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December 6, 2005
Keep an open mind! Judge People on What You Know About Them ... CAI IS A-OK!
I got an email the other day from a reader that loves the website and this blog, and is impressed with my level of knowledge and willingness to "give back" to the community. But the reader was in a quandry - the question: "Our Association hired _________ to write an amendment for our governing documents on the subject of ____________. We would like a second opinion but the attorney we hired is a CAI Attorney. Are you a CAI Attorney and if so, can you recommend a non-CAI Attorney? "
I am dismayed to hear that someone is spreading the mis-impression that all "CAI Attorneys" are created equal (and apparently that they cannot think independently). In case you do not know, CAI stands for Community Associations Institute. It is a National Organization with chapters in every state. The organization is a non-profit corporation that serves many functions. It is a grand source of education for all who manage, live in and offer services to homeowner associations all over the country. In fact, contracts have been let with the State in Florida and other states for the provision of classes in management training, board training and homeowner education. Classes are offered all over the country. The National CAI is a watchdog for federal legislation that is harmful to or can help HOAs all over the country. The website for CAI National is http://www.caionline.org. Check it out.
The statewide Chapters serve similar functions on a more local basis. I have served on the California Legislative Action Committee for 20 years. All delegates are volunteers and give service willingly, and without compensation.
Being a member of CAI is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. I am, and I have had the benefit of the collective brain trust of attorneys, managers, board members, homeowners, and others who serve Associations and provide service in the industry from all over the country for 20 years. I have written for the publications, taken all of the PMDP Management classes, spoken at various annual seminars (management, law, etc.) and served on National and local committees and on the Boards. I enjoy my affiliations with CAI as much as I do with ECHO (Executive Council of Homeowners in Northern California) and SCHOA (South Coast Homeowners Association) and the State Bar Real Property Section, the Contra Costa Bar Association Real Estate Section, the mediation groups, and other organizations geared to service of homeowner associations in California.
There are people who have good and bad, positive and negative, and painful experiences in the courts or otherwise (being on the right side or wrong side of the law). Many legal battles involve attorneys. Grudges can be formed. Some have formed such strong opinions that they feel compelled to condemn the entire lot of CAI members! And they are vocal, and get quite obnoxious in their presentation, leading others to question the thinking of any "CAI Attorney". Pitiful. Attorneys, of all people, are as different as night and day in their training, experience, treatment of legal issues, handling of problems, seeking of resolution, clientele, type and style of practice, compassion, age, experience, bias, and interests. Keep an open mind! Judge people on what you know about them, not what others advertise with brazen generalizations.
Posted by Beth Grimm at December 6, 2005 10:03 PM