COCA AIMS FOR HARMONY IN NEIGHBORHOODS

Cooperation and Reasonableness is Key.
Government Intervention Eschewed.

As any businessperson knows, intervention by government in his/her management or relations with his/her customers is never good for the business nor the customer. Reasonable persons may reach different conclusions from the same set of facts conditions and circumstances, but sober negotiation and consideration of the other party’s perspective more often than not results in a mutually satisfactory conclusion, especially where neighborhood disputes are concerned.

Writing in their excellent book, Working With Your Homeowners Association, Marlene M. Coleman, M.D. and Judge William Huss note that, “It is quite understandable that people are going to have conflicts with each other – especially in an association involving their homes. Conflict is one of the basic characteristics of being human. Successful human endeavors are those where conflicts are resolved with leadership and the participation of all sides. Essentially, the important element in such success is the feeling each participant has of being treated fairly.

Some people feel that fairness is getting everything their way. They can become the troublemakers that an association needs to deal with occasionally. All the more reason to have prescribed resolution procedures in place as well as enforcement when that becomes necessary. Skillful managers and Boards can minimize the use of these procedures in most instances -- especially enforcement – by diplomacy and negotiation.”

Coleman and Huss conclude that, “With good leadership by management and the Board, and the participation of the interested owner members, a Community Association is able to get closer to the ideal of having a harmonious and fulfilling place to live.”

COALITION OF COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS - Florida

The Coalition of Community Associations (COCA) is an alliance of umbrella organizations in almost every part of the State. It includes condominium and homeowner association alliances, neighborhood coalitions, alliances of neighborhood associations and alliances of residential associations. Initially, it is estimated that nearly 2,000,000 residents live under our collective umbrellas.

These associations and COCA operate in much the same way as various levels of government. In the best American tradition, they are mini representative republics wherein the individual members elect their boards of directors who participate in their alliances and, then, through those alliances, in COCA.

It is COCA’s aim to represent the best interests of communities through the political and legislative processes while operating in a positive manner. COCA seeks to promote neighborhood stability and tranquility while maintaining property values. COCA seeks to represent homeowners and condominium owners through their duly elected directors and officers. COCA opposes efforts to tear at the fabric of neighborhoods and believes in less State government intervention rather than more. COCA believes that, left to their own devices, residents can and will regulate themselves more efficiently, effectively and fairly than government, by definition, is able to do.

That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves.
--Thomas Jefferson

COCA’s Mission

It is the mission of COCA to:

• Create and organize a statewide coalition composed primarily of consumer property owners residing in community associations and other similar organizations throughout the state.
• Advance the political concerns of the greatest number of owners living in community associations relative to the operation of their community associations and quality of life issues in those communities.
• Propose and lobby effectively for POSITIVE legislation intended to foster neighborhood tranquility, stability and property values -- the real reason community associations exist.
• Be kept informed by elected officials and staff members of pertinent information regarding potential or filed legislation and issues that affect our communities.
• Establish open lines of communication between Federal, State, County and municipal elected officials, their staff members and the members of COCA, representing millions of citizens who reside in our member Homeowner, Condominium and Neighborhood associations in the State of Florida.
     
• Act as a voice for advocating better legislation and government.
• Provide favorable public commentary and public relations on issues of general concern to the coalition.
• Assist in generating grass-roots expressions of support for favorable positions.
• Create a central repository of information that can be disseminated quickly via electronic media, including a well-run website.
• Be free from control by any industry or special interest group.
• Support the local (i.e. in-community) resolution of disputes.
• Minimize governmental intrusion in the operation of communities.
• Promote a rational public policy that balances the collective good and individual rights to property and privacy.
• Uphold the dignity of all community association residents.
• Encourage a planned, efficient and environmentally sensitive land use, growth management and development policy.
• Encourage the recognition that the interests of community associations are not separate from the collective interests of their members.
• Foster statewide communication on matters of common concern and to provide support for local initiatives.