![]()
Spring 2008 Class Schedule
In Scottsdale, the success of our community is defined by how we as individuals address and respond to neighborhood issues and challenges. Believing that one person can make a difference, the City of Scottsdale developed the Neighborhood College to provide residents, neighborhood groups and homeowners associations with the information, resources and tools needed to become effective neighborhood leaders.
Because of the great success and positive participant feedback, we are offering more Neighborhood College classes this spring series than ever before.
Whether you’re getting started as a new board member, are a seasoned board member, or just want to keep an eye on what’s happening in your neighborhood, our professional, volunteer instructors invite you to participate in the following FREE Neighborhood College classes.
PLEASE NOTE: You must pre-register for all Neighborhood College Classes
Class Outlines
Neighborhood Enhancement Partnership (NEP) Orientation Workshops
The Neighborhood Enhancement Partnership (NEP) program helps to prevent the decline of mature neighborhoods by encouraging property owners to enhance their own neighborhoods. NEP provides funding opportunities that can assist in neighborhood-based improvement projects. Improvements/enhancements must benefit the entire neighborhood (applications for individual homes will not be accepted).
Please Note: All applicants (HOAs and neighborhood groups) must attend one of these orientation workshops in order to apply for funding. Pre-registration is required. Funding application deadline is Friday, May 9, 2008.
- Thursday, March 6, 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #8, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
- Tuesday, March 11, 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St.
DESERT PRESERVATION - My Role in Protecting the Character of the Desert
The City of Scottsdale has an ongoing interest in preserving the unique qualities of the Sonoran Desert. This includes native vegetation, scenic corridors, animal habitats, boulder outcroppings, and washes. Scottsdale contains an abundance of diverse native plant and animal species that contribute to its character and beauty and merit protection under the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO). An important part of the ESLO regulations is the Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) requirement. NAOS requirements are designed to preserve the desert in its natural state and serve as an effective preservation tool. Its integrity can only be protected and maintained with the assistance of a well-informed public. This course will give a broad overview of the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Ordinance (ESLO) and specifically outline Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) guidelines. The following topics will be included:
- Identifying NAOS
- Easements
- Maintenance
- Indigenous plants
- Landscaping practices
- Protecting your NAOS against Fire (The what, where and how of creating a fire break within your NAOS)
- Wednesday, March 12, 6-8 p.m. – Arabian Library, Rm. #2, 10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd.
The ABC’s of CC&R Enforcement
Legal enforcement of covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&R’s) is an important part in maintaining overall quality of life and basic community standards for HOAs. However, enforcement can be a time consuming and costly task for any HOA governing board. How do you encourage residents to abide by the rules without taking legal action against them? Get practical advice on how to effectively administer CC&R’s.
- Thursday, March 20, 6-8 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N 90th St.
Identity Theft Prevention
Do you know the 10 steps to prevent you from being a victim of Identity Theft? If you were a victim, do you know how to clear your name? This informative presentation will teach you about the latest trends in identity theft and how to prevent becoming a victim.
- Thursday, March 27, 6:30-8 p.m. - Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St.
HOA's from the Inside-Out & Reviewing Arizona's New HOA Laws
Your HOA is a business, a nonprofit corporation governed by the declaration of covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&R’s), articles of incorporation and by-laws. This overview will define HOAs, the governing documents, organizational structure and rights and responsibilities of boards of directors and homeowners. Specific topics to be covered include characteristics and types of HOAs, organizational structure and board structure, hierarchy and purpose of governing documents, statutes and regulations and fiduciary responsibility and duty. Also, the new HOA laws passed by the Arizona Legislature will directly impact how you operate your HOA. Learn what you need to know to stay within legal expectations.
- Thursday, April 3, 6-8 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th Street
Self-Managed or Professionally-Managed...How To Select a Management Company That's Right for You!
How do HOAs assess overall effectiveness of their management company? What are the “warning signs” you need to know in order to determine if your management company is working FOR your association? How do you go from being "self" managed to "professionally" managed? Industry professionals that have extensive experience in community management will teach this session. The class is designed to provide insights for homeowner association board members on how to ensure their association is receiving adequate service from their management company and, if not, how to take corrective action. It will also answer questions about the differences between self-managed and professionally-managed communities. Most importantly, it will provide attendees with a standard list of responsibilities any legitimate management company should be held accountable for, regardless of location, age, size, or relative wealth of an HOA.
- Monday, April 7, 6-8 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St.
HOA BOARD MEETINGS: How they can be run legally, fairly, smoothly and expeditiously
Legal, effective and efficient board meetings create productive boards, increase morale and make it easier to recruit volunteers. Students will be given a primer on how to conduct themselves as board members or what to expect from board members.
- Follow the law! The Arizona Open Meeting Law: quorum, notice, procedure, minutes
- What is the role of the individual board member?
- What are the roles of the officers: president, vice president, secretary and treasurer?
- How to plan and prepare for a board meeting
- How much notice are residents to be given pursuant to AZ law?
- How to structure the agenda
- How to determine the type of parliamentary procedure to use
- How to keep the meeting moving
- How and when may residents participate in the board meeting
- How to deal with conflicts that occur during a meeting
- How to take perfectly proper meeting minutes
- How to enlist community input
A mock HOA Board meeting will be conducted at the end of the class – class attendees will participate in the mock board meeting!
- Thursday, April 10, 6-8 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St.
Landscape's Big Picture: Managing Heat, Water, Dust, Waste and Your Money
Done right, a low-water-use landscape can cool your home, use less water, reduce particulate pollution and green waste, reduce air-conditioning costs, and save the expense of intensive maintenance and management. This is a practical overview of what to consider and what to avoid in planning, planting and maintaining an energy and water-efficient landscape.
- Tuesday, April 15, 6-8 p.m., Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #8, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
HOA Budgeting, Financials and Reserves & Insurance – Budgeting, Financials and Reserves
Financial security is critical to the welfare of any HOA governing board and the residents it serves. When do you need to pursue a special assessment? How often should your HOA finances be audited? What are some of the financial trends you should look at on a regular basis to ensure your organization is in the black? Periodically reviewing your homeowners association reserve account ensures that your association has accurately projected its future funding needs for planned and unanticipated (emergency) costs, while also helping to establish a correct level of funding in anticipation of these costs. This session will cover reserve studies, reserve accounts, operating accounts and budgets—all of which will help ensure the long-term future of your most important investment: the neighborhood in which you live.
Insurance: The role of insurance is critical in protecting one of your most important assets, your home. As a homeowner, a board officer, or general board member, what do I need to know to protect myself?
- Thursday, April 24, 6-8 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th Street
What can the City of Scottsdale do for your HOA?
Staff from various city departments will discuss the Speed Awareness program, Neighborhood Watch, Water Conservation, Code Compliance, Neighborhood Enhancement and Public Participation.
- Tuesday, April 29, 6-8 p.m. – Arabian Library, Rm. #2, 10215 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Rd.
Maintaining a Vibrant Neighborhood
Have you ever wondered how to help your mature neighborhood continue to sparkle? The City of Scottsdale is committed to helping maintain the vitality of our original community by partnering with Scottsdale residents, business owners and community groups. Learn about the city’s permit fee reduction program and other tools and resources available to help your mature neighborhood, south of Indian Bend Road, to preserve its vitality and character.
- Tuesday, May 6, 6-8 p.m. – Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #11, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
PLEASE NOTE: You must pre-register for all Neighborhood College Classes
For more information, contact Citizen & Neighborhood Resources at 480-312-3111.
Learn about Scottsdale 101