CMCA Exam QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
abstention - ANSWER>>when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote (on Election
Day) or, in parliamentary procedure, is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot;
may be used to indicate the voting individual's ambivalence about the measure or mild
disapproval that does not rise to the level of active opposition they do not count in tallying
the vote; when practiced members are in effect only attending the meeting to aid in
constituting a quorum
action item list - ANSWER>>a documented event, task, activity, or action that needs to take
place usually documented in the meeting minutes and are recorded in the task list of the
group—at the next meeting it is reviewed by the group and at that meeting the facilitator will
check the status of these items
agenda - ANSWER>>a list of meeting activities in the order in which they are to be taken up,
beginning with the call to order and ending with the adjournment
amend a motion - ANSWER>>used to modify another motion; takes three basic forms: 1)
inserting or adding words or paragraphs; 2) striking out words or paragraphs, and; 3) striking
out words and inserting or adding others, or substituting an entire paragraph or complete
resolution for another
ballot - ANSWER>>a device used to record choices made by voters; each voter uses one and
are not shared
committee report - ANSWER>>highlight matters to be decided and recommendations to the
board; the actions suggested to the board are clearly stated and should follow a standard
format
debate - ANSWER>>during an election, a formal discussion involving opposing candidates
vying for the same position
executive session - ANSWER>>when a board must hold a discussion or make decisions of a
sensitive nature; the topics that commonly discussed and are allowable by law usually include
personnel issues, contract negotiations and discussions, lawsuits and other legal matters, and
governing document violations
,financial report - ANSWER>>a report on the association's income and expense activities
including a general ledger, variance, accounts payable, income statement and balance sheet
majority - ANSWER>>over 50% of the votes needed to win an election (can come from those
owners who attend the meeting, in person or by proxy) to decide all matters except special
issues
management report - ANSWER>>a report on the association's current projects and
administrative activities
minutes - ANSWER>>document the decisions made during a meeting, providing a permanent
public record of positions and actions taken by the board
motion - ANSWER>>a formal proposal stating that the association took a certain action
notice of meeting - ANSWER>>an official announcement, which should be sent in writing to
board members at least a week in advance
parliamentary procedure - ANSWER>>the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing
meetings and other operations
plurality - ANSWER>>awards the election to the candidate with the most votes, regardless of
whether or not they received the majority
proxy - ANSWER>>the agency, function, or power of a person authorized to act or vote in
place of another resident who could not be present
quorum - ANSWER>>the number of residents required to be present to transact business
legally established in the association's by-laws
Robert's Rules of Order - ANSWER>>common rules and procedures for deliberation and
debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and speaking the same
language
second a motion - ANSWER>>needed immediately after a proposal by another member of the
body for consideration by the assembly
, table a motion - ANSWER>>incomplete items on the agenda that are rescheduled for another
meeting
timed agenda - ANSWER>>a more specific agenda that limits focus on specific areas, so as to
move the meeting along at a more thorough and prompt pace
Articles of Incorporation - ANSWER>>brings the association into existence, defines its basic
purposes and powers, indicates whether stock will be issued, and indicates whether there
will be a board of directors
Bylaws - ANSWER>>formally adopted governing regulations for the administration and
management of a community association
CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions) - ANSWER>>the governing documents that
dictate how the homeowners association operates and what rules the owners—and their
tenants and guests —must obey; these legal documents might also be called the bylaws, the
master deed, the houses rules or another name and are legally enforceable by the
homeowners association, unless a specific provision conflicts with federal, state or local laws
community association - ANSWER>>a group of owners who wish to provide a communal basis
for preserving, maintaining, and enhancing their homes and property
condominium - ANSWER>>a living unit fully owned by an individual with an undivided
interest in the common elements of the community; the community association itself owns
no real estate as an association
cooperative - ANSWER>>wherein an individual owns stock or membership and holds a
proprietary lease or occupancy agreement for his or her living unit
Declaration - ANSWER>>used interchangeably with CC & Rs
Governing Documents - ANSWER>>documents which provide for the legal structure and
operation of the community
indemnification - ANSWER>>to exempt an individual or entity from responsibility for claims
made against the organization and to reimburse the individual or entity for damages or
expenses incurred as a result of such claims
ANSWERS
abstention - ANSWER>>when a participant in a vote either does not go to vote (on Election
Day) or, in parliamentary procedure, is present during the vote, but does not cast a ballot;
may be used to indicate the voting individual's ambivalence about the measure or mild
disapproval that does not rise to the level of active opposition they do not count in tallying
the vote; when practiced members are in effect only attending the meeting to aid in
constituting a quorum
action item list - ANSWER>>a documented event, task, activity, or action that needs to take
place usually documented in the meeting minutes and are recorded in the task list of the
group—at the next meeting it is reviewed by the group and at that meeting the facilitator will
check the status of these items
agenda - ANSWER>>a list of meeting activities in the order in which they are to be taken up,
beginning with the call to order and ending with the adjournment
amend a motion - ANSWER>>used to modify another motion; takes three basic forms: 1)
inserting or adding words or paragraphs; 2) striking out words or paragraphs, and; 3) striking
out words and inserting or adding others, or substituting an entire paragraph or complete
resolution for another
ballot - ANSWER>>a device used to record choices made by voters; each voter uses one and
are not shared
committee report - ANSWER>>highlight matters to be decided and recommendations to the
board; the actions suggested to the board are clearly stated and should follow a standard
format
debate - ANSWER>>during an election, a formal discussion involving opposing candidates
vying for the same position
executive session - ANSWER>>when a board must hold a discussion or make decisions of a
sensitive nature; the topics that commonly discussed and are allowable by law usually include
personnel issues, contract negotiations and discussions, lawsuits and other legal matters, and
governing document violations
,financial report - ANSWER>>a report on the association's income and expense activities
including a general ledger, variance, accounts payable, income statement and balance sheet
majority - ANSWER>>over 50% of the votes needed to win an election (can come from those
owners who attend the meeting, in person or by proxy) to decide all matters except special
issues
management report - ANSWER>>a report on the association's current projects and
administrative activities
minutes - ANSWER>>document the decisions made during a meeting, providing a permanent
public record of positions and actions taken by the board
motion - ANSWER>>a formal proposal stating that the association took a certain action
notice of meeting - ANSWER>>an official announcement, which should be sent in writing to
board members at least a week in advance
parliamentary procedure - ANSWER>>the body of rules, ethics, and customs governing
meetings and other operations
plurality - ANSWER>>awards the election to the candidate with the most votes, regardless of
whether or not they received the majority
proxy - ANSWER>>the agency, function, or power of a person authorized to act or vote in
place of another resident who could not be present
quorum - ANSWER>>the number of residents required to be present to transact business
legally established in the association's by-laws
Robert's Rules of Order - ANSWER>>common rules and procedures for deliberation and
debate in order to place the whole membership on the same footing and speaking the same
language
second a motion - ANSWER>>needed immediately after a proposal by another member of the
body for consideration by the assembly
, table a motion - ANSWER>>incomplete items on the agenda that are rescheduled for another
meeting
timed agenda - ANSWER>>a more specific agenda that limits focus on specific areas, so as to
move the meeting along at a more thorough and prompt pace
Articles of Incorporation - ANSWER>>brings the association into existence, defines its basic
purposes and powers, indicates whether stock will be issued, and indicates whether there
will be a board of directors
Bylaws - ANSWER>>formally adopted governing regulations for the administration and
management of a community association
CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions) - ANSWER>>the governing documents that
dictate how the homeowners association operates and what rules the owners—and their
tenants and guests —must obey; these legal documents might also be called the bylaws, the
master deed, the houses rules or another name and are legally enforceable by the
homeowners association, unless a specific provision conflicts with federal, state or local laws
community association - ANSWER>>a group of owners who wish to provide a communal basis
for preserving, maintaining, and enhancing their homes and property
condominium - ANSWER>>a living unit fully owned by an individual with an undivided
interest in the common elements of the community; the community association itself owns
no real estate as an association
cooperative - ANSWER>>wherein an individual owns stock or membership and holds a
proprietary lease or occupancy agreement for his or her living unit
Declaration - ANSWER>>used interchangeably with CC & Rs
Governing Documents - ANSWER>>documents which provide for the legal structure and
operation of the community
indemnification - ANSWER>>to exempt an individual or entity from responsibility for claims
made against the organization and to reimburse the individual or entity for damages or
expenses incurred as a result of such claims
