Advertise on podcast: Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger

Send us Fan Mail With Halloween right around the corner, in this episode of Take It To The Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger and Dee Smith from NatureZone, a family-owned and operated pest control company, peek into the spookier corners of community association life: the creepy crawlies that make residents shiver and board members squirm. Together, they take a peek into what really moves through condos and HOAs: bed bugs that hitchhike on luggage, roof rats that turn trees into launch pads, and subterranean termites—now including a Formosan–Asian hybrid—capable of eating your equity faster than you’d ever expect.  You’ll learn how bed bugs actually spread in multifamily buildings, why foggers make them worse, and a simple hotel routine that uses a hairdryer and a bathtub to stop hitchhikers. Donna and Dee break down drywood termite myths, explain why subterranean baiting like Sentricon changes the game after heavy rains and floods, and map the entry points rats love most—soffit gaps where gables meet hips, open AC chases, and lush landscaping pressed against stucco. They also talk compassion and safety: handling hoarding cases without letting infestations jump through chases, relocating honeybees while decisively removing aggressive wasps, and using greener, microencapsulated products and inert dusts for residents with chemical sensitivities. If you live in a condo, townhome, or HOA, this is your resident’s guide and board playbook in one. Expect field-tested tips, from shaving “boots” on cabbage palms and keeping bird feeders off structures, to recognizing termite pellets and swarmer wings before repairs get ruinous.  Conversation Highlights: The ultimate Halloween pest — which creepy crawler gives even the pros chills?The most common pests found in South Florida condominiums and HOAsWhy pests spread so rapidly in multifamily buildings compared to single-family homesWhen a small issue becomes a nightmare: how one infested unit can impact an entire buildingThe most unusual or memorable pest situations from real community casesSafe and eco-friendly pest control options for residents concerned about toxicityTenting vs. spot treatment: how effective are different approaches for drywood and subterranean termites?Preventative policies boards can adopt—from hygiene to landscaping—to stop infestations before they startPlants and trees to avoid: what attracts rodents to community landscapesDee's journey into pest control and what keeps her passionate about the fieldHow modern pest control has evolved with greener, less toxic technologiesPractical advice for boards developing or updating their community pest control plans Related Links: Article: Pest Control Company finds success through focusing on client retention, not revenuePest Control Resources: Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer ServicesPodcast: Pesky Critters in Your Community? Top Tips From Wildlife Expert and Trapper Todd Hardwick

Send us Fan Mail In this week’s episode of Take It To The Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger speaks with Doreen Fiorelli, Becker’s Chief Marketing Officer who was a trained opera singer and is the author of “Aria of Ambition” in Resilience: Essays by Women in Law. Doreen reflects on how her musical training shaped her approach to preparation, ambition, leadership and resilience, revealing lessons that resonate far beyond the stage.  Donna and Doreen also explore the business of marketing and brand strategy, discussing what distinguishes successful businesses, why cutting marketing budgets can be counterproductive, and how to build visibility and credibility in a relationship-driven industry. They examine the differences between marketing and advertising, the limits of even the strongest campaigns when client experiences fall short, and the challenges of rebuilding a damaged reputation. The conversation then turns to condo and HOA leadership, with practical insights on how communication and transparency help boards build trust with residents. They also tackle AI in marketing: how to use it for ideas and drafts without letting it replace research, judgment, or your authentic voice, especially in a review-driven world where Google can write your narrative for you. If you’re interested in resilience, leadership,  marketing or more effective condo and HOA communication, subscribe to Take It To The Board, share this episode with a colleague or community association board member, and leave a review to help others discover the show. Conversation Highlights How a background in opera shaped Doreen’s approach to ambition, leadership and professional success, and why changing direction does not necessarily mean abandoning a dream.The lessons musical training offers about preparation, handling criticism, collaboration and knowing when to lead versus when to help others succeed.The difference between pursuing excellence and chasing perfection, and how those principles translate from the stage to the executive suite.What distinguishes successful firms from their competitors when it comes to marketing, brand strategy and building lasting credibility.Why marketing yourself requires more than simply promoting your services, and how professionals can begin building a strong, authentic personal brand.How professionals can become memorable in a crowded marketplace without relying on gimmicks, and why even the strongest marketing campaign cannot compensate for an inconsistent client experience.Why community association managers should think intentionally about their professional brands, and how management companies and vendors can differentiate themselves in an industry where exceptional service is a common claim.How volunteer boards shape their communities’ reputations through the way they communicate with residents, build trust and demonstrate transparency.As AI makes polished content easier to produce, why human judgment, authenticity and the person behind the professional brand become even more valuable.What Doreen would tell her eight-year-old self about the many stages on which her voice would eventually be heard. Related Links: Resource: Resilience: Essays by Women in LawArticle: Law360 Features “Resilience: Essays by Women in Law,” Highlighting Stories of Perseverance and GrowthAmazon Link: Resilience: Essays by Women in LawBarnes & Noble Link: Resilience: Essays by Women in Law

Send us Fan Mail Medicare is one of those topics that can make smart, capable people feel lost in minutes, and that confusion gets expensive fast. In this episode of Take It To The Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger talks with Brian McArthur, founder of Design My Medicare, to turn the “alphabet soup” into a clear decision you can actually live with, especially if you are planning retirement in a condo or HOA community and want to age in place with fewer surprises.   Donna and Brian walk through Medicare Part A and Part B in plain English, including what they cover, what they do not, and why Part B is where most of the cost and risk lives. Brian explains how Medicare premiums can change with income through IRMAA and why your modified adjusted gross income from two years ago can come back to haunt you after a high-earning year or later required minimum distributions. They also discuss how appeals can work after retirement, and what to ask so you know the guidance you are getting is truly in your best interest.   Then they tackle the big fork in the road: Medicare Advantage versus Original Medicare paired with a Medigap (Medicare Supplement) plan and Part D drug coverage. Donna and Brian break down networks, copays, monthly premiums, guaranteed issue timing, and what “underwriting” really means if you want to switch later. Finally, they connect Medicare to the bigger financial reality: Medicare is strong health insurance, but it generally does not cover long-term care, so staying at home often requires separate planning. Conversation Highlights: What Medicare covers, how it’s funded and why it can be so complicatedKey decisions and deadlines for people approaching age 65Whether you need to enroll in Medicare if you’re still working and covered by an employer or spouse’s employerOriginal Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage and where Medigap fits inHow income, investment sales, IRA distributions, stock options and Roth conversions can affect Medicare premiumsWhat Medicare covers, and does not cover, when someone needs help at homeThe differences between Medicare, Medicaid, long-term-care insurance, home health care and assisted livingCommon and costly Medicare mistakes, including those made by financially sophisticated individualsWhether spouses should make the same Medicare choices or consider different coverageRelated Links: Podcast: What Boards and Managers Need to Know About Residents Aging in PlaceResource: Compare Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage Resource: Medicare & You 2027

Send us Fan Mail AI generated documents are already sitting in your inbox and maybe even your next board packet, and that’s exactly why we wanted a grounded, practical conversation on how to get the most out of your AI usage and avoid the common mistakes. On this week’s episode of Take It To The Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger is joined by Thiago Ferreira, founder and CEO of Elevate AI Consulting and an instructor of human-centered AI at the University of Miami, to break down what these tools can actually do for boards, managers, vendors, and residents.   Donna and Thiago dig into the real shift from traditional Google searching to “zero-click” answers, why AI can sound incredibly confident while still being wrong, and the simplest mindset that keeps you safe: trust but verify. Thiago shares quick wins you can try right away, like using global instructions in ChatGPT or Claude to control tone and formatting, enabling the right connectors, and getting just enough training to stop “scratching the surface.”   Then they get into the work community association leaders care about most: clearer communication and better decisions. Donna and Thiago workshop a stronger prompt for a special assessment letter, explain how to stop AI from making dangerous assumptions, and talk through where AI helps versus where it creates risk. Together, they also cover privacy and confidentiality, including how to turn off model training, and why fiduciary duty means the final call a Board makes can never be “AI told me so.”  Conversation Highlights: How AI has moved from science fiction into everyday life for community associations, including ChatGPT, Claude and other large language models.Practical ways AI can help boards, managers, residents and association vendors save time and work more efficiently.The difference between generative AI and the AI tools people have already been using for years.Three simple AI tools or tasks beginners can try to immediately see its value.AI vs. Google: when to use each and why the distinction matters.The basics of writing better prompts without needing to become a “prompt engineer.”How to improve a common prompt, such as drafting a letter to condominium owners about a special assessment.Using AI to help volunteer board members prepare for meetings, organize information and manage packed agendas.Using AI to help community association managers manage email while keeping communications accurate, professional and personal.How residents can use AI to become more informed and constructive participants in community governance.AI efficiencies for engineers, contractors, accountants, attorneys, insurance professionals and other association vendors.Related Links: Article: Best Practices for Integrating AI in Florida Community Association ManagementArticle: Note Taking Automation: Fast AI Efficiency WinResource: FREE ChatGPT Power Hour WorkshopResource: Claude Power Hour Workshop

Send us Fan Mail The biggest workplace are not always obvious. A ladder with broken rungs poses a risk; an employer with a hidden agenda is a less obvious danger.  In this episode of Take It To The Board, Becker shareholder Jamie B. Dokovna joins host Donna DiMaggio Berger to unpack the hidden employment risks facing condo associations, HOA boards and community association management companies—and how seemingly small decisions can lead to significant liability. Donna and Jamie dig into the rise of AI generated labor complaints and why “garbage in, garbage out” can still create serious risk for employers. Jamie breaks down what employment laws can apply based on headcount, including OSHA, FLSA wage and hour rules, ADA accommodations, Title VII discrimination, ADEA, and FMLA.  They also tackle a common—and costly—misperception: that associations are protected because their staff technically work for the management company. When boards direct employees, drive performance reviews or participate in discipline, joint-employer arguments may follow. From there they move into real world safety issues that are easy to underestimate: extreme heat protocols for outdoor staff, hurricane and storm policies that balance community needs with employee safety, and secondhand smoke and air quality as workplace conditions. They also talk about resident driven harassment, recording and filming in the workplace, civility rules that give associations enforcement teeth, and the high stakes of threats and violence in a state with broad gun laws. Donna and Jamie close with mental health accommodations, support animals at work, social media boundaries, remote work injuries, and the one update almost every employer needs: a current handbook. Conversation Highlights: The employment risks community associations may overlook, from workplace harassment and extreme heat to threats of violence and mental health concernsUnderstanding which federal and state employment laws apply to associations, management companies and vendors—and how those obligations can vary by employer sizeWhat associations should know about protecting outdoor employees, including landscaping, maintenance, valet and security staff, from heat-related illnessHow associations can prepare policies that balance community needs with employee safety before, during and after a stormWhen exposure to cigarette or marijuana smoke can become a workplace safety or disability accommodation issueNavigating Florida’s evolving gun laws while developing policies and procedures to prevent and respond to workplace threatsWhat employers should consider when cameras, wearable devices and recordings are used in the workplaceUnderstanding an employer’s responsibilities when employees request accommodations for mental health conditions or want to bring an emotional support animal to workHow Florida’s medical marijuana laws affect drug testing, workplace policies and prohibitions against working while impairedThe emerging employment risks of artificial intelligence, including AI-generated discrimination complaints and AI's potential to impact hiring, discipline, and other employment decisionsRelated Links: Podcast: HR Hacks with Jamie Dokovna Part IPodcast: HR Hacks with Jamie Dokovna Part IIArticle: Managing Your PersonnelOnline Class: Dealing With Difficult People

Send us Fan Mail This week, Becker Shareholder Kathleen “Katie” Berkey, AICP, sits down with Donna DiMaggio Berger and explains how she helps clients deal with all sorts of issues related to their property. As Mark Twain once said, “Buy land, they’re not making it anymore,” and truer words have never been spoken. Land remains invaluable and there is often a developer looking to build, renovate, or demolish any given property. When a project like this commences, it can bring a host of headaches and trouble to those living next door. Katie Berkey is a Florida Bar Board Certified Specialist in City, County, and Local Government Law and is a certified Professional Planner by the American Institute of Certified Planners. Katie is the only practicing professional to hold both credentials in Southwest Florida and one of eight statewide. She represents clients in zoning, land use, and planning matters and represents clients in local government administrative matters before city and county commissions, councils, and boards. Katie has been recognized by various publications and organizations as one of the best lawyers in America, a Florida Rising Star, a member of the Legal Elite, a Legal Up & Comer, one of the Top 40 Under 40, and Woman of the Year! Conversation highlights include: How can volunteer boards, managers, and association residents stay alert to possible land use changes in their vicinity?How to determine if a proposed new development presents an incompatible commercial use with the existing neighborhood?What are typical deal points in a shared use agreement with a developer?How prevalent is the NIMBY (Not in My Backyard) mindset?What kind of next-door development do people fear the most?Why do local building departments often cite the association for certain violations when it might be the owners who created the violation without the association’s knowledge or consent?Who should attend a municipal or county Code Enforcement hearing with an attorney?What can be done when a city wants to repave streets in a community or enforce traffic violations but is requiring an onerous indemnification agreement from the association?BONUS: Katie discusses various valuable resources for working moms and discusses her work with the Mother’s Milk Bank of Florida. Related Links: Article: “‘NIMBY’ to ‘YIMBY’” – FCAP Managers Report Article: Mind the Invisible Lines: Easements Every Board Encounters Online Class: Board Certification: Condo/Co-Op 4-HourOnline Class: Board Certification: HOA 4-Hour

Send us Fan Mail Can ordinary citizens become heroes during a disaster? Discover how Community Emergency Response Teams (CERTs) help everyday people play essential roles in emergency situations. Join Take It To The Board host Donna DiMaggio Berger and guest Dr. Jesse P. Spearo, the Emergency Management Administrator for Miami-Dade County, as they share insights into how CERT volunteers provide critical support, from coordinating community events to distributing supplies during major incidents. Donna and Dr. Spearo delve into the activation and organization of CERTs through Emergency Operations Centers, illustrating how trained volunteers are mobilized to support first responders and assist community residents until first responders can arrive on the scene. They discuss their crucial duties, including distributing food and water, conducting damage assessments, taking preliminary life safety measures with the injured and handling specific regional hazards like hurricanes, flooding, and heat emergencies. Listen to compelling stories of how CERTs have made significant impacts, including the success of Teen CERT initiatives and the integration of these programs into school curriculums. In their conversation, they explore the structure and operations of CERT teams, highlighting the Incident Command System (ICS), leadership roles, and the importance of continuous training. They also touch on the legal protections and medical coverage provided to volunteers under the Good Samaritan Law. Wrapping up, Dr. Spearo shares his journey into emergency management and offers practical advice on supporting emergency efforts. Tune in to learn about future trends in the field and how you can get involved in making your community more resilient. Conversation Highlights Include: Types of emergencies or disasters CERTs typically respond toVolunteer training and costsKey roles within a CERT teamHow CERT members are deployed during an emergencyCommunication channels used by CERT membersHow CERTs integrate with professional emergency servicesCERT members and liability in Miami-DadeCERT equipmentSteps for a condominium or HOA interested in setting up a CERTRelated Links: Podcast: Surviving the Storm: A Journey Through Hurricane Ian and Beyond with Joseph E. Adams, Becker & PoliakoffPodcast: Keeping Cool With Jane Gilbert, Chief Heat Officer, Miami-Dade CountyResources: CERT Training Information

Send us Fan Mail Your management company is involved in almost everything that happens in your community association, yet most boards only see a small slice of what’s going on behind the scenes. In this week’s episode of Take It To The Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger sits down with Mara Jockers, in-house counsel for FirstService Residential, to get the management company perspective on governance, compliance, contracts, perpetual legislative change and the real-world risks that keep both boards and their management team up at night! Donna and Mara start with a practical reality that gets misunderstood all the time: management company counsel represents the management company, not the association. From there, they unpack what in-house counsel handles day to day, from management contracts and vendor issues to claims, litigation, subpoenas, and training teams to prevent problems before they escalate. They also talk about workplace safety and rising incivility, including what to do when residents cross the line, why documentation matters, and how simple operational changes can protect on-site staff. Then they zoom in on what makes a high-functioning board-manager relationship: clear roles, clear expectations, and a contract that matches the community’s needs. Donna and Mara cover non-negotiable provisions like indemnification and insurance, how agency law affects responsibility, and what trends are driving disputes, including personal injury claims, environmental and mold allegations, and housing-related complaints that can drag managers into conflict. They also look at smooth transitions between management companies, hurricane preparedness planning, and how AI in property management could reduce admin work so managers can focus on judgment, planning, and relationships. Conversation Highlights Include: What management companies really do behind the scenesThe legal issues keeping community managers up at nightBreaking down the fine print in management contractsWhy indemnification and insurance provisions are more important than everBuilding stronger partnerships between boards and managersAvoiding common mistakes that create risk for associationsNavigating legislative changes, litigation, and rising homeowner expectationsManaging through hurricanes, emergencies, and unexpected crisesDebunking common myths about community managementThe future of AI and technology in the property management industryRelated Links: Podcast: The Power Hour For HOA Leaders, with Organizational Strategist Dr. Edward GurowitzResource: First Service Residential Resources for Florida Community AssociationsArticle: Q&A: Becker’s Nataly Gutierrez Vazquez Discusses Today’s Community Association Landscape

Send us Fan Mail It’s common knowledge that Florida is one of the hottest markets in the U.S. – whether you’re considering a personal lifestyle upgrade or a new environment for your business. But that influx of people and industry, coupled with the state’s numerous sunny days, is a recipe for an extreme heat event and can spell disaster for an unprepared infrastructure. Host Donna DiMaggio Berger and featured guest Jane Gilbert – the world’s first Chief Heat Officer – explore the dangers posed by extreme heat in highly urbanized areas and discuss how municipalities around the world are collaborating on solutions to protect both present-day and future communities.   Highlights include:  How Jane’s recent experience as a Chief Resiliency Officer prepared her to serve as the first-ever Chief Heat Officer and what this new role means for communities in Florida and beyond;Defining the ‘urban heat island’ and how the green street vision for Miami-Dade helps reduce this;Why awareness of the risk associated with extreme heat needs to be increased and whether naming heat waves would emphasize the importance of safety during rising temperatures;How community association boards can adjust governing documents to encourage energy efficient practices – green spaces, reflective roof surfaces, upgraded A/C units, indoor/outdoor lighting choices, building weatherization, etc.;Strategies when considering how to address the disproportionate impact of heat waves on already vulnerable communities, including seniors on fixed incomes, socio-economically disadvantaged, etc.;Expansion of existing directives to ensure evacuation shelters have adequate backup power for cooling in the event of a widespread outage;The connection between extreme heat and rising sea levels, and how Florida has integrated its climate action strategies to address both;How community associations, local businesses, and incoming corporations can collaborate with Jane’s office to identify ways to protect outdoor workers in the construction, tourism, trade & logistics, public safety industries; and so much more. BONUS: Donna and Jane share a little about what to expect from the county’s three-year action plan, scheduled for release in May 2022 and recommend viewing the Miami-Dade County’s Extreme Heat Toolkit for ways you can stay safe in South Florida.  Related Links: Podcast: We’re Having a Heat Wave – The Physical and Mental Impacts from Extreme Heat and What Your Community Should Do with Dr. Jason Mansour, Medical Director at Broward Health Medical Center’s Emergency DepartmentResource: Extreme Heat Action PlanArticle: Preparing for Extreme Heat: The New Natural Disaster

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a camera can pick out a face in the crowd or if that gym security camera is a watchful guardian or an intrusive eye? Discover the intricate dance between security and privacy in our neighborhoods, as host, Donna DiMaggio Berger, sits down with guest Louis DiGioia from IC Real Time. They shed light on the advanced technology that's safeguarding our communities, from the sharpness of high-resolution cameras to the stealth of thermal imaging. Dive into the heart of today's surveillance systems and find out just how much protection they can offer to your community association, without crossing the fine line into privacy infringement. Donna and Louis dissect the nuances of surveillance in communal spaces and the crucial role of legal and insurance advice in protecting your association from potential liability. They also discuss the art of deterrence through smartly positioned signage and robust camera coverage, ensuring you're informed about the best practices for maintaining both security and peace of mind. Zooming in on the future of surveillance, they navigate through the legalities and ethics of facial recognition technology. Donna and Louis also break down the storage puzzle, evaluating network video recorders against cloud-based solutions. For community associations eyeing a surveillance upgrade, this conversation is packed with insights you simply can't afford to miss. Conversation Highlights Include: Viewing range of cameras How to address privacy concerns for cameras in common areas, like pools and gymsThe options boards have in terms of monitoring camera footageBest practices for storing recorded footageFacial recognition technology and the safeguards in place to protect privacyHow many cameras are needed for adequate security coverage and what considerations go into location decisionsNight vision technology Differences between wired and wireless security camera systems Individual doorbell cameras such as Ring or Nest in communitiesRelated Links: Podcast: Screening Vendors and Service People for Enhanced SecurityArticle: Installing Security Cameras In Your CondominiumResource: IC Real Time

Send us Fan Mail The fastest way to damage trust and delay or derail association operations is to conduct meetings that feel chaotic, secretive, or unsafe. In this episode of Take It To The Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger is joined by producer Claude Jennings as she walks listeners through the practical mechanics of conducting effective board, committee, and membership meetings. Important takeaways include: starting and ending on time; choosing the right person to chair the meeting; sticking to a clear agenda; and setting expectations that respect people’s time.    Donna also discusses the issues that usually spark drama: refusing to address the elephant in the room, letting misinformation spread, and trying to “translate” technical reports when professional advisors should present that information. Whether you’re dealing with amendments, engineering reports, covenant enforcement or maintenance/improvement projects, Donna explains why your best safety net is bringing the appropriate expert into the room and why the most powerful words can sometimes be, “I don’t know, I’ll follow up.” For virtual and hybrid HOA meetings, she covers tech checks, naming expectations for owner devices, whether chat should be disabled, and how meeting recordings can shape your community’s reputation and even property values.    Then Donna tackles the harder cases: what counts as a de facto meeting when a quorum of directors discuss association business outside a duly noticed meeting, when closed meetings are permissible and how to respond when meetings go off the rails. You’ll learn the concrete strategies to employ such as participation rules, civility codes, and even police presence as needed. Conversation Highlights: Setting realistic meeting timesPreparing remarks on tough topicsAddressing the elephant in the room and correcting misinformation calmlyAvoiding “playing expert” and bringing in engineers, accountants, lawyers when neededRunning Zoom and hybrid meetings with clear guardrails on chat, cameras, and recordingsUnderstanding de facto meetings when a quorum talks business informallyKnowing when closed meetings are allowed and why notice still mattersUsing owner participation rules, civility codes, and defined scope of authority for committees to prevent derailmentRelated Links: Podcast: Mind Your Manners: Restoring Respect in Condo, Cooperative and HOA CommunitiesPodcast: A Board Members’ Guide to Unexpected Issues – Your Questions AnsweredArticle: Maintaining Order—Managing Conflict in Community Associations

Send us Fan Mail Does your community perform background checks on potential purchasers and potential renters? Do your community residents expect their neighbors to be screened for safety and financial capacity purposes?  Join Donna DiMaggio Berger and guest Robert Sanchez, a seasoned professional from SARMA, as they unravel the complex world of background checks. Donna and Robert dive into the intricacies of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the cost of background checks, the challenges of screening foreign applicants, and the potential penalties if your background check is incomplete or inaccurate.   In this enlightening conversation, Donna and Robert unpack the evolution of background checks and debate the importance of credit scores. They debunk the myths surrounding FICO and Vantage scores and provide practical tips for building good credit.  Shifting gears, Donna and Robert focus on the international arena, considering background checks for international applicants and data privacy concerns. They touch on the challenges of running background checks in different jurisdictions, the necessity of parental consent when screening juveniles, and the ever-looming threat to data security. They wrap up by considering the issues that blanket approval policies can pose and discuss about emerging technologies. Robert's valuable insights will surely equip you to better understand and navigate the world of background screening. Tune in as Donna and Robert explore this topic of such importance to so many mandatory community associations! Conversation highlights include: Screening potential renters and potential purchasersUnderstanding and utilizing background reports Understanding credit score ranges Screening costsTransmitting and storing sensitive informationUnderstanding the different entities found on a criminal backgroundRelated Links: Podcast: The Impact of Rentals on Community Associations with David Muller, Vice Chair of Becker’s Community Association PracticeResource: Background Screening with SarmaArticle: A Rude Awakening: Your Board May Not Have the Right to Screen Leases and Sales at All!

Send us Fan Mail Most Board Members and Managers start their day with a plan which can quickly become derailed when, due to various events and challenges, pure reaction mode is activated. Emails explode, “urgent” problems crowd out the important work, and before you know it, you are stuck putting out fires instead of leading. There is a better way to manage not only your day but your overall association operations, so Take It To The Board host Donna DiMaggio Berger sat down with Dr. Edward Gurowitz, a PhD psychologist and organizational strategist, to talk about the simple practice he calls the Power Hour: protecting one intentional, highly focused hour each day to move from reactive governance to responsive, proactive leadership.   Donna and Edward dig into why community association conflicts so often have nothing to do with facts or technical know-how and everything to do with communication and POV. They explain how boards get trapped defending positions, why micromanaging operations burns out volunteers, and how a clear vision and mission can shift an association away from a purely punitive reputation. They also unpack a bold idea that changes how decisions are made: agreement and consensus are fragile, but alignment is strong. When leaders listen and learn first, they can make accountable decisions everyone will support even when they disagree.   Then Donna and Edward get practical about better board meetings: codes of conduct, staying on agenda, cutting “communication waste,” and simple conflict tools like “timeout” and “oops/ouch.” They also talk inclusion and the gap between intent and impact, plus the single question that can turn a heated debate into a productive conversation: “Help me understand how you came to that conclusion.”   If you serve on an HOA board, manage a community association, or advise boards professionally, this one is packed with leadership and meeting facilitation tactics you can use immediately. Subscribe, share this with a fellow director or manager, and leave a review so more communities can trade chaos for clarity. Conversation Highlights: Practical ways board presidents and managers can break deadlocks and move discussions forwardWhy structure and intentional time management create more freedom and productivityThe biggest time management mistakes high-performing professionals makeHow to identify the difference between a conflicting thinking style and a difficult personalityQuestions leaders can ask to better understand opposing viewpoints during meetingsTips for creating a board culture where different perspectives are viewed as an asset rather than an obstacleGuidance for association counsel navigating board impasses and leadership conflictsWhy one focused hour can outperform an entire chaotic workdayStrategies for protecting focus and productivity during crises and high-pressure situationsThe mindset shift that can transform how boards communicate, collaborate, and make decisionsRelated Links: Podcast: Mind Your Manners: Restoring Respect in Condo, Cooperative and HOA CommunitiesArticle: Maintaining Order—Managing Conflict in Community AssociationsResource: Leadership Alignment Power Hour

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Take It To The Board, we wanted something more reliable than rumors and worst-case headlines regarding EV fire risk, so host Donna DiMaggio Berger called someone who works with real data and is a battle-tested first responder: firefighter Emma Sutcliffe, director of EV FireSafe in Australia, the team behind a detailed verified global database of electric vehicle battery fires across cars buses trucks and more.    Donna and Emma discuss what the numbers suggest, including why EV ownership is climbing faster than EV fire counts, and why EVs who have sustained any sort of damage including a “fender bender” remain a major fire trigger. Emma explains how lithium-ion thermal runaway works in plain language, why off-gassing can be both toxic and flammable, and why secondary ignition can cause severe injury even after flames appear “out.” Donna and Emma also compare EV risk to internal combustion engine fires while acknowledging the hard part of any comparison: vehicle age, maintenance, and different failure modes.    From a community association and property management standpoint, they focus on what you can control: creating EV charging station rules that require NEC-compliant equipment, qualified electricians, and a clean path for owners to install chargers without improvising with extension cords and adapters. This episode digs into hurricane and flooding realities, including why salty storm surge can create delayed fire ignition days after a storm passes, plus practical steps like disconnecting charging, relocating vehicles when possible, and coordinating with local fire departments through a simple pre-incident plan and a master isolation switch.    If you manage a multifamily building, sit on a board, or own an EV in a shared garage, this conversation will change how you think about EV charging safety.  Conversation Highlights: What happens during a lithium-ion battery fire and why these fires are so difficult to extinguishWhether EV fires can reignite hours or even days after the initial eventHow EV fires differ from traditional gas-powered vehicle firesThe most common misconceptions boards and residents have about EV fire safetyWhat boards should be doing now—even if only a few residents currently own EVsBuilding design factors that can make EV fires more dangerous or harder to containSafety concerns surrounding resident-installed EV charging stationsThe added risks of EV batteries and charging systems in flood-prone and saltwater environmentsBest practices for charging station placement, installation, and ongoing maintenanceWhy associations should revisit insurance, engineering studies, and reserve planningHow emergency response protocols for EV fires differ from traditional vehicle firesWhat regulatory and safety guidelines communities may want to adopt voluntarilyRelated Links:  Resource: EV and Battery Fire TrainingResource: EV Charging Station Poster

Send us Fan Mail If your community is well run, chances are you have residents who have remained in place for decades but with more condominium and HOA owners choosing to age in place, the services you provide and the manner in which you operate your community naturally must change. 24 hour access for caregivers, nurses, and aides and the need for uninterrupted electricity to power life saving devices all bring new concerns. So, what should boards and managers do when care becomes part of the everyday community association lifestyle, and how can families avoid a crisis-driven scramble to ensure care for loved ones?    In this week’s episode, host Donna DiMaggio Berger sits down with Jacque Scherfer, Vice President of Best Care Nurses Registry in South Florida, to map out what in-home health care actually looks like, from ADL support with a home health aide to private duty nursing for complex medical needs. They also get candid about continuity of care, why the same caregiver can be a safety net, and the signs families should watch for like falls, medication issues, and slipping hygiene. Along the way, they talk cost, long-term care insurance, elimination periods, and why Medicare usually isn’t the answer for ongoing custodial care.    These in-home solutions also come with a host of condominium, cooperative and HOA realities: parking headaches, security access, privacy boundaries with worried neighbors, and hurricane season planning when someone relies on daily support. Donna and Jacque also share what legitimate screening looks like, including Level 2 FBI background checks and license verification, plus why “hiring privately” can backfire when coverage collapses. Conversation Highlights: Conversation Highlights: What in-home healthcare really involves—and how it supports aging in placeEarly signs it may be time to consider in-home care for a loved oneThe most common services families seek from in-home caregiversThe benefits and challenges of community living for seniorsHow caregiver schedules work and what communities should expectHow reputable agencies screen, train, and staff caregiversWhat boards and neighbors should know about background checks, licensing, and insuranceCommon issues in associations involving caregivers—parking, access, and building logisticsHow boards and managers can reduce friction between caregivers and staffWarning signs of elder abuse and financial exploitation every community should recognizeThe risks of hiring caregivers independently vs. through an agencyWhat role boards and managers should (and shouldn’t) play when residents are strugglingEmergency planning: what happens if caregivers can’t reach clients during disastersRelated Links: Podcast: Are “55 and Older” Communities Still In Demand? What Must Be Done to Preserve Your Senior Lifestyle? An Engaging Discussion with Mark Friedman, Becker & PoliakoffResource: Home Care FAQArticle: 55+ Communities – Do I Still Need a Survey Every 2 Years?