Almost 30 CCMC managers, executive team members and community board members met with legislators on February 25 at AACM’s annual Day at the Capitol event. “This is a great opportunity for us to meet and have lunch with legislators from the districts in which we have communities,” said CEO D. J. Cole. “I was thrilled to see so many of our managers and board members in attendance today.”
A member of AACM’s Legislative Action Committee, Western Division President Delores Ferguson is very pleased with the way the pendulum has swung closer to the center in terms of the relationships HOAs have with the Legislature. “Our goal has always been to establish solid and positive relationships with Legislators so they understand how professional homeowner associations are managed,” she explains. “As a result of the relationships we’ve formed over the years, legislators have come to us with questions about bills they are reviewing, and less harmful legislation has passed.”
Face to Face Interaction is Key
Board members were advised at a recent CCMC training session that face-to-face interaction with legislators is the best way for them to express their support (or lack thereof) of legislation under consideration. During the Day at the Capitol, attendees had the unique opportunity to chat with their legislators by sitting at tables designated by district. During that time, they had their legislator’s undivided attention to express any concerns or discuss topics of interest to them. In his address, Speaker of the House Andy Tobin (R) encouraged community managers and board members to invite their representatives to community meetings. “Invite us to your communities and to your meetings,” he said. “It’s a great way for all of us to stay in touch.”