Educational Programs

Educational Programming

Educational Programming

One of the primary goals of our Chapter is to educate board members and community managers of common interest communities. Through education, we hope to improve living in homeowner associations, condominiums, and cooperative living communities. To accomplish this goal, we run several programs and many events each year.

BREAKFAST PROGRAM

One of the longest-standing programs of our Chapter is the Breakfast Seminar series. This educational series provides the latest information about community living and best practices for community managers and homeowners. In 2021, our Breakfast Seminars have evolved into Breakfast Seminars and webinars. Prior to 2020, our breakfast program was five in-person events each year. However, when forced to use virtual programming in 2020, we realized we could reach more of our members through remote educational events. In 2021, we moved to having two in-person events and three virtual events for the safety of our members.

Our breakfast topics in 2021 included: • Emotional Intelligence • Legal Roundtable • Insurance Case Study • Emergency Planning • How to Deal with Difficult People and Situations

Moving forward we will continue to hold 3 in-person events and 2 virtual events. This balance will give our members the chance to still have multiple networking opportunities at breakfast events while enabling members who live a significant distance from Columbia to attend.

HOMEOWNER WEBINAR

Similar to our Breakfast Seminars, our Homeowner Seminars were moved to webinars in 2021, and we have already seen the benefits. Not only did we see a significant increase in attendance, but similar to our Breakfast program we were able to serve a larger geographic region of members than when they were held exclusively in Columbia, MD. The webinar platform allows large numbers of homeowners to interact and learn from each other while still hearing best practices from speakers who are experts in association living. Also, by moving to a virtual setting, we were able to make this program free to our homeowner members, and it will remain free for our members in 2022.

Our homeowner topics in 2021 included:

• Partnering with Your Management Company • Stay in Your Lane • Managing Your Community’s Reputation • Board Member Best Practices • How to Make the Best Use of Your Professional

Advisors

BOARD LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP

Another program of our Chapter that moved to the virtual space was our Board Leadership Development Workshop (BLDW). This intensive course provides homeowners with all of the information and tools they need to function as a board member of their condo or association. Historically, this was a full-day, in-person event. In 2021, we hosted the event over two-half days. This gave our members the same great access to our legal and management experts from the comfort of their own homes. By doing so, Chapter expenses to host the event were reduced, making it possible to reduce our member registration fee.

ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM AND EXPO

Our Annual Symposium and Expo returned to an in-person event in 2021. Speakers focused on the lessons that were learned from the disruption of 2020. The event was scaled appropriately to protect our members, and the format was adapted for small group education. This revised format provided an added focus on key educational topics such as communication within associations and the use of technology to manage and run associations. There were over 60 exhibitors in the Annual Expo.

EASTERN SHORE BREAKFAST AND MINI-EXPO

The educational programming for our Eastern Shore members continues to expand. In 2021, we held a webinar in April, a breakfast seminar in September, and our first ever Mini-Expo on the Eastern Shore in November. As our membership and interest in education on the Eastern Shore continue to grow, we will provide additional educational opportunities and events to our members.