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DEFINITIONS AND EXAMPLES
Benefits. Benefits could include, but are not limited to, financial, personal, political, or promotional gain.
Competing Organization. Organizations, associations or businesses in which: (1) a Leader has a substantial financial interest, or
(2) a Leader is a member, holds a position as a trustee, director, general manager, principal officer, or employee, if these
organizations, associations, or businesses engage in business transactions with or compete in any way with the Association.
“Competing” can mean:
2. Competing for members
3. Competing legislatively or regulatorily
4. Competing for primary interests
“Engage in Business Transactions” means as a customer, business partner, advisor, or in a leadership position(s).
Examples. O
rganizations that serve the real estate industry and could be perceived as competitors include, but are not
limited to:
• A
rizona Association of Community Managers (AACM)
• Alliance of Community Association Managers Chief Executive Officers (ACAM-CEO)
• Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA)
• California Association of Community Managers (CACM)
• Executive Council of Homeowners (ECHO)
• Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM)
• National Association of Realtors (NAR)
• Large Management Company or Business Partner events that provide education to community association board
members or managers on par with CAI’s curriculum
Examples. T
he following organizations are not competing organizations:
• Foundation for Community Association Research (FCAR)
• Community Association Managers International Certification Board (CAMICB)
• Any CAI Chapter
Conflict of Interest. A conflict of interest arises when a person in a position of authority over the organization may benefit
personally from a decision he or she could make in that capacity, including indirect benefits such as to family members or
businesses with which the person is closely associated. CAI’s Conflict of Interest Policy is focused upon material interest of, or
benefit to, such persons.
A conflict of interest is present when, in the judgment of the President of the Board of Trustees, a Leader’s stake in the
transaction is such that it reduces the likelihood that a Leader’s influence can be exercised impartially in the best interests of the
Association.
Any potential (real or perceived) conflict of interest must be disclosed. To avoid a conflict of interest, some activities should be
avoided. Some examples include:
Financial interest or contractual relationship
Serving on a board or in similar leadership role for a competing
organization
Serving on a committee(s) for a competing organization
Using CAI’s intellectual property for activities with a competing
organization
Serving in a strategy or policy creating role with a competing organization,
especially when in conflict with CAI’s adopted policies
Relationships of a confidential nature or those regulated by privacy laws, such as that between an attorney/client or
banker/client, are exempt from disclosure.
Family. Includes an individual’s spouse, ancestors, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings (whether by whole- or
half-blood), and the spouses of children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and siblings.
Interest. Any commitment, investment, relationship, obligation, or involvement, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, that
may influence a person’s judgment. An interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. A person who has an interest may have a
conflict of interest only if the President of the Board of Trustees decides that a conflict of interest exists.
Transaction. Any transaction, agreement, or arrangement between a Leader and the Association, or between the Association
and any third party where a Leader has an interest in the transaction or any party to it.