Helpful information to aid YOU in the business of handling a homeowners association – we graciously thank Community Associations Institute for the majority of this information. Other professional contributors are also included.

TIP: WVOHOA Board of Directors are CAI Members.

  Best Practices :
Board Member Tool Kit 125 pages
Reserve Study Standards 20 pages
Community Maintenance 70 pages

West Virginia Comprehensive State Summary
28 pages
Judging community association success, includes charts, bar graphs and comprehensive descriptions.

Public Policy Paradigms Panel Report
16 pages
Over the course of 2015, a panel representing various interests in community associations convened for in-depth conversations about public policy concerns in the next 15 years. The Community Next: Public Policy Paradigms Panel included CAI members and non-members. Stakeholder groups represented include an academic, an insurance professional, a state legislative lobbyist, attorneys, community association volunteer leaders, community association managers and state legislators, each of whom have spent significant time interacting in the legislative process. The discussion led the group to identify the prevalence of challenges and opportunities that community associations have and may continue to encounter, issues that may be addressed in the next 15 years, and the impact of relationships with legislators, regulators, other decision-makers and stakeholders. The panel identified eight challenges and opportunities in the realm of public policy for the next 15 years:

• Perception of Community Associations
• Volunteer Community Leadership
• Financial and Structural Stability of Associations
• Residents Aging in Place
• Adapting with Technology
• Aging Communities: Termination, Sale, Dissolution and Conversion, and
• Relationships with Decision Makers

2020 Association Governance Model Report
12 pages
The community association governance model of today is a product of governing documents and state statutes. Future association governance is unlikely to change significantly until and unless state laws allow greater flexibility in drafting association governing documents that address current issues and that reflect actual conditions and realities.

UPDATED Community Associations Institute 2016 FACT BOOK
Comprehensive Association Data and Information
69 pages
The Fact Book 2016 is published by the Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR) and it documents, in general, the history, current status, recent trends and future issues involving community associations. The Fact Book 2016 also provides community association information on a state-by-state basis in “State Summaries 2016.” The information and data in the Fact Book 2016 and any one of the State Summaries 2016 will facilitate, demonstrate and provide an understanding of four areas:
(1) Evidence-Based Decisions: Facilitate the creation, analysis and publication of credible data such that evidence-based decisions on various association issues, regulations and laws can be made.
(2) Contributions to the Economy and Society: Demonstrate the role of community associations as part of (i) the evolving transformation of land development practices, (ii) the expansion of housing opportunities, (iii) the creation of additional neighborhood benefits and (iv) the stabilization of housing as a personal investment.
(3) Core Services: Provide an understanding of the three core services delivered by associations to residents (owners and renters):
• Governance Services,
• Community Services and
• Business Services
–These three core services are complimentary to a broad range of both local and national housing goals and as well as related public policy considerations.
(4) Associations as a Housing Market: Demonstrate that all three types of community associations (condominiums, cooperatives and planned communities), in and of themselves, are an important housing market that needs to be understood and analyzed in a comprehensive manner.
available – August 2017 COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION FACT BOOK FOR WEST VIRGINIA

What HOAs Need to Know About D&O Insurance
by Beth Ross, Attorney – legal information is NOT legal advice
Numerous types of homeowner lawsuits are possible against the HOA — such as for an HOA’s failure to maintain the common areas or adopt an annual budget, or for misusing HOA funds. An HOA board member is typically only personally liable in these lawsuits if the member breached his or her fiduciary duty to the HOA.

Alternative Dispute Resolution POLICY
Community Associations Institute
ADR is viewed as a preferable option to litigation for the settling of housing-related disputes within a community. Subject to jurisdictional differences, qualified housing disputes may constitute everything from interpretation and enforcement of the governing documents and rules, allegations of improper maintenance or infringement of owners’ rights.

CAI Public Policies
Community Associations Institute
To guide CAI’s advocacy efforts, CAI’s Government & Public Affairs Committee (G&PA Committee) has worked to develop public policy positions on key issue areas that affect CAI members. These policy statements reflect the public policy preferences of CAI on key issues and guide CAI volunteer advocates and staff in their advocacy efforts. CAI’s over 30,000 members participate actively in the public policy process through more than 60 local, regional and state chapters and 34 state Legislative Action Committees.

Reserve Studies/Management
Best Practices – Report #1
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
22 pages ISBN 978-0-941301-63-3

Community associations come in all sizes. They vary in age, amenities provided, and maintenance obligations. Careful planning for future repairs and replacements is not only in the best physical and fiscal interests of the community association, it is required by law in some states. Maintaining a reserve fund not only meets legal, fiduciary and professional requirements, it also minimizes the need for special assessments and enhances resale values. Every community association requires a different amount of cash in reserves to complete repair or replacement projects on schedule without special assessments or loans. How does an association properly determine and compile adequate reserves to fund necessary repair and replacement costs? By conducting reserve studies

Governance
Best Practices – Report #2
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
27 pages ISBN 978-0-941301-64-0

• Governance and Resident Involvement
• There is a functioning board that meets regularly and that is carrying out its duties
  and responsibilities as prescribed by applicable laws and governing documents.
• The association’s legal documents, resolutions, books and records are kept in a location
  that is open to inspection by owners on reasonable notice during regular business hours.

Strategic Planning
Best Practices – Report #3
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
28 pages ISBN 978-0-941301-67-1

Strategic planning is the cornerstone of every common-interest community. Without strategic planning, the community will never know where it is going—much less know if it ever got there. An important concept of strategic planning is an understanding that in order for the community to flourish, everyone needs to work to ensure the team’s goals are met. Team members include all association homeowners, the board of directors, professional management—whether onsite or through a management company—and various service professionals such as accountants and reserve professionals. This team needs to work as a collective body to be successful. Part of the team concept is the establishment of roles for the team players. Teams usually perform poorly if everyone or no one is trying to be the quarterback.

Financial Operations
Best Practices – Report #4
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
24 pages ISBN 978-0-941301-65-7

• Banking
• Planning
• Disclosure
• Policies/Record keeping
• Budgeting
• Budgetary Responsibilities
• Board of Directors
• Treasurer
• Owners
• Manager
• Accounting Practices & Financial Statements
• Assessments, Taxes and Investments
• Case Studies [examples]

Community Harmony & Spirit
Best Practices – Report #5
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
21 pages  ISBN 978-0-941301-66-4

• Create a neighborhood assistance program
• Hold a neighborhood swim-a-thon
• Print a community T-shirt
• Hold a clothing drive
• Build and install park benches along walking trails and ponds
• Discover ways in your community to support local charities and schools
• Recognize children
• Sponsor a safety seminar
• Promote health and well-being
• Schedule a poolside movie night
• Conduct a resident survey
• Facilitate neighborhood block parties
• Choose a signature shrub or tree and celebrate each Arbor Day
• Publicize upcoming events via e-mails and the web
• Publish event photos … and more
  

Energy Efficiency
Best Practices – Report #6
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research with the U.S. Department of Energy
20 pages

• Retrofitting Existing Homes
• Appliances
• Insulation and Weatherization
• Heating and Cooling
• Landscaping
• Lighting
• Windows
• Case Studies [examples]

Transition
Best Practices – Report #7
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
55pages ISBN 978-0-941301-68-8

• Construction
• Governance
• Preparation of the Documents
• Guidelines for Governance
• Communications
• Maintenance of Common Property by the Association
• Financial Control
• Budgets
• Litigation
• Engineering Reports and Punch Lists
• Insurance

Community Security
Best Practices – Report #8
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
54 pages ISBN 978-0-941301-73-2

Community security is not a one-size-fits-all venture. What may work for a highrise condominium may not necessarily meet the needs of residents in a large-scale, planned community. A small, rural townhome association will approach community security needs and systems much differently than an urban, mixed-use development, which may employ security guards, video surveillance, and perimeter gating. Surveying residents about the community’s security needs, desires, and goals is an important first step in the decision-making process—to get a sense of the security level members need and want. A board must also take into consideration the community’s budget and make decisions that align with the association’s financial and legal obligations and objectives.

Green Communities
Best Practices – Report #9
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
81 pages ISBN 978-0-941301-74-9

• Defining Green
• Green Concepts and Sources You Can Use
• Energy Management
• Transportation Management
• Waste Management
• Building Management
• Land-Use Management
• Governing Documents
• Top 10 Ways to Help Your Community Go Green

Reserve Studies/Management
Best Practices – Report #1
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
20 pages ISBN 978-0-941301-63-3

• Definition of Reserve Studies
• Types of Reserve Studies
• Contents of a Reserve Study
• Disclosure
• Determining a Reserve Schedule
• Establishing a Preventive Maintenance Schedule
• Selecting a Funding Plan
• Developing an Investment Policy
• Financial Reporting
• Common Terms

Strategic Planning
Best Practices – Report #3
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
26 pages ISBN 978-0-941301-67-1

• Definition and Philosophy
• Strategic Planning Models
• Applying Strategies in Community Associations
• Strategic Planning in Your Community
• Components of Strategic Planning
• Case Studies [examples]
• Long Range Planning Process

Transition
Best Practices – Report #7
Published by the Foundation for Community Association Research
52 pages ISBN 978-0-941301-68-8

• The Challenges
• Construction
• Governance
• Preparation of the Documents
• Guidelines for Governance
• Communications
• Maintenance of Common Property by the Association
• Financial Control
• Budgets
• Litigation
• Engineering Reports and Punch Lists
• Insurance
• The Association
• The Manager
• The Approving Authorities
• Emerging Strategies to Discourage Litigation

At Risk – In Harm’s Way
Managers and board members can expect hostility and threats as they serve their communities, but they can take steps to limit the violence and vitriol too. (Mike Ramsey, Common Ground – Community Associations Institute Magazine)