Wendy Bucknum CMCA, AMS, CCAM
Following is a guest post from Wendy Bucknum, CAI-OC’s president.
The Orange County Chapter of CAI places a significant amount of emphasis on advocacy for our industry. This year the Chapter Legislative Support Committee decided to have a “Day in the OC District” to mirror what is done each year in Sacramento with our “Annual Legislative Day in the Capital.”
On Friday, July 15, 2011, approximately 30 community managers, volunteer HOA board members and business partners gathered to learn about some of the proposed legislation that may impact common interest developments (CIDs).
The day started out with an overview from CLAC Chairman Dick Pruess and Immediate Past-Chair Kelly Richardson regarding how CLAC functions from a national and statewide perspective. Following their discussion of the great things CLAC is doing in Sacramento, each of the delegates who are members of the Orange County Regional Chapter shared a bit about current legislation relevant to CLAC including:
- Jaime Hackwith sharing insights on Assembly Bill 563 – Board Actions without Noticed Meetings;
- Wendy Bucknum presenting information on Senate Bill 209 – Electric Vehicle Charging Stations;
- Ramona Acosta providing an overview of Assembly Bill 771 – Transfer Fees associated with providing required documents at time of sale; and
- John MacDowell summarizing Senate Bill 759 – Artificial Turf.
Wendy Bucknum rounded out the day along with special guest Shawna Rimke, District Director with U.S. Congressman Ken Calvert’s office sharing expertise on how to “Lobby Your Legislator.” Which provided tips and tools for everyone as they headed out to visit their respective legislator offices. Chapter members visited the offices of Assemblymembers Solario, Miller, Norby, Wagner and Harkey. Martin Paine, District Director for Senator Mimi Walters‘ office came
to the Chapter office to visit with everyone from CAI-OCRC. Day in the District 2011 wrapped up with a successful debriefing session on the visits .
Martin Paine with Senator Mimi Walters with Chapter members Catherine Brians, Corky Burnett, Terri Hamilton, Wendy Bucknum, Ruth May and Heather Gerson.
This was done in an effort to educate our attendees about the importance of advocating on behalf of our industry at the local, state and federal levels!