The ultimate guide to the best HOA holiday ever: Events, packages, guests
Now that your community is off to its best HOA holiday ever with clear and easy-to-follow decorating guidelines, board members and managers should put policy development, implementation, and enforcement aside for a minute and remember what’s really important: celebrating the season. Often, that means helping residents with the influx of packages and guests. It also means creating opportunities for residents to get together and boost engagement.
Finding meaning in the holiday rush: A message to the CAI community
As we step into December, many of us are coming off a long weekend of family, friends, food, and reflection. In the moments you feel overwhelmed, remember your CAI community is here for you — to help you finding meaning, trusted tools and insights, quick insights, data and trends, standards, guidance, and best practices.
The ultimate guide to the best HOA holiday ever: Decorations
Tis the season for community associations to come alive with lights, decorations, and special events. With some preparation, an HOA holiday can bring together neighbors, friends, and family. Community association leaders should brush up on and, if necessary, refresh their decorating guidelines to ensure a season of cheer for everyone.
Board member education: Ensuring successful governance
Community association board members are responsible for governance, compliance, and protecting property values. Few homeowners joining their board for the first time have all the tools to succeed, and the consequences of uninformed decisions can be severe. The question of whether board member education and training should be mandated for volunteers is nearly as old as common interest communities.
CAI Advocacy Summit: Making congressional connections
Nearly 200 advocates participated in 145 congressional meetings during the CAI 2025 Congressional Advocacy Summit in Washington last week. Wendy Bucknum met with Rep. Young Kim and urged her to extend Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance to community associations following a natural disaster.
The body politic: CAI readies for Congressional Advocacy Summit
One of the great rights and privileges in this country is the ability for citizens to personally petition for government action through congressional advocacy. A perfect example of this kind of valuable legislative advocacy takes place Nov. 6 in Washington, D.C., as community association advocates converge to meet with federal lawmakers during the CAI 2025 Congressional Advocacy Summit. CAI’s legislative advocacy efforts have been instrumental in protecting the common interest housing model on the state and national levels.
Love Where You Live, Love Where You Work: CAI launches new campaigns
I believe when people love where they live, communities thrive. When professionals love where they work, communities are more connected and content. That’s why I’m introducing two campaigns: Love Where You Live and Love Where You Work. These ideas speak to the heart of CAI’s vision of being the global leader advancing excellence in community association living.
Employee growth: 10 ways to inspire in community management
Throughout my 30-plus years of leadership in luxury hospitality and community association management, I’ve found that some of the biggest challenges and most fulfilling results have come from employee growth initiatives. It’s not always easy getting the team on board when they may be comfortable with the status quo. A leader’s goal is to change such a mindset, encourage calculated risk-taking, praise effort, and celebrate success. Here are 10 ways to inspire employee growth in community management.
Love where you play: California chapter revitalizes community playground
A once-vacant lot in the Bishop Manor community in Santa Ana, Calif., has been transformed into a vibrant playground thanks in part to the CAI Orange County Regional Chapter. A celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony earlier this year capped off the months-long renovation project. Before the project, the lot primarily housed an aging, unsafe play structure and a dirt field used by local stray cats.
Manager handbook: New resource helps community leaders thrive
CAI’s new publication, the Community Association Manager Handbook: The Essential Guide, is a practical resource designed to help community managers succeed in a role that combines financial oversight, community development, and volunteer leadership.
