Membership - Membership acquisition, retention, or development efforts that enable CAI to expand its membership base.

Member Services - Member services that successfully meet the needs of our individual member groups and assist in member satisfaction and value, in their CAI membership.

Public Affairs - Activities demonstrating the chapter's role in promoting CAI as the industry's leading advocate for responsible communities to the public.

Leadership - Training, development, and/or recognition programs that empower volunteers and/or members to be effective, efficient leaders.

Development - Chapter development initiatives and/or tools focused on strengthening the internal workings of the chapter.

Following is a summary of the chapter activities and accomplishments that were submitted to be considered for these awards.

• Successfully recruited 57 new members during 2009 overwhelmingly exceeding our initial goal of 36. We were also successful in attracting 24 of our previously expired members to rejoin, together yielding a net membership growth of 13% for the year. The chapter also received an award for gaining 30 new members in a 6 month period while maintaining a retention rate of 80%.

• Income grew by an astounding +89% over the previous year, surpassing our modest +26% growth goal. Annual sponsorships alone grew +161%!

• Added a third M-series course to our calendar, and even with a faltering economy we were able to fill each class - none had to be cancelled due to lack of attendance. We also offered two modified "Essential" workshop/lecture events attracting 40 homeowners.

• "Rebranded" our monthly luncheon into an educational Luncheon Lecture Series. We secured quality professional speakers on a variety of topics from networking to economics to balancing work/life stress, and local dignitaries such as Austin's police chief and a city councilman.

• 2009 marked our chapter's 25th anniversary, and we scheduled a celebration event complete with past chapter presidents attending from as far back as 1995.

• Our 1st Annual Golf Tournament was fully subscribed by both players and sponsors before tee off.

• Our 2nd Annual Trade Show had a waiting list of 5 additional vendors.

• Participated in 12 Legislative Alerts, Calls to Action, and other legislative information sharing between TLAC and our chapter membership.

• For major events, the committee chair conducted a review of "what worked" and "what needs work for next year". These retrospectives have proven to be invaluable process improvement tools.

• Printed our second Members' Directory, but with added features including a Yellow (literally) Pages section for classified services, and member paid-for advertising to defer printing costs.

• Added a Social Committee this year to help round-out our chapter events giving members additional opportunities to network for business and just for fun.

In 2008, the Austin Chapter was recognized in 3 of the same categories, and was acknowledged for having the highest net membership growth of any chapter in CAI, +59%.

Click here for the complete set of award submissions.