Minnesota’s premier homeowners association magazine
In this Issue: Ask the Attorney.... 6
September/October 2013
Volume 31 • Issue 5
Considering Rental Restrictions, Part Two: Who, What, When, and How?... 9 Carin’s Corner...... 19
Get Involved This Fall!
And Much More!
Learn more about how committees like the CAVL are impacting your community, and find out how you can connect to CAI-MN without leaving your computer!
Visit us online at www.cai-mn.com.
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Minnesota Communit y Living
From the President
Board of Directors President Michael Klemm, Esq. Phone 952.953.8832 klemmm@dmshb.com
By Michael Klemm | CAI-MN President
Dear HOA Board Member: Thank you for volunteering to lead your community association. Taking time to read Minnesota Community Living shows that you want to do your best, and I am writing to share how becoming involved in Community Associations Institute can help. First, if you are not a member of CAI, I encourage you to join. You will gain access to members-only content on the CAI national website and the Minnesota Chapter website, including CAI’s online research library, articles, sample forms and templates. Members also receive CAI’s national magazine, Common Ground, and discounted registration fees for many CAI-MN seminars and events. Many homeowners associations cover the cost of membership in CAI for board members, as they recognize the benefits that it provides to their community. Membership in CAI will enable you to join committees and develop personal relationships with association managers, business partners and other homeowners association board members. Committee members enjoy discussing relevant issues, sharing information and ideas and working together on events and projects. Service on a committee is a prerequisite for election to the CAI-MN board of directors, and two seats on the board are reserved for community association volunteer leaders.
Vice President Gene Sullivan Phone 952.922.2500 gene@ncmgi.com
I also encourage you to take advantage of the many educational seminars provided by CAI-MN. The Education Committee presents luncheon seminars for community association volunteer leaders, association managers and business partners. In addition, the Community Association Volunteer Leader (CAVL) Committee presents seminars that are specifically designed for homeowners association board members. Attending seminars provides opportunities for networking and discussion, but if you cannot attend in person, videos from recent seminars are available on the members-only section of the CAI-MN website.
Treasurer Halo Stafford, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 952. 277.2785 halostafford@gmail.com Secretary Nancy Polomis, Esq. Phone 952. 941.4005 npolomis@hjlawfirm.com Directors Tom Engblom, AMS, ARM, CMCA, CPM, PCAM Phone 866.800.4656 tengblom@cabanc.com Steve Hoogenakker Phone 763.213.2410 steve@landscape.pro
Many community association volunteer leaders also participate in the annual Trade Show, Golf Tournament and Vision Awards. These premiere events provide community association volunteer leaders with opportunities to learn about products and services, make connections and celebrate top-performing homeowners associations, managers and business partners.
Rich Klobuchar, CFP ® Phone 763.551.9827 rklobuchar@usinternet.com Russ Lis, CMCA, AMS Phone 612.805.6111 rlis@reconstructionsolutionsgroup.com Jim Rezek Phone 763-424-9984 jimrezek@comcast.net
We would like to help you find opportunities for involvement that fit your interests and schedule. Additional information is available on the Minnesota Chapter website at www.cai-mn. com and the national website at www.caionline. org. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 952.953.8832 or CAI-MN Executive Director Monte Abeler at 651.265.7852.
Michelle Stephans, RS Phone 763.754.5500 michelle@reserveadvisors.com Crystal Pingel, CMCA, AMS, PCAM Phone 612.381.8626 crystalp@citiesmanagement.com Joel Starks Phone 952.698.2053 joel@sharpermanagement.com
Again, thank you for serving your community association!
Committee Chairs CAVL Chair Joe Crawford Phone 952.236.9006 crawford@crawfordmanage.com
Education Committee Chair Nigel Mendez Phone 651.287.8640 nmendez@carlsonassoc.com
Legislative Action Chair Gene Sullivan Phone 952.922.2500 gene@ncmgi.com
Tradeshow Committee Chair Jon Edin Phone 651.222.2155 jedin@mncondodefects.com
Communications Chair Janice Pyka Phone 612.801.1229 jpyka@minutebids.com
Golf Tournament Chair Crystal Pingel Phone 612.381.8626 crystalp@citiesmanagement.com
Membership Chair Lisa Astleford, CMCA, AMS Phone 952.277.2787 lisa.astleford@fsresidential.com
Vision Awards Chair Jane Bristow, CMCA, AMS Phone 952.277.2722 jane.bristow@fsresidential.com
September | October 2013
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Perfect to a Tee CAI-MN Golf Tournament Recap - July 24, 2013
T
he 2013 CAI-MN Golf Tournament certainly lived up to the hype of being the organization’s highlight of the summer. Except for a few poorly hit golf balls, everything was nearly flawless. The meals were fantastic, the networking was great, and you couldn’t have ordered better weather. Sponsors also added some color to the course with a variety of games, giveaways, and exhibits. There were even some foursomes dressed up in themes. A big thank-you goes out to Crystal Pingel and the Golf Committee for their efforts. When asked how the golf tournament went, Crystal responded, “It was great to see many familiar faces and meet new ones. I heard from many that this was their highlight of the summer and they really enjoyed the event. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and the variety in the event will continue to be built on as we look into 2014’s event. Thanks again to all of
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Minnesota Communit y Living
the sponsors and attendees for making it a memorable event!” Joel Starks was also a major contributor at the event and he had the following insights to add in recap of the tournament: “Another summer has come and gone. We surely enjoyed all of the great weather, the great friendships and networking opportunities. This year’s event at Stone Ridge Golf Club was spectacular. I would like to point out some of the great individuals who made it such a success, including the Ewald staff of Monte, Kelly, and Joanne. The committee was also on its toes this year with the new bright red shirts courtesy of Birch Lawn. Get this event on your schedule and plan for next year’s to be even more exciting. If you have any ideas,
thoughts on making the event better, or simply have input, do not hesitate to send us your comments. We are always looking to make this event bigger and better!” We hope to see you at next year’s CAI-MN Golf Tournament on July 23, 2014! Keep your eyes open for the early-birdie rates next year.
Calendar
Index
2013 October
M-203: Community Leadership October 24, 2 Day Conference Crowne Plaza Hotel and Suites Bloomington, MN CAI Members: $445 Non-Members: $545
November
Managers Seminar: Living with Rentals in an HOA
November 12, 2013, 11:30 am – 1:30 pm Ewald Conference Center $35 for members (early); $45 for members (regular); $55 for nonmembers
features 4 Perfect to a Tee
Register online at www.cai-mn.com For more information regarding an event, call the office at 651.203.7250 or visit the CAI-MN website. Online registration is available at www.cai-mn.com.
9 Considering Rental Restrictions,
Part Two: Who, What, When, & How?
By Matt Drewes
13 How the CAVL Benefits this Board Member
By Lynn Boergerhoff
14 PCAM Spotlight: Joe Crawford 19 Carin’s Corner: Big Rewards Can
Come from Professional, Personal Involvement
By Carin Rosengren
21 Find CAI-MN on LinkedIn! By Janice Pyka
23 Arboretum Village Hosts National Night Out
By Halo Stafford
26 CAI-MN Committee/Member Updates Find articles from this issue and archived articles online at cai-mn.com in the Minnesota Community Living Resource Library. Published by Community Associations Institute — Minnesota Chapter, copyright 2013. All articles and paid advertising represent the opinions of authors and advertisers and not necessarily the opinion of either Minnesota Community Living or CAI–Minnesota Chapter. The information contained within should not be construed as a recommendation for any course of action regarding financial, legal, accounting, or other professional services by the CAI–Minnesota Chapter, or by Minnesota Community Living, or its authors. Articles, letters to the editor, and advertising may be sent to Chapter Staff Editor Joanne Penn at joannep@cai-mn.com, or at CAI–Minnesota Chapter, 1000 Westgate Dr., Suite 252, St. Paul, MN 55114.
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3 President’s Message
By Janice Pyka
For more upcoming events please visit our event calendar at cai-mn.com
series By Michael Klemm
6 Ask the Attorney
By Nigel H. Mendez
2013 Annual Partners
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September | October 2013
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Ask the Attorney by
T
his column is comprised of questions that have been posed to me by homeowners, property managers and related professionals regarding legal issues that they have encountered with respect to their associations. Discussion of these questions, as well as prior questions, can be found on the CAI-MN LinkedIn page: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1769135 How often should we be amending our Declaration, Bylaws and Rules and Regulations? Are we required to do this every year? Associations are not required to amend their Declaration, Bylaws or Rules and Regulations (collectively referred to as the “governing documents”) on any set time frame. The governing documents are usually amended when the association wishes to change some aspect of the documents. For example, to impose a limit on the number of units that are rented, or to enact a smoking ban in a condominium, an amendment to the governing documents must be undertaken. I recommend that all members of an association read their governing documents. These are the documents that state what activities are allowed in the association, how the association is run, and what happens if a member fails to abide by the documents. However, while I understand that many members never completely read these documents, all board members should. They should also be reviewed occasionally to ensure that the board members remain familiar with the documents and understand what they were elected to uphold. When reviewing the governing documents, I recommend that boards keep an eye out for these issues:
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Nigel H. Mendez, Esq., Carlson & Associates, Ltd.
1. Consistency.
4. Compliance with the law.
There is a hierarchy among governing documents when it comes to conflicting terms: the bylaws overrule the rules and regulations and the declaration overrules both the bylaws and the rules and regulations. Over the years, inconsistencies can work their way into documents. I have seen numerous boards enact rules that are in direct conflict with the declaration. Such a rule would not be enforceable by the association. A review of the governing documents will help ensure that the documents are consistent and enforceable. If conflicts are found, the board can either remove the conflict by repealing the rule or propose an amendment to the bylaws or declaration to be in concert.
It is important for an association to ensure it is not in violation of any state or federal laws. For example, a provision in the governing documents that states “members who are delinquent with their assessment payments will be prohibited from voting at the annual meeting” would be in violation of current Minnesota law. While some associations just decide to not enforce such a provision in the governing documents, it is recommended that the offending provision be removed. Too often an association board will rely on the governing document without realizing that a certain provision is not legally enforceable. This action could lead to an expensive lawsuit against the association.
2. Unnecessary/unused sections.
Many declarations impose a limit on the amount the annual assessment can be increased each year. The limit initially imposed by the developer when the declaration was drafted may have been used to boost sales of the units, but it is not a realistic cap moving forward. If your limit is too low to cover the budget that you have created, an amendment to the governing documents to either increase or remove the limit could be very helpful to the financial stability of the association.
Many declarations, especially if they have never been amended, include information that is only relevant to the declarant - who is now long gone from the association. One of the most common reasons I hear for members not reading the governing documents is that they are too long. By amending the documents to remove unnecessary sections they can be greatly reduced in length.
3. Enforcement provisions. Townhome associations created prior to June 1, 1994 are not automatically governed by the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (MCIOA) and must rely on the enforcement provisions contained in the governing documents to ensure compliance. Often the older declarations contain no authority to impose fines, thereby requiring a lawsuit to force compliance. In addition, foreclosures to collect delinquent assessments must often be done via a longer and more costly “judicial foreclosure” rather than a “foreclosure by advertisement” authorized under MCIOA. An amendment to add the authority to impose fines and foreclose by advertisement may be beneficial.
5. Assessment increases.
During a recent storm, a tree from a neighboring property fell and landed on our condominium roof. Who should be paying for the repair? In Minnesota, it depends on the condition of the tree (or the limb) prior to the damage occurring, and who owns the tree. You can usually establish ownership by looking at the trunk in relation to the property line. The tree belongs to the property on which the trunk is located. Trees located on a property line are more difficult and the courts will look at the intent of the parties – they could be “jointly owned” trees. Once the ownership is determined, the health of the tree must be determined. Ask the Attorney continued >>
If an owner knows, or should know, that a tree is diseased, sick or dead, that owner is responsible to take the necessary precautions to ensure that the tree does not cause damage to a neighboring property. An owner does not need to be an arborist, but must recognize obvious health problems: lack of leaves, obvious fungus, dead branches, prior fallen limbs, etc. If an obviously unhealthy tree located on neighboring property causes damage to your association, the neighbor is responsible for the cost of cleanup and repair. If there were no prior indications that the tree was not healthy, the cost will likely fall onto the association. The fact that the tree fell during a storm does not automatically release the neighbor from liability if the tree was unhealthy prior to the storm. To have a question answered in a future article, please email it to me at nmendez@carlsonassoc.com with the subject line of “Ask the Attorney.” While I can’t promise that all questions will be answered, I will do my best to include questions that have a broad appeal. Questions will also be answered by other attorneys practicing in this area of law. The answers are intended to give the reader a good understanding of the issue raised by the question but are not a substitute for acquiring an opinion from your legal counsel.
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CAI-MN - More than a Magazine Join the Discussion on LinkedIn! What is LinkedIn? LinkedIn is a directory of professionals and companies. Individuals and companies use LinkedIn for networking, job searching, hiring, company research, and connecting with affiliates, including alumni, industry, and a variety of other business related groups. Never used LinkedIn before? Don’t worry, it’s quick and easy to get started. Find instructions on how to set up your profile on page 21 of this magazine, or get started online at www.linkedin.com. Be sure to find CAI-MN and join our group to keep up to date on all the latest CAI-MN news.
Find CAI-MN on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1769135
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September | October 2013
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Minnesota Communit y Living
Considering Rental Restrictions, Part Two: Who, Where, When, and How? By Matt Drewes, Thomsen & Nybeck, P.A., Attorneys
This is the second in a two-part series discussing rental restrictions. Part one can be found in the July/August issue of Minnesota Community Living magazine. You may recall that in the first installment of this pair of articles I discussed one of the reasons that a community association may want to amend its declaration. The focus of that discussion was on rental restrictions and whether, and to what degree, an association might wish to consider implementing them (the what and the why). There are many other reasons an association might wish to amend its declaration, as well. No matter what the reason, you’ll need a guide through the process. This is a brief roadmap covering some of the most typical issues your association may face, including who’s involved, where each party’s involvement is needed, and when to get them involved. First, however, there is an important caveat about the procedures discussed in this article. I have tried to cover many of the typical variations I’ve seen. There can always be outliers. It’s always best to get advice about who must approve your amendment, and how best to get that approval.
WHO The Board of Directors The board of directors steers the association in its day-to-day and month-to-month functions, but also provides policy initiatives. Although the board is not authorized to pass an amendment on its own, it has to take some initiative if an amendment will pass. It will have to approve the language that will comprise the amendment that is submitted
for approval, and either directly or indirectly obtain that approval from the required parties.
then the four 20% vote holders can pass an amendment with 80% of the vote. Mortgagees (i.e., mortgage lenders)
Unit Owners Amending a community association’s declaration typically requires a substantial number of members (unit owners) to authorize the change. The minimum requirement in most associations, and according to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (MCIOA), is 67% of the voting interests. Some declarations contain a requirement that 75% or even 90% of the voting interests approve the change, and MCIOA will defer to that higher percentage. Note that the applicable percentage will apply to all of the voting interests in the association, not just those who show up at a meeting. Despite this high percentage requirement, associations with proper guidance rarely seem to fail to get amendments passed except in the event they’re pursuing particularly controversial amendments. The procedures available to get there are addressed below. Note, also, that 67% means at least 67%. If your association has six units, and the owners of each unit each have equal voting power, then the approval of the owners of four of those units is just two thirds, which is still less than the required percentage. In your case you’ll need to get the owner(s) of that fifth unit to approve the amendment. The analysis changes if your owners’ voting interests are determined instead based on an unequal allocation (square footage of units, etc.). You need 67% of the voting interests, not owners of 67% of the units. So, if among six unit owners, four have 20% of the vote each, and two have 10% of the vote each,
Most amendments also require notice to, and/or consent of, mortgage lenders to at least some degree. The extent of mortgagee approval can vary substantially, however. Some declarations may require all first mortgagees to approve the amendment. That means all lenders who have a first-position mortgage on a unit within the association. If the association is governed by MCIOA, this isn’t necessarily cause to fret, as I’ll explain below. If your association is not already subject to MCIOA, however, the association has to perform some research and be prepared to be persistent to get through to the decision-makers at the applicable lenders. Fortunately, in most cases, associations are authorized to pass an amendment with only the approval of “eligible mortgagees.” If this requirement applies to your association, the term “eligible mortgagee” should already be defined in your existing declaration. It usually means only those mortgagees who have previously registered with the association. As you might guess, mortgagees almost never do this. If your declaration refers to “eligible mortgagees,” that’s usually good news.
WHERE, WHEN AND HOW I’ve lumped the last three questions together, because as we review where and when each of the above participants carries out its function in this process, we’re really answering the question of how as well. Board initiates The board begins the process by identifying the issue(s) that require the amendment, and either it or its appointed committee Rental Restrictions continued on page 10 September | October 2013
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Rental Restrictions continued from page 9 start to define the particular goals of the amendment. To use the earlier example, the amendment may be to restrict rentals, but there are questions about the particulars. These might include whether there will be exceptions, and the limits of those exceptions. Once the final concept(s) have been approved, the precise amendment should be reduced to writing. Members can’t vote on the amendment if they don’t know exactly what they’re approving. Members: “consent” or “vote?” When the proposed amendment is finalized, it should be submitted to the members for approval. Earlier, I mentioned that the approval process is more feasible than you might think even if you have to get 67% or more of the votes. After all, it’s hard enough to get holders of 67% of the votes to show up for a meeting, let alone to have that many voting in favor of something. Fortunately, most governing documents (and MCIOA) permit approval by having members sign a document stating they consent to the amendment. It’s similar to a petition, but it should be clear the members who sign have all seen the complete, final version of the amendment and that they are signing for the purpose of providing their consent. If your declaration doesn’t permit amendment by “written consent,” and your association is not already subject to MCIOA, you will have to pursue the approval by member vote. In that case, consider the procedures that may be available to you to help you achieve the vote you need. If
authorized by your articles of incorporation or bylaws, the board may approve proxies, which the board or its authorized committee may then collect in advance of the meeting for the purpose of voting in favor of the amendment. This way, members who favor the amendment but are too apathetic to attend a meeting can have their votes counted. So long as the articles or bylaws approve it, votes may also be held by mailed (or electronic) ballot. Voting by ballot allows the members a period of time to review the materials (often between 15 and 45 days) and submit their vote remotely. During the voting period the board can visit with undecided members about the merits of the amendment, and obtaining a responsive ballot is easier than ensuring member turnout for an in-person meeting. Mortgagees weigh in. Or not. Usually, the required percentage of mortgagee approval is 51%. The ease of obtaining mortgagee approval depends greatly upon whether your documents call for the approval of first mortgagees or “eligible mortgagees,” as I described above. Since the law changed in 2010, MCIOA also makes a significant difference. MCIOA now provides associations with statutory authority to consider a lack of response to be a “yes” vote if a mortgagee does not respond within 60 days of receiving proper notice of the amendment via certified mail. You will still have to do your homework to attempt to identify all the applicable mortgagees, but your approval can no longer be stalled by
mortgagees who hide behind loan servicers and fail to respond. If you are required to obtain the approval of first mortgagees and your association is not governed by MCIOA, you will have to locate and coax a vote out of each mortgagee, which takes diligence and patience. There is an argument that may still preserve an amendment if you don’t do this, but it’s best if the argument is used as a fallback rather than a first option, and you may wish to seek an attorney’s opinion before deciding to rely on the argument.
CAN WE DO THIS? There’s no shame in it if you have felt that the amendment process seems daunting. It is true that there are several aspects of the process that can present a challenge. But if you prepare yourself, and recognize it can be accomplished in a series of manageable steps, you should gain confidence that you can implement a change you may have been putting off. Hopefully, this primer on the process demonstrates that the amendment you may have been considering is achievable if you have the right plan. Note: The information in this article is provided solely as general information and not as legal advice. Your receipt, and even your use of this information, does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Readers are urged to speak with a qualified attorney focusing on community association law when making decisions regarding a specific legal issue.
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montea@cai-mn.com for further details about joining our list of article contributors.
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Minnesota Communit y Living
How the CAVL Benefits this Board Member By Lynn Boergerhoff, Woodstock Townhome Association
I
was ready to hit the ground running when I accepted the presidency of our townhome association master board two years ago. For five years before, I had simply paid my monthly assessment, gone to work, lived life oblivious to my membership in a community association. Now I had volunteered to join a board of directors to lead and manage a large nonprofit corporation of 227 family units in 67 townhome style buildings. I was pleased to have the opportunity. I welcomed the challenge. I had two special projects in mind (a first-time resident survey and an emergency preparedness plan). We would win the CAI-MN Vision Award for associations over 100 units. First, I had a lot to learn. Maybe you felt that way, too. Managing the day-to-day issues was a significant learning curve. It would consume as much time and effort as I could provide. I was suddenly hearing unfamiliar terms like reserve funding, operating budget, fidelity insurance, FHA certification, special assessment and MCIOA. I wanted to learn as much and as quickly as I could. All of my fellow board members were homeowner volunteers like me. None of us were property managers, attorneys, insurance agents, professional contractors or therapists. Yet we were frequently responding to complex issues among homeowners and with organizations outside our association, all in the context of our governing documents, federal and state laws, and local ordinances. Sometimes the actions taken or deferred by previous boards emerged with new urgency. Every one of our two-hour bi-monthly master board meetings had a full agenda – all important issues pressing for discussion and decisions.
I soon realized I wanted and needed to talk to board members in other associations to understand how other associations were organized and operated, what issues they encountered, how they led and managed. I needed context to understand us in the outside world. Joining CAI, the national Community Association Institute, and CAI-MN, our Minnesota chapter, has helped make that possible. Here’s how. First, I attended nearly every education session. I sometimes have to hear something more than once before it sinks in. I didn’t mind the repetition. I looked around to see many people like me taking notes and reading the handouts. We asked questions and learned from the responses. By the start of my second term, I was beginning to feel like I could get this presidency thing. Second, I read CAI’s bi-monthly magazines. CAI-MN publishes Minnesota Community Living with articles written by local experts and volunteer community association leaders. Common Ground, CAI’s magazine for Community Association Leaders provides a national perspective that broadened my thinking about issues that sometimes reached beyond the local community association scene. Third, I browsed the CAI’s resource catalogues where I found more than 110 publications written for new and experienced board members. I purchased several publications of best practices and guidebooks on specific topics our Board was facing. In addition, the CAI education course catalog describes the CAI annual conference and exposition (held last May in San Diego), webinars, seminars, retreats, workshops, and classroom instruction for volunteer leaders and professional managers.
Fourth, I attended the annual Trade Show at the St. Paul Xcel Center in March. The trade show offers educational content for community association volunteer leaders and managers as well as information about services provided by a wide range of professional vendors. I learned a lot talking with the experts. Finally, as I felt more comfortable in my new president’s skin, I volunteered for CAI-MN’s Communications committee. CAI-MN has several committees with opportunities for volunteer board members to participate. So, my take-away has been first things first. It takes time to build an understanding of leadership in community association living. As for my special projects, they will happen in due time and the Vision Award is still a vision. I like community association living and I see a great future for us. I plan to keep learning.
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September | October 2013
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PCAM Spotlight: Joe Crawford, Crawford Management by
J
oseph Crawford owns his company (Crawford Management), which specializes in association management and residential real estate. He gained his undergraduate degree and certificate from University of Minnesota in Human Resource Development, and his experience bodes well for his current responsibilities. Before Joe ventured out on his own, he worked for two other association management firms in the Twin Cities, and he has thoroughly enjoyed his business with the assistance of his wife. Currently, Joe is the chair of the CAI CAVL Committee and a member of the Legislative Action Committee.
About his family Joe has enjoyed more than nine years of marriage to his lovely wife, Monica, and has son and a daughter. They live, work and play in Lakeville as it’s a great city to build a business, and raise a family. Joe’s path into the profession began as the president of his association; he quickly realized his passion was for association management. He says his hard work and various experiences prior to association management are paying off, and because he’s doing what he enjoys.
Hobbies and interests Joe is doing what he enjoys, so he works a lot! The last time he traveled was to CAI National Conference in 2013. It was refreshing to talk with Joe as he seems to be a laid-back individual, yet he’s very ambitious, and looking to be even more successful. Family is very important to Joe, and with his wife Monica as his partner, they make an excellent team. Joe spoke fondly of Monica as she takes care of the management part of their business, which is at the core of their success.
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Little known personal facts Because Joe is so driven and focused, he accomplished his PCAM, including the additional designations leading up to the PCAM, in only two years, including the case study. Typically, it takes several more years to accomplish what Joe has in two years. He mentioned the added expenses, travel and accommodations in pursuing his PCAM were paid out of his own pocket and not by his employers.
CAI connections Joe joined CAI just before he attended the national conference in Las Vegas in 2007, and was impressed with the level of education and network at the national level, and senses that perhaps the Minnesota market is still developing with regards to CAI and associations. Joe seems to be a quick study of almost anything, and he especially grasps and understands legal jargon, and that has benefitted him in his business world. Joe is cognizant to only offer opinions from his experience, and then refers his clients to their attorney for legal advice.
Janice Pyka, MinuteBids
person-to-person interaction, especially for important conversations.
PCAM experience Joe’s case study was in Alexandria, Virginia, on a 1975 condominium community. It consisted of a 14-acre site with five separate buildings and over 5,000 units. Joe recommended reorganizing their staff, project improvements, governing document amendments, and improving communication through technology in order to successfully complete the project. Typically, PCAM candidates are given a full month to write their responses to the case study, Joe completed his 87 pages of responses in a week because of his extensive experience. Joe has been exposed to several real estate situations, and because of his education and his ability to quickly learn from his experiences and those around him, he’s become an excellent all-around expert when it comes to association management. Congratulations to Joe for earning his PCAM in 2010!
Joe Crawford continued >>
Interesting/challenging aspects of the job Time management. Having enough time to do all he wants to do including staying on top of changes in association management, real estate, association laws, and ultimately serving his clients. Joe listens and is very good at it. He says one has to be prepared for everything, and he gleans it from those specialists and professionals around him. He definitely is a people person, and even though he is of the generation that grew up with computers and cell phones, he does an excellent job of connecting the “old fashioned” way. He believes in all forms of communication (in person, the telephone, emails, and websites) but still prefers
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Q&A with Joe Crawford 1. How has your education and experience prepared you to chair the CAVL Committee? My degree is in Human Resource development, which focused on the education of adults in the workplace and of course my extensive and ongoing education from CAI, professional in the industry and other industry training. Beyond the education previous experience as chair of the CAI-MN Education and Legislative Action committee, and training seminars for community leads I have done all combined to make CAVL a great fit for me to lead. 2. What important issues are facing community association volunteer leaders? Community association leaders are continually faced with ongoing changes in state statutes (laws) governing community associations and the ongoing incorrect information given to board members by those they count on, so
education is the key to unlock the current and correct information and allow board members to be better leaders. 3. How will CAVL help volunteers better lead and manage their associations? Education and networking from the CAVL educational events will provide CAVL members current information and access to resources, empower them to make informed decisions for their communities in which they were elected to lead.
4. Tell us how you’d like to spend a couple of days off work. If I get time off, it is spent with my family; typically I do not get days off. As an owner of my own association management and real estate company I spend seven days a week working to insure my clients needs are met.
Managing to make a
difference 30 years of association management experience Reserve Plans are included in our management program Proactive management, including weekly property visits Smart, expert, professional advice
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September | October 2013
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ADAC-MN, LLC,
A Minnesota Limited Liability Company
Looking to contribute? CAI-MN is looking for article contributions. Contact Monte Abeler at (651) 265-7852 or montea@cai-mn.com for further details about joining our list of article contributors.
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September | October 2013
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Carin’s Corner: Big Rewards Can Come from Professional, Personal Involvment
By Carin Rosengren, Keller Property Management
I
get a happy little thrill when someone calls our office because of something they read in the association newsletter, or in a notice from property management. This caller cared enough to open the mail. Then they bothered to read it. And further, they were motivated to pick up the phone to ask a question, or to give their two cents, or to disagree completely with everything they read and to give me a piece of their mind. Here’s where the thrill comes for me, because now, we have involvement. “Got you right where I wanted,” I think. “You’re on my radar now because you’re a Homeowner Who Cares.” Homeowners who have not volunteered before, or not been to a board meeting before, might not understand this yet, but being a Homeowner Who Cares is the main requirement to serve on the board. Everything else about it can be learned. The kind of person who calls after reading the newsletter is the kind I like to see get involved. Call me about a communication you read from the association, and I promise, the next time I see you, the next time I speak to you on the phone, and definitely before the next annual meeting, you can expect me to try to wheedle you into taking your involvement a step further. You may expect a question or two from me, primarily, “How about joining the Board?” Vision Award Winner Justin Moe, owner of All Ways Drains, Ltd., is familiar with the Homeowner Who Cares. A drains specialist in the multi-housing industry, he has the opportunity to meet a couple dozen on any given job, making him uniquely qualified to comment on the challenges and the rewards of serving the Homeowner Who Cares. In his experience, Moe says, homeowners will care more deeply about thier homes than even major troubles they might have at the office or another place they spend time. But as invested as the homeowners are, they still
sometimes hesitate to get involved, from minor actions like attending a meeting or going all the way to joining the board and taking a leadership role, with myriad ways to take part in between. Joining CAI-MN is one way that Moe stays involved. “It makes all the difference,” Moe says. “How many other places can you go to where they have all these property managers, all these homeowners?”
him for many years, eventually Moe went into business on his own, starting All Ways Drains. But he has not strayed from the qualities that made his father successful. “We’ve tried to run the business like you would expect from a family business – old-time quality that shows you care, and a willingness to work 24 hours a day.”
In May, Moe received CAI-MN’s award for Business Partner Excellence in Service, a sure sign that he not only knows the drain business as well as anyone, but he knows how to work with the Homeowner Who Cares. I asked him what he thinks contributes to the success of All Ways Drains as they cater to this group.
Along with a great staff that shares his ideals, Moe is happy to be serving the Homeowner Who Cares, and their successful business shows that they know how to treat people right. Joining CAI about seven years ago, he also can tout the benefits of involvement on a professional level. He added, “I really enjoy CAI. I enjoy the people. It’s really one of the better organizations.”
“It takes the ability to communicate with people in every walk of life,” he says. “You have to treat them all with respect.” He learned these skills from his father, an independent contractor who also worked with homeowners. After working with
It is also one of the few places you can find recognition for property managers and vendors who tirelessly strive to serve the Homeowner Who Cares. “There are not a lot of drain-cleaning awards out there,” Moe jokes. “They are few and far between.”
Vision Award Winner Justin Moe, owner of All Ways Drains, Ltd. September | October 2013
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Find CAI-MN on LinkedIn! Here’s How It Works...
by
Janice Pyka, MinuteBids
Getting Started with LinkedIn LinkedIn is a social networking site used specifically for professional purposes. You can use it to connect yourself to your existing professional network as well as expand your network to your secondary and tertiary connections through those you already know. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles that other social networking sites have, and really works to serve its core purpose. Creating an account and getting started is easy; just follow the steps below: Step 1. Go to LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com. If you want to learn more, click on the “What is LinkedIn?” option on the menu across the top of the page. If not, go ahead and sign up by entering your name, email and a password in the “Join LinkedIn Today” box on the right of the screen.
Find CAI-MN on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1769135
“ What is your favorite way to get involved in your community? ”
Step 2. Confirm your account through your email address. Once you’ve done this, sign in and get started. Step 3. Edit your profile. Editing and updating your profile is quick and easy, so there’s absolutely no need for advanced technical know-how. Enter your sub-heading, area and industry underneath your name, and add a profile picture of yourself Step 4. Edit your qualifications. Add your current and past employment as well as your education. Be sure to include descriptions of your past jobs and degrees earned––this way, people will be able to more clearly see your experiences and know what to contact you for. LinkedIn can also tailor job suggestions to send you if you’ve provided adequate details. Step 5. Add a Summary. This is a chance to write a more in-depth paragraph to give people an idea of where you stand now in your career, what your strengths are, where you want to go and what you have to offer. Although it’s a summary, it can take some time to write a good one, so don’t be afraid to edit it ruthlessly until it reads well. Step 6. Add Specialties. This is located directly below. It acts as an extension of the Summary section but in short form. You can list specific skills and areas of expertise.
LinkedIn continued on page 22 September | October 2013
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LinkedIn continued from page 21 Step 7. Add Connections. You can have LinkedIn search through your email address book to find people you know. You can also search by a person’s name, job title or company. Step 8. Add Websites. Link in your company’s website, your own personal site, social media site, and/or your blog. Be cautious of linking in your Facebook page if you have questionable photos of yourself, or to your Twitter account, depending on the language of your tweets.
Step 9. Get Recommendations. You can have LinkedIn search through your email address book to find people you know. You can also search by a person’s name, job title or company. Step 10. Add Applications Link in your company’s website, your own personal site, your blog, and/or your Twitter account. This will allow visitors to your page to see different aspects of your professional self. Basic (free) account A Basic account is for anyone who wants to create and maintain a professional profile online without the cost. •
Build and maintain a large trusted professional network.
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Find and reconnect with colleagues and classmates.
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Request and provide recommendations.
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Create a professional presence on the web.
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Request up to 5 introductions at a time.
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Search for and view profiles of other LinkedIn users.
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Receive unlimited InMails.
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View 100 results per search.
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Save up to 3 searches and get weekly alerts on those searches. Find CAI-MN on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1769135 22
Minnesota Communit y Living
Arboretum Village Hosts National Night Out by
Halo Stafford, Pinnacle
A
rboretum Village is a 342 unit townhome property with 4 separate associations plus a master association. It is a great townhome community, it’s very quiet, and has beautiful landscaping and trees. The Board members volunteer their time to help set up this event, including buying all the food, grilling, helping set up the bouncy house, tables/chairs/tent, cleanup, and more. There is a big playground in the middle of the property where we have hosted this event the last three years. This year the City of Chanhassen sent the fire trucks and all the kids got to climb around and inside of the truck. The City of Chanhassen, at no cost to the Association, provided water, fireman hats, blinking lights for bicycles, and toys for the kids. This is such a great property with terrific board members.
Arboretum Village, Chanhassen, MN
Thank you to the following board members who helped organize this event! Kari Barker Lisa Alt Michael Sullivan Dave Wisniewski
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CAI-MN Committee and Member Updates
M A N A G E M E N T
Sharper Management Expands Property Management Business with the Acquisition of Rockford Sharper Management, LLC announced that it has acquired Rockford, Inc. The acquisition is aimed at expanding Sharper Management’s presence in Minnesota’s property management market. Following the closing, Rockford’s full portfolio of clients and talent was transferred under the Sharper Management umbrella. “We are excited to bring Rockford into the Sharper Management family,” said Dan Cunningham, managing broker at Sharper Management. “As a locally-owned property management company, our team is fully dedicated to providing the highest level of service in the Minnesota marketplace. This strategic transaction provides us with a great way to address the growing market opportunity and while providing expanded resources for our customers.” Pete Rocheford, president of Rockford, Inc., will join the Sharper Management team alongside his entire staff. “We’re delighted to be a part of the Sharper Management organization,” said Pete Rocheford. “By joining the Sharper Management team, we have the unique opportunity to leverage the company’s vast resources for our clients while continuing to provide them with the local leadership, market expertise and helpful service they have come to expect. With this move we believe we’re well-positioned to provide an even greater level of service for our collective customers. ” The transaction closed on August 1. Financial terms were not disclosed.
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Education Committee Update We have made significant progress on the committee since the Annual Meeting. We are pleased to have 12 members now with vast backgrounds in our industry: Managers, Vendors, Board Members and management company executives. Our luncheons are planned through February 2014 with some exciting speakers. The August manager luncheon was a huge success with more than 70 managers in attendance! Overall the board is excited about the direction we are heading, we look forward to partnering with the board of directors in the future.
Contact John Russo, Ph.D. 952-944-7137
MEMBER
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