While many condominium, cooperative and homeowner associations find it challenging to motivate residents, an active membership is the key to a successful and harmonious community. Apathetic homeowners may ignore association board notices, neglect the upkeep of their properties, refuse to attend community events or even become antagonistic towards the board, warns the Community Associations Institute. CAI's guide, Revitalizing Apathetic Communities, pinpoints strategies to prevent tension within the community.

The guide focuses on how to combat apathy among homeowners and developing strategies that reunite the community. Revitalizing Apathetic Communities outlines tips on setting goals, maintaining enthusiasm, communicating with residents and recruiting volunteers. The publication also includes a sample plan of action for revitalization and advice for new board members to ensure long-term success.

Revitalizing Apathetic Communities is part of CAI's collection of twenty-six Guide for the Association Practitioner reports, which offer expert advice in all areas of community association operation and management. For more information on other GAP reports or to order a copy of Revitalizing Apathetic Communities (CAI member price, $12.50; non-members, $17.50), call CAI Central at (703) 548-8600 or visit the Institute's web site.

The Community Associations Institute is a nonprofit association created in 1973 to educate the nation's 205,000 community associations-condominium associations, homeowner associations and cooperatives. CAI members include homeowners, associations and related professionals and service providers.