The Community Associations Institute (CAI) invites the best condominium, cooperative and homeowner associations in the country to enter the 11th annual National Community Association of the Year Awards (NCAYA). The NCAYA is once again sponsored and underwritten by Ian H. Graham, Inc., Encino, Calif., and Chubb Executive Risk, located in Simsbury, Conn. Winners that excel in all aspects of operations and management in four size categories will be recognized at CAI's 49th National Conference in Nashville, Oct. 26-28.
"A recent poll by CAI's Research Foundation shows that three out of four community association homeowners are very or extremely satisfied with their community, and that top drivers of homeowner satisfaction include appearance, safety, financial accountability and community spirit," said Barbara Byrd Keenan, CAE, president of CAI. "The NCAYA program evaluates community performance in these key areas and honors community associations that are vibrant, responsive, competent and harmonious."
The National Community Association of the Year Award recognizes:
- Organized and productive business operations
- Successful governance principles and practices
- Sound financial management
- Thorough and effective communications systems and techniques
- Fair and effective rules notification and enforcement policies and procedures, and
- Special, creative activities and programs designed to foster a sense of community and enhance residents' enjoyment of their homes.
Past winners of the award include associations from nine states ranging from small condominium associations to recreational vehicle colonies, large master-planned communities and retirement villages.
Entrants will compete against similar-sized community associations in four categories: small association (1-149 units), medium association (150-499 units), large association (500-999 units) and very large association (1000+ units). Winning associations will receive a 10-foot indoor/outdoor display banner and complimentary conference registration, plus airfare and lodging at the Opryland Hotel, for one board member. Managers of winning associations will also receive one complimentary conference registration.
Membership in CAI is not required to enter, but members pay a discounted $50 entry fee. The non-member entry fee is $100. To enter, watch your mailbox in April for your official entry packet. Or, beginning April 17, you may visit CAI's Web site and fill out the online application. For more information, or to receive an entry packet, call CAI Central at 703/548-8600, or e-mail ncaya(at)caionline.org. The deadline for entries is July 3, 2000, and winners and runners-up will be notified Sept. 15.
The Community Associations Institute is a nonprofit association created in 1973 to educate and represent the nation's 205,000 community associations—condominium associations, homeowner associations and cooperatives. CAI members include homeowners, associations and related professionals and service providers.