I wrote this book to serve as a "primer" on the basics of what you can do to: - Make your personal time on the board more satisfying - Produce value for the homeowners in your HOA - Encourage other homeowners to volunteer to make their HOA a better place to live. This is a "foundation" book. I want you, as a volunteer board member, to have a foundation of knowledge in what a homeowners association is and how it should work. I have seen too many homeowners associations in which new board members have no basic knowledge in association best practices and they get caught up in the emotions of making decisions for their neighbors. Their volunteer time turns in to a frustrating experience and the existing problems persist with the association. With a good foundation, I believe you will be able to learn more about community associations and the common issues that confront them. With this book, you will have an outline that will help you organize your thoughts, build on a solid framework and make your volunteer time valuable to you and to your neighbors.

This HOA book provides an understanding of the hierarchy of state laws, their relationship to the Homeowner Associations' CC&R's, and how those relationships affect a board members ability to serve and make educated decisions. It is a study guide for learning how an HOA operates and how directors of the HOA should be conducting the business.

A Framework for HOA Management is a comprehensive look at the many issues which face current and prospective board members of a typical homeowner association. On completion, the reader will have the necessary tools and understanding to manage their HOA and the ability to confront even the most unexpected situations effectively.--

In this eloquent plea for compassion and respect for all species, journalist and gardener Nancy Lawson describes why and how to welcome wildlife to our backyards. Through engaging anecdotes and inspired advice, profiles of home gardeners throughout the country, and interviews with scientists and horticulturalists, Lawson applies the broader lessons of ecology to our own outdoor spaces. Detailed chapters address planting for wildlife by choosing native species; providing habitats that shelter baby animals, as well as birds, bees, and butterflies; creating safe zones in the garden; cohabiting with creatures often regarded as pests; letting nature be your garden designer; and encouraging natural processes and evolution in the garden. The Humane Gardener fills a unique niche in describing simple principles for both attracting wildlife and peacefully resolving conflicts with all the creatures that share our world.

Community associations enforce rules and restrictions to ensure a high quality of life for residents and to preserve property values--not to harass residents. Rules are there to prevent homeowners from painting their houses pink or storing washing machines in their yards--but those same rules should not become overzealous or inflexible. "Be Reasonable" shows you how to write and enforce rules that won't get your association in trouble and won't cause residents to hold recall elections. "Be Reasonable" is a compendium of expert opinions from over 30 leading community association attorneys, managers, and directors. You'll learn effective strategies for drafting and enacting reasonable rules, identifying unreasonable rules and restrictions, and working with residents. You'll also find out more about reasonable enforcement procedures--from making exceptions to providing due process. Practical applications are illustrations through discussion of court cases and real-life controversies. Some of the topics include: Writing Reasonable Rules, Understanding Rules and Restrictions, Reasonable Enforcement Strategies, Mediating Disputes, Levying Fines, Controversial Rules and Restrictions, Children, Holiday Decorations, Satellite Dishes, Vehicles, and Eliminating Unreasonable Rules.

A study of political and social issues posed by the rise of CIDs (common interest housing developments) in the US. The work explores the consequences of CIDs on government and argues that private, residential government has serious implications for civil liberties.

Nonprofit leadership is messy Nonprofits leaders are optimistic by nature. They believe with time, energy, smarts, strategy and sheer will, they can change the world. But as staff or board leader, you know nonprofits present unique challenges. Too many cooks, not enough money, an abundance of passion. It’s enough to make you feel overwhelmed and alone. The people you help need you to be successful. But there are so many obstacles: a micromanaging board that doesn’t understand its true role; insufficient fundraising and donors who make unreasonable demands; unclear and inconsistent messaging and marketing; a leader who’s a star in her sector but a difficult boss… And yet, many nonprofits do thrive. Joan Garry’s Guide to Nonprofit Leadership will show you how to do just that. Funny, honest, intensely actionable, and based on her decades of experience, this is the book Joan Garry wishes she had when she led GLAAD out of a financial crisis in 1997. Joan will teach you how to: Build a powerhouse board Create an impressive and sustainable fundraising program Become seen as a ‘workplace of choice’ Be a compelling public face of your nonprofit This book will renew your passion for your mission and organization, and help you make a bigger difference in the world.