Two HOA Community Managers of Association Management Group (AMG) Earn Advanced Management Certifications

AMG's Melissa Cook and Dave Hebert, Earn the Association Management Specialist (AMS) Designation

(Greensboro/Winston-Salem, NC) DATE, 2021 – Melissa Cook and Dave Hebert, two community managers with Greensboro-headquartered Association Management Group (AMG), recently earned as Association Management Specialists designations from the Community Associations Institute (CAI), an international membership organization focused on building better communities. According to CAI, the AMS credentialing process requires two years of professional experience in association financial, administrative and facilities management, in addition to completion of multiple management courses and passage of a comprehensive exam.

“Earning an AMS credential requires both a personal and a professional commitment to self-improvement. Plus, it shows a dedication to providing the highest level of professional service to our community association clients and residents,” said Dacy Cavicchia, president of AMG, one of the Carolinas’ largest professional homeowner association manager organizations. “The AMS designation says our community managers understand the importance and unique challenges of community association management, and that they are committed to preserving communities, protecting property values and meeting owner/resident expectations.”

“I am very excited to not only obtain the AMS, but to do so with the AMG team,” said Cook, a Greensboro Community Manager. “I am also thrilled that this occurred during my fifth year with the company, marking that anniversary with this great milestone.” Cook earned her Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA) credential, a prerequisite to the AMS, two years ago. “I chose to pursue the AMS because it is a national certification. It enables me to work with community associations throughout North and South Carolina from any of AMG’s Carolina offices.”

Hebert also serves as a Greensboro Community Manager.  With the company for nearly three years, Hebert said, “I want to continually grow, in general, as well as within AMG. I see a future with AMG, and I want to be prepared to take on more responsibility and challenges. The AMS is the next step in that process.” With a background in teaching and management, Hebert added, “I was familiar with areas covered by the AMS training. But the process furthered my understanding of the ‘why’ of things and offered a more in-depth study of the job.”

About Association Management Group (AMG): AMG is the Carolinas’ leading professional community association management company, dedicated to building effective, successful community associations. AMG guides and assists association executive boards to protect their interests, enhance the lives of community members, and improve the property values of the community. With offices throughout the Carolinas in Greensboro, Winston-Salem, Charlotte and Raleigh, NC; as well as Greenville, SC; AMG is knowledgeable partner in enforcing community governing documents with a proven set of processes and techniques. AMG specializes in supporting communities with a broad range of services that can be tailored to individual community needs. Association Management Group, Inc. is a locally Accredited Business by the BBB, as well as a nationally Accredited Association Management Company (AAMC) by the Community Associations Institute (CAI). For more about AMG, visit http://www.amgworld.com.

How to spot and correctly identify North Carolina’s six venomous snakes

Original Article Source:https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article250722774.html

Article by BY BROOKE CAIN

APRIL 16, 2021 06:18 PM, UPDATED APRIL 19, 2021 03:36 PM

Excerpt (non-edited)

“For many, the sight of any snake will cause the heart to race. But of the 38 species of snakes in North Carolina, the majority are nonvenomous and not aggressive toward people unless threatened.”

5 Ways For Your HOA to Prepare For Summer

With summer coming upon us, the time draws near for HOA communities to prepare for the season. Here are 5 tips that will make the transition into summer easier:

Prepare Amenities for Use

Prepare your outdoor amenities, so they are ready to be used by the residents in your community. This means ensuring grills have gas and are in working order, the decks are scrubbed/dry/safe for use, all the chairs/umbrellas in common areas are in good repair, etc. Doing all of this in the months leading up to the equipment and facilities being the most heavily used helps avoid headaches for the HOA from complaints that equipment was not ready for use.

Prepare to open the community pool.

Schedule an initial inspection with your pool vendor to ensure the facility passes city inspection if required. Cities can get busy the closer it is to summer, so be sure you are not delayed in scheduling an inspection. Also, be sure any repairs are made before the inspection. Barring city inspection, be sure to test emergency phone lines, test fences, and gates, update pool rules that are posted, update pool hours, and inspect any pool furniture.

Hire a professional landscaping company. 

It is a good idea to look for winter damage in your HOA community, but when it comes to the dos and don’ts of landscaping for the summer, it’s best to leave it to the professionals. This option gives you top experience and unrivaled knowledge of flowers, trees, grass, and climate. It is also a cost-efficient alternative to manual labor and a huge benefit to your residents and potential buyers and renters.

Making sure common areas are safe.

After a long winter, your community’s playgrounds should be inspected before summer takes full effect. Ensure all children’s playground equipment is free of potential hazards and replace bolts and other structural pieces as needed. Watch out for any other hazards such as glass or insect infestations to remove as well. Post children at play signs near playground amenities to prevent accidents along roads.

Plan community events for the summer

Summer months are the perfect time to plan events that encourage residents to get out of their houses and mingle with neighbors. Potlucks, outdoor movie screenings, community talent shows, and dances are all memorable bonding experiences. If you are a board member, use these opportunities to introduce yourselves to residents and answer questions. 

From the classic cookout to a pool party or a family fun day, the options of what type of event is appropriate are endless. When deciding what, exactly, is an appropriate event for your community association will largely be determined based on the lifestyle the people in your specific community choose to live. 

How to Make Sure Your Community Stays Connected During COVID-19

COVID-19 has hit everyone hard. One of the virus’s many unfortunate consequences is the decimation of our normal community interactions. Most people move to a community to experience the benefits of living in that community: companionship, activities, and more. 

If you are a board member looking for ways to reinvigorate your community during COVID-19, keep reading. In this article, you will find the top four ways to make sure your community stays connected during COVID-19. 

4 Ways for a Community to Stay Connected During COVID-19

Want to keep your community connected? Here are four ways to do just that. 

1.Leverage online resources. 

You likely have an online portal or email system for your residents. You may even use AMG’s AMG CONNECTS system. Leverage this technology to keep your community informed and involved. 

For example, you can organize digital events using tools like Zoom. These could be meetings for the community or even concerts or virtual parties. Use email communication to determine the types of events or services that your residents prefer. Then organize them digitally, which will help keep your community cohesive. 

2.Encourage your community to donate and support small, local businesses. 

COVID-19 has been hard for everyone. However, some members of your local community are probably suffering more than others. Small businesses all over the country have struggled to stay open during this time. Families throughout North and South Carolina are struggling with lost wages and home-schooling. 

As a community leader, you can organize food drives, donations, and even provide local, small business recommendations to your community. This will help your city thrive while also providing a sense of unity among your residents. 

3.Check on elderly and ill residents.

Another group that has been hard-hit by COVID-19 is the elderly and chronically ill. Make sure to socially distance. However, visiting, bringing groceries too, and communicating with these people is great. As with donating, philanthropic work can bring everyone together. Plus, it will provide a lot of positive benefits to members of your community who are more isolated. 

4.Plan safe and socially-distanced events. 

Depending on the rules of your location, you can also plan safe, outdoor, socially-distanced events for your community. Make sure all safety requirements are followed. If you are part of a large community, you will also want to ensure that you are following attendance recommendations.

Spring and summer are great for outdoor events in North and South Carolina. Now is the time for your residents to get out of their homes and begin enjoying their community again. Outdoor fitness classes, socially-distanced picnics, and more are all ways to enjoy the outdoors and bring your community together. 

Don’t let COVID-19 cause your community to lose cohesion. You have to be more creative than normal. However, the benefits to the mental and physical well-being of your community are immense. If you’d like to learn more community management strategies and live in North or South Carolina, contact AMG today.