Sherri Hall

Best Practices for Conducting a Homeowner Forum as Part of your Board Meeting

October 7, 2019 by Sherri Hall

By Sherri Hall

Although not required in every state, many community associations choose to have homeowner forums, or member question and answer (Q&A) sessions, in addition to or as part of their open board meetings. Such a forum is usually held either at the end of an open board meeting or in a separate meeting specifically scheduled to allow homeowners to ask questions or raise concerns regarding community matters.

Is a Community Garden Right for your Association? What you Need to Know.

May 15, 2019 by Sherri Hall

By Sherri Hall:

The idea of having a community garden, one in which a group of people care for collectively, is becoming a trend throughout the United States. [Read more…] about Is a Community Garden Right for your Association? What you Need to Know.

Board Election Procedures – What Community Associations Need to Know

December 31, 2018 by Sherri Hall

Annual board elections are an important part of every condominium and community association. We spoke with Stefan Richter, Esq. of Clemons Richter & Reiss, P.C. in Doylestown, Pennsylvania to learn more about the procedures an association should follow when holding an election.

Handling Insurance Claims Properly in Community Associations

December 12, 2018 by Sherri Hall

Whether prompted by a slip and fall injury or the result of property damage, community associations often face dealing with insurance claims. In some cases, these claims cannot be avoided and therefore, associations should be prepared to properly handle such situations. We spoke with Stephannie Ciantro, Property Claims Manager at Mackoul Risk Solutions, to learn about the best practices for handling insurance claims.

Using Best Email Practices Within Your Community Association

October 4, 2018 by Sherri Hall

With email often being the primary method of communication today, it’s important for community association board members and property managers to stay informed of best practices when it comes to email transmissions. If a lawsuit arises, related emails may need to be disclosed and therefore, associations must be aware of proper protocol. We spoke to Attorney Sara A. Austin of Austin Law Firm LLC in York, Pennsylvania to gain some insight into these best practices regarding association emails.

Recognizing and Preventing Discriminatory Acts in Community Associations

August 21, 2018 by Sherri Hall

Discrimination is a prominent issue in today’s society. Instances of discrimination must be handled properly, not only in the workplace, but also within community associations. But what exactly constitutes as a discriminatory action, and how can associations ensure they are taking the right steps to rectify such situations? We spoke to A. Christopher Florio, Shareholder at Stark & Stark Attorneys at Law in Lawrenceville, New Jersey to answer these questions and more. [Read more…] about Recognizing and Preventing Discriminatory Acts in Community Associations

Choosing the Right Security Technology & Techniques for Your Community Association

August 14, 2018 by Sherri Hall

In today’s ever-changing world of technology, it can be hard to select a security system for your community. With so many options, how can an association be sure to find the right fit? Scott Roether, Principal of TEM Systems LLC in Murrells Inlet, SC, shared his knowledge on the subject and offered some suggestions to streamline the process.

Manager’s Perspective: Tips for Keeping Board Meetings from Going on Too Long

May 28, 2018 by Sherri Hall

As the days get longer and the temperatures rise, people want to spend more time outdoors and less time indoors. That includes property managers, board members and homeowners, who especially don’t want to find themselves part of a board meeting that’s going on for way too long. However, with a wide variety of spring and summer projects underway, how can boards keep their meetings running efficiently? [Read more…] about Manager’s Perspective: Tips for Keeping Board Meetings from Going on Too Long

“I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”…or Can I? – Uncovering the Key to Keeping Managers Satisfied

March 27, 2018 by Sherri Hall

The Rolling Stones probably didn’t have the community association industry on their minds when they recorded this famous tune. However, there is a common theme between the song’s lyrics and the daily life of property managers – complaints. In the song, Mick Jagger complains about useless information on the radio, TV commercials and his bad luck with love just as unit owners complain about leaky roofs, noisy neighbors and potholes. So, with that being said, is there any way to stay satisfied when all one hears are complaints? We spoke to Thomas Engblom, Vice President/Regional Account Executive of Mutual of Omaha’s Midwest region, to find out. [Read more…] about “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction”…or Can I? – Uncovering the Key to Keeping Managers Satisfied

Manager’s Perspective: Best Practices for Association Communications

January 25, 2018 by Sherri Hall

It’s no secret that communicating effectively with association members is a vital part of managing any community. But in today’s digital world, methods for communication are ever-changing. So, what works and what doesn’t? We spoke to Nancy Hastings, Regional Vice-President of Associa’s Eastern Region, to find out her perspective on association communications.