When SouthPark residents attended a City Council zoning meeting, they showed their support in tearing down their current 1970 condos to replace them with more affordable and better-quality apartments. If you were a resident at SouthPark, would you support this?
Paul Mengert, President of Association Management Group Interviewed with Melissa Painter at Fox 8 News to promote Run on the Runway. The event will be held on March 25, 2023, on the airport’s 9,000-foot parallel runway. This certified run will benefit The Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Greensboro Urban Ministry, and Open Door Ministries of High Point.
Here are a few talking points from the interview and facts about the event.
This is the 14th annual Run on the Runway
The first run was held when the runway opened in 2010
As of this year have raised $1 million to fight hunger
Have raised over $130,000 this year over 50 sponsors.
Run committee raises the funds, then distributes them equally to Second Harvest, Greensboro Urban Ministries, and Open Door Ministries of High Point
We have about 1,500 people registered to run or walk to fight hunger and there is still time to participate. You can walk up and register on Saturday. Arrive early because participants are bused out to the runway and traffic gets backed up the closer it gets to race time.
Lenny Peters Foundation and Bethany Medical are presenting sponsors. Thanks to Lenny Peters Foundation and Bethany Medical for their support
Events are 10K/5K/Mile Run or Walk/5K untimed sponsored walk to raise additional money to fight hunger.
We may have a state record broken at the Run this year. Dot Sowerby is participating and turned 90 on March 16. If she runs as well as she did this past weekend she will break the NC USATF state record for 90-94-year-old women.
Race day registration/Check-in: 8:15 AM – 9:30 AM
10K Race Start: 9:00 AM
5K Run/Walk Start: 9:20 AM
5K Walk-Only Untimed Start: 9:25 AM
Kids Dash: 10:00 AM
1 Mile Start: 10:15 AM
Awards Ceremony:10:20 AM
To learn more about this event visit https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Greensboro/PTIRun
As a homeowner, being part of a homeowners association (HOA) can have many benefits. It can provide a sense of community, help maintain property values, and give you access to shared amenities and services. However, managing an HOA can be a complex and time-consuming task, which is why many associations hire a professional HOA manager.
But with so many HOA management companies and individuals to choose from, how do you select the right one for your community? Here are some factors to consider when selecting an HOA manager:
1. Experience and Credentials: Look for an HOA manager who has experience managing communities similar to yours. They should also have the necessary credentials such as being licensed and insured.
2. Communication: Communication is key when it comes to managing an HOA. Make sure the HOA manager you choose is responsive, keeps you informed, and is easy to contact.
3. Services Offered: Different HOA management companies offer different services. Make sure the company you choose offers the services your community needs, such as financial management, maintenance and repairs, and dispute resolution.
4. Reputation: Check the company's reputation by reading online reviews or asking for references. You want an HOA manager who is respected and has a track record of success.
5. Cost: HOA management fees can vary greatly. Make sure you understand the fees and what services they cover before signing a contract.
6. Compatibility: The HOA manager you choose should be someone you feel comfortable working with and who is compatible with the community's culture and values.
7. Availability: Make sure the HOA manager you choose is available when needed, especially in emergency situations.
In conclusion, choosing the right HOA manager is crucial for the success of your community. Take the time to do your research, ask questions, and find an HOA manager who is experienced, communicative, and compatible with your community's needs and values.
Paul K. Mengert is the CEO of Association Management Group, Inc. (serving the Carolinas) and was the Community Associations Institute’s educator of the year.
Living in a Florida condo seems like a risky idea these days, with another major disaster happening to Miami Condos. A fire has broken out and left around 200 people without homes. Are the managers to blame? Read more to find out.
Imagine living in the county with the most HOA complaints in North Carolina, with 25% of all complaints statewide coming from your own area. That’s how residents of Horry County feel. Is your county in the top 3 most complaints filed? Find out by reading this article.
After a resident spent 18 years tending to the wild ducks in the neighborhood pond, the HOA voted to relocate them due to property damage risks. However, these ducks left an imprint on all the residents, resulting in them fighting for the ducks to stay. How would you react?
After North Carolina’s Planned Community Act was signed into law in 1998, HOA’s have barely seen a difference. Can we look to Colorado HOA’s as a model to organize and advocate to protect homeowners? Find out by reading this article.
HOA board meetings are conducted with only the executive board present. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss topics pertaining to the operation of the association. This may include business operations, financial expenditures, voting on action items, delinquent assessments, legal issues, or other confidential topics. AMG knows executive Board members need tools to help them perform their duties right away. We have prepared a Board Member Toolkit to help our community leaders be more effective.
Here are 5 tips to help board members have more effective meetings.
1. Always Be Early. When the board meeting has a scheduled time, all members should arrive early so the meeting can be formally called to order at the designated meeting time. It is very important that all board members are in place when the meeting is formerly called to order.
2. Always Be Prepared. Arrive at the board meeting ready to do business. Be prepared for the meeting and be well versed on the agenda if it was provided in advance.
3. Be Prepared to Conduct Business. The HOA board meeting is a formal meeting, and its purpose is to conduct business. It is essential that each member come with the attitude to conduct business. Learn more about Board member ethics in our Toolkit.
4. Follow Carefully as the HOA President or Designated Leader Directs the Meeting. Most formal board meetings follow Parliamentary Procedure. AMG offers a Toolkit with The Best Information on Parliamentary Procedure.
5. Help Your Board by Being a Good Board Member. Make it a priority to be in attendance at all board meetings. These helpful Guidelines will be a valuable resource for conducting a meeting.
This list is a good place to start if you are a new board member, and it can be a great reminder for seasoned board members. If all board members work together the board can be very effective in conducting business for the operation of the HOA.
Association Management Group has prepared a Board Education & Toolkit for HOAs. Over the last 30 years, it has become clear to AMG that well-informed executive Board members make better community leaders.
AMG knows executive Board members need tools to help them perform their duties right away. The following are six tools that Board members tell us they appreciate. Read Here
Democratic lawmakers in some of North Carolina’s fastest growing cities want to ban corporate landlords from owning too many rental homes in areas like Charlotte and Raleigh. Rep. Kelly Alexander, D-Mecklenburg, introduced the Home Ownership Market Manipulation Act last week to cap — at 100 — the number of single-family homes that people or businesses can buy in the state’s most populous counties. The measure, co-sponsored by Democrats in Mecklenburg, Guilford and Cumberland counties, is unlikely to pass the Republican-controlled legislature. But it’s the first such proposal aimed at combating the growth of Wall Street-backed firms that have converted tens of thousands of homes to rentals across the country over the past decade.
Read more at: https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article272559767.html#storylink=cpy
I am honored to share that CAI is being awarded a prestigious award from the Public Affairs Council (PAC) - the Lobbying Strategy Innovation Award for our Condominium Safety Policy Response and Initiative – in response to the tragic Champlain Towers South condominium collapse. This is a prestigious award program recognizes three top organizations each year for their work in grassroots, communications, or lobbying strategy innovation. The 2022 Innovation Award Category winners include:
Lobbying Innovation: Community Associations Institute
Communications Innovation: AAA (The Auto Club)
Grassroots Innovation: Feeding America
The Condominium Safety Public Policy Initiative was developed under the leadership of Peter Kristian, AMS, PCAM, LSM (Chair) and the Government & Public Affairs Committee over a five-month period with the engagement and leadership of more than 600 volunteers who dedicated hundreds and hundreds of hours to develop a solid and sound public policy that has now been adopted by several states and continues to be considered and adopted by legislatures.
This award is dedicated to the memory of the 98 residents of Champlain Towers South who lost their lives, those who lost loved ones, and those who lost their homes in the tragic collapse in Surfside, Fla., on June 24, 2021.
Phoebe Neseth, Esq. CAI’s Director of Government & Public Affairs will be at the PAC Conference this week to accept the award on CAI’s behalf.
Residents are the heart of any community. The community would not function without the engagement and buy-in of its residents. That is why you should foster a good community through resident engagement.
Many communities saw a drastic drop in resident engagement with the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic. However, with infections leveling off in many locations, and the widespread availability of the vaccine, communities are beginning to open back up. That means you need to work to build up your resident engagement again.
Looking for ways to keep your residents engaged in your community? If so, try the following tips.
1) Schedule regular activities.
Activities are a great way to keep your residents engaged. In-person activities allow your residents to meet each other. This social interaction creates important ties between the resident and the community. When residents feel a part of a community, they are more likely to engage with it. Barbeques, parties, and programs for children are all ways to increase resident engagement.
Also, you can plan activities around making your community nicer. These volunteer activities foster community engagement because the participants are directly working to make their community a better place. Tree planting, trash clean up, and other similar activities are very popular.
2) Use social media.
When it comes to community engagement, social media is your friend. Use a couple different sites so that a wider group of residents frequents your pages.
Remember that different demographics use different social media, so try to have a social media location for everyone. This may mean developing a community page on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
3) Talk to your residents.
You will have a better idea of how to keep your residents engaged if you talk with your residents. Surveys, townhalls, and even informal conversations can help you determine what your residents want.
Obviously, you will not be able to make everyone happy. But, if you are noticing certain complaints or requests coming up all the time, you should attempt to address them. When residents feel heard, they will be more likely to continue engaging with the community.
4) Don’t forget online tools.
We have already mentioned social media. However, there are many other online tools that you can use to foster good community engagement. Zoom, YouTube, and more provide a great place to discuss your community and engage your residents.
For example, plan some community events to take place online. Many people are still worried about Covid-19 and may be more comfortable interacting with other residents online. Online organizational tools and web portals can also help you bring your community to a single online location.
If you are looking for more community engagement tips, contact Association Management Group (AMG). We are North and South Carolina’s source for excellent property management. We provide administrative, fiscal, and facility services to our partner communities. We do the hard work, so your Board can focus on making the important decisions and engaging residents.
Economists are divided as to whether the housing correction is simply a minor setback for home price growth or the early innings of a sharper correction.
With Miami condominiums crumbling from the inside out, residents in Pembroke Pines said they are fearful if being kicked out due to the unsafe conditions.
A list of HOA managers’ new year’s resolutions for their community.
A woman in Fort Mill was charged $1,700 just to move out of her HOA. This raises the questions: Is this legal? If it’s legal, is it fair?
1. Help Keep High Community Standards
A primary duty as a board member is to uphold the standards within the development of the community. This is done by looking out for the best interest of the community in every area. Keeping high standards will keep property values steady, and even increase the value of the community.
When you volunteer to serve on the HOA board, you have an opportunity to have input and vote on issues that involve community regulations and standards.
When you serve on the HOA board, you can be more involved in your community’s endeavors to protect the investment of all residents.
2. Opportunity to Help Community Members
Most people like helping their neighbors in any way they can. If you like serving and helping your community members, then volunteer to serve on your HOA board. As a volunteer, you will be making decisions that will help others. There are those who do not want to participate, but those who are willing to volunteer can have a voice for others, share their concerns, and bring them to the board. As a member of the board, you may be instrumental in bringing on new volunteers and show the positive aspects of the HOA to residents.
3. Opportunity to Help Solve Problems Within Your Community
As a volunteer on the HOA board, you’ll no doubt become known in the community. Neighbors will confide in you with complaints and issues they feel are important.
It’s important to remain professional in these situations. This will give you an opportunity to be a part of solving community problems. A volunteer board member can bring awareness to problems that exist unbeknown to the board.
4. Opportunity to Grow New Skills
A great reason to serve on your HOA’s board is that you will grow a vast number of new skills. You will learn leadership skills, gain teamwork and team building experience, and experience how the board operations work behind the scenes. Your communication skills and ability to make decisions will prove to be a valuable asset. Formal meeting management may be a benefit to you. If you stay on the board, you may have the opportunity to be elected to a higher leadership position.
5. Take Part in Making New Rules and Change Existing Rules
By serving on your HOA board, you have an opportunity to create change in your community. As you learn how decision making is handled, you may have opportunities to vote on rules and suggest new rules to be voted on. There may be opportunities to make suggestions on new policies, to implement and help lead a committee to carry these policies out.
If you have been thinking about getting involved in your community, volunteering on your homeowner’s association board is a great place to start. Contact your HOA office and ask how you can get involved.
As the New Year begins, HOA managers and boards should start thinking about what 2023 has in store. Here are some important resolutions that are essential for a well running homeowners association.
1. Recruit Board Members
Each HOA manager needs to focus on recruiting and finding people who are interested in community affairs. One way to approach them is with an invitation to join an HOA board. Another good idea is to put a notice in the newsletter that they are accepting new members. Also, ask current board members to accept new people.
2. Planning Committee
Events are an integral part of an active community. Put together a committee that will create events that all residents will participate in. Set up an advanced schedule for the year. Propose a budget for yearly events and plan promoting the events.
3. Community Safety
Plan and implement safety measures in the community. Once a year, preferably at the beginning of the year. Conduct a safety check on all community lights, door locks, pool lights, fencing and community signage. Make sure all safety measures have been taken to keep residents safe.
4. Community Maintenance
Make sure all pool equipment, playground equipment, tennis court and all recreational amenities are functioning properly. Make necessary repairs to the common buildings, grounds and areas. Make a new year plan and budget for lawn maintenance, seasonal planting and curb appeal for the community.
5. Review and Update Governing Documents
As part of the HOA New Year’s resolutions, a board should consider reviewing and amending old documents. Doing so will allow these documents to reflect the times and environment today, as outdated documents can put associations in a bind. As new technologies continue to emerge, HOA boards will likely need to do this every year to avoid getting left behind the times. Refresh yourself on the procedures for holding annual meetings and Board elections, the types of architectural changes that are allowed, and the procedure for getting changes approved by the Board or the architectural control committee. Also, it can be a good idea to consider whether the rules governing the use of common areas need updating.
Even the simplest New Year resolutions can keep you on track and make being an association Board member a more enjoyable experience. Why not try one or more of these resolutions to make 2023 a positive and successful year for you and your Board?
After a three-day trip, a homeowner comes home to find his truck missing, only to find out it had been towed by the HOA for a flat tire he had no knowledge of.
Condo owners in Florida, might get hit soon by higher monthly fees from new state regulations on structural inspections and reserve funds after the 2021 collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida.
A Florida man is devastated after HOA tells him to not park his truck outside overnight. He has no space in his garage and refuses to give up his brand-new electric truck, resulting in a new legal battle.
At Association Management Group (AMG), customer satisfaction is our #1 priority. Our professional community association management company is dedicated to providing superior service and cutting-edge solutions, supporting condominiums and homeowners association (HOA) communities with a broad range of services that can be tailored to individual community needs.
We’ve got the Carolinas covered. With physical offices in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham, NC, and Greenville and Aiken, SC
AMG’s mission is to combine unparalleled expertise with outstanding property management service to create value for our client communities.
