Condo Media - November 2019 - v2 - 3

Community Association
Management Credentials
If you decide that
replacement is necessary,
make sure you understand
why the existing relationship
didn't work; otherwise
you risk repeating the
same problems with the
new company.
the manager to do. You should answer
this question before beginning your
search, and you should outline the requirements you identify in a request for
proposals (RFP) you use to solicit bids
from potential candidates. Boards need
to be clear about what they want, and
managers need to be equally clear about
what they are able and willing to do for
the community.

A COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION operates as
a government, a community, and a business,
making it a truly specialized type of organization.
Leading America's more than 349,000 community
associations are 2.5 million volunteers-homeowners who dedicate their free time to serve on boards
and committees.
As a board member, trustee or volunteer leader
working with your association, you have fiduciary
responsibilities which compel you to make decisions
that can have profound financial and social impact on
you and your neighbors. Receiving professional and
accurate advice or guidance on issues such as reserves,
maintenance, insurance, budgets, governance,
contracts, the law, and rules can make the difference
between prosperity and distress.
To help ensure that you have the expert guidance you need to manage your community's assets most effectively, look for professionals with the
designations and certifications from Community Associations Institute (CAI) and
Community Association Manager - International Certification Board (CAM-ICB).
Credentials help ensure that managers have the knowledge, experience,
and integrity to provide the best possible service to your association. Managers that hold a CAI designation or CAM-ICB certification, have made a substantial commitment and investment in their education and career, and your
community's welfare.

How to find a Credentialed Professional
● Visit the Directory of Credentialed Professionals at www.caionline.org
or www.camicb.org to search for credentialed managers in your area.

● Call CAI at (888) 224-4321 (M-F, 9-6:00 ET) and ask our customer
care specialists to assist you in a search.

● During the hiring process, ask candidates if they hold a
professional credential.

FIND A GOOD MATCH.
Most experienced
professional managers,
and most reputable management
companies will be able to provide the
services you want; the board's challenge
will be finding a company or a manager
that is a good match for the community.
Key considerations include:
● The community's location and
physical structure. You want a
manager who has experience working
with a community like yours. The
manager of a townhouse spread
over 200 acres in the suburbs needs
to know a lot more about grounds
maintenance and landscaping
and a lot less about facilities
management than the downtown
high-rise with three elevators and a
complex HVAC system. An over-55

● Look for the credential letters (CMCA, AMS, PCAM) behind
the names of professional managers.

● Look for an AAMC when selecting a management company.
Download a FREE copy of Your Community Deserves the Best Professionals
brochure at www.caine.org

Credentials for
Community Association Managers
CERTIFIED MANAGER OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS (CMCA)
The CMCA certification provides standards for association management
and is the only worldwide certification program designed exclusively for
community association managers.
ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (AMS)
The AMS designation recognizes ongoing professional development
and industry expertise for community managers.
PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGER (PCAM)
The PCAM designation is the highest professional recognition available
worldwide to those who specialize in community association management.
GUIDE TO MANAGEMENT COMPANY SERVICES // 2019/2020

http://www.caionline.org http://www.camicb.org http://www.caine.org

Condo Media - November 2019 - v2

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