Fall is approaching, and many community associations are planning annual meetings and fiscal budgets. On average, community association residents connect three to four times per year with their community’s governing board, according to the Homeowner Satisfaction Survey conducted by the Foundation for Community Association Research. One of those bonding events is the community’s annual meeting.
Annual meetings are required by the community association governing documents, which specify when it will be conducted, as well as how and when members will be notified about the meeting. Members receive the new budget, elect new boards, hear committee reports, and discuss common interest items. Annual meetings are a perfect opportunity for Legislative Action Committee members to promote ongoing advocacy efforts and encourage financial contributions to their state LAC.
CAI encourages LAC members who participate in or professionally support annual meetings for associations to provide an overview of the LAC’s efforts from the past year, as well as a synopsis of what is expected for the community association industry during the upcoming session. During this overview, it is critical that associations are also advised on the importance of their financial support to the LAC to advance industry advocacy efforts during the upcoming legislative session.
CAI’s *Brand-New* Legislative Action Committee Fundraising Toolkit
CAI LAC members also fundraise throughout the year. CAI has launched a brand-new fundraising toolkit for LACs to use throughout the year to facilitate fundraising efforts amongst their industry peers. This toolkit includes a plethora of resources and fundraising templates, including fundraising event and challenge flyer examples and templates, digital postcards to send to potential donors, examples of successful fundraising campaigns and tactics, tips from your fellow LAC members, and more! Download the toolkit here.
CAI LAC Dollar-A-Door Campaigns and Tips
One way to effectively fundraise for your legislative action committee is by encouraging communities and clients to add a budget line item to support CAI’s Dollar-a-Door campaign. This perennial campaign encourages communities to annually donate one dollar per door in their community to their respective state LAC to support legislative and advocacy efforts in their state. Communities also can make a flat donation to the state LAC. CAI also has a sample community association board resolution or also a CAI state LAC contribution form to share with communities. Please let CAI’s Government and Public Affairs team know if you need a state specific Dollar-a-Door flyer at government@caionline.org.
CAI’s Dollar-a-Door campaign encourages community associations to consider donating $1 or more per door to their state LAC. We encourage LAC members and communities to consider adding an annual budget line-item contribution to their state LAC.
LACs are diverse groups of homeowner leaders, community managers, and representatives from community association business partners that provide perspective to legislators on how proposed legislation could impact people living and working in community associations. LACs monitor state legislation, educate lawmakers, and protect the interests of those living and working in community associations throughout the year.
Along with CAI’s dedicated volunteers, many LACs hire and pay for a lobbyist. Without CAI’s lobbyists, the community association industry would not experience the level of success it has when advocating for the 77.1 million Americans living and working in community associations, according to the Foundation.
Contributions from community association boards and companies are critical in helping LACs fulfill their mission. Most community association boards can legally allocate money to support the LAC. Please check your governing documents before donating. You don’t have to be a CAI member to contribute. Corporate contributions are allowed and appreciated. Homeowner leaders, community managers, and business partners should consider encouraging their communities to budget for an annual LAC donation today.
Click here to donate to your LAC.
Learn more about your state’s LAC here. Please contact CAI’s Government and Public Affairs team with any questions regarding LAC fundraising opportunities at
