I have to image almost everyone involved in community associations has heard of or remembers where there were the moment they learned of the tragic collapse of part of the Champlain Towers South Condominium at 1:22 AM on June 24, 2021. The following article is from CAI’s very own Dawn Bauman, CAE and is as posted below:
Four years ago today at exactly 1:22 a.m., the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Fla., partially collapsed claiming the lives of 98 people in an unimaginable tragedy that changed us forever. Many of us lost friends, colleagues, and fellow CAI members who were loved deeply and served their communities with pride. Families were devastated. Homeowners were left without homes. Board members and professional managers faced trauma and heartbreak while doing their very best to respond to something no one should ever have to endure. I keep a small piece of rubble from Champlain on my desk. It’s a painful but necessary reminder that behind every regulation, reserve study, or structural inspection requirement is someone’s mother, father, child, or neighbor. This small piece of debris drives my commitment to advance legislation that makes condominiums safer and recognizes the real financial responsibilities and burdens homeowners carry. Since that devastating night, CAI has worked alongside survivors and family members who continue to fight for stronger laws and better protections in Florida. Together, we’ve made meaningful progress:
None of this happens by chance. It happens because of volunteer leaders, legislative action committees, lobby teams, and partners in state legislatures who work tirelessly to protect lives and property. I want to recognize the bold leadership of CAI’s friends, Florida state Sens. Jason Pizzo and Jennifer Bradley. They never let the conversation fade. They relentlessly pursued solutions by listening to residents, understanding the complexity of aging buildings, and providing a legislative model that other states now follow. I commend the hundreds of condominium communities across the country that have had hard conversations about funding, inspections, special assessments, insurance, and long-term planning. Your willingness to face these complicated conversations is a tribute to the lives we lost and represents what responsible governance looks like. CAI provides resources and expertise to ensure every community has the tools needed to protect their homes and investments. At www.condosafety.com, you will find:
These resources have been developed by hundreds of volunteer engineers, reserve specialists, attorneys, managers, board members, and policy experts who gave our industry a roadmap to safer, more resilient communities. At 1:22 a.m., we remember those we lost. Today, and every day moving forward, we renew our promise to never be complacent, never forget, and never stop fighting for the safety of the communities we serve. Thank you for standing with CAI in this work. Thank you for the lives you protect every day. With continued commitment,  Dawn M. Bauman, CAE Community Associations Institute |
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