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Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger

Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger

Hosted by Donna DiMaggio Berger

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Episodes

131

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Think you know what community association life is all about? Think again. Residents must obey the rules, directors must follow the law, and managers must keep it all running smoothly! Take It to the Board explores the reality of life in a condominium, cooperative or homeowners’ association, what’s really involved in serving on its board, and how to maintain that ever-so-delicate balance of being legally compliant and community spirited. Leading community association attorney Donna DiMaggio Berger acknowledges the balancing act without losing her sense of humor as she talks with a variety of association leaders, experts, and vendors about the challenges and benefits of the community association lifestyle. If you've got questions, Take It To The Board with Donna DiMaggio Berger - We Speak Condo & HOA!

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August 5, 202650 min

SUMMER SERIES: Fan Favorite – CERTified Safe: Empowering Community Associations with Dr. Jesse P. Spearo

Send us Fan MailCan 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

July 22, 202642 min

Behind the Scenes of Community Management -- What Every Board Should Know

Send us Fan MailYour 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

July 8, 202642 min

SUMMER SERIES: Fan Favorite – Keeping Cool With Jane Gilbert, Chief Heat Officer, Miami-Dade County

Send us Fan MailIt’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

June 24, 202659 min

SUMMER SERIES: Fan Favorite - Eyes Everywhere – Understanding Community Surveillance Options with Louis DiGioia of IC Real Time

Send us Fan MailEver 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

June 10, 202646 min

How to Run HOA Meetings That Build Trust, Not Tension

Send us Fan MailThe 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

May 27, 20261 hr 2 min

SUMMER SERIES: Fan Favorite - Checking In On Background Checks: What’s In, What’s Out and What’s Questionable? with Robert E. Sanchez of Sarma

Send us Fan MailDoes 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!

May 13, 202646 min

The Power Hour For HOA Leaders, with Organizational Strategist Dr. Edward Gurowitz

Send us Fan MailMost 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

April 29, 202652 min

Do EVs, E-Bikes and Other Devices Present a Community-Wide Fire Risk

Send us Fan MailIn 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

April 15, 202646 min

What Boards and Managers Need to Know About Residents Aging in Place

Send us Fan MailIf 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?

April 1, 202645 min

What a Bank Loan Can and Cannot Do For Your Association

Send us Fan MailThe hardest part of running a community association right now is that the bills are getting bigger while the margin for error is getting smaller. Insurance costs keep climbing, buildings are aging, milestone inspections and reserve funding expectations persist, and boards are being asked to approve projects that can cost millions of dollars. So how do you fund critical repairs without triggering financial chaos for owners or inviting fraud and mismanagement? In this week’s episode of Take It To The Board, host Donna DiMaggio Berger sits down with Meghan Hallinan, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of National HOA and Property Management Banking at BankUnited, to get a lender’s view of community association financing. Donna and Meghan walk through how community association loans really work when there is no physical collateral, why incoming assessments and the community’s financial track record matter so much, and what red flags can stop a deal in its tracks. They also explain why banks look beyond a single project and want to understand your reserve study, your upcoming capital plan, and whether your owners can absorb the budgetary increase.  They also dig into the operational side: draw schedules on construction-style funding, the role of project managers and inspections, and how boards can avoid common breakdowns when leadership changes mid-project. Then Donna and Meghan shift to risk and controls, including the difference between a term loan and a line of credit for HOAs on balanced budgets, how litigation can affect lending decisions, what to know about the Fannie Mae's “blacklist,” and the fraud prevention tools every association should treat as non-negotiable, including positive pay and ACH controls.  If you serve on a board, manage communities, or advise associations, this conversation will help you build a realistic financing plan and protect your funds at the same time. Conversation Highlights:How banks’ views of community associations have shifted—and what’s driving the changeWhat lenders evaluate first—before the numbers even come into playThe biggest misconceptions boards have about borrowing—and why they matterCommon deal breakers: delinquencies, underfunded reserves, governance issues, and deferred maintenanceThe Fannie Mae Blacklist explained—and what it really means for your communityLoan vs. line of credit: how to choose the right financing toolWhy reserve funding is under increased scrutiny—and how it impacts borrowingWhat a “financially responsible” board looks like from a lender’s perspectiveThe most common fraud red flags banks are seeing in community associationsInternal controls every association should have—and where boards often fall shortHow banks can partner with associations to help prevent fraudNon-negotiable best practices to safeguard association fundsWhat boards should be doing now to become more attractive borrowersThe mindset shift every board needs when it comes to financial decision-makingRelated Links:Podcast: Show Me the Money: Investment Strategies with Michael Coady and Kenny Polcari of Slatestone WealthOnline Class: Budgeting & ReservesResource: 5 Ways HOAs Can Prevent Financial Fraud

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