Becker & Poliakoff

Happy Holidays, Healthy Communities with Andrew Fortin, SVP, Associa

Happy Holidays, Healthy Communities with Andrew Fortin, SVP, Associa

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In the community association world, nothing pits neighbor against neighbor faster than outdoor holiday decorations. Donna and Andrew wade into the hell of holiday décor complaints and challenges to offer thoughtful solutions that just might help both board members and residents enjoy the festive season as a true community.

Get insight into Andrew’s time-place-manner approach to developing rules around holiday decorating; why HOAs should not be responsible for regulating taste; the idea that rules should always reflect the values and realities of the community – no one-size-fits-all approach will do!; the importance of striking a balance between genuine expressions of holiday joy and doing so in a way that doesn’t create a nuisance.

Additional highlights include:

  • How to keep the community spirit alive in ways that are safe, smart, and inclusive;
  • How communities are handling post-pandemic holiday gatherings and the board’s responsibility to adhere to the same restrictions that residents must abide by;
  • The necessity for boards (and hopefully, residents) to develop a high level of cultural awareness and sensitivity, particularly when it comes to holidays;
  • The role of rule audits and community surveys in keeping the board current on the needs and preferences of their community, particularly as it continues to evolve;
  • The closest thing to a class on Constitutional Law you’ll ever hear on Take It To The Board, examining the relationship of community associations and the freedom of speech;
  • The connection between community association boards/residents and their elected government officials, and more.

BONUS: Have you ever considered inviting your state representative to a community association function? Your next holiday gathering might be the perfect place to educate current policymakers on what life – and board service – in a community association is really all about.

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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