Committees, Committees, Committees! Part I
As a Board member, the responsibilities and tasks to keep the association running smooth can add up quickly. And as a leader, the art of delegation is incredibly important. Committees can be a great resource to, and outlet for, the Board of Directors. The goal of this article is to understand the roles and responsibilities […]
Weathering Expectations
One of the most challenging components to property management is managing expectations as it relates to contractors and service providers. As community managers, we certainly have our opinions, but at the end of the day it’s a simple fall back on the parameters of the contract. Did they meet it or not? As a Board, […]
The Three “P’s” of Decision Making
When it comes to the decision-making process, Board members should check the three P’s. Policy. Practice. Precedence. No matter how large the decision or how small the conversation, Board members should be methodical and intentional throughout their discourse. Policy – this is the easy one. When making decisions, responding to homeowner requests and issues, applying, […]
Audit & Tax Season
Did you know that community associations, as a registered non-profit corporations in the eye of the State of Minnesota, are required to file Federal and State taxes? It is also important to be aware of any requirements of your governing documents for an annual financial review or audit. If you are governed under MCIOA (Minnesota […]
Board Tips – Open Meetings
What constitutes a Board “meeting” and Board “business” can become a very slippery slope. So much so that in 1994 when the Minnesota state legislature passed the Minnesota Common Interest Ownership Act (“MCIOA” or 515B), they sought to define and solidify requirements for how associations should operate with regards to Board meetings. Note that MCIOA […]
Dues Increases – No Resident Wants; But Every Association Needs It
For most Associations, it is budget season. Your Community Manager has worked hard to develop a proposed 2018 operating budget that will keep your association fiscally healthy by projecting and planning for expense trends (such as utilities), plugging in contract figures (such as lawn/snow), budgeting for operating projects you’ve directed to be completed (perhaps gutter […]
Sharper Management HOA Wins CAI MN Association of the Year
Sharper Management is pleased to announce one of their managed HOAs, the Territory Homeowners Association, has won CAI MN’s Association of the Year Award. Honored on September 14 at the annual Vision Awards, Territory is under the supervision of Sharper’s Community Manger Jeremy Larson. The Association of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding team effort […]
Chris Gosse Honored at CAI Vision Awards – Financial Impact
Members of the Minnesota Chapter of the Community Associations Institute recently honored Chris Gosse for his work in the field of community management. Gosse received the Financial Impact Award at CAI-MN’s annual Vision Awards ceremony held Thursday, September 14 in Minneapolis, MN. The Financial Impact Award is given to a manager who has positively impacted […]
Todd Essig Joins Sharper Management
Essig is an analytical financial management professional who possesses expertise in areas including finance operations, corporate accounting management, and large-scale financial accountability. Essig’s experience lies in accounting management in the real estate industry and as a controller for local companies and non-profits such as the Ordway Center for Performing Arts. His proven success in analyzing […]
Contract Basics
Perhaps one of the most challenging, intimidating, and without a doubt most significant actions of the Board of Directors is engaging in contracts. Of course, assistance in navigating the abyss of contract language is one of the roles your community manager/management company can play. (And if it is a large or complicated contract, it is […]