CAI-NJ Sept. 2019update

MANAGEMENT TRENDS The Importance of LAC to the Community Manager By Dawn Mackanic, CMCA, Prime Management, Inc. AAMC

I n the often-chaotic community management industry, it can be hard to find the time to keep up with continuing education. However, the state laws that directly affect New Jersey communities are always changing. Therefore, to provide qualified service to association boards, it’s vital for managers to know and understand community association laws and how they will ultimately affect their communities. It is easy for managers to get so wrapped up in their communities that it may leave little time for much else. Once you add on top of that families and other important commitments, it may feel as if it’s almost an impossibility. However, in order to be able to manage a community and adequately guide the board effectively, it’s an important responsibility to keep up with the latest legislative changes and trends. There are many managers who are not even aware of what the Legislative Action Committee does. The LAC, for short, meet with state legislators, lobbyists, and agencies to voice the concerns on behalf of communities and the professionals who serve them. The committee also tries to offer suggestions to legislators that are in the best interest of the industry. The LAC is made up of an array of appointed professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, engineers, volunteers, and managers. This allows them to have an overview knowledge of the different aspects of the industry, and the needs of each distinct field. Each month, the LAC provides updates on changes and pending legislation to be passed on to those that will be affected. There are articles that are written each month with valuable information. The Community Association Institute of New Jersey (CAI-NJ) has worked hard to make it easier for managers to stay updated. In addition to provid- ing reference materials, CAI-NJ has multiple state-wide sem-

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“...by attending these events, it allows managers to hear from professionals on how these laws may play into the day to day operations.”

inars each year, named Community Association Legislative Updates. These seminars are free to CAI-NJ Members. It should be said that managers should always check with their legal counsel first. Their community lawyer should be able to advise them how the new laws can or will specifi- cally affect their community. Managers will then be able to relay the information to their boards knowledgeably. In no way is attending seminars a replacement for legal advice. However, by attending these events, it allows managers to hear from professionals on how these laws may play into the day to day operations. The speakers are usually from different fields and can provide practical information specific to their area of expertise. There is always a Q&A at the end which allows managers to ask questions for anything that may not have been understood or an issue not addressed. It also gives community managers a chance

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