Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy, which I think could not have come at a more appropriate time. Now more than ever, we should be reminded of how our country needs unity and not division. Dr. King Jr. championed seeing past our differences and treating all people with respect, no matter their beliefs, values, or based on race, ethnicity, sex, and other visible traits. Ultimately, he was a champion of promoting civility.
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we are calling on community association boards of directors, community association managers, attorneys, and other leaders to engage their residents in the process of adopting the CAI Community Association Civility Pledge, which has associations make a commitment to the following principles:
- Each individual must be accountable for his or her own actions and words.
- All interactions in the community should be civil despite any differences of opinion on a particular issue.
- A vow to respect all points of view and strive to provide a reasonable opportunity for all to express their views openly.
- Residents are engaged and informed.
- Residents review CAI’s Rights and Responsibilities for Better Communities.
These commitments to civility, as well as having engaged and informed residents, are a vital part of our shared goal of building better communities. One of the greatest aspects of the community association housing model is that it brings people with different ideals and preferences together in neighborhoods that are preferred places to call home.
As our nation moves forward, your community may be home to difficult and complex conversations. Adopting the CAI Civility Pledge and embracing its principles will lead to continued community harmony, responsible citizenship, and effective leadership.
Click here and take the next step in promoting civility by adopting CAI’s Community Association Civility Pledge.
