What is a Community Association Manager?
May 17, 2020
Residents living in an association or community housing environment often know there is a volunteer board that is designed to help residents live comfortably and safely as well as to address a multitude of issues from community safety, ongoing maintenance and whether or not tenants may have a pet. But did you know that many communities or associations also have a Community Association Manager?
A community association manager is a paid position to guide the volunteer board and help them up-hold the rules of conduct, safety and other factors that go into living in a community.
As such, an association manager is there to ensure all residents are getting their basic rights met and that all residents are being heard and enjoying the perks associated with community living. According to Community Associations Institute or CAI, “Successful community association managers must possess knowledge and skills relating to finance, strategic planning, maintenance, personnel management, insurance, human relations, laws and regulations, communications and covenants enforcement.”
Managers usually take a series of accreditation courses as developed by the Community Associations Institute. “Created in 1995 and administered by the National Board of Certification for Community Association Managers (NBC-CAM), the program established community association management as a distinct profession and continues to offer professional development opportunities specifically tailored to the professionals who choose this career path,” says CAI.
It’s important to note that the position of Association Manager is not a glorified real estate agent or broker – rather a professional skill set requiring experience and outstanding management and interpersonal skills. Association managers are hired to work with volunteer boards of directors to enhance the value of residential communities.
According to CAI, “In states that propose mandatory regulation of these professionals, CAI supports a regulatory system that incorporates adequate protections for homeowners, mandatory education and testing on fundamental management knowledge, standards of conduct, continuing education and appropriate insurance requirements.”
