Blogs

Strategic Planning First Step = Research

By Catherine Fulkerson posted 06-09-2021
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Collect data first!  Strategic planning efforts should begin with research; a thorough review of the organization’s current state. In essence, a 360 Review.  Specifically, your planning consultant/facilitator should:  Examine all governing documents to include, but not limited to the organizational structure, bylaws, board and administrative policies, committee charters, financial statements, reserve study reports, and minutes from Board meetings and committees over the past year. Research national or regional industry best practices and the trends that are impacting or could have an impact on the organization’s operations and ability to deliver services. ...
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Stay on Target

By Catherine Fulkerson posted 05-18-2021
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If you are serving on a non-profit or community association board you have 10 key responsibilities to your fellow board members and the organization:    1) Fulfill the mission and purposes of the organization, and advocate for them. 2) Select the general manager or chief executive. 3) Support and evaluate the general manager or chief executive. 4) Ensure effective planning. 5) Monitor and strengthen programs and services. 6) Ensure adequate financial resources. 7) Protect assets and provide financial oversight. 8) Build and sustain a competent board. 9) Ensure legal and ethical integrity. 10) Enhance and organization’s public standing.
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Turf Maintenance Current Events , Concerns/Trends/Themes

By Michael Prescott posted 03-22-2021
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Ask a question or bring a concern to the collective, 2021 will bring new challenges to our industry.  I would like to post a platform for discussion that highlights areas of concern surrounding turf maintenance.  These areas range from  fertilization,  fungus, pest control and more.  The bottom line is what can be done to protect investments and maintain a balance in the environments and budgets.
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Build a Shared Vision by Focusing on Strengths

By Catherine Fulkerson posted 03-16-2021
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The best method to get teams and the individuals within them to move forward in the right direction is by bringing them together to learn about their unique strengths; aspirations for the jobs they are performing; preferred operational norms; and defined priority goals they can collaboratively achieve.   Instead of focusing on what people are doing wrong; highlight and celebrate what they naturally do well – their strengths.  Learn your Team’s Strengths by having them take the CliftonStrengths Assessment. Then have a facilitator compile the results of the whole team and lead a discussion on how the different strengths of each staff member can lend to the ...
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Pose Learning Questions

By Catherine Fulkerson posted 02-12-2021
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Pose “learning” questions to your Strategic Planning Stakeholders group that will provide you with candid and valuable insight to the current and future operations of your organization.   Allow respondents to give this input anonymously to an outside facilitator.  People are more willing to lend their view or “give voice” to someone who will not judge but listen.  The facilitator can tabulate and analyze the information to identify common themes that will formulate the key areas of focus of your strategic plan.
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Improtance of Strategic Planning Schedule

By Catherine Fulkerson posted 01-27-2021
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Establish a strategic Planning schedule that is deliberate, collaborative, and builds synergies among you, your leadership team, and the Board.  The process of developing a strategic plan is just that, a process.  If done correctly, it also builds a shared understanding and commitment to navigate the organization or community in the right direction.
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Establish A Strategic Planning Committee

By Catherine Fulkerson posted 01-15-2021
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In setting out to develop a strategic plan for your organization or community, one of the first tasks is identifying who will be working with you to lead the effort – your Strategic Planning Committee.  It should not be one person but instead a concert of people who will help champion the process and monitor the implementation of the final product.  As such, representatives from your Board, committees, and staff leadership team should be part of this important committee.
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BOARD DISCIPLINE: WAS YOUR BOARD NAUGHTY OR NICE THIS YEAR?!

By Steve Horvath posted 01-05-2021
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This blog was originally posted 12/25/20 on condoconnection.org . Ho ho ho, what a year 2020 has been! Like all of the world, multi-family residential communities have been tested in a number of ways. For many communities, that means less access to amenities, but hopefully greater access to the inner-workings of your association as meetings and documents have transitioned from in-person and hard-co pies to online and readily available from the convenience of your phone, tablet or computer. All those changes aside, has your b oard of d irectors been naughty or nice this year?! Serving on a nonprofit board of directors at condominium and ...
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Musings of a new president

By Paulla Marie Fetzek posted 11-07-2020
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Today marks nearly one month since I was nominated president of my condo building. It also marks nearly one month that I've been repeatedly stressed and worried.  I've had many rough nights.  Waking up at 2:30 am in a funk. A month of asking myself more than once, "What in the name of God was I thinking?  Why did I agree to do this?" I have no shame in admitting - I am VERY unknowledgeable when it comes to this position.  I've only been living in my condo for 8 months!  While I'm not a total noob to "home" living - I AM new to home living in a home OF MY OWN.  So imagine me... learning about my own home... and in addition having to learn about the ENTIRE building ...
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The U.S. Census and Community Associations - Guidance Document for Community Associations

By Dawn Bauman, CAE posted 08-20-2020
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The U.S. Constitution mandates that the U.S. Census Bureau conduct a census every 10 years. This year marks the 24th time that the U.S. population has been counted since 1790. The census provides critical data that lawmakers, businesses, research institutions, and many others use to provide products and services, as well as influence decision-making for you and your community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to support hospitals, fire departments, education, infrastructure, and other resources based on census data. These results also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and ...
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COLLECTIONS IN 2020: WHY RACE MATTERS

By Gar Liebler posted 08-05-2020
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The first seven months of 2020 have been difficult and uncertain for our country. With the emergence of the COVID19 pandemic, we are all navigating uncharted waters and doing our best to adapt. Amid this unprecedented challenge, racial tensions and inequities have come into focus that require us to consider whether collection practices within our industry contribute to the problem or create a perception that might result in liability for boards and managers. As we considered the impact of traditional collection practices, it became clear that t hese   practices  often  disproportionately impact both the health and finances of ...
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A guide to safely reopen pools, gyms, and other amenities in HOAs/Condos

By Brian Bosscher posted 07-06-2020
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It’s warm, it’s sunny and we all want to play outside. But this summer’s going to look a little different - okay a lot different - for everyone. While we better understand how to protect ourselves from COVID-19, we still have to be extra cautious about keeping our distance from others, washing our hands, and sanitizing surfaces that are frequently touched. Many government officials have now loosened restrictions on outdoor activities and facilities, but people who live or work in a densely populated condo or HOA communities should be prepared to make some adjustments when it comes to operating and using popular amenities such as basketball hoops, tennis courts, ...
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It’s Time To End Traditional Property Management

By Peter Pietrzkiewicz posted 04-23-2020
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Traditional property management companies still use costly, outdated and inefficient processes to complete their work. Property managers are forced to manually go through a pile of documents, a process that is not only time consuming, but also allows for mismanagement and errors. This   reactive   work style frustrates modern residents and has a negative impact on the resident experience. Reactive property managers are always stressed-out as there are a lot of forces pulling them in different directions. Not only do they have to deal with frustrated residents and demanding board members, but they also must handle maintenance issues, budget planning, staffing ...
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Why Use Elevator Pads?

By Ro Nesheiwat posted 04-06-2020
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If you’ve ridden in a service or freight elevator, you might have noticed elevator pads on the walls. Here are some reasons why they’re important. Elevator padding protects the interior walls  When service elevators are carrying freight up and down all day, they can take a beating. With deliveries, moves and construction traffic, the elevator walls are often not a concern. The pads keep the walls of the elevator from getting scratched and dented. Fixing damaged elevator walls can be costly, and often requires the cab to be off-line while being repaired. This can be inconvenient for residents and staff alike. Not ...
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2020 State Legislative Trends – Part 1

By Dawn Bauman, CAE posted 02-19-2020
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As of today, 39 state legislatures have convened, and CAI is tracking more than 1,000 bills impacting community associations. Based on the bills that have been introduced this year and trends from last year, we anticipate our advocacy efforts will focus on several priorities, including affordable housing, construction defect warranties, reserve studies and funding, rentals (long and short-term), and covenants related to electric vehicle charging stations, political signs, solar power, and more. Today, we’ll discuss affordable housing, construction defect warranties, and reserve funding in community associations. Next week, we’ll discuss the other trends, so ...
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