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Fall 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.
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 Descriptions
Neighborhood Enhancement Partnership (NEP) Orientation Workshops
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Monday, September 8, 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #8, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
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Tuesday, September 16, 6:30 to 8 p.m. – Via Linda Senior Center, Rm. #6, 10440 E. Via Linda
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, November 7, 2008.
The ABC’s of CC&R Enforcement
- Thursday, September 18, 6-8 p.m. – Via Linda Senior Center, Multi-Use Rm. #1, 2 & 3, 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.
DESERT PRESERVATION - My Role in Protecting the Character of the Desert
- Tuesday, September 23, 6-8 p.m. – Via Linda Senior Center, Rm. #6, 10440 E. Via Linda
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)
Issues Facing Condominiums
- Thursday, September 25, 6:00-8 p.m. – Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #8, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
Whether you are living in a condominium now or interested in doing so in the future, there are several important issues to know so that you have a clear understanding of how condominiums work. Some of the major items addressed in the class will include maintenance and insurance responsibilities, budgeting and ways to cut costs, and generally how to get along in a condominium neighborhood. Gain an understanding of condominiums and the tools needed to ask the right questions about how they work.
HOA's from the Inside-Out & Reviewing Arizona's New HOA Laws
- Thursday, October 2, 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.
Computer Crimes…it Could Happen to You and Your Family – Learn to Prevent It!
- Monday, October 13, 6-8 p.m. – Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #8, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
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....
What You Need to Know to Amend Your Documents
- Thursday, October 23, 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 & Insurance – Budgeting, Financials and Reserves
- Tuesday, October 28, 6-8 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. 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?
Code Enforcement Basics
- Monday, November 3, 6-7:30 p.m. – Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #8, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
Code Enforcement is a process using various techniques to ensure compliance with zoning, sign standards, property maintenance, and nuisance and housing regulations. This course will focus on the City of Scottsdale’s code enforcement process including how individual residents, neighborhood organizations and community groups assist in code enforcement. It will also help you gain an understanding of how violations are handled, how inspections are conducted and documented, and how the court process works for code violations. Participant feedback is strongly encouraged.
What can the City of Scottsdale do for your HOA?
- Wednesday, November 12, 6-8 p.m. – Granite Reef Senior Center, Rm. #8, 1700 N. Granite Reef Rd.
Staff from various city departments will discuss the Speed Awareness program, Neighborhood Watch, Water Conservation, Code Compliance, Neighborhood Enhancement and Public Participation.
Self-Managed or Professionally-Managed...How To Select a Management Company That's Right for You!
- Tuesday, November 18, 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 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.
HOA BOARD MEETINGS: How they can be run legally, fairly, smoothly and expeditiously
- Thursday, November 20, 6-8 p.m. – Via Linda Senior Center, Rm. #6, 10440 E. Via Linda
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!
PLEASE NOTE: You must pre-register for all Neighborhood College Classes
For more information, contact Citizen & Neighborhood Resources at 480-312-3111.