Letter from the President

Dearest Members,

I write this message to congratulate you for making it through another fantastic year in the Chapter’s history. 2021 is a year to remember. Despite the ongoing pandemic craziness, we have persevered, and, in fact, far exceeded what we even imagined we were going to accomplish. The Board’s theme for this year was “Grow Together”. We had so many thoughts and ideas of what that theme could mean. Little did we know how accurate it would be for the year. It was our mission to see this Chapter grow. We wanted growth in the sizes and types of our events. We wanted growth in our education, and we wanted growth in our member involvement and numbers. I am proud and honored to say that I don’t think we just accomplished that goal, we crushed it. We are now over 1,200 members strong. Anybody who read my blurb in the newsletters each quarter knew that was my personal goal for the Chapter. We have some of the best involvement in our committees and in fact, added a few new ones this year (Business Partner Advisory, Legislative, and Communications) to support the Chapter’s needs. We provided some of the best educational events which not only had timely topics, but were well attended both virtually and in-person. Somehow, we managed to throw a few new events into our schedule as well. Although I am sad to see the year go, I’m just as excited for the years to come. I know it will just keep getting better and better. I have been proud to serve on the Board the past three years and I am looking forward to being involved for the next three as well. I hope to see all of you at our future events, and ask that you’ll share your love and passion for this Chapter with more people so they, too, can join the best Chapter – our Chapter – the Chesapeake Region Chapter of the Community Association Institute.

~Gail Windisch, CMCA, AMS, PCAM

Chapter President of 2021

THE CHEASAPEAKE REGION CHAPTER

The Chesapeake Region Chapter of CAI (CRC) serves the majority of the State of Maryland as well as the the Delaware Eastern Shore. CRC provides educational programs for homeowners, board members, managers/ management companies, and business partners that work with these associations. The Chapter sponsors five educational breakfast programs annually, each focusing on a different educational topic. The Chapter also sponsors a variety of social/networking events including our annual Golf Outing, Crab Feast, and an Annual Holiday Social.

Together with the Washington Metro Chapter, CRC advocates for community association rights by appointing Chapter members to serve on the Maryland Legislative Action Committee (MD-LAC). This committee represents the interests of community association residents and professionals before the Maryland General Assembly. Homeowners, managers, attorneys, and other business partners are given the opportunity to serve on this influential committee.

The Chapter publishes a quarterly newsletter entitled ‘The Beacon’, which contains articles of interest to our members, including current trends within the industry and a legislative update. ‘The Beacon’ also provides information about the CRC’s current events and offerings as well as advertising opportunities for our sponsors and business partners.

ABOUT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS INSTITUTE

The Community Associations Institute (CAI) is an international, membership-based organization dedicated to fostering vibrant, competent, harmonious community associations. CAI has 64 chapters worldwide, including Canada, the Middle East and South Africa. For more than 45 years, CAI has been the leader in providing education and resources to the volunteer homeowners who govern community associations and the professionals who support them. Members include community association volunteer leaders, professional managers, community management firms, and other professionals and companies that provide products and services to associations.

CAI also advocates for legislative and regulatory policies that support responsible governance and effective management. The Institute represents the interests of its members before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and other policy-setting bodies on issues such as taxes, insurance, bankruptcy reform, and fair housing.