HOA Law Blog

Click here to read an interesting article from the Wall Street Journal about complaining entitled "From Attitude to Gratitude." We all do it. And we know that homeowners at community associations like to complain a lot. They complain about management. They complain about the board. Heck, sometimes they even complain about the association's legal counsel. They complain about the landscaping, the paint color, the temperature of the pool and the list goes on (and on and on). The attached article talks about owners complaining as "nitpicking in paradise."

Many of us complain we have so many calls or e-mails to deal with; we complain because there is so much work to do. Some board members complain about the homeowners, about all the delinquencies, about the high cost of insurance, etc., and the list goes on.

How about this: instead of complaining, why not say (or feel) how grateful we are for what we have. If you are employed, stop complaining because 10% of Californians are out of work. If you still have some money in the bank or invested in stocks, stop complaining because some people invested their money in Ponzi schemes.

We all need to stop complaining and look at the bright side of things. Please read the article attached - it's humbling.

On Friday, February 27, 2009, the Orange County Chapter of Community Associations Institute (CAI) held its annual awards dinner. We are pleased to announce that our very own Sandra Gottlieb was presented with the Chapter's coveted May Russell Hall of Fame Award.

Each year, the Orange County Chapter of CAI recognizes an outstanding individual who has been instrumental in the success of the Chapter. The Chapter’s most prestigious award is named after May Russell, a former Irvine Company Executive who helped form CAI and was its first president (CAI started in Orange County). Recipients of this Award were first announced in 1988 at the Chapter’s very first awards dinner. The Award is presented to an individual who has proved exemplary leadership and demonstrated the ideals and objectives of CAI through active participation at the local, regional and/or national level.

Congratulations to Sandra Gottlieb!