Community Associations Institute Middle East (CAIME) Chapter, at its inaugural general assembly on December 7, elected its first board members through electronic voting. 

CAIME is an affiliate of the international Community Association Institute (CAI) and aims to promote the profession of community management in the Middle East.

Waqar Hasan, CEO of Itihad Community Management, was elected as president. Garry Murray, director of CORE Owners Association, has been voted as president elect. Alan Rowlands, an industry expert and consultant in community management, has been elected as treasurer. Freejo Francis, director of Properties Investment Development Home Owners Association Management, is secretary, while Kanagaraj Gurusamy, managing director of Better Communities OAM, is a director of the board. 

The elected board will take over management of the chapter from January 1.

As an international affiliate of CAI, CAIME has access to its educational and practical resources. Through education and communication, the association seeks to provide a platform for collaboration between stakeholders for the successful management of freehold communities.

“CAIME is a great platform for homeowner associations, owners’ committees, and professionals to promote international best practices and work together to create safe, efficient, well maintained, and inclusive communities.” Waqar Hasan, CAIME president, said.

 “The new board is taking charge at a time when community management companies and homeowners are facing challenges with rising costs, decreasing rents and pressure to reduce service charges.”

Emaar Community Management, Deyaar Community Management, Itihad Community Management, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Kaizen Owners Association Management are among the corporate founding members of the association, which caters to all the stakeholders of community associations. 

“I am grateful to the organising board — Samer Ganni, Dr Mahmoud El Burai, Krik Watilo, and especially Jeevan D’Mello who have been the driving force behind CAIME reaching this important milestone,” said Garry.

According to a press statement, Tom Skiba, CEO, CAI, and Ursula Burgess, past president and member of the board of trustees of CAI flew in from the US to observe the elections and show support to the Middle East chapter at this important milestone.