Alliance of Community Associations

1
Alliance of Community Associations

• OUR MISSION STATEMENT  The mission of this
  organization is to preserve the integrity,
  protect the authority and autonomy, advance the
  common interests, and secure the future of its
  member community associations.  

2
Common Interest

• If your association has not yet had a lawsuit
  from a third party, such as a builder, supplier,
  or a homeowner, it is only a matter of time.
• Membership in the Alliance is open to all
  community associations in Northeast Pennsylvania,
  large and small.
• Bylaws will be available for review as soon as
  possible. Input is welcome.
• There are over 125 community associations in Pike
  County alone. The alliance potential is therefore
  huge.
• The Alliance is advisory. This organization will
  not dictate to any homeowners association.
  Decisions will always be the local associations
  choice.
• We envision the work of the Alliance performed by
  Alliance committees. This means you therefore,
  we need you to be a working part of the Alliance.
  
• Committees suggested thus far are legal affairs,
  planning and resources, finance, rules and
  regulations and by-laws, State and county
  legislative action, and communication.

3
Common Threats

•  
• Of immediate concern to many community
  associations are local builders. Some builders
  are flaunting state guidelines of their own state
  association---the proverbial tail wagging the
  dog. They make such preposterous claims as
  minimum square footage requirements in community
  rules and regulations will put all builders out
  of business.
• Keep in mind that in most of Pennsylvania,
  builders deal directly with local government,
  that is, local government controls the roads. In
  Northeast Pennsylvania, builders have to deal
  with community associations that have road
  restrictions, thus, potential conflict.

4
Common Threats Continued

• 1.     Bylaws, rules and regulations, therefore,
  of individual associations may come under attack.
  Minimum square footage for new construction is
  only one example.
• 2.     Another goal of the Alliance is to
  communicate with one another when a builder
  Messes Up ---letting all know of that builders
  attitude, threats, damage to your roads, whatnot.
  
• 3.     The Alliance will be a invaluable
  resource, privately and confidentially, in
  assisting community associations in defending
  their rules and their interpretation of Act 180.
• 4.     With the Alliance in force, the builders,
  for example, will face not one community
  association with maybe 100 or 1500 lots but many
  community associations with 45,000 lots. Reflect
  on the impact this will have before the judge. We
  will be on an equal plane with the powerful third
  parties.

5
Just two topic for thought

• 1.     Contractors want, for instance, to bring
  in any size truck and almost at any time, winter
  or summer, regardless of a communitys rules or
  regardless of the freeze thaw cycle. They do not
  want to hear how much they may have damaged the
  roads with their 30 or 40-ton equipment.
• 2.     An important purpose of the Alliance is to
  counterbalance third parties who want to ignore
  the bylaws, rules and regulations, etc. 

6
Who or What does this!
7
Who Pays for this
8
Nice Road. At what cost, for Who?
9
Common Consequences of Delay

• 1.     The Alliance will also suggest to
  community associations that a particular
  community rule or interpretation is problematical
  and needs reconsideration. The rule or regulation
  may invite suit.
• 2.     Time is of the essence, not to stand firm
  now against third party interests may mean that
  we just as well should dissolve local community
  boards and hand over control to others.
• 3.     The Alliance presently lacks funding. The
  decision must come soon as to how to raise money
  and for what purposes e.g. incorporation cost
  500.
• 4.     Remember, getting into a lawsuit with a
  third party is automatically a loss because you
  have to put out the money regardless of whether
  you win or lose.

10
Common Future More Secure Life

• 1.     Goals of the Alliance vary and include
  legal advice, communication, networking, group
  purchasing, political action, and more.
• 2.     Political influence, that is influencing
  the outcome of local elections, could be vital.
  There is strength in numbers.
• 3.     The Alliance will have an accomplish
  approach rather than a talk-talk approach.
• 4.     These are the Associations that have
  stepped forward
• Conashaugh Lakes Community Association
• Crescent Lake North Community Association Inc.
• Gold Key Estates  Community Association
• Marcel Lakes Community Association
• Pocono Mountain Lake Forest Community
  Association 
• Pocono Mountain Water Forest
• Tanglwood Lakes Community Association     
• Traces of Lattimore Community Association
• Walker Lakes Community Association
• 5.     The Alliance will have a great pool of
  talent upon which to draw.
• 6.     Knowledge and use of that knowledge is
  power. Many of us do not know each other and each
  others issues. It is time to end this problem.

11
What This Means

• 1.     The Alliance will have a great pool of
  talent upon which to draw.
• 2.     Knowledge and use of that knowledge is
  power. Many of us do not know each other and each
  others issues. It is time to end this problem.
• 3.     David and Goliath! Yes, David did win,
  but more likely victory comes with many Davids
  bonding together.
• 4.     Next month lawsuits or threats of it may
  come. The Alliance wants to stand with you. We
  can be important witnesses for the defense!  

12
Next Steps

• Talk this over with your Board of Directors. Ask
  them to visit the website and see for themselves
  what the Alliance is all about and can your
  Association benefit from membership.
• Even more important can your Association help
  other Associations in the daily operation, share
  ideas with others and work for a common goal to
  sustain our own Community Association.
• Send a email to AOCA_at_ptd.net and set-up a meeting
  with our representatives soon.
• Visit www.AllianceofCommunityAssociations.com
  today.