CA Day 2025 Education Expo Sessions

9:00 am - 10:15 am

Welcome Aboard!
Board 101

Presented by:
Kelli Badary, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, United Property Associates
Sarah R. Palamara, Atty at Law, Sarah R. Palamara, Attorney, PLLC

An educational session designed for members of common interest communities to understand the roles, responsibilities, and best practices of their board of directors. This session covers key governance principles, fiduciary duties, meeting protocols, and the purpose of executive sessions. Attendees will gain valuable insights into maintaining transparency, confidentiality, and effective decision-making within their community.

Charting a New Course
Leveraging AI

Presented by:
Heidi Daniels, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Green Run Homes Association
Jill Ewell, CMCA®, AMS®, Property Management Associates

Explore how artificial intelligence can enhance efficiency, communication, and decision-making in common interest communities. Attendees will gain insights into emerging AI tools and best practices for integrating technology while maintaining compliance and ethical standards.

From Stem to Stern
Covering Contracts

Presented by:
Deborah M. Casey, Esq., CCAL®, Woods Rogers
Tanya Gasser, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, The Select Group, Inc.

This session will help common interest community board members and managers understand the fundamentals of contract management. This session covers key elements of a legally sound contract, common pitfalls to avoid, and best practices for negotiating and enforcing agreements. Attendees will gain the knowledge needed to protect their community’s interests and ensure successful vendor relationships.

11:15 am - 12:30 pm

Taking on Water
Parliamentary Procedure

Presented by:
Beth Pryor, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Diamond Management
William W. Sleeth, III, Esq., Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani

This session is designed to introduce participants to the essential principles of parliamentary procedure, the formal system used to govern meetings and decision-making in both legislative bodies and organizational settings. It will cover the key rules and practices that promote order, fairness, and clarity during discussions, ensuring that every voice is heard and decisions are made efficiently.

Dead in the Water
Managing Burnout

Presented by:
Walter Campbell, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Associa® Community Group
Emily Wade, Licensed Counselor

Smooth seas never may not make skilled sailors, but we should still learn to recognize, prevent, and address burnout. This session covers stress management techniques, workload balancing strategies, and ways to foster a healthy and sustainable leadership environment. Attendees will gain practical tools to maintain motivation, improve well-being, and continue serving their communities effectively.

Cash on the Barrel Head
Financials

Presented by:
Becky Gehl, CPA, DesRoches & Company CPAs
John McPartland, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Property Management Associates

Understanding your association's financial statements makes for smooth sailing. This session covers key financial documents, budgeting basics, and how to identify red flags in financial reports. Attendees will gain the confidence to make informed financial decisions and ensure their community’s financial health.

2:15 pm - 3:30 pm

Captain's Mast
Due Process

Presented by:
Jeanne Lauer, Esq., Inman & Strickler, PLC
Jill Albright, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, The Select Group, Inc.

This course is all about navigating fair and consistent enforcement of community rules and regulations. This session covers the legal and procedural requirements for handling violations, conducting hearings, and protecting residents' rights. Attendees will learn best practices for maintaining compliance while fostering a transparent and equitable community governance process.

Batten Down the Hatches
Fair Housing Issues

Presented by:
Kathleen Panagis, Esq., Woods Rogers
Olga Tseliak, Esq., Chadwick, Washington, Moriarty, Elmore, & Bunn, P.C.

Take a deep dive into complex scenarios related to fair housing laws in common interest communities. This session covers best practices for handling reasonable accommodation requests, discrimination complaints, and other sensitive issues while ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. Attendees will gain practical strategies for fostering an inclusive and legally compliant community.

Calming the Angry Seas
Conflict Resolution

Presented by:
Susan Sulzberger, CMCA®, AMS®, PCAM®, Chesapeake Bay Management
Leilani Adams, Esq., Thomas, Adams, & Associates, P.C.

Toxic work environments, difficult personalities, and board/resident conflicts can all be rough seas to sail. This session covers effective de-escalation techniques, communication strategies, and conflict management skills for handling challenging interactions. Attendees will learn how to navigate tensions, reduce hostility, and create a more collaborative and positive community atmosphere.The Board of Directors is charged with making the important decisions of the association, therefore, a unity, teamwork, and the ability to compromise are paramount for successful governance.  While occasional disagreement on the board is expected, the presence of a “difficult” or a “rogue” board member can lead to a significant turmoil and affect the association as a whole.  This session will discuss different types of difficult board members and offer useful strategies and practical tips for managing their behavior and resolving conflicts. This session will also discuss legal remedies that could be employed by the board of directors and/or by the owners in particularly severe cases.

The above listed courses and their speakers are subject to change without notice. While it is our intention to have the above outlined material be presented at CA Day 2025, situations outside our control do arise and updates to the educational slate may be required. Refunds will not be offered due to changes in the lineup.