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 association’s 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 builder’s 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 community’s 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 other’s issues. It is time to end this problem. • 7. David and Goliath! Yes, David did win, but more likely victory comes with many David’s bonding together. • 8. Next month lawsuits or threats of it may come. The Alliance wants to stand with you. We can be important “witnesses” for the defense!

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 other’s issues. It is time to end this problem. • 3. David and Goliath! Yes, David did win, but more likely victory comes with many David’s 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@ptd.net and set-up a meeting with our representatives soon. • Visit www.AllianceofCommunityAssociations.com today.