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In general, a CID can be thought of a combination of ...
Within a CID, there is no one ...
CIDs are ...
CIDs range in size from as little as a two unit development to a large complex having thousands of homes with combinations of single family attached and detached homes. There are also master planned communities with mixed use housing and multiple CIDs within the Master Community. All CIDs are similar in that they allow individual owners the use of common property and facilities and depending on the type of housing they provide for defined maintenance responsibilities by the association and by the individual owners. The system of "volunteer-based" self-governance is provided through an "association" of the homeowners that comprise the CID. The most common type of an association of homeowners is the nonprofit mutual benefit corporation. As such, there is an elected volunteer Board of Directors. The self-governance is effected by the elected Board of Directors and set of Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions (CC&Rs); By-Laws; and Rules which guide the board in carrying out their duties and provide the self-governance structure under which the residents of the community live. Over 60 million people live in approximately 250,000 CIDs in the United States. These communities have unique support characteristics and have evolved an entire industry of specialized resources to support them.
There are a number of CIDs that are self-managed, in that members of the Board assume certain management and support functions and outsource other needed services. It has been estimated that somewhere between 40-50% of CIDs operate this way. Another is a cadre of service and product providers who have, in general, tailored their services and products specifically to supporting these types of communities and form of lifestyle. These include every aspect of trade and professional support from landscapers to attorneys. Another facet of this industry are the publications, journals and web sites specifically dedicated to addressing the issues of this industry and lifestyle. Finally, there are specialized organizations, such as the Community Associations Institute (CAI), whose membership comprises: the CID volunteer leaders; managers; and service and product providers (business partners). Through its national presence and 55 local chapters, throughout the United States, this organization provides for the education and certification of community association managers; the education and resource support of the CID volunteer leaders of these communities; a networking infrastructure for the service and product provider members; and a voice in national, state and local government. CID-DATA.COM™ |
One of the resources is management support in the form of community association managers. These are individuals whose responsibility it is to understand the various state and local laws regarding the operation and governance of CIDs; and the support requirements for the day-to-day and long-term operation of these communities. Their job is to guide and assist the volunteer Board of Directors in carrying out their duties.