The Foundation for Community Association Research has rolled out a new e-newsletter, Catalyst.  More than ever before, the Foundation seeks to be the industry catalyst for needs-driven research that informs and enlightens all community association stakeholders—community association residents, homeowner volunteer leaders, community managers, service providers, legislators, regulators and the media.

The Summer 2013 issue provides links to surveys, information and offers data-based perspectives you can’t get anywhere else.  Check out this preview:

State CIC Estimates Published in 2012 Statistical Review

Florida and California account for 27 percent of all common-interest communities (CICs) in the United States, according to 2012 data published by the Foundation. This is the first time we have published state CIC estimates. The estimates are featured in the Foundation’s just-published 2012 Statistical Review.

The six-page review also provides national CIC statistics beginning in 1970, as well as 2012 data on the numbers of association board and committee members, community managers and management companies. There are also national estimates on CIC assessments and spending and summary results from a national survey of CIC residents in 2012.

Subscribe to Catalyst for more information.  The brochure can be downloaded for free at www.cairf.org/foundationstatsbrochure.pdf.

Snap Survey Addresses Community Manager Contentment

The Foundation’s first-ever “Snap” survey is a mixed bag in terms of how CAI member community managers perceive their profession, reputation and compensation.

Sixty percent of responding managers say community management has improved “a lot” or “slightly” as a career option in recent years, while 24 percent believe it has declined. Almost half of the respondents say they are “adequately compensated”, while 12 percent say they are “very well-compensated.” Most of the remainder say they are “not well-compensated.” “Pay scales and recognition are still not what they should be for the responsibility we carry,” said one respondent.

Subscribe to Catalyst for more information.  A PDF of the survey results can be downloaded at www.cairf.org/research/snapsurvey_march2013.pdf.

Managers Urged to Complete Salary Survey

The Foundation has once again retained Industry Insights, Inc., a third-party survey research firm, to produce its Manager Compensation and Benefits Survey. Strict confidentiality is maintained, and neither CAI nor the Foundation will see any individual data. Enter yourself in a drawing to win an iPad Mini by completing the survey by June 28 (it takes less than 10 minutes) and entering your name and contact information at the end of the survey (optional): https://www.iisecure.com/CAI/survey.asp?Type=NEW.

This year’s survey will address:

• Annual wages paid to large-scale, onsite and portfolio      managers, as well as CEOs, and others
• Employee benefit information
• Vacation and sick leave
• Retirement and pension plan information

To get the full issue and subscribe to future issues, e-mail Jake Gold, at jgold@caionline.org.  CAI Members will automatically receive Catalyst.  Visit www.cairf.org to learn more and find out how you can support the Foundation’s mission, common-interest communities and homeowner volunteers and industry professionals who make them preferred places to call home.