No matter what industry you work in, finding and hiring good employees is difficult. While the economy has recovered, there are still many jobseekers who apply for jobs that they are unqualified for, just because they need employment. And a candidate who seemed like a good choice for your community might end up not having the experience or attitude that’s necessary to help manage an association.

Q: I want to ensure that everyone in the community I manage is safe from accidents. I’m thinking about recommending that the association create and enforce a rule that requires an adult to be present when children are playing in specific areas in the community, such as our playground. Is this a wise plan?

Sometimes, to comply with the law, association boards must be restructured. If you find yourself in the position of having to deliver the news and help with the restructure, you could be faced with accusations by board members that you’re improperly trying to oust them for your own motives. For example, if you’ve had difficulty working with the current board members, they could assume that you’d like to replace them with members who will be more accommodating.

No matter what industry you work in, finding and hiring good employees is difficult. While the economy has recovered, there are still many jobseekers who apply for jobs that they are unqualified for, just because they need employment. And a candidate who seemed like a good choice for your community might end up not having the experience or attitude that’s necessary to help manage an association.

Q: Unfortunately, since the presidential election, there have been several incidences of graffiti in our community, referring to some of the politically charged campaign messages. We’ve never had a problem with any kind of vandalism in the past. What steps should we take now?

Following on the heels of Halloween, the Community Association Institute (CAI) released the findings of a research study that addressed the issues that pop up in planned communities on that holiday. According to the survey, 93 percent of respondents said their association hasn’t made any changes to its community policies regarding Halloween. However, 86 percent of those surveyed report their association doesn’t have special rules for the spooky day, and 83 percent report their community doesn’t have a policy for neighborhood trick-or-treating.

Facts: An association member complained to the community’s management company on three separate occasions that an unauthorized car was parked in his assigned parking space at the property. The manager told the member to call a towing company, but when the member contacted the company, he was told that an “authorized” representative of the community would have to request that the car be towed. However, the manager refused to call the towing company on the member’s behalf.

Facts: A condominium member suffered injuries after slipping on the sidewalk outside her building. She sued the association and the association’s management company for negligence, alleging that a defective drainage condition and negligent maintenance of the premises where the defective drain led to pooling of water and an unnatural accumulation of ice caused her fall. The trial court ruled in favor of the association and the management company; it said that the Illinois state’s Snow and Ice Removal Act provided immunity to the defendants.

Some of the national conversation and controversy regarding the 2016 presidential election has centered on the integrity of the voting process. Speculation that voting results can be influenced by hacking has been in the media. And whether high-tech interference with the voting process is a reality or an unfounded fear, it’s still worth considering. So is it a good idea to use technology for board elections at your community?

Community Associations Institute (CAI) recommends education and training for the 2.35 million volunteer community association board and committee members nationwide.