In the Boardroom: Utilizing the Professional Guide at Your Side

A CCAM manager has access to and chooses the educational courses available based on his or her need to address the specific issues your association faces.

UTILIZING THE PROFESSIONAL

GUIDE AT YOUR SIDE

Your community manager maintains his or her Certified Community Association Manager (CCAM) designation through continuing education classes year after year. In addition to learning the basics of association management, California law and ethical business practices, your manager has probably completed more advanced educational opportunities offered through California Association of Community Managers (CACM) to augment his or her expertise. How exactly does this training benefit you?

CACM is committed to providing high quality education that results in highly qualified and knowledgeable managers for California community associations. The classes they offer range from basic to master-level training in a

wide range of areas pertaining to HOAs. As a board, you reap the benefit of this training if you look to your manager as both a manager and a professional consultant.

A CCAM has access to and chooses the educational courses available based on his or her need to address the specific issues your association faces. It may be that there are particularly challenging board member differences or possibly disruptive owners who jeopardize the ability of the board to effectively govern. Your manager has access to a CACM course to address these issues from the management’s perspective and help guide the board through choppy waters.

You may be facing the frustration of meetings that seem to be going over the same issues time and again without resolution. Again, a CCAM has classes available to ensure he or she has the skill set to work toward a solution. Your manager may already have this training completed and available to you; it’s up to you to look to your manager for such guidance and inquire about the continuing education he or she has pursued. Another really impactful move on your part is to change the entire outlook on board operations. SWITCHING TO A POLICY GOVERNANCE MODEL OF OPERATION CACM offers a number of courses in Policy Governance, which has proven to be a fantastic way to help boards make the move to policy-based governance. If you are willing to stop wasting time discussing the minutiae and start thinking of the broader picture and more strategic planning, your manager can work with you to make this change.

Policy-based governance is putting policies in place to guide your management team in the day-to-day operations of your association. When the board embraces this thoughtful approach to oversight, you accomplish two very important things: 1) You allow your manager the space to act as the professional he or she was trained and hired to be, and 2) it allows the board to use its time to plan and act on long-term planning goals.

For example, instead of the board debating whether the gutters should be cleaned in January or February, your board could be discussing matters such as long-term landscaping solutions, how to deal with aging infrastructure, or how to work with owners who age in place and need more care as they do so. BY LORI STORM, CCAM The impetus for switching to a policy-based model of governing must come from the board, but your manager is the person who can move you along through this process. Take the time to discuss how the board can guide the association and what steps you must take to get moving down this road. The investment in time will provide a solid base of operations and direction for the association going forward. You will be living in your association much longer than you will be actively participating on the board; thus, it’s wise for you to look to the future.

With a plan in place, you can turn to your manager and ask for help setting these broader goals into motion. If your manager doesn’t have the knowledge at this moment, he or she knows where to go for guidance. Making this change is perhaps the most forward-thinking action you can do as a board member and it will help your association now and long into the future.

Lori R. Storm, CCAM, is a District Manager with FirstService Residential California, LLC, in Gold River.

CACM’s “In the Boardroom” feature is intended to provide key trends, tips and practical advice for association board members.

Built for the California Community Management Industry

When you consider the state-specific legal knowledge, management expertise and people skills you need to be successful, the California community management industry is a highly specialized profession.

That’s why CACM created a highly specialized job board to cater to you and your peers. Whether you’re on the job hunt or looking for new talent, CACM’s Career Network can connect you to individuals and companies who are well-versed in the idiosyncrasies of our industry.

Built for Community Managers

You’re not just any community manager. You’re a California community manager, which means your knowledge base includes thousands of laws, management practices and insurance requirements unique to this state.

A career as specialized as yours requires an equally fine-tuned source for career advancement, which is exactly why CACM’s Career Network was created. This industry-specific, online job board ensures your résumé is seen by the right companies, including those that will recognize and appreciate your qualifications.

Job seekers can: • Be seen by a target group of employers • Access free and confidential résumé posting • Receive weekly emails featuring new job listings • Save jobs for later review

To find a career opportunity tailored to your expertise, visit the CACM Career Network today at www.cacm.org.

Built for Management Firms

California community management firms need a staff of professionals who know and understand state laws and are committed to certification and continuing education. If you’re hiring in 2015, CACM's Career Network can help connect you with quality job candidates who meet your specific criteria.

Once your firm registers and posts a job opening – whether it be for a community management, human resources, financial, or other company position -- you'll be able to browse the more than 450 searchable candidates on the Career Network.

You'll be pleasantly surprised to know that job postings and résumés aren't limited to community managers alone. In fact, the categories of résumés cover a wide range of skills, including:

Accounting Administrative Customer Service Facilities Manager Financial Manager General Manager High Rise Manager Marketing On-Site Manager Portfolio Manager

When you're ready to fill a position in your company, use CACM's Career Network and don't forget to take advantage of available package pricing deals and member discounts. Get started now at www.cacm.org.