by Sheldon Atovsky — This story is not what you’d expect to find in Condo Legislative Watch. Not to worry, future columns will cover some of the important legislation passed and pending at state and city levels.

But right here at home, there is so much happening in our own condo association. Five committees report solid news in this issue, and the board is considering steps to possibly update our declaration and bylaws.

While certainly not a prerequisite, there is excellent training available locally for owners who have considered taking leadership roles in associations like PTCA. Here are two such opportunities that focus on crucial topics of condominium governance.

Learn and Lead  is a series of six classes presented by the Association of Condominiums, Townhouse and Homeowners Associations.

1. Governance
2. Administration
3. Meetings/Elections
4. Finance
5. Physical Aspects
6. Insurance/Risk Management

These classes are taught by professionals in the field, among them board attorney David Bendoff. Two of our current board members – Michael Parrie and Jean Shamo – are now enrolled in the classes.

The next series is planned for January, 2017. Details are not firmed up yet, but the location is likely to be either Chicago or Oak Park. Classes generally meet once a month – on Saturday mornings – so it would be a 6-month commitment for anyone aiming to complete all six classes.

The cost to attend all six classes is $100, a discounted price since PTCA is an institutional member of ACTHA. Auditors are welcome, while those who are aiming for certification take short quizzes following each class.

www.actha.org

Dedicated Community Association Leader, is a series of seven classes presented by the Community Associations Institute of Illinois.

With titles similar to ACTHA’s, these classes run continuously during the year, in a variety of locations, primarily the western suburbs. As with the ACTHA set, missed classes can be “made up” online, or the entire series taken online.

Our management company, Draper & Kramer, is an institutional member of CAI-Illinois, and property manager Tim Patricio has offered to inquire about discounted prices for any who express interest in these classes. Accordingly, the cost per class would be either $35 or $25.

www.cai-illinois.org/program-event-registrations

Participation in the affairs of our associations depends on having the time and the interest. ACTHA and CAI-Illinois may whet your appetite.