"The ONE HOUR Boar Meeting - Fact or Fiction?"

I have heard they are out there - the elusive and desired one hour board meeting. But I wonder - are they real? And if so, does any business actually get done during this hour? Or is everything talbed until the next meeting? Honestly, I know they can happen and have actually experienced a few of them but . . . to read more of this article from Sandy Cobb, CMCA, AMS, The CWD Group click here.

"Landscape Management: A Strategic Plan for Value"

For many communities the maintenance of common area landscaping, including associated water costs, is the largest expense in the budget. Downward economic pressure over the past few years has allowed many communities to reduce short-term costs significantly by working with their landscape service provider, but . . . to read more of this article from Will Bailey, Signature Landscape click here.

"Strategies for Asphalt Maintenance on a Tight Budget"

Over the course of 10 years in the asphalt business, I have gathered dozens of pictures into a folder on my laptop inelegantly titled "Stupid Asphalt Repairs." From poor craftsmanship to the wrong remedy for a fiven symptom, it is deshearening to see property owners waste their money. With today's especially tight maintance busgets, it is critical that property owners and managers get . . . to read more of this article from Tom Merry, Rainier Asphalt click here.

"Reserves: The Big Six"

A typical condominium Reserve Study has 30 to 50 components that meet the criteria for reserve funding, with their associated expenses occurring at varying intervals throughout the 30-year study period. Planning for this somewhat complicated array of expenses can much more easily begin by simpy focusing on the "The Big Six" as they apply to your community. Put together a solid funding plan for these components and . . . to read more of this article from Jim Talaga, RS, Association Reserves click here.

"The Window Replacement Reserve Funding Conundrum"

A reserve study tells you (a board) roughly how much it will cost you to replace a big ticket item when that item reaches the end of its useful life. Jim Talaga's companion article at "Reserves: The Big Six" says the biggest six of the big ticket items are painting, roofing, siding, asphalt, windows, and decks. That an association will foot the replacement bill for painting, roofing, siding, asphalt and . . . to read more of this article from Terry Leahy, Leahy McLean Fjelstad click here. 

"Realize a Vision for Your Community through Strategic Planning"

As another year begins, it is important to review and recognize the community's accomplishments of the prior year and celebrate its successes. It is also time to review or create your strategic plan. Basic of Strategic Planning - Strategic planning is a systematic planning process involving a number of steps that identify the current status of the association, including its mission, vision for the future, operating values, needs . . . to read more of this article from David Rossiter, CMCA, AMS, Treslte Community Management click here.