Condo Media - August 2017 - 40

Volunteer Spotlight

An Unsung Hero

Condominium and CAI-NE Board Member
Andrew Robinson Always Answers the Call
If association trustees are the unsung heroes of
condominium living, then Andrew Robinson deserves a symphony. An 11-year resident of Brickworks
Condominiums of Cambridge, Mass., Andrew has
served on the board since 2010, and he has shouldered
more than his share of challenges.
Right from the start, the association's transition
from its developer culminated in a lawsuit over a
multimillion-dollar siding exPictured with
pense. Andrew was part of a team
his dog, Sugar.
that successfully mediated the
issue. He also served as the point
person for residents. "A lot of
people were very unhappy about
the siding," reveals Ann Besser
Scott, a former fellow Brickworks
trustee. "Andrew was very pleasant and cheerful, and he made
people understand why the siding
had to be replaced, even though it
was very expensive. He dealt with
it very well."
More recently, Brickworks was
involved in a property-line dispute
with the Cambridge Housing
Authority. "Andrew was vital in
working through the issue," says
Dana Isaacson, director of condominium management
for BRIGS, LLC, of Boston and Brickworks' property
manager. "It was quite a bit of work." He explains
that Andrew went beyond what might be expected
of a volunteer, attending every visit by surveyors and
contractors, serving as Dana's liaison, and attending all
meetings, including conference calls with the attorneys.
Another way in which Andrew pitches in at Brickworks is by helping newcomers to condominium living
understand how it differs from individual home owner-

ship. "It takes time to explain," he says, citing a problem
with flooding Brickworks once experienced. "I had to
talk to the unit owners independently to explain, for
example, why repairs to the unit's ceiling aren't covered
[by the association], but fixing the common pipe is. You
have to break it down into components and explain bit
by bit."
Another example is telling residents why they might
have incurred a fee for an improper
trash removal and why it's in the bylaws. "You have to explain it one-onone," he reveals. "With email, some
people read in a tone where there
isn't one. You want things to come
across in the right manner." Andrew
is someone who is willing to take the
time to give his fellow unit owners
that kind of personal attention.
And if that weren't enough, four
years ago, Andrew was persuaded to
join the board of the New England
chapter of Community Associations
Institute (CAI-NE). "I did it because
I thought it would be good for the
community," he admits. "I knew I
could learn stuff that would be useful here and meet more people who
could serve as resources."
Since the majority of the CAI-NE board are industry
professionals, Andrew provides a vital homeowner's
perspective. And he appreciates the opportunity to
learn how to be a better trustee of his own association.
For example, property managers have taught him ways
to save the association money, such as buying lightbulbs
in bulk and identifying true emergencies so as to avoid
overtime costs on issues that aren't. "It's great to have
one place to go to for anything related to the industry,"
he says. "It can really make life easier for condominium
owners and board members alike."
"Andrew always wants to help. He's very civicminded, and he does what's best for the community.
Period," says Dana. "Brickworks wouldn't be where it is
today without his help, guidance, and leadership." It's a
fitting tribute to someone who has dedicated himself to
ensuring that his neighbors live in harmony.

ANDREW ROBINSON

"Andrew always wants to help.
He's very civic-minded, and
he does what's best for the
community. Period."
40

CONDOMEDIA

Condo Media - August 2017

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