click image to enlarge

Kids Tell Their Stories at Dogpatch Media Center

Last month, 200 people gathered at a suite in the American Industrial Center, on Third Street, to celebrate the fifth anniversary of BACYAT, a little-known Dogpatch jewel. BAYCAT, an acronym for the Bayview Hunters Point Center for Arts and Technology, offers education and employment to under-served youth, particularly in Southeast San Francisco. But BAYCAT is no ordinary training program. The nonprofit blends free, digital media classes for at-risk youth with socially conscious entrepreneurship.

Inspired by the work of Bill Strickland – who serves as president of Manchester Bidwell Corporation, a pioneering enterprise dedicated to fostering community through art and entrepreneurship – BAYCAT was founded in 2005 by Potrero Hill resident Villy Wang, who directs the organization. Wang grew up in New York City public housing, where her mother taught her the value of art, education, entrepreneurship, and storytelling. Stints as a banker, lawyer and a credentialed teacher prepared Wang for her BAYCAT role. “I started BAYCAT with the idea that the power of media is something that needs to be harnessed… especially to help under-served teens,” Wang said.

In its first semester BAYCAT taught three students in an undeveloped space on Third Street. Today, it’s nearly outgrowing its stunning warehouse space. Wang raised $1 million to remodel the space, and designed it herself to...read more

Homeowner Association Terminology 101: A Refresher

Association Manager

• Advise and provide administrative, managerial, and operational counsel to the association governing body
• Exhibit professionalism and loyalty to the principal (the Board)
• Exercise diligence in performing duties on the principals behalf
• Account for financial activities covered by the Management Agreement
• Perform on-site property inspections
• Solicit and evaluate bids for association services
• Supervise maintenance activities and contractor performance
• Oversee and authorize payment for primary association services
• Know and abide Bylaws, recognizing the State agency that supervises the community associations

The Board of Directors Duties and Responsibilities


Depending on the management agreement, some of the following responsibilities can be turned over to a managing company


President

• Chief executive officer and leader of the association
• Presides at all meetings of the board and membership
• Executes legal documents on behalf of the association
• Sets meeting agendas and controls all meetings
• Represents the board before the residents
• May have nominating, if not appointment, responsibility for all committees

Vice-President

• Performs all of the duties of the president in his/her absence
• Typically shares some of the burden of the president regarding appearances, liaison, public hearings, etc.
• Usually assigned liaison responsibility to specific staff or contractors, and to specific committees

Secretary

• Prepares and distributes board and membership meeting agendas, minutes, and materials referred to in minutes
• Maintains minutes and book on all meetings
• Maintains book of resolutions
• Maintains all official records, including official correspondence, contracts, membership roster, etc.
• Receives, verifies, and maintains all proxies
• Attests, by signature, to the legitimacy of certain documents

Treasurer

• Works with appropriate staff, contractors, and committees to develop and submit annual operating budget for approval
• Maintains adequate records of all association financial transactions
• Maintains roster of disbursement of funds, as authorized
• Prepares period financial reports
• Arranges, subject to board approval, an independent audit of financial affairs

Perspectives of Board, Homeowner, and Manager


Board of Directors Perspective

• Maintaining the value of the property and a good quality of life for the residential community
• Governing smoothly
• Enforces rules
• Establishing and keeping budget

Homeowners Perspective

• Most care a great deal about residences
• Will want service from manager and decisions from Board that will provide a good quality of life
• Problems may arise when expectations are too high or not realistic; this can occur when interests are too specialized or unique

Managers Perspective

• Working in balance with homeowners, board, and realities of management companies business(possible friction)
• Problem-solver
• Multi-task oriented

Governing Documents


All documents that regulate the community life
Documents may vary depending on type of Association (condo, townhome, etc.)
          o State law
          o Declaration of Covenants or Master Deed
          o Conditions and Restrictions
          o Bylaws
          o Rules and Regulations
          o Plats of Survey and Easement Agreements (may be separate, often included in the declaration)




Accounting Basics

• Cash Method of Account-income and expenses are only recorded when cash changes hands. Financial reports only reflect cash transactions. This is a relatively simple system for simple situations. Because all obligations are not recorded until cash changes hands, this method does not provide an accurate portrayal of the financial condition of the association at any given time.
  
• Accrual Method of Accounting-keeps track of all financial activities, including revenue as it is earned (as opposed to when it is received) and expenses as the obligation is incurred (as opposed to when it is paid). This makes possible a more accurate determination of the financial condition of the association at any point in time. Also, this is a better method for multi-year tracking of capital reserves credits and deficiencies. The primary disadvantage is the greater complexity and technical knowledge that is needed to maintain the records, understand the reports, etc.
  
• Capital Reserves-the Board has the obligation to repair and replace major capital facilities, buildings, and equipment of the association. The ideal method of providing for these future expenses is the establishment of a capital reserves system and budget to assure that such funds are available when needed. With knowledge that the future holds predictable major expenditures for repair and replacement of facilities and equipment, the association could begin the gradual accumulation of funds through a reserve account to meet all or a portion of that expense when it comes due.

Study hard - you never know when there will be a pop quiz!

 With severe weather and mentions of possible snow fall in the Bay Area this weekend, here's an interesting article about what HOA's can do to guard against natural disasters.

How HOA's Can Protect Themselves from Natural Disasters

Mother Nature always has a way of making her presence felt throughout the year, whether it is the intense heat of the summer or the record breaking cold we experienced this fall, and homeowners associations need to be prepared for the worst possible scenarios that may affect the community.  This is especially important for townhome and condominium associations that have the responsibility of maintaining and insuring the homes within the community.

Too often, board members rely on their management company to ensure they have the appropriate insurance coverage on the community, and just as often when we begin working with a new company we quickly realize that the insurance has not been reviewed, rebid, or adjusted in any way for years.  Insurance is extremely important and too often overlooked as just another bill, rather than considered a priority that should be reviewed any time capital improvements are done in the community or at least annually.


If you are working with an insurance agent that has experience in the HOA industry they will be able to provide some guidance on coverage to ensure it is adequate and meets the requirements of the community's declarations, but it is important that additional measures are taken to ensure protection against natural disasters on top of the standard insurance coverage.  There is no true way for a community to prepare for a natural disaster, Mother Nature strikes without warning sometimes and there is often little that can be done other than to carry the proper insurance coverage to protect the property.  If you have not had an insurance review completed in the last year it is strongly encouraged that you look into having this done so you can have the peace of mind knowing you are protected.

Article from here

Kudos Corner

Letters, we get letters,

We get stacks an' stacks of letters . . .

"Well, I don't think our association acknowledges good work as often as we should but everyone is definitely ready to point out flaws right away.  I know it is not spoken much but I have heard many members comment on how impressed they are with you and the work you are doing.  You have been extremely responsive, always follow up and keep a positive attitude.  It sure makes being on the board a lot easier when we do not need to constantly follow up or listen to angry members who have asked multiple times to have something done with no action taken.  So basically.....thanks!"
- Board Member

Kudos Corner

Letters, we get letters,

We get stacks an' stacks of letters . . .

"Absolutely fabulous Property Manager, he did great with a difficult homeowner and I appreciate his help and professionalism!"
- Realtor

Go Gigantes!

Giants FanFest 2011

Emmalou Gonzales' son Jaden meets his hero, Brian Wilson, he of the “Fear the Beard” legend at the Giants FanFest on Saturday, February 5 at AT&T Park.

Meet the New Supervisors: Feb 17th @ the Old Mint Building

click to enlarge image

The small business community of San Francisco invites you to ‘Meet the Supes’- February 17, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Old Mint, 5^th and Mission Streets for a reception welcoming the new members of the Board of Supervisors and other elected officials. See flyer posted above for more detail.

Co-Hosted By:

• The San Francisco Council of District Merchants
• The San Francisco Small Business Network
• The Small Business Advocates

R.S.V.P. to execdirector@sfsbn.org

Happy Chinese New Year!

Year of the Hare
1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

"Persons born in the Year of the Hare are talented and ambitious. They are popular with anybody and good entertainers which often makes them the center of attention. Even though they are liked they are rather pessimistic, insecure and are afraid of changes. They almost never lose their temper and are very good-natured. In the business world however, they are smart and make the right decisions according to instinct. Nevertheless, they are not gamblers. Hares are known for their sense of art and for that reason often have beautiful homes. They match persons born in the Year of the Sheep, Pig or Dog."

-Read more about Chinese astrology here