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CAM COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGER WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A A crucial relationship for every board member is the one with their community association manager or CAM for short As a board member your CAM will advise on key aspects of your association s operations and serve as your representative with other service providers Read on to learn more about the CAM s role and what makes a good one WHAT IS A CAM The community association manager is the face and an employee of the HOA management company They work closely with the board to perform many vital functions and resolve any complaints or issues that come up along the way Contrary to popular belief CAMs don t make decisions for the community they serve as consultants make recommendations and execute the board s decisions

WHAT DOES A CAM DO The CAM s responsibilities are defined in your community s governing documents or your contract with your management company While they vary by association the most common CAM responsibilities include ADMINISTRATIVE Overall operations and administration of the association in accordance with board policies governing documents and applicable local state and federal laws and regulations Contract negotiations and oversight Managing contractors and vendors Project management Insurance administration Assisting in member dispute resolution Meeting attendance and agenda preparation MAINTENANCE Building maintenance Grounds maintenance Inspections FINANCIAL Preparing and executing the association budget Managing financial reports Collecting assessments Reserve fund analysis Billing

8 QUALITIES OF A GOOD CAM The success of a board is often determined by the type of management they choose A strong manager helps leaders stay on task fulfill their duties and prepare the community for a bright future The following are eight qualities of a good CAM STRONG CUSTOMER SERVICE The CAM is responsible for the day to day management of an association and ensuring everything runs smoothly If any community related questions concerns or comments arise the CAM should respond and resolve issues in a timely manner while maintaining a positive customer first attitude EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATOR Effective communication is one of the most important elements in the success of a community A quality CAM should be easily accessible and facilitate regular clear and prompt communication with board members service providers and residents EDUCATED Goal oriented CAMs have advanced their careers and furthered their education by obtaining various credentials from the Community Associations Institute CAI Earning these credentials proves they re dedicated to providing exceptional service and prepared to help your community

ORGANIZED From collecting assessments and negotiating contracts to attending meetings and managing projects CAMs have a lot on their plate They must have solid organizational skills that allow them to efficiently complete tasks easily access documents and keep the association running smoothly CALM PROFESSIONAL There may be times when conflicts arise or residents get angry during an exchange with the CAM Regardless of the situation a good CAM should remain calm and professional and utilize sound resolution skills when navigating conflict in the community KNOWLEDGEABLE CAMs should comprehend the structure and operations of an HOA your specific governing documents and any applicable local state or federal laws If they don t have the answer to a question they should be able to point you in the direction of a professional partner or service provider who does OBJECTIVE An HOA is a non profit corporation designed to run as a business CAMs have a duty to act in the best interest of the membership not themselves They must treat everyone fairly and make consistent decisions based on standard practices rather than personal opinions and preferences FINANCIALLY SAVVY CAMs are responsible for many financial aspects of the association They must have a clear line by line understanding of the operating budget and reserve study and always be transparent about where the community stands financially