"Greener Landscape Maintenance: How it Can Benefit Your Community Association"

Why should your community switch to greener landscape maintenance? Heather Knoll, a community near Redmond, hired a sustainable landscaper for its common areas because residents were concerned about runoff from lawns draining into the nearby salmon stream. They also wanted to protect their children. "I have two young kids," said Kirsten Tolley, a Heather Knoll board member. "They like to run up the hill and roll down the grass." She didn't want to worry about what . . . . to read more of this article click here.

"Spring Cleaning Neighbor Relations Through Random Acts of Kindness"

The notion of spring cleaning conjures up tangible pictures of action: pulling out the sodden, brown stalks from the wet flower beds by your front door; clearing off your desk and stacking a pile of receipts to complete your tax return; or simply tossing the old food in the refrigerator. Let's face it, it just feels good to get rid of one of those tasks that have nagged your dreams and stared at you on your "to do" list for the last three months. Spring cleaning can feel downright . . . . to read more of this article from Margo Keller, Mediator click here.

"Introducing Sustainable Management Practices into Your Landscape"

A soil test is a good way to start. Testing will help determine the health of your soil by identifying the relative presence of nutrients and their availability for plant use. Often using standard fertilizers alone is not sufficient to maintain soil health as they do little to manage pH and/or correct sterility that occurs after frequent use of herbicides. In these situations a soil test can help identify the need for . . . . to read more of this article from Tom Burgess, Signature Landscape Services click here.

"Community Association Managers - A Call to Action: Increase Awareness, Create a Positive Image and Promote Professionalism"

Take control of your career, improve your skills, and enhance your professional status. Increase your value as an employee and to clients through CAI's Professional Management Development Program (PMDP). The program offers in-depth training to improve the quality and effectiveness of community association managers. Why is this important? Managers: Earning a professional designation symbolizing dedication and expertise in community management is . . . . to read more of this article from Shelley Murray, CMCA, AMS, WPM South, LLC click here.

"A House Divided: When Governing Documents Conflict"

In this difficult economic climate, more associations are looking to lower expenses. Two effective ways to proactively manage the association's expenses are to ensure that the governing documents are clear regarding the allocation of those expenses and to shift the responsibility for some expenses to individual owners. Avoiding disputes with individual owners is paramount to keep association expenses under control. Many disputes between associations and individual unit owners . . . . to read more of this article from Ken Harer, RS, Reserve Consultants Ltd. click here.

"Long Range Planning for Community Associations"

Long range planning is a "best practice" for a proactive association board. A Long Range Planning session or Retreat should be held annually; normally after the annual owners meeting with newly elected directors. It is very rewarding for a board to establish the legacy of an annual retreat for its community association. Without a long tern plan, the board governs and conducts the business affairs of their community in a "helter skelter" fashion. Long term planning allows . . . . to read more of this article from Lynn Boyet, CMCA, AMS, CA Management click here.

"The Winter of our (Economic) Discontent"

Spring is supposed to be a time of renewal and hope, flowers and butterflies, barbeques and baseball. The sun finally emerges and lifts the spirits of all. However, the promise of spring's revival does not extend to the national economy, which continues to be mired in a credit crisis more akin to the doldrums of our gray, rainy winters.  One only has to look at what's going on in Washington DC to recognize the depth of our country's woes. The Senate is on the verge of . . . . to read more of this article from Patrick McDonald, Sundberg & Pody Law Office, PLLC click here.

"Seeing Green Again: Spring Landscaping Solutions"

After such a brutal winter, are you wondering if you'll ever get your association's landscaping program back on track - and see green again? Ok, so Punxsutawney Phil's shadow showed up on Groundhog Day this year, signaling yet another six weeks of chill. Don't despair! Instead, consider this time an opportunity to spring your association's landscaping program forward. So how to you get your community's landscaping back in shape after winter hibernation . . . . to read more of this article from Lyn M. Archer, CMCA, AMS, Archer Management LLC click here.