As a rule I tend not to use this message to highlight the many programs CAI New England chapter volunteers coordinate and successfully execute every month. Not because I think they aren't worth mentioning, but on the contrary, so many people have already told me what a success these programs were it would be "old" news. But this month I'll break from tradition because not only have chapter volunteers again achieved milestones but because I believe they have reached even greater heights that will bring a greater awareness of common interest communities throughout New England which will change the industry.

*Over the past year, volunteers have organized in all our chapter states through regional committees and have helped to set records for program attendance and more than doubled CAI membership in the states of Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont. As a result of this growth CAI now reaches thousands of new community association leaders throughout New England.

*Legislatively this year has seen the historic authorization of a Rhode Island Legislative Action Committee (RILAC) currently on the forefront working with state legislators on a manager licensing bill for the 2008 legislative session. If successful, this Rhode Island manager licensing law could be the first of its kind in New England. The Massachusetts Legislative Action Committee (MALAC) which has been in existence for more than 15 year's, has testified at the Massachusetts state house on a number of bills all of which have been successfully defeated or passed as of the time of this writing.

*The first Maine Condo Conference & Expo was hosted bringing to this state a local conference & expo never before organized. As a result of the success of this state conference and expo, similar programs will be planned for Rhode Island and Vermont in 2008.
*The charitable contributions of chapter volunteers is unrivaled as is evident in the thousands of dollars raised by the annual golf tournament each year but this year those efforts were doubled as volunteers organized the first Condo Cup Classic tournament in Arundel, Maine which raised thousands of dollars for Caring Unlimited and turned out golfers and volunteers from across the state.

It has been my pleasure to work with so many volunteers from all our New England states. The journey has been an exciting one and the results awe inspiring.
To so many of you I have had the opportunity to meet and those who I'm sure I will cross paths with in the future, I thank you for your inspiration and ever constant desire to build better and stronger communities and make the industry all that it can be.



Erik Simard is the 2007 CAI chapter president, Wellesley, Mass.