CAI-NJ Sept.2018(w)(1)

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So why should homeowners place the financial health of their most significant investment into the hands of neighbors who have not been trained? In addition to financial safe- guards, why should we leave security and enforcement responsibilities relegated without a proper understanding of the governing documents and related state and local rules? Interestingly, while the consensus is in favor of training, mandatory training is quite rare. I am aware of only four

it put on me. Too many residents have experienced the devastation that good people with good intentions have brought upon their communities. Boards do not set out to defer needed maintenance items or underfund reserves. They often simply do not have the proper understanding to perform their fiduciary duties. According to a brief survey I conducted, most CAI members would agree that CIC board members should be trained on how best to carry out their responsibilities and serve their residents. However, the idea of mandating training for all board members is not universally accepted. Several current HOA board members that I spoke with were on the fence or opposed to the idea, primarily because such a mandate would make it harder to get volunteers to serve on boards. When we invest our savings or sell our house, we demand knowledgeable, informed advice and decisions.

existing laws requiring training. The strongest, effective January 1, 2016, in Montgomery County, Maryland, requires every board member to take a training course (live or online). Mark Fine, Chair of the Montgomery County, Maryland Commission on Common Ownership Communities (CCOC) told me that the county passed the mandatory training requirement

“...why should homeowners place the financial health of their most significant investment into the hands of neighbors who have not been trained?”

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because “we found that looking at statistical data, as well as inquiries from Common Ownership Communities (COCs), there was a need to develop a program to help everyone understand the role that each person plays within

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