Learn the key roles of property managers in resolving HOA issues, managing finances, and ensuring smooth operations.”
Annual Calendar Tool
Discover how an annual calendar helps HOA boards plan events, maintenance, budgets, and meetings proactively.
Contract Basics
Key contract tips for associations: proper entity naming, scope, compensation, deadlines, warranties, and indemnification.
RFPs
Learn what an RFP is, its importance, key elements like goals, budget, timeline, and how it ensures clear project bids.
Site Inspection
Join a property site inspection, from exterior checks to amenities, plumbing, and maintenance task assignment.
Defining Maintenance Types
Learn about the five types of property maintenance: routine, preventative, emergency, requested, and reserve replacement.
MCIOA & Maintenance Obligations
Learn about MCO amendments, preventative maintenance programs, and how to manage property maintenance effectively.
Legislative Trends in Maintenance
Explore legislative changes in Minnesota’s common interest ownership, focusing on maintenance and reserve funds.
Maintenance Matrix
Learn how a maintenance matrix helps define homeowner vs. association responsibilities and costs.
Associations
Associations 101
Learn the basics of what an association is, including its structure, mandatory membership, and economic responsibilities.
Defining Associations
Learn what an association is, including its definition as a nonprofit in Minnesota, the mandatory membership, the governing documents, and the dues that come with it.
Association Types
Learn the differences between how properties are managed, what the association owns versus what the homeowner owns, and the unique characteristics of each association type.
Governance
MCIOA 101
Understand MCIOA, its advantages for associations, and how it enhances governance and maintenance responsibilities.
How MCIOA Interacts with Governing Docs
Learn about the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act, its benefits, and how it impacts associations.
Amending VS Restating
Discussing amending vs. restating governing documents, including the challenges and benefits for associations.
MCIOA Amendment to Amendments
Learn about recent changes to the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (M Kiowa) and key amendments.
Rule Creation & Enforceability Tips
Learn essential tips for creating and enforcing fair, reasonable rules for HOA boards and community living.
Hierarchy of Governing Documents
Learn about Federal Law, State Law, and City Ordinances.
Plat Maps
Understand how plat maps define property boundaries and ownership in HOA governing documents and management.
ByLaws Basics
Learn how HOA bylaws govern board operations, meetings, and responsibilities, and how to amend them.
Defining Declarations
Explore the declaration document outlining homeowners’ rights, responsibilities, and association powers.
Articles of Incorporations
Learn about the articles of incorporation, a short document establishing the association’s legal foundation.
Rules & Regulations Overview
Explore the homeowner guidebook, covering day-to-day rules, regulations, and policies for the community.
Financials
Balance Sheet Basics
Learn the basics of balance sheets for associations, focusing on assets, liabilities, and cash position.
Operating Budget Overview
Understand how to create and manage an operating budget for your association, covering expenses, assessments, and planning.
Zero-Base Budgeting
Learn about zero-based budgeting for associations, using expenses to guide budgeting and projections.
Types of Expenses
Learn how to categorize budget expenses into obligations and needs, and manage discretionary spending effectively.
Dues Increases
Why raising dues every year is crucial for managing inflation and avoiding sudden increases in tough economic times.
Defining Assessments
Understanding operating budgets, assessments, and how condo dues are calculated based on ownership percentages.
The Role of Special Assessments
Explaining special assessments, their purpose, and how they address budget shortfalls or unexpected expenses.
Cashflow Management
Discussing the use of contingency funds to build cash reserves and ensure a healthy operating budget.
Utility Budgeting
Tips for budgeting utilities, focusing on trends, seasonal factors, and rising costs like gas and water.
Year-End Reporting & MCIOA Requirements
Overview of year-end financial requirements for associations under M Kiowa, including audits, taxes, and filings.
Replacement Reserves 101
Explanation of replacement reserve funds, M Kiowa requirements, and funding strategies for associations.
Reserve Requirements
Overview of Minnesota’s reserve fund requirements, including M Kiowa, and how to meet state statutes for associations.
Reserves Studies
Learn about reserve studies, their purpose, and how they help associations plan for future repairs and funding.
Reserve Study Management
Learn how to manage your reserve study, fund requirements, and strategies to maintain financial health.
Meetings
The Dreaded Homeowner Forum
Tips for managing homeowner forums in board meetings, including setting expectations, time limits, and procedures.
Liability of Recording Meetings
Discussing the risks of recording meetings and why it’s best to avoid it for legal and confidentiality reasons.
Virtual Meeting Management
Explaining the allowance of electronic board meetings in Minnesota and the importance of reviewing governing documents.
Informational Meetings
Explaining the purpose and guidelines of informational meetings, which are for sharing updates without voting or action.
Meeting Minutes 101
Guide to creating meeting minutes: key points to include for legal accuracy and clarity without transcribing everything.
Board Meeting Room Set Up
Tips for setting up your boardroom: create a collaborative, dynamic space for board members and manage homeowner interaction.
Virtual Meeting Requirements
Learn about electronic board meetings, how they work, and the challenges of virtual member meetings and voting.
When is a Meeting a "Meeting"
This video discusses when a board meeting is considered official and the importance of transparency in meetings.
Six Meeting Types
Overview of six types of meetings for associations: annual, special, informational, committee, board, and executive sessions.
Annual Meeting Requirements
This video covers nonprofit annual meetings, including requirements, notice, voting, and director elections.
Special Meeting Definition & Requirements
This video covers special meetings for homeowners, including calling, voting, notices, and reasons like director removal.
Annual Meeting Success
The video discusses tips for conducting effective and efficient annual meetings for property management.
"Closed" Board Meetings
Explains when closed meetings are allowed, how to maintain minutes, and the importance of open meetings.
Open Meetings
Boards must hold open meetings for transparency, allowing members to observe, but not necessarily participate.
Actions Without Meetings
Boards can make decisions outside meetings via unanimous consent, but should ratify them at the next meeting.
Board Meetings 101
This video discusses the purpose of board meetings, their legal requirements, and how to make them more effective.
Board Meeting Tips
Learn how to improve board meeting effectiveness, including legal requirements, notice guidelines, and agenda tips.
Robert's Rules of Order
Basics of Robert’s Rules: motion, second, discussion, and vote for effective meeting management.
Board of Directors
Understanding Fiduciary Duty
Fiduciary responsibility of a board: trust, avoiding conflicts, enforcing rules fairly, and managing finances effectively.
Three Legal Duties
The three duties of board members: care, loyalty, and acting in the best interest of the community.
Legal Protections of the Board
Legal protections for board members: D&O insurance, business judgment rule, and statutes ensuring indemnification.
Decision Making Paralysis
This conversation discusses overcoming decision-making paralysis in boards, offering strategies for effective decision-making.
The Power of NO
This video discusses the importance of boards learning to say “no,” avoiding emotional decisions, and focusing on business principles.
Deferring to Experts
Discussion on the importance of boards seeking expert advice for informed, legally protected decision-making.
Frequency of Board Meetings
Discussion on the balance of board meeting frequency for better focus and productivity, with insights from managing multiple associations.
Roles & Responsibilities of the Board
Explains board members’ responsibilities, fiduciary duties, and the importance of informed decision-making and loyalty.
Policy Board VS Action Board
Discusses the difference between action boards and policy-making boards, highlighting the importance of focusing on big-picture decisions.
Four Areas of Responsibility
Overview of a community board’s duties, including financial, governance, property management, and business responsibilities.
Defining Officer Positions - Part 1
Board members are elected to the board, not specific positions. Leadership is about making a difference, not titles.
Defining Officer Positions - Part 2
It’s never about the role, always about the goal.
Fiduciary Duty: A Case Study
A board’s fiduciary duties: care, loyalty, and action, with a story of a tough yet successful resolution of issues.
Art of Delegation
Discusses the importance of delegating tasks to committees in boards, covering types of committees and tips for success.
Committee Types
The speaker discusses mandatory, standing, and ad hoc committees, emphasizing their advisory, not decision-making, roles.
Insurance
Policy Types
A discussion about insurance policies for associations, covering business, liability, and ancillary policies like D&O, crime, umbrella, and workers comp.
Business Policies
The video explains the components of a business policy, including structural coverage and liability for associations.
Coverages Scopes
The video explains four types of structural coverage: bare walls, original spec, modified spec, and all-in policies.
Why "All In" Matters
The video discusses all-in policies for insurance, stressing the importance of including betterments and improvements.
Directors & Officers Coverage
Video explains the importance of directors and officers insurance, covering legal costs for board-related lawsuits.
Crime & Fidelity Coverage
Video explains crime and fidelity coverage, protecting an association’s assets from theft and loss of funds.
Umbrella & Specialty Policies
This video explains umbrella insurance, which bridges gaps in coverage, especially for associations with amenities.
MCIO & Insurance
This video explains Minnesota’s MCIO statute, covering insurance requirements for townhomes and condos, including coverage for rebuilding.
Association as "Primary"
The video explains the association’s primary policy requirement under state law for handling insurance claims.
Claims & Deductibles
This video outlines the process of handling an insurance claim for water damage in a condo, from reporting to financial reconciliation.
Understanding Wind & Hail Deductibles
Discussion on wind/hail deductibles in Minnesota insurance, including rising costs and self-insurance concerns.
Loss Assessment Coverage
This video explains loss assessment coverage in HO6 policies, including deductibles for water and wind/hail damage.
HO6 Policies
This video explains HO-6 policies, including dwelling coverage, loss assessment, and homeowner responsibilities.