Let‘s appreciate your Community Manager

June 13 marks the International Community Association Managers Day. Here‘s how and why we must celebrate this day with your Community Association Manager

Community Associations Institute (CAI) is proud to celebrate International Community Association Managers Day on June 13. This day is dedicated to the more than 55,000 community association managers in the U.S. and thousands more worldwide. Community association managers are the professional backbone of the condominium communities and homeowners associations that they serve, providing the skills and expertise that are essential to successful operations and governance.

History

Community association management is a young industry that has experienced tremendous growth in almost 50 years. In the 1970s, there were roughly 10,000 community associations in the U.S. and only a few community association managers. Those who discovered the profession had little training or resources in the field — most came from related industries like apartment management, hospitality and tourism, and commercial development management.

As the number of community associations across the world grew, the pioneers of the profession realized the need for specialized education and skills. Today, in the U.S., there are more than 355,000 community associations that are home to more than 74 million Americans. Many of these communities rely on the over 55,000 community association managers who work tirelessly to meet the needs and expectations of the residents and ensure the volunteer homeowners who govern the communities succeed. Community managers with CAI designations hold themselves to the highest ethical standards in their work with community associations.

More community associations are developed every year; they’ve become a popular housing choice for people around the world — especially condominium buyers seeking proximity to city centers, public transportation, and schools. Condominiums and other planned communities provide owners with the benefit of shared amenities such as pools, walking trails, and other recreational facilities that may otherwise be unattainable. Community association management has plentiful career opportunities, tremendous earning potential and a broad job market — from the biggest cities to the most picturesque island getaways.

HOW TO CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGER'S DAY

1. Consider community association management
   Are you living in a community that is self-managed yet struggling to deal with daily operations, repair, and maintenance? Do your research, and consider hiring a professional community association manager.
2. Thank your community association manager
   Show your appreciation. Thank your community association manager who does a stellar job of managing the community, keeping up with the finances, dealing with residents’ problems, and is the bridge between the homeowners and business partners.
3. Outline a career in community association management
   It’s a tough but exciting and rewarding job. If you have what it takes to be a responsible community association manager, consider starting a career in the field.
4. Honor your community association manager with a charitable contribution
   Honor your community association manager with a charitable contribution, in their name, to the Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR) supporting critical research for the community association housing model.
   DONATE TODAY

WHY WE LOVE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGERS DAY

1. Appreciate community association managers
   It’s a tough but rewarding job. Community association managers work resolutely toward the betterment of their communities and help homeowners have the best possible experience where they live.
2. Distinguish between community association managers and other titles
   Community association managers are often confused with related career paths such as property managers, who focus solely on rental communities. It is important to create awareness about the distinct job description and responsibilities of a community association manager.
3. Paving a career path for others
   International Community Association Managers Day is an opportunity for everyone to learn about this industry and potentially pursue a career in the field. Individuals can learn about the training, certifications, and other requirements that are needed to become a community association manager.

(Credit: CAI)