Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1252341
How can boards and CAMs work better together? Jesse Dubuque, CMCA ® , shares expert advice. Trust and communication are key. CAMs need to provide regular updates to the board about what they're doing for the community. Whenever there's a service failure, nine times out of ten, it's due to a lack of follow-through on action items or an absence of communication. But the best way to serve the community as a whole? Teamwork. CAMs and boards need to work together to create realistic time frames for projects, plan ahead, and understand the role of every party involved. If proper documentation and thorough and frequent updates are provided, many issues will be avoided. In addition, as the relationship between the board and CAM grows, responsibilities can get misconstrued. Often, board members ask intricate questions that should be answered by an attorney, general contractor, arborist, accountant, or another partner—not the community manager—and it causes frustration. CAMs are responsible for overseeing the overall operations of the association, but they aren't an expert on all subjects. Their role is to know when to utilize the correct professionals, advise the board, and help them make the best decision for the community. Jesse Dubuque is a General Manager for Associa Minnesota and oversees a large master-planned community. He works tirelessly to provide superior communication and customer service to his clients. Jesse has been a licensed Realtor® in the state of Minnesota since 1999, and has been a valued Associa Minnesota team member since 2008. He has achieved the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) and Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®) designations. Boards of directors and community association managers (CAMs) share the same goals and have an equal passion for their communities, but there is so much more that can help solidify the relationship between a CAM and a board. To get expert advice on how to make the most of this relationship, we asked Jesse Dubuque, CMCA®, to share his insights on how boards and CAMs can work better together and build a stronger community. " " ASK A CAM 24