There has been much discussion about Florida’s HB 319 and it’s impacts on HOA board member educational requirements. Currently, only board members of condominiums and timeshares are required to take courses regarding how to be a better board member, while HOA members can simply run for the board, and try to work it out as they go along.
Now, there is a lot to be said for “on the job experience,” but going in cold can be a difficult transition, especially if your board has to deal with issues such as foreclosure, rentals, and violations of the rules and regulations; common problems in today’s economic times.
Fortunately, there are several different ways that you, as a concerned board member, can stay abreast of the laws of the land, as well as learn the “tricks of the trade.” One of the first, and most obvious, is to subscribe to this column. That way, you can get a general overview of what is really going on, and even have an opportunity to contribute to the conversation about HOA life in South Florida.
There are also numerous courses available, most of which are free of charge, that teach some of the basics. Some of these courses even include state certification, (required of condos and timeshares) as well as continuing educational units needed for licensed community association managers.
This weekend is one of the bigger events of the year. The Board Member Boot Camp™ is a half day course (10am – 3pm) that teaches newcomers to the Board as well as veterans learn how to assess risk, negotiate contracts, pursue collections, prepare budgets, negotiate with your vendors and neighbors, suspend use rights and more! Complimentary breakfast and lunch is provided, along with a good time. Graduates receive a certificate that fulfills the statutory requirements for Board Member certification and is suitable for framing. The course is being held on Saturday, February 25th at 6600 Tico Road in Titusville, FL. For more information, and registration, go to http://www.boardmemberbootcamp.com.
In addition to the boot camp, the law firm of Katzman Garfinkel& Bergeralso provides a comprehensive roster of State-approved educational courses for board members, association owners and managers. All courses are offered at our offices throughout the state. These lively, interactive and informational courses are always free of charge, include refreshments and are all approved for either board member certification and/or manager continuing education credit. For a full listing of courses, please visit their website.
If a weekday course is more your speed, the PM Expo – Leap Day will be held at the South Florida Fairgrounds on Wednesday, February 29th. This course, which also offers a taste of the Palm Beaches, (free food) also features numerous exhibits and educational conferences. For more details, you can refer to the article posted on February 15th.
If you still need a Saturday course, live further west, and for one reason or another simply aren’t able to attend the board member boot camp in Titusville, don’t fret. Next Saturday, March 3, Associa Gulf Coast, an Associa company, will be presenting a board certification seminar at the Crowne Plaza Resort, 13051 Bell Tower Drive, Fort Myers, FL 33907. This event, which is slated to last from 8:30am until 4:30 pm, will feature speakers from Katzman, Garfinkel and Berger Law Firm, Lou Byron – Sihle Insurance, Mary Ellen Harrigan and Lee County Fair Housing. Lunch will be provided here, as well.
Any article about HOA courses would be remiss if it didn’t mention the grandest conference of them all, the Florida Communities of Excellence. This event, which takes place on Friday, March 30th at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, showcases all the hard work that HOAs, their boards, and managers do to try and keep things running smoothly. A few of the courses offered at this event include Staying Calm Under Pressure, Collection’s in Today’s Economy, and Florida Friendly Landscaping ™. For more details about this event, be sure to check out the article from February 7th, as well as continuing coverage leading up to the event.
This column is dedicated to providing additional information to the residents, board members, and property managers who help to make HOA living a little better. Stay tuned to this column for periodic updates on new courses and events that help to make the world of HOAs easier to understand, and help all of us to follow the ever changing legal framework that govern our communities.
Be sure to subscribe to this column, and stay abreast of issues involving you, the homeowners of Palm Beach County! If you've had any issues with your HOA that you'd like me to try and delve into, and possibly write about later, please let me know. Also, if you'd like to join the discussion on Twitter, you can find me at http://twitter.com/#!/faborplumbs.
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