Florida’s Top Community Associations Named in Annual Communities of Excellence Awards

Published June 2014 

 

Winners of the annual Florida Communities of Excellence Awards, the only statewide recognition program for condominium and homeowner associations, were announced May 2 at the Gala Awards Ceremony at the Rosen Plaza Hotel in Orlando. For descriptions of each of the 2014 award-winning entries please visit the May 2014 issue of FLCAJ.

Now in its sixth year, the Florida Communities of Excellence Awards represents the pinnacle of achievement for community associations. Founded by the Florida Com-munity Association Journal and the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff, the coveted awards focus on innovative practices in condominiums and homeowners associations from across the state. Winners are chosen from smaller communities (400 units and fewer) and larger communities by a panel of independent experts, including representatives of leading state and local government departments and agencies. “We congratulate all of the 2014 finalists and winners,” says Ken Direktor, Chair of Becker & Poliakoff’s Community Association Law practice group.

“These associations are leaders in addressing the challenges facing condominiums and homeowners associations. We’re delighted to help honor, celebrate, and share their success stories through the Florida Communities of Excellence.” “We are now in our sixth year of celebrating what’s good and important about communities in our state,” says Alan Penchansky, executive director of the awards. “The awards have become a highly anticipated annual event for Florida’s commu- nities and for the people involved in the numerous businesses and industries that serve their needs.”

The 2014 winners were presented with their awards at the annual Conference & Awards Gala, which took place at the Rosen Plaza hotel in Orlando. Winners competed in 11 categories in the largest field of submissions in the program’s history, including 100 first-time participants. The communities recognized for outstanding accomplishments were:

WATER CONSERVATION

Water Management and Conservation Programs 

•Large, 401+ communities: Country Club of Mount Dora (Mount Dora) •Small: Lakes of Aloma (Oviedo)

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Energy Management and Conservation Programs

•Large: VeronaWalk of Naples (Naples) •Small: Metropolis at Dadeland (Miami)

FLORIDA-FRIENDLY LANDSCAPING™

Environmentally Sound Landscape, Wetland, Preserve, and Lake Management Policies

•Large: St. George Plantation (St. George Island) •Small: Bridgestone at Legends (Clermont)

CIVIC VOLUNTEERISM & ADVOCACY 

(Presented by  VolunteerFlorida)

Supporting Local and Regional Non-Profit and Charitable Causes

•Large: Solivita (Poinciana) •Small: Orchid Island Golf and Beach Association (Orchid)

COMMUNICATIONS & COMMUNITY

Promoting Positive Community Relations Through Effective Use of E-Mail, Newsletters, Social Media, Website, and Other Communications 

•Large: Stoneybrook West Master Association (Winter Garden) •Small: Plantation Park Private Residences Condominium Association (Orlando)

FAMILY FRIENDLY PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES

Promoting Family Participation and Well-Being

•Large: Waterchase Master POA (Tampa) •Small: Moss Park Ridge (Orlando)

SAFETY & SECURITY

Programs to Protect and Ensure the Safety of Residents and Property within the Community

•Large: VeronaWalk of Naples (Naples) •Small: Sea Woods Homeowners Association (New Smyrna Beach)

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS

Protecting Lives and Property, as Well as for Community Restoration in the Aftermath of an Emergency

•Large: Silverthorn Hernando HOA (Brooksville) •Small: Lakes of Mount Dora (Mount Dora)

FINANCIAL INNOVATION

Policies and Procedures to Ease the Impact of Financial Burdens During Challenging Economic Times

•Large: Timber Pines Community Association (Spring Hill) •Small: Pines of Delray West (Delray Beach)

THE COMEBACK KID

Recognizing Communities Whose Boards and Managers Have Developed and Implemented Successful Turnaround Programs by Revitalizing Distressed Properties

•Large: The Club at Brickell Bay Condo- minium Association (Miami) •Small: Ocean Village Club (St. Augustine)

TRENDSETTER AWARD

Innovation in Any Area Not Covered in the Existing Categories

•Bacopa Bay (St. Petersburg) •Timber Pines Community Association (Spring Hill) •Lakes of Mount Dora (Mount Dora)

COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR 

(Condominium) •Ocean Village Club (St. Augustine)

COMMUNITY OF THE YEAR 

(HOA) •VeronaWalk of Naples (Naples)   The 2014 awards are supported by these organizations, which are dedicated to meeting the needs of residents of condominiums and homeowner associations:

Presenting Sponsors

•Associa •FirstService Residential •Sentry Management

Diamond Sponsor

•VolunteerFlorida

Gold Sponsors

•Bright House Networks •Castle Group •Hotwire Communications •Leland Management •RAMCO Protective Services

Silver Sponsors

•ADT/Devcon •AAM •Aquatic Systems •BB&T Association Services •Campbell Property Management •Commercial Building Consultants, LLC •Converged Services, Inc. •Driveway Maintenance •Envera Systems •KW Property Management & Consulting •Lake & Wetland Management •Rainbird Corp. •Shomere Security Consultants •SNAP Collections •Stroemer & Company, LLC •U.S. Security Associates •Vector Security

ABOUT THE FLORIDA COMMUNITIES OF EXCELLENCE AWARDS

The Florida Communities of Excellence Awards is a unique recognition program that shines a spotlight on the positive and productive initiatives taking place in condominiums, homeowners associations, and cooperatives across Florida. Now in its sixth year, the independently judged program enables the top communities in the state to promote their accomplishments and raise their profiles while documenting their success and enabling others to learn from their examples. For more information, please visit www.communitiesofexcellence.net.