b'CAI: Mission Drivenby Kiara CandelariaTwenty years ago, there were approximately 240,000 community nity managers, attorneys, and others.associations in the U.S. and about 48 million Americans living with- Whats the biggest challenge community associations faceinthem,accordingtoestimatesfromtheFoundationfor today? Boards face increased pressure to deliver high-quality livingCommunity Association Research. With common interest commu- environmentsinanevermorecomplexworld.Whileresidentsnities experiencing steady growth both domestically and worldwide, expectationscontinuetogrow,pressuretokeepcostsdownisCAI had to maintain pace with the rapidly evolving needs of its pres- increasing. This results in a fundamental disconnect between expec-ent and future members. tations and resources. Boards, managers,Itwasinthischanginglandscape and business partners walk a fine line tothat Tom Skiba, CAE, became CAIs chief meetcommunityexpectationswithinaexecutive officer in 2002. Coming from a framework of constrained resources.consulting background where he advised How can CAI improve the experiencenonprofitorganizations,government of members? There are always opportuni-entities, and private businesses, Skiba was ties for us to provide our members withpositionedtodelivertheexpertiseto enhanced and expanded resources as wellguide CAIs education programs, advoca- asnewtoolsthatcanhelphomeownercyefforts,andmembershipexpansion leaders, community managers, and busi-into the future. ness partners be successful and, ultimate-CAIs membership has grown from ly, help the communities that they serve16,500tomorethan42,000during besuccessful.WecanbeatrueglobalSkibas tenure. Today, there are approxi- force for our industry with all the resourcemately 74.1 million Americans living in developmentwedo,butjustasimpor-355,000 community associations. Below, tantly, we can bring people together fromSkiba shares his insights on the challenges around the world to share experiences andandopportunitiesforthecommunity to learn from one another.association housing model and what the Tom Skiba (left) with Whats been the most rewarding expe-future holds for the organization. Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC), rience for you at CAI? While I am veryWhatsbeenthebiggestchange CAIs 2023 Hero of Associations. proudofourorganizationandallthefor communities over the past 20 years? (See previous story on page 10). thingsthatwehaveaccomplished,theOne that has had the greatest impact is the increased complexity of most personally rewarding element has been the people: the mem-thelegislativeandregulatoryenvironment.Everyyear,wetrack bers I have met; the staff whom I have had the honor to work with;thousands of pieces of legislation at the local, state, and federal lev- the tremendous volunteer leaders who have given their time to makeels that could potentially impact our members. This ever-changing our organization and industry better; and the many friends that Ilandscape is a challenge to communities and their boards, commu- have made along the way. !NG\x15#\x011#l#8\x1f#8;=77W8#Sg\x01NN=#\x01S#=8NN#8\x15;\'03\x01.03&\x01*/\'03."5*0/$0/5"$5\x1b%BWJE\x01.PIOT\x01""*\x01$-$4\x01-$".\x01$*3.47JDF\x011SFTJEFOUQ\x01\x18\x13\x18\x0e\x14\x18\x14\x0e\x13\x1a\x15\x18%BWF.PIOT!#PVDIBSE*OTVSBODF\x0fDPN\x12\x0e\x19\x11\x11\x0e\x1a\x17\x17\x0e\x17\x15\x19\x12\x01]\x01888\x0f#06$)"3%*/463"/$&\x0f$0.Fall/Winter 2023 Suncoast Review - 13'