Community Association Manager Handbook: The Essential Guide is available in both print and digital formats. You are viewing the digital version. Purchase the print book here.

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A community association manager is a jack-of-all-trades who is critical to the success of homeowners associations, condominiums, and housing cooperatives.

The job of the manager is part financial management, urban planning, facilities maintenance, community development, volunteer management, and project management. Successful managers often have excellent people skills, strong communication and customer service skills, excellent time management, and the ability to stay focused, research, collaborate, and solve problems.

Managers have a lot of responsibility — from working with community association volunteers and business partners and overseeing financial operations and administrative duties to keeping up with building and grounds maintenance.

The Community Association Manager Handbook provides a snapshot of what you need to know. It covers everything from community association basics and working with volunteer leaders and business partners to finances, reserves, insurance, maintenance, and more.

With a little support and by taking advantage of CAI’s information, tools, and resources, you’ll succeed in the role and discover a promising career in a growing industry.

Contents

Introduction

Community Association Basics

Volunteer Leaders

Business Partners

Finances

Reserves

Insurance and Risk Management

Facilities and Maintenance

Meetings

Elections

Rules and Architectural Guidelines

Communication

Management

Ethics

Appendix A: How to Get the Most from CAI Membership

Appendix B: Manager Education and Designations

Appendix C: CAI’s Professional Community Association Manager Code of Ethics

Appendix D: Community Association Fundamentals

Appendix E: Rights and Responsibilities for Better Communities

Appendix F: Community Association Civility Pledge

Appendix G: International Terminology

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