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.
Since the 1970s, the community association housing model has grown exponentially. And while compensation within the community management profession also continues to grow, data from the Foundation for Community Association Research’s Attracting Talent to the Community Association Management Industry report reveals the demand for professional community management is outpacing the number of individuals entering the profession. Enter the four-day workweek.
The 2025 CAI Annual Conference & Exposition: Community NOW continued Friday as participants networked with friends and colleagues, attended various education sessions to learn about important issues, browsed the latest tools and resources, and toured the expo hall. Education session topics on the agenda included customer service, leading effective meetings, and civil communication.
Women in community associations face unique challenges such as difficulty advancing and pay gaps, according to a panel of women leaders during a recent CAI webinar. They share three solutions women can put to use today.
Women in community associations are having a conversation about gender equity in the workplace. They agree that systemic change requires raising awareness of women’s experiences and welcoming the conversation. Changing behavior is hard, and significant change requires everyone’s awareness and proactivity, regardless of gender.
