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.
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.
Governance in community associations is complex, with many potential blind spots that can lead to serious financial, legal, and operational challenges. Some of the most common yet often overlooked governance pitfalls include understanding roles, respecting the hierarchy of the documents, and failing to adhere to communication and meeting protocols.
For many homeowners, joining their association board may seem like an obligation rather than an opportunity. However, it can be transformative both personally and for the broader community. As a long-time board member, I know our community’s strength begins with individual volunteers.
Even the most well-prepared and effective communicators in community associations will inevitably be faced with situations that have escalated into conflict, but experts have several strategies to de-escalate and resolve most difficult conversations. Dealing with difficult conversations doesn’t necessarily mean coming to a final resolution, but it’s a step in the process.
