Nevada’s Marilyn Brainard has become the first homeowner member in more than 20 years to earn CAI’s prestigious President’s Award. An active member of CAI’s Nevada chapter, Brainard also received this year’s Outstanding Volunteer Service Award.

Brainard was among seven CAI member leaders, three chapter executive directors, 20 chapters and a state legislative action committee recognized for excellence, achievement and leadership during CAI’s Annual Conference and Exposition at Caesars Palace Las Vegas in May. It was one of the most well-attended international events in CAI’s almost 40-year history.

The President’s Award, given at the discretion of CAI’s immediate past president, was awarded to Brainard by 2011 CAI President Steven Y. Brumfield, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, in recognition of her exemplary service and the instrumental role she has played to help CAI fulfill its critical missions.

Brainard was the 2009 chair of the Community Association Volunteers Committee (CAVC), one of CAI’s three membership representation groups along with the Association of Professional Community Managers (ACPM) Board and the Business Partners Council. She also serves on CAI’s Government & Public Affairs Committee and currently leads a task force that is updating CAI’s Public Policies. A former president of her community association board in Sparks, Nev., Brainard also represents homeowners on Nevada’s State Commission for Common-Interest Communities and Condominium Hotels.

Other CAI members earning awards are:

• Steven Y. Brumfield, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Pennsylvania & Delaware Valley chapter), Award of Excellence in Chapter Leadership
• Stephen M. Marcus, Esq. (New England), Award of Excellence in Designations
• Marge Imfeld, CPM, CCAM, PCAM (Bay Area and Central California), Educator of the Year
• Wendy Bucknum, CCAM, CMCA, AMS (Orange County), Award of Excellence in Government and Public Affairs
• Elbert Boothby, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (Alabama), CAI Rising Star
• Dennis C. Abbott, CMCA, AMS, PCAM (North Carolina and South Carolina), Recruiter of the Year

“Our member volunteers have made CAI the organization it is today,” says CAI Chief Executive Officer Thomas M. Skiba, CAE. “All of these volunteers—from the national and chapter board and committee members to the faculty members who teach our professional development courses, as well as the more than 400 LAC members and countless authors, speakers and mentors—are indispensable to CAI. They give their time, energy and expertise to the benefit of associations, the industry and their fellow members.”

Chapter Awards

Several CAI chapters and chapter executive directors (CEDs) were also honored during the annual conference. Rebecca Woodring, CAE, the Southeastern Virginia chapter’s CED, was the recipient of the Chapter Executive Director of the Year Award, while Cathy Roth-Johnson (Heartland chapter) and Sarah Patterson (Washington Metropolitan chapter) each received the Chapter Executive Director Rising Star Award.

The following sixteen chapters were recognized for their excellence in various categories of achievement: Austin; Central Arizona; Channel Islands; Chesapeake; Dallas/Ft. Worth; Heartland (two awards); Illinois (three awards); Kentucky; Nevada; North Gulf Coast; Oregon; San Antonio; San Diego; Washington Metropolitan; West Florida (two awards); and Wisconsin (two awards).

“Chapters are the cornerstone of CAI, providing the momentum and groundwork for industry progress,” says Crystal L. Wallace, CAE, IOM, CAI’s vice president of membership and chapter relations. “The hard work of the CEDs and chapter member volunteers has produced a magnitude of special programs, initiatives and member recruitment efforts that continue to strengthen and advance CAI. These volunteers truly exemplify the meaning of Team CAI.”

Membership Growth and Retention

The following chapters had the highest net membership growth in 2011: Kentucky (Small Chapter, 26 percent); Mid-Florida (Medium Chapter, 23 percent); Central Arizona (Large Chapter, 12 percent); and North Carolina (Very Large Chapter, 20 percent). The membership growth of all chapters has helped CAI rapidly approach a record 32,000 members—a goal expected to be reached within the year.

The chapters with the highest net membership retention in 2011 were: California North (Small Chapter, 94 percent); Heartland (Small Chapter, 94 percent); Dallas Ft. Worth (Medium Chapter, 94 percent); Greater Houston (Large Chapter, 95 percent); and Washington Metropolitan (Very Large Chapter, 92 percent). CAI’s national retention rate for 2011 was nearly 87 percent.

LAC and HOA Hero Awards

The South Carolina Legislative Action Committee (LAC) was named LAC of the Year for its advocacy efforts and successes in the state legislative arena. U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, U.S. Sen. Scott Brown and U.S. Sen. Mike Lee each received CAI’s Hero of Associations (HOA) Award, which is presented to elected officials at the federal, state and local levels to recognize outstanding leadership on issues of interest to CAI members and their communities. This was the first time the HOA Award has been presented.

With almost 32,000 members dedicated to building better communities, CAI works in partnership with 59 domestic chapters, a chapter in South Africa and housing leaders in a number of other countries, including Australia, Canada, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. CAI provides information, education and resources to community associations and the professionals who support them. Visit CAI’s website or call (888) 224-4321 for more information.

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