Since has been some time since I checked CAI’s membership breakdown, here’s some surprising news I just uncovered, right from CAI Central’s own mouth. HOA representation through “volunteers” (since HOAs per se are not allowed) consists of a mere 36%, and yet CAI has the gall to say they speak for homeowners to federal agencies, to state legislators, to the media and to the public at large!
As I’ve said all too often, board members are targeted by CAI through discount fees based on the number who join from an HOA. In my view, all HOA directors who are CAI members are conflicted as to whom they owe their allegiance. To the vendor organization whose members feed off them, or to the unit owner, members as required by the CC&Rs contract?
“Business partners” means, for the most part, attorneys; “managers” total 42%.
See CAI Marketing Opportunities, CAI Member Breakdown, page 3. I suspect the announced increase to 40,000 came from international growth.
HOA Constitutional Government 
I doubt that it is that high. And in addition, the management companies often “sign them up” as part of their management duties–often board members do not realize they are enrolled and that the “training” they are receiving or offered is part of their so called membership. When I was a member in 2007-2008, I was the single only HOA member at meeting after meeting,,,,When they asked for volunteer homeowners members for the legislative committee, there was one man and myself, I lasted about 15 minutes–just long enough for them to boot me out for having the audacity to question the section about the negative “vote” on the annual budget. I thought members should approve a budget–but the legislation is written so that a budget has to be disapproved by 63% of the members–not the quorum–the members! Yea..like that will ever happen Not only that, the budget doesn’t go up for a vote unless a petition is sent to the board signed by 10% of the members to put budget on the ballot. And it all has to be done in a 10 day span once the budget is given to members.
The legislative committee and I did not get along.
Important Update: The Jan – Feb issue of Common ground’s InCommon reveals volunteer membership increased by 3,457 members. Based in the new total membership of some 38,367, volunteers still remain a minority of 41.4%. It is hardly a solid argument for CAI’s overwhelming efforts claiming to support homeowner interests.
***********************
Homeowner Advocate
Legal Research Information Services
602-228-2891 / GKS256@NYU.edu
http://amazon.com/author/georgestaropoli