As a community association manager, disclosing your financial interests is required.

Question:  I was talking to another community association manager who casually mentioned that he owns a carpet and floor care business.  He said that he and his partner clean the carpets and floors for several different properties that he manages.  Isn’t it illegal to enter into a contract with the association if you have a financial interest in the business in question?  

Answer:  It all comes down to disclosure. Section 468.436(2)(b)6, F.S., lists the types of acts that constitute grounds for disciplinary action, and includes contracting, on behalf of an association, with any entity in which the licensee has a financial interest that is not disclosed.  If the community association manager failed to disclose that he has a financial interest in that business and entered into a contract for services, then he may have violated chapters 455 and 468 of the Florida Statutes.  If he is found guilty of the violation, the Department may enter an order imposing a penalty, which could include denial of an application for licensure, revocation or suspension of a license, imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed $5,000 for each count or separate offense, issue of a reprimand or place the community association manager on probation for a period of time and subject to such conditions as the Department specifies.   Click to read the statute.

Thanks for asking,

Fred Gray

THE ANCIENT ORIGINS OF HALLOWEEN
Halloween’s origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced sow-in). The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death. Celts believed that on the night before the new year, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became blurred. On the night of October 31 they celebrated Samhain, when it was believed that the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. Read more...

BRING HOLIDAY WARMTH TO YOUR COMMUNITY
Why not add a bit of holiday warmth to your community?  Now is the time. Displaying a cornucopia during this time of year, for instance, can do just that. The cornucopia symbolizes abundance and nourishment.  Although a true cornucopia is made from a goat’s horn, today it is easy to find one made from wicker at the local arts and crafts store.  Known as the “horn of plenty” in Latin, the cornucopia was used for festivities and gatherings and contained fruits, flowers and nuts.

Filling a cornucopia brings an immediate feeling of comfort to a room.  Adding fall foliage, whether real or synthetic, triggers a sense of warmth and security for all.  The beautiful symbol of plenty may be as simple as a handful of silk flowers or as intricate as the centerpiece for a Thanksgiving feast overflowing with tiny pumpkins, vegetables, fruit and flowers.

From now until Christmas, a cornucopia may add just the touch you’re looking for in the community building or association office.  What better way to provide members with that wonderful feeling of “fall is in the air,” than this traditional, ancient décor.  There’s no reason to limit the decoration to just one.  Place them all around from tiny to large and each will be appreciated.  By Christmas, it’s perfectly acceptable to add an ornament or two, evergreen twigs or holly berries to let that feeling of warm-heartedness and well-being continue into the New Year.                          

SECTION 455.208 
Since 1988, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation has had the authority to advise licensees about information that’s of interest to the industry.  In today’s high tech world, the authority granted in section 455.208, Florida Statutes, led to a comprehensive website accessible by licensees and the public alike.

The statute includes a provision that the Department must publish a summary of final orders resulting in fines, suspensions, or revocations, and any other information determined to be of interest to the public.  As a licensed community association manager, it’s a good idea to check out those final orders from time to time to find out if any are specific to your area of practice.

Just visit the DBPR website and click on the “Public Notices” tab from the left side of the screen and then look for the county you’re interested in, or just click on this link to get started – http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/   Click to read section 455.208.

GRAY'S REFERENCE GUIDES 
After 27 years, we've figured out how to help each student not just pass, but go on to become the most successful Community Association Manager they can be. One of those keys to success is our library of reference guides.