Frequently Asked Questions About Advocacy

Advocacy FAQs

• I have a question about the contents of a bill in my state, who do I need to contact?

  Email the G&PA Team at [email protected] for direct inquiries regarding legislation. More information on CAI’s advocacy efforts, legislative tracking, and public policies can be found at https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/

• Where can I find information on legislation in my state that impacts the community association industry?

  Information on legislation being tracked by CAI at the state and federal levels can be found here: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/legislative-policy-tracking/

• Where does CAI stand on a specific issue?

  For information on a specific issue, please contact the G&PA Team by emailing  [email protected]
  
  In addition to reaching out directly to the G&PA team, the you can find CAI’s Public Policies online here: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/public-policies/

• Where can I find the status of a bill in my state? Has it passed yet?

  The CAI Advocacy website displays the current status of all bills actively tracked by CAI: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/legislative-policy-tracking/
  
  If you can’t find the particular bill you are looking for on the map, please email the G&PA Team directly at [email protected]. Make sure to include the state you are inquiring about.
   

• What are CAI’s Public Policies?

  CAI’s Public Policies are the guiding principles behind CAI’s legislative advocacy. Generally, if a bill conforms to the recommendations outlined in the relevant public policy, then CAI (through the appropriate state LAC) will support the bill. Alternatively, if a bill does not conform, then CAI will either seek an amendment or oppose a bill.
  
  CAI’s Public Policies can be found online here: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/public-policies/

• I received an email from my state LAC or from CAI’s Government and Public Affairs Team about an issue, what’s going on?

  This email was sent to inform members about a public policy issue that may impact community associations in your state. State LACs and CAI’s G&PA team monitors legislation and communicates with members when awareness or advocacy efforts are needed. Participation is voluntary but member involvement helps ensure lawmakers understand how these issues affect communities. If additional information is needed, email the G&PA team at [email protected]

• I have an issue with my association and need support, can CAI help me?

  Generally, these types of inquiries are resolved by the appropriate Chapter, however, there are special circumstances which may require the state LAC’s involvement. Reach out to the G&PA team at [email protected] and the team will forward the inquiry to the appropriate department. CAI cannot give legal advice, and individuals seeking legal advice should be directed to CAI’s Professional Services Directory for a list of qualified attorneys in your state: https://caidirectory.onlinemarketbase.org/
  
  You are also encouraged to post your question to the CAI Exchange: https://exchange.caionline.org/home

• What are the specific laws in my state?

  CAI’s Advocacy Priority Webpages contain resources which identify specific state laws on a wide variety of topics: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/advocacy-priorities-overview/
  
  Certain CAI Public Policies may also contain relevant information: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/public-policies/  
  
  If you’re looking for statutes that govern community associations in your state, such as the Condo Act or Planned Community Act, you can find your state on the CAI LACs webpage, which include links to the appropriate state statutes: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/legislative-action-committees/
  
  If the answer still cannot be found, please email CAI’s G&PA Team at [email protected]
   

• Why isn’t CAI supporting a specific position on an issue in my state?

  CAI’s positions on issues and bills are governed by CAI’s Public Policies, which can be found online here: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/public-policies/.
  
  If you have a question on a specific Public Policy, or if you wish to speak with the G&PA Team further, please email CAI’s G&PA Team at [email protected]
   

• How do I sign up for CAI advocacy emails?

  Enter your email and zip code on this website to get started: https://www.votervoice.net/CAI/home

• How can I get involved with my state’s LAC?

  Email your inquiry to CAI’s G&PA Team at [email protected] so appropriate connections can be made.
  
  You can support your LAC through a donation at this link: https://advocacy.caionline.org/lac-donation-form/
   

• What is CAI’s advocacy blog?

  Check out our blog, with new content posted weekly on major issues impacting community associations and overviews of CAI’s legislative efforts in statehouses across the country, as well as our advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill. You can access and subscribe to the blog here: https://advocacy.caionline.org/

• My association is thinking about adopting a specific policy or technology, does CAI have a specific recommendation on vendors or technologies, or feedback on our policy choice?

  This question is best directed to the CAI Exchange, where peers can weigh in with their own experiences: https://exchange.caionline.org/home. If you’re asking for a recommendation for a technology vendor, please visit CAI’s Professional Services Directory: https://caidirectory.onlinemarketbase.org/
   

• My association is thinking about adopting the Civility Pledge, where can I find more information on it?

  You can find more information on CAI’s Civility Pledge online here: https://www.caionline.org/civility-pledge/
  For specific questions related to the Civility Pledge, please contact the G&PA Team at [email protected]

• What is CAI PAC and how can I contribute to it?

  CAI PAC, and the state-level CAI PACs around the country, contribute money to support political candidates which help promote reasonable legislation and serve as voices for the 78.1 million people who live and work in approximately 373,000 community associations nationwide. CAI PAC is non-partisan and works directly with both political parties to recruit and support candidates who support community associations.  To contribute to CAI PAC or one of the state-level PACs, please visit: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/cai-political-action-committee/
   

• How can you donate to support CAI advocacy work?

  Donations to CAI’s state legislative action committees can be made online here: https://advocacy.caionline.org/lac-donation-form/
  Contributions or gifts to CAI are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
   

• Who can donate to support a CAI LAC?

  Most community association boards can legally allocate money to support the Legislative Action Committee. Please check your governing documents to verify before donating. You do not have to be a CAI member to contribute to a LAC. Corporate contributions are also allowed and appreciated.
   

• Will donating to my state LAC support any political candidates?

  No portion of your LAC contribution will go to any political party, legislator, or candidate for public office. Contributions or gifts to CAI are not tax-deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
  
  If you are interested in supporting CAI’s political action committee, you can contribute to CAI PAC or one of the state-level PACs. CAI PAC is non-partisan and works directly with both political parties to recruit and support candidates who support community associations. To donate to the CAI PAC, please visit: https://www.caionline.org/advocacy/cai-political-action-committee