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Learn the secrets to help your community thrive on this week’s Take It To The Board podcast, as host Donna DiMaggio Berger sits down with Dawn Bauman, Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs at the Community Associations Institute (CAI). Dawn is a leading advocate for HOAs, condos, and co-ops across the U.S. and internationally. With nearly 50 public policy initiatives under her leadership—including fair housing, pets, assistance animals, and removing racially restrictive covenants—Dawn has been at the forefront of policy development for community associations.
In this episode, Dawn shares her vast expertise with Donna as they dive into the 2025 legislative priorities, including building safety, financial challenges, property rights, environmental sustainability and diversity issues focusing mainly on trailblazing states like Florida and California. Dawn discusses the critical data CAI has gathered on the community association lifestyle and the various resources and initiatives she oversees. They also explore the essential role of developers and realtors in educating potential buyers about community association responsibilities. Emphasizing the power of grassroots advocacy, this episode highlights CAI’s efforts to influence public policy and make it more accessible to its members.
Lastly, learn about CAI’s recent lawsuit to exempt community associations from the impact of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) and what that might mean for your board before the Jan. 1, 2025 deadline. Don’t miss this in-depth discussion on the future of community association governance!
Conversation Highlights Include:
- CAI’s top legislative priorities this year and how they could impact community associations across the country
- How board members and residents can get involved in supporting legislative efforts
- How trends in the areas of governance, technology, and homeowner engagement might shape the future of community living
- The most significant challenges facing community associations today and how CAI is addressing these issues
- Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within community associations
- Best practices and critical differences in how community associations operate internationally compared to the U.S.
- New CAI educational resources for board members, managers, and homeowners
BONUS: Learn how to join the fight to exempt community associations from the burdens imposed by the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA)
Related Links:
- Podcast: A Board Members’ Guide to Unexpected Issues – Your Questions Answered
- Podcast: The Do’s and Don’ts of Association Committees with Becker’s Ken Direktor
- Podcast: Boot Camp for Board Members: Army Vet, PCAM and Becker Shareholder, Howard Perl, Discusses the Benefits of Rigorous Board Member Education
- Resource: Community Associations Institute (CAI) Website
About Take It To The Board
Think you know what community association life is all about? Think again. Residents must obey the rules, directors must follow the law, and managers must keep it all running smoothly. Take It To The Board explores the reality of life in a condominium, cooperative or homeowners’ association, what’s really involved in serving on its board, and how to maintain that ever-so-delicate balance of being legally compliant and community spirited. Leading community association attorney Donna DiMaggio Berger acknowledges the balancing act without losing her sense of humor as she talks with a variety of association leaders, experts, and vendors about the challenges and benefits of the community association lifestyle.
If you’ve got a question, Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger – We Speak Condo & HOA!
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