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Our mission statement:
To be the leading resource for community associations in the greater Austin area and the professionals and volunteers who serve them.
We create value by ...
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Providing quality education;
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Promoting networking opportunities; and
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Advocating for responsible community governance.
The award winning and nationally recognized Austin Chapter of Community Associations Institute (CAI) serves the educational, business, and networking needs of community associations in the greater Austin area. Members include condominium, cooperative, and homeowner associations as well as professional community managers and those who provide services and products to associations. The Austin Chapter has over 275 active members and is one of 60 Community Associations Institute chapters worldwide.
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TCAA Legislative Update - End of Session Outcomes
Posted 6/7/13 - The final day for Governor Perry to sign or veto bills from the regular session of the 83rd Texas Legislature is June 16. However, here's the recap of the bills, which have been sent to the Governor. Approximately 55 POA related bills were filed during this session. Ten bills of particular note were passed, and are highlighted here >>
Introducing TCAA Educational Videos
Posted 6/3/13 - Texas laws regulating POAs continue to change. It's not that easy to simply "obey the law." POA volunteers and professionals need expertise and practical information to understand what's allowed. As a part of its mission, TCAA educates community leaders about public policy. Get answers to commonly asked questions: How to conduct open board meeting; When (not) to use foreclosure to collect on delinquencies? Read more >>
Austin's Universal Recycling Ordinance – Information & Resources
Posted 6/3/13 CAI Austin is pleased to be working with the City of Austin to reach out with information with information and resources regarding this important program. Here are some links you may find helpful:
URO Guidelines Summary >>
Handout for Tenants >>
URO Poster >>
URO website >>
URO Plan form >>
TCAA Press Release - Condominium Owner Protection
Posted 5/28/13 The Texas Legislature has approved legislation that will offer condominium associations in the state of Texas greater flexibility to borrow money and secure a loan. The legislation addresses a problem condominium associations faced after Hurricane Ike hit the Texas coast and many condos were destroyed. Condo associations had a hard time getting a loan to rebuild their damaged or destroyed property. This bill will make it easier for condo associations to obtain a loan to rebuild if disaster strikes. More >>
TCAA Legislative Update
Posted 5/28/13 The 83rd session of the Texas Legislature is over! TCAA was involved on your behalf until late Sunday evening dealing with HB 680 relating to flying flags in front yards. The bill as passed was a compromise from the original. The bill which has been sent to the Governor for signature requires an association to allow flag poles in front yards except for those with less than 15 foot setbacks over the length of the lot. Flags in those instances must be permitted to be flown from the building structure. More >>
TCAA Legislative Update
Posted 5/23/13 With the clock running down, TCAA is confidently calling some important victories for Texas homeowners and neighborhoods. Taken in perspective, HOA-related bills were not as prominent on the radar compared with the last legislative session, which saw watershed HOA reforms. TCAA worked with its team of dedicated volunteers, lobbyists and allies to fix wording, flush out bad bills and keep track of about 55 HOA-related bills. TCAA took a firm stance, protecting HOAs' interests without bowing to pressure for over-reaching regulation. More >>
TCAA Press Release - Governor Urged to Sign SB198
Posted 5/21/13 Business, Environmental & Homeowners Groups Urge Governor to Sign Bill to Allow Drought Tolerant & Water Conserving Landscaping. The Texas House of Representatives approved legislation Monday that will ensure homeowners can install drought resistant and water conserving landscaping should they choose to do so. Authored by Senator Kirk Watson and Representative Dawnna Dukes, Senate Bill 198 has been sent to the Governor for his signature. More >>
TCAA Legislative Update
Posted 5/13/13 This session is rounding the turn, and heading down the home stretch. Last week was the deadline for bills originating in the House to move out of Committee. Thus far seven TCAA advocates have testified in support or opposition of various bills. Here is the roll call of some key POA bills that are on the move, many of which were influenced by TCAA. More >>
New Opening
Posted 5/10/13 There is a new job opening posted in the Job Bank.
%20201304.jpg?rand=0.16507661122621092) CAI Austin Honored as CAI’s Fastest Growing Chapter!
Posted 5/10/13 CAI Austin was honored at the 2013 Annual Conference & Expo in San Diego, CA on April 19th, for growing its membership by 26% in 2012, more than any other CAI Chapter. Presenting the award is CAI President Dennis Abbot, CMCA, AMS, PCAM, and CAI Chief Executive Officer Tom Skiba, CAE. Accepting for CAI Austin is President-elect Cherie Wilson and Chapter Executive Director Joe Dunst.
 "Water on the Home Front" a Community ConversationPosted 5/4/13 CAI Austin was invited by the Clean Water Fund to participate in a community conversation and discussion with HOAs, city staff and landscaping experts in Round Rock. Our own Patty Arnold, Esq. gave an update on pending legislation and its impact on HOAs, and Debby Cole discussed HOA landscaping in a changing climate.
"D&O Insurance Coverage" PowerPoint is available to donwload
Posted 4/26/13 Paul Martin's Luncheon Lecture "D&O Insurance Coverage: Not All Policies are Created Equal" PowerPoint presentation is available for free download here >>.
 CAI Austin CARES! Keep Austin Beautiful 1st "Street Sweep"Posted 4/26/13 CAI Austin has adopted a street as part of the Keep Austin Beautiful program, and we completed our 1st quarterly "Street Sweep". 13 company members generously contributed to purchase safety vests and a special year-long event T-shirt. Details and photos here >>
 CAI Austin CARES! West, TX Victims ReliefPosted 4/25/13 At our Luncheon Lecture on April 25th, attendees generously contributed $790 to benefit the victims of the West, TX explosion disaster. And if you wish, you may still contribute. Read more here >>
NEW! Preregister for ALL our Luncheon Lectures with VIP Lunch Pass
Posted 4/17/13 If you’re a CAI Austin chapter member or affiliate, and regularly attend our Luncheon Lectures, but don’t always remember to register, our new VIP Lunch Pass program will ensure you always have a seat reserved and your name badge waiting. Here’s how >>
TCAA Legislative Update
Posted 4//15/13 A number of HOA-related bills are winding their way through successive legislative rounds in the House and Senate, like hopefuls at a spelling bee. TCAA highlights these key bills making the rounds. Those passed will spell CHANGE for HOAs. TCAA has worked with many lawmakers and their staffs to compromise and come to agreement on acceptable language in many of these bills. Our TCAA Alerts will notify you should we see developments which require your action. More >>
Comprehensive Membership Survey – Sent from the Haefer Group
Posted 4/6/13 All CAI Austin members should have received a request from CAI National (either by email or soon by postcard) to participate in a comprehensive survey of our membership. We want to encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey with you very useful feedback. And help us get the word out to other members you know. Once the survey closes, the Haefer Group, the vendor helping us to conduct the survey, will provide us with the results. Any questions or comments? Contact Sondra Frank at CAI National (703-970-9263, . Thanks! --Joe
Pssst - Best Kept Secret #4: The CAI Austin Loaner LibraryPosted 3/30/13 We have a couple of dozen books and workbooks available for loan to members. The list is on our chapter website at http://www.caiaustin.org/. Look for “CAI Austin Library References” on the dropdown menu under “Member Services” for the complete list. Just email me at if there’s something you’d like to borrow. And if you don't see the one you're looking for, let me know and perhaps I can get a copy.
TCAA-Legislative Update
Posted 3/20/13 A flurry of last minute filings (more than 1000) resulted in approximately 55 bills relating to or potentially affecting POAs filed by the March 8 cutoff. Bills are currently being assigned to committees and hearings are being held. The information in this document is current as of March 20, 2013, noon, and may change for various reasons at any time. More >>TCAA-backed Condo Bill is Filed
Posted 3/19/13 TCAA worked with Representative Rafael Anchia to file a bill advancing TCAA’s 2013 Legislative Agenda. HB 2075 would amend Chapter 82 of the Texas Property Code, aka, the Texas Uniform Condominium
Act (TCUA) in three primary areas. Numerous other bills have been filed with still more coming. Read more >>
1st Quarter 2013 Digital Editon of LIVING now online
Posted 3/11/13 The February 2013 digital edtion of Community Assocition LIVING is now online. To explore this issue and details about our national award winning quarterly publication and access to archived online issues, follow this link >>
TCAA Captiol Day Rally Success!
Posted 3/5/13 Even if you were unable to attend our TCAA Capitol Day, I thought you'd like to hear about it's success. Follow this link for details >>New Listings in the Job Bank
Posted 2/28/13 Check our current resumes and job openings in our Job Bank section under Member Services in the main menu above.
Mortgage Matters - The Road Ahead
Posted 2/20/13 With a new Congress sworn in and the pageantry of President Obama’s inauguration passed, CAI is moving aggressively in Washington, DC to make sure your voice is heard. The road ahead for CAI’s federal affairs agenda includes fairness in disaster recovery for community associations and preparing for the central role associations will play in new federal mortgage rules. Follow this link for the full article >>
M202 "Association Communication" coming to Austin March 21-22
Posted 2/18/13 Learn key communication techniques to improve resident and board relations. This course offers communication strategies that will benefit both new and experienced managers and provide the skills to better understand owners and volunteers. You'll learn the basics of good customer service and gain the tools to effectively handle complaints, write newsletters and reports and manage public relations. Details and online registration here >>
TCAA Capitol Day Rally - WE LOVE OUR HOAs!!
Posted 2/13/13 What a terrific day with 200-plus HOA supporters cheering in unison on the south steps, networking in the Legislative Conference Room, and walking the halls of the capitol greeting Representatives and Senators face-to-face The Austin Business Journal and several other publications picked up the story. We’re running an article in the February issue of Community Association LIVING. And here's the link to the TCAA website where they will be posting more details and lots of pictures. Thanks to everyone who took the time to show their love for their HOA!
CAI will celebrate its 40th anniversaryin 2013!  Posted 1/14/13 To kick off our yearlong celebration, we have gone live with a 40th anniversary webpage, which includes CAI History Through the Eyes of Past Presidents, an interesting perspective that includes summaries provided by almost 30 former presidents. The site also features an updated CAI milestones PDF and “CAI at 40,” an article in the January-February issue of Common Ground.
Community Association LIVING Magazine Digital Editions
Posted 12/31/12 All four issues of your 2012 Community Association LIVING magazine are available online here. Want to ask a question or share a comment with an article's author? Just click their credentials at the end of the article and you can send them an email directly. Looking for some details from an advertiser? Just click their advertisement and you're at their homepage.
Photos of our 2012 Gala Awards Evening
Posted 12/10/12 Some 200 homeowners, condominium owners, community managers, business partners, spouses and guests attended our 2nd Annual Community Awards Gala celebrating what’s great about common-interest community living. See how much fun we had by browsing through these three Photo Galleries: Reception, Award Presentations, After Party(360 photos courtesy of Joseph Coelho)! And the photos of all the winners are copied here. There are some really great portraits, so if you’d like to purchase a full resolution copy of any of these photographs, contact Joseph at .
YOU DID IT - LARGEST DONATION TO DATE!!
Posted 12/6/12 CAI communities across Travis County donate four truckloads of toys and food to the Travis County Brown Santa project. CAI Austin CARES! volunteers delivered the gifts Thrusday afternoon to a grateful Brown Santa team who acknowledged this was the largest donation to date! Big THANKS to Hank Wilson, JJ Thompson, Jake Christenson and all the volunteers who helped make this successful event happen!
Check out the video from KFOX below, and the group photos on the Brown Santa webpage here >>.
November 29th Luncheon Photos
Posted 11/30/12 Thanks to Joseph Coelho we have a slideshow of our Luncheon Lecture with John Oberg of Market Sense, Inc.
Common Sense Security Recommendations For Your Home
Posted 11/22/12 In the November issue of Community Association LIVING, Larry Niemann’s article “Common Sense Security Recommendations For Your Home” referred to the author’s comprehensive reference document which is now available here in PDF. Protect yourself, your family, your property with Larry's simple and cost effective solutions to home security. This document may be reproduced or distributed electronically or via hardcopy without permission from the author if it is given away unchanged and without charge or profit.
TCAA Accomplishments for 2012
Posted 11/16/12 The 83rd Legislative Session will soon be upon us. TCAA will continue its efforts to further the TCAA mission to benefit all who live and work with community associations. In addition to some organizational changes,TCAA accomplished a number of objectives in 2012. Read more >>Legislative Update for October
Posted 11/15/12 The Texas House Committee on Business and Industry held an interim hearing on October 8, 2012 about 2011 HOA Reform laws. TCAA started the ball rolling with its testimony, which testimony was echoed by many throughout the hearing. Although the new laws may not be perfect, they are working and need to be given more time before the Legislature entertains any additional significant HOA legislation. However, HOA opponents were adamantly pressing for more change. A few HOA reformers testified with complaints that HOAs, by board resolution, rushed to record all kinds of documents that homeowners did not know about, or have a chance to vote on as a result of the new laws. Reformers also laid out a familiar list of demands. The drumbeat for still more regulation sounded in a repeated call for a state agency to oversee HOA affairs. Use this link to see the full update >>
Safeguarding Community Association Assets
Posted 11/10/12 Like any organization or business, condominium and homeowners associations can be victimized by illegal and unethical activities, including fraud and embezzlement that can run from hundreds to many thousands of dollars. Although rare, such cases affirm the need for appropriate checks and balances to protect association assets.
Whether you’re an association board member, community manager or interested homeowner, we encourage you to review Safeguarding Your Community Association (as published in the November issue of Community Association LIVING magazine), a list of practices and procedures that can help protect association funds. Share this document with board members, community managers and other professional service providers.
Other resources at http://www.caionline.org/:
Education for Board Members and Other Homeowners
An Introduction to Community Association Living includes CAI’s Model Code of Ethics for Community Association Board Members, Community Association Fundamentals, Rights and Responsibilities for Better Communities and Community Association Governance Guidelines.
Education for Community Managers
Professional Manager Code of Ethics
New Resume in the Job Bank
Posted 10/26/12 Community Manager.
Meet Your Board's New Director Nominees for 2013
Posted 10/18/12 As prescribed by the chapter's bylaws, your current board of directors is announcing it's slate of candidates to fill five openings with three year terms beginning 2013. Follow this link for their photos and biographies. The election of new directors will take place at our annual Members Meeting and Luncheon Lecture on Thursday November 29th at the Norris Conference Center.
CAI Submits Comments on CFPB Servicing Standard
Posted 10/12/12 On October 9, 2012, CAI submitted comments to the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection regarding proposed mortgage servicing standards. Once a foreclosure is complete, CAI members report their communities continue to face substantial financial difficulty as servicers fail to fulfill the most basic obligations of property preservation. Servicers are required under Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, and HUD guidelines to preserve properties, to communicate with a governing community association, and to ensure timely payment of applicable community assessments. Servicers disregard these requirements as a matter of routine. Read CAI’s letter here… Questions can be addressed to Michael Hedge at
2012 Conference & Expo Photos are UP!
Posted 10/1/12 Thanks to Kaitlyn Deckert and Jennifer Harvey, we have some wonderful photos of our very special event. Use this link to view the slideshow >>
Business Partner Essentials
Posted 9/13/12 CAI now offers Business Partner Essentials, a two-part, online course to help CAI-member product and service providers better understand CAI, community associations and the industry at large. Individuals who pass the course and maintain CAI membership earn the CAI Educated Business Partner member distinction. By taking this course, you will distinguish yourself as an Educated Business Partner and can share your accomplishment with your current and potential clients. Contact our own Debby Cole for details. More info >>
Thank You to Our 2013 Sponsors
The generous support from these companies make our programs possible. Please give them your support whenever possible. BUY CAI!
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Management Company Partners |
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Accredited Association Management Company - AAMC
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