As the days grow shorter and pumpkins start to dot our landscapes, many community associations will be hosting annual meetings to elect board members for the coming year. These annual meetings are required by community association governing documents and state statutes to accomplish critical governance processes for the association. They also offer a social opportunity for homeowners to connect with each other and build community in their neighborhoods.

Another piece of business often accomplished at the annual meeting is the adoption of a budget for the coming year. This presents a unique opportunity for CAI’s state legislative action committees to share advocacy updates as well as ask for financial support for the work of the LAC.

CAI’s legislative action committees advocate year-round for public policies that support the community association housing model. CAI members, including homeowners, managers and business partners, volunteer their time on LACs by providing testimony at legislative hearings, drafting bill positions, communicating with CAI members to engage them in the legislative process and educating policymakers about the community association housing model.

One critical tool in a LAC’s toolbox is the retention of paid government affairs staff to support the work of the volunteers who serve on these committees. These government affairs professionals walk the halls of the state capitol, meet with legislators, and advocate for CAI’s public policies in hearing rooms and legislative offices. These government affairs contracts typically take up most of the budget of CAI’s state legislative action committees, which engage in constant fundraising in order to meet their budgets. Without the support of these paid lobbyists, CAI’s advocacy on behalf of the 78.1 million Americans living in community associations would not be as successful as it is.

LACs employ various methods to raise funds, including events like wine tastings, golf outings, and other events that are supported by CAI’s chapters. These events provide a networking opportunity for members while raising critical funds for the legislative action committee. All CAI members are encouraged to attend and support these events which benefit CAI’s advocacy work in your state.

Another successful fundraising method for LACs is CAI’s Dollar-a-Door campaign. Through this campaign, community associations are encouraged to support their state LAC with a dollar, or more, for each door in their community, or by making a flat donation to the LAC. Every dollar counts. Find your state’s Dollar-a-Door campaign flyer on your state LAC page on the CAI website.

Does your community, or a client community you work with, have an annual meeting coming up this Fall? Please consider talking with your community leaders about supporting your state LAC with a donation from your community association’s budget. Most community associations are legally permitted to financially support a CAI legislative action committee but check your governing documents to be certain.

CAI encourages all LAC members and community associations to add a line item to your annual budget designating a contribution to your state LAC. CAI has developed a sample community association board resolution for this purpose.

CAI legislative action committees monitor state legislation, educate lawmakers, and protect the interests of those living and working in community associations. LACs are gearing up this fall to prepare for 2027, when all 50 state legislatures will be in session. Support this critical work by contributing to your state LAC today.

Click here to donate to your LAC.