The Challenges of a Mixed-Use Building Condominium Association from a Residential Perspective

If you live in a condominium in an urban area, chances are you live in a building that includes some commercial businesses on the street level-a storefront, restaurant, or maybe a coffee shop. In recent times several high rises have included significant commercial exposures including hotels and offices. It is this proximity of residence and business that many people site as one of their primary reasons for choosing the condo lifestyle. However, this close relationship of two very different entities can also . . . to read more of this article from Linda Mitchell, Watermark Tower Condominium Owners Association, click here.

How to Maintain Curb Appeal on a Tight Budget

In these difficult economic times, it can be challenging to find ways to maintain occupancy rates, not to mention budgeting for promotion to attract new tenants. While economizing is par for the course as this decade begins, savvy business professionals realize that solvency relies on the creation and maintenance of cash flow. Curtailing expenditures must be tempered with . . . to read more of this article from David Scattergood, Signature Landscape Services, Inc., click here.

How Well-Functioning Committees Help Boards Do Their Jobs

The purpose of this article is to outline, both loosely and in detail, how a Community Association, made up of many diverse neighborhoods, manages its work. Integral in this process is the work of the various committees where the detail tasks are accomplished. Let me first paint the broader picture of the roles of the Community Association Board of Directors. In a new and/or developing community, the first role is . . . to read more of this article from Larry Norton, Issaquah Highlands Community Association, click here.

Calling all Volunteers! Hey, where did everybody go?

If you're ever craving a little "alone time," just let a room full of people know that you're looking for a couple of good volunteers to take on a community project. You'll promptly find: Mission Accomplished! You're alone! However, if you're really serious about "sharing" the wealth of things to do in your community, you'll want to cultivate some techniques in encouraging others to help without resorting to your best used . . . to read more of this article from Sandi MacCalla, CMCA and Jim Comin, PCAM, CDC Management Services, Inc., AAMC, click here.

A Volunteer Board + Community Association Documents = Legal Obligations: Why Board Members Must Follow Governing Documents

As legal counsel for community associations over the last few years, I have been impressed with the many boards of directors of community associations and how seriously they take their responsibility to enforce community association governing documents. However, during a recent committee meeting on this topic, I heard from members of WSCAI that the most calls received by our WSCAI organization are made by homeowners complaining about their boards of directors not taking their positions seriously. Thus, our committee decided an article was needed to explain the reasons why board members must follow their governing documents and . . . to read more of this article from Cynthia B. Jones, Rafel Law Group, click here.

Losing Volunteers: Maybe Governance is the Issue . . .

I had the pleasure of conducting a Strategic Planning session for a large-scale, professionally managed (on site, in house) community association in the western US. After that session, I took the notes made and wrote a synopsis of Goals and Objectives set, due dates and assignments, as well as a narrative analysis of the Board in action, and returned it to the community (along with my bill!). It would be no surprise to any of you that this analysis would fit many of your Boards. I have observed this dynamic in action in literally hundreds of associations, large, medium and small, self-managed or professionally managed. I thought you may find it interesting - and maybe some food for . . . to read more of this article from Julie Adamen, Adamen, Inc., click here.