Had Enough? Consider Becoming an Advocacy Ambassador


Janet L. Newcomb, CBL Springhurst Townhomes HOA


The Problem


Did you know that 2,776 bills were introduced in Sacramento in 2021? Not all were passed, but Governor Newsom did sign 770 new laws, while vetoing 66. Included in this legislation were important laws affecting community associations. While some were clean-up bills that helped clarify previous legislation, several added complex requirements to the Davis-Stirling Common Interest Development Act.


One complicated example is new legislation that allows director elections by acclamation when the number of people running for board positions is equal to or less than the number of


influenced by their constituents, the people who vote to elect or re-elect them. With that in mind, CAI created an Advocacy Ambassador Program to augment the impact of their legislative efforts. These ambassadors recruit, organize, and motivate other members to get involved in the legislative process.


How You Can Help DVOC


seats to be filled. This may save many associations the expense associated with conducting elections and it sounds like a good idea, doesn't it? However, the requirements for conducting an election by acclamation are so convoluted and burdensome to comply with, that it's questionable whether this is really an improvement for associations. What can be done to make sure legislators understand our needs and create laws that actually help make community association living better?


A Solution


The Community Associations Institute is a strong advocate for community associations. Its national Government and Public Affairs Committee spends a good deal of time developing public policies used by chapter Legislative Action Committees to lobby for appropriate federal and state legislation. They are also aware that state and federal representatives are likely to be heavily


24 July | August 2022


CAI provides the tools and resources to help you become an effective ambassador. Joining the CAI Advocate Network is the first step. Advocacy resources can be found on CAl's national website here: www.ca ion Ii ne.org/ Advocacy/ Resources/Pages/ defa u lt.aspx And you can subscribe to CAl's Advocacy Biog here: www.advocacy. caionline.org/. When an advocacy issue is active in your area, you will be contacted to get involved by calling, emailing, or even meeting with your representative if you are willing and able to do so.


In 2021, more than 17,000 CAI advocates emailed or called their legislators. With over 42,000 members, CAI can have a very strong influence on behalf of community associations. In politics, it seems to be true that "the squeaky wheel gets the grease." It definitely pays to get involved and speak up. If you are passionate about building better communities, it can be a very rewarding experience to help shape the laws that affect our associations by becoming an Advocacy Ambassador.


-Jan Newcomb was 2021 Chair of CA/'s national Homeowner Leader Council, a member of CA/'s international Board of Trustees and is a former board director of the Orange County Chapter. She currently serves on CAl's national Government and Public Affairs Committee and the Orange County Chapter's Publication and Education Committees. She can be reached atjasnet714@aol.com and 714.847.8933.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36