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Neighborhood College Program
Fall 2009 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.
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 (pre-registration is required for all classes):
What You Need to Know to Amend Your Documents
Tuesday, September 29, 6-8 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St.
Associations often look to amend their governing documents for a variety of reasons: (1) they were written by the developer and do not fit the community well; (2) the community is 20 years old and much has changed in that 20 years; (3) the association is not following the provisions in the governing documents; (4) the association wants to change the restrictions imposed on its members; or (5) a combination of all of the above. If an association wishes to amend any of its governing documents, there are many issues that need to be considered, including, what is the law on the subject? Which documents need to be amended? What are the amendment requirements imposed by the association’s governing documents and the law? Does the proposed amendment violate the law? What language should be adopted? This seminar will discuss all of the above questions, and provide general guidance as to how an association should tackle amending its governing documents.
HOA Budgeting, Financials and Reserves
Thursday, October 1, 6-7:30 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th Street
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.
Self-Managed or Professionally-Managed...How To Select a Management Company That's Right for You!
Monday, October 5, 6-8 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St.
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 homeowners 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.
Managing HOA's During Tough Economic Times
Thursday, October 8, 6-8 p.m. – Via Linda Senior Center, Rm. #4, 10440 E. Via Linda
In today’s hard economic times, managing a community association that derives its income from the membership is not business as usual. Community leaders are challenged with the loss of revenue from a struggling membership and CC&R requirements to maintain the common areas and enhance property values. This class will not only focus on cost cutting measures that will ensure maintaining the curb appeal and aesthetics of a community, but also address how financial difficulties of the membership can affect the “community” of a community association. How can a board help? Participants should come with their most recent financial statements with a minimum of the actual versus budget with variance. This hands-on class will provide the participants with a clear plan for financially responsible change and positive impact on the community. Discussion topics include:
- Leveraging vendor services
- Dealing with foreclosures and bankruptcies
- Cost saving measurements
- Tightening the belt
- Small investment / Large return on investment
HOA's from the Inside-Out & Reviewing Arizona's New HOA Laws
Monday, October 19, 6-8 p.m. – Mustang Library Auditorium, 10101 N. 90th St.
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.
The ABC’s of CC&R Enforcement
Wednesday, October 21, 6-8 p.m. – Via Linda Senior Center, Rm. #4, 10440 E. Via Linda
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.
HOA BOARD MEETINGS: How they can be run legally, fairly, smoothly and expeditiously
Monday, November 2, 6-8 p.m. – Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #8, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
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!
Computer Crimes…it Could Happen to You and Your Family – Learn to Prevent It!
Thursday, November 5, 6-8 p.m. – Via Linda Senior Center, Rm. #4, 10440 E. Via Linda
Computer Crimes Unit Detectives will teach the latest scams, the latest fads, and discuss the latest technology and what that means to you and your family. We will review the social networking sites like MySpace, Facebook, and others - Instant Messages, e-mail, and mobile technology. We will discuss wireless networking and security. We will look at the latest e-mail scams, where they originate and how to recognize them. The detectives will give you tips and tricks that they themselves use to keep safe on the Internet and not get ripped off!! Bring your questions, problems, even suspicious e-mails you have received and the detectives will take a look at them. This is a completely interactive class and the topics will be what YOU want....
How to Organize Your Neighborhood…A Step-by-Step Guide
Monday, November 9, 6-8 p.m. – Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #8, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
Is there a special issue facing your neighborhood? Does your neighborhood need improvements? Are you ready to get organized, but don’t know where to start? Join us for an interactive class, facilitated by the Neighborhood Enhancement Commission. Learn from other Scottsdale residents who successfully organized to overcome challenges. Leave with the tools you need to build a better neighborhood.
Insurance…for You and Your HOA
Thursday, November 12, 6-7:30 p.m. - Via Linda Senior Center, Rm. #4, 10440 E. Via Linda
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 you need to know to protect yourself while servicing or volunteering for your community? What differences are there between insuring a common area in a single-family association and a Condo/Patio Home/Townhome? How do the CC&R's play a role in the insurance? For Condos/Patio Homes/Townhouses that have a master property policy, what should your personal insurance policy contain? Could you be responsible for the master policy deductible?
Be a Life Saver
Monday, November 16, 6-8 p.m. - Via Linda Senior Center, Rm. #6, 10440 E. Via Linda
Join more than 1,500 Scottsdale residents who have learned how to save the life of a loved one, coworker or a stranger in cardiac arrest by using a new CPR technique called Continuous Chest Compressions (CCC). This new technique is easy, safe, and does not require mouth to mouth contact. CCC can dramatically improve a person’s chance of surviving a heart attack. Scottsdale Fire Department staff will teach you how to respond to a cardiac emergency including important tips for calling 911, performing chest compressions, and how to use an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED).
Pre-registration is required for all classes.
For more information about these classes or to register,
call (480) 312-3111 or visit www.scottsdaleaz.gov/education
