We hope this primer will help people recognize the core principles at the heart of the community association model and, even more importantly, inspire effective, enlightened leadership and responsible, engaged citizenship.
- Associations ensure that the collective rights and interests of homeowners are respected and preserved.
- Associations are the most local form of representative democracy, with leaders elected by their neighbors to govern in the best interest of all residents.
- Associations provide services and amenities to residents, protect property values and meet the established expectations of homeowners.
- Associations succeed when they cultivate a true sense of community, active homeowner involvement and a culture of building consensus.
- Association homeowners have the right to elect their community leaders and to use the democratic process to determine the policies that will protect their investments.
- Association homeowners choose where to live and accept a contractual responsibility to abide by established policies and meet their financial obligations to the association.
- Association leaders protect the community’s financial health by using established management practices and sound business principles.
- Association leaders have a legal and ethical obligation to adhere to the association’s governing documents and abide by all applicable laws.
- Association leaders seek an effective balance between the preferences of individual residents and the collective rights of homeowners.
- Association leaders and residents should be reasonable, flexible and open to the possibility—and benefits—of compromise.
