Best Practice Assistance From CAI

Do You Need Help Qualifying as a Medallion Community?

By Bruce Latta, CMCA

CAI has some best practice publications available that can be informative and very helpful for communities wanting help becoming a CAI-CV Medallion Community. The Foundation for Community Association Research, a nonprofit affiliate of Community Associations Institute, (https://foundation.caionline.org/about/) has developed these publications utilizing recommendations from industry experts and various industry-related publications. The Foundation’s mission is to provide authoritative and reliable research and reports on the operations of common interest developments (CID).

What are considered best practices? The Foundation says, “A best practice is a technique or method that has proven reliably to lead to a desired result or outcome. Business best practices are proven, repeatable, documented, techniques that deliver measurable performance management improvements. These practices are industry-based and may be adapted to fit a unique organization or business.”

The Foundation spent some time gathering information and combining it into eleven booklets each with their own specific topic related to homeowners associations. They include: Community Harmony & Spirit, Community Security, Energy Efficiency, Ethics, Financial Operations, Governance, Green Communities, Natural Disasters, Reserve Studies, Strategic Planning, and Transition.

They are an easy read, most are 20-30 pages in length, and are a good source for ideas or insights. They can be added to the association’s reference library by either purchasing hardcopies from the CAI website or downloading a free copy. You can find them at: https://foundation.caionline.org/publications/ best-practices-reports/.

Bruce Latta, CMCA, is the property manager for Indio Properties in Indio and a member of the board of directors of the Parc La Quinta Homeowners Association. He chairs the Homeowner Leader Committee. He can be reached at PLQHOABLatta@gmail or (760) 285-5617.