community Association Law Seminar attendees for more than a decade.

Trigiani has been a major contributor to CAI for 20 years, providing her talents as an advocate, advisor and educator on both the chapter and national levels. She is a member of CAI’s College of Community Association Lawyers (CCAL); served on the Foundation for Community Association Research’s Board of Directors from 2006-2012; and acted as chair of CAI’s National Government and Public Affairs Committee from 1996-2008. Trigiani is also the author of Reinventing the Rules (Community Associations Press, 2002) and in 2009 received CAI’s Distinguished Service Award.

Trigiani and Dyekman were among eight CAI member leaders, three chapter executive directors, 21 chapters and a state legislative action committee recognized for excellence, achievement and leadership during CAI’s Annual Conference, April 17–20 in San Diego. The event attracted attendees from all over the globe—including Australia, the Bahamas, Brazil, Canada, Dubai, Saudi Arabia and South Africa. More than 1,400 conference participants—including 23 past national presidents—also celebrated CAI’s 40th anniversary.

Other Award Recipients

The following members also received 2012 awards at this year’s conference:

• Stephen R. Bupp, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Washington Metropolitan), Educator of the Year
• Dana Davidson, CMCA, AMS (Orange County Regional–California), Recruiter of the Year
• Linda Van Gelder (Central Arizona), Award of Excellence in Membership
• Bruce R. Gran, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Central Arizona chapter), Award of Excellence in Chapter Leadership
• Stephen M. Marcus, Esq. (New England), Outstanding Volunteer Service Award
• Earl “Dick” Pruess (Greater Los Angeles), Award of Excellence in Government and Public Affairs

The California Legislative Action Committee (CLAC) was named the LAC of the Year for its advocacy efforts and successes in the state legislative arena. CLAC successfully advocated many difficult bills this session, including executing a grassroots campaign that mobilized 2,500 parties to support the need for AB2273 (the foreclosure notification bill)—the results of which went on to assist CAI’s federal advocacy work related to mortgage finance regulations.

"In 1973, a group of passionate volunteers had the foresight to realize the importance of providing advocacy and education for community associations, and from their grassroots efforts CAI was born," says CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. "Today, that same spirit lives on in our members—many of whom volunteer on 61 chapter boards, educate their peers and work through 35 CAI legislative action committees to help ensure appropriate public policies affecting common-interest communities. I can only imagine all of the ways our members will help shape CAI over the next 40 years."

Chapter Awards

Several CAI chapters and chapter executive directors (CEDs) were also honored during the Annual Conference. Michelle Leary, the Washington State chapter’s CED, was named the Chapter Executive Director of the Year, while Stacey Drayer (Central Virginia) and Vicki Hancock, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Michigan), were named Chapter Executive Director Rising Stars.

The following chapters were recognized for their excellence in various categories of achievement: Central Arizona (three awards); Central Virginia; Connecticut; Gold Coast; Greater Inland Empire; Greater Los Angeles; Heartland; Illinois (two awards); Jacksonville Metropolitan; Orange County Regional; Oregon; Pennsylvania/Delaware Valley; San Antonio; San Diego; Southeast Florida; and Wisconsin (two awards).

"Year after year, our CEDs and chapter member volunteers continue to play an invaluable role for CAI," says Crystal L. Wallace, IOM, CAE, CAI’s vice president of membership and chapter relations. "From New England to California to South Africa, our chapters develop new and better ways to serve and support members and give them opportunities at the local level. We would not be the organization we are today without them."

Chapter Growth and Retention

The following chapters were recognized for having the highest net membership growth in 2012:

• Southern Arizona (small chapter, 19 percent)
• Austin (medium chapter, 26 percent)
• South Carolina (large chapter, 10 percent)
• Orange County Regional (very large chapter, 16 percent)

The membership growth of all chapters helped CAI surpass the 32,000-member mark in 2012.

Chapters recognized for the highest net membership retention in 2012 were:

• San Antonio (small chapter, 89 percent)
• California North (medium chapter, 94 percent)
• Chesapeake (large chapter, 91 percent)
• Connecticut (very large chapter, 90 percent)

CAI’s national member retention rate for 2012 exceeded 85 percent.

With more than 32,000 members dedicated to building better communities, CAI works in partnership with 60 domestic chapters, a chapter in South Africa and housing leaders in a number of other countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. CAI provides information, education and resources to community associations and the professionals who support them. Visit www.caionline.org or call (888) 224-4321.