Getting More Homeowner Involvement
Put initiatives in place to get more homeowner involvement in your community.
Increasing homeowner engagement is an essential component of building an active community. More homeowner involvement gives HOA board members a chance to understand the concerns of the association.
As more homeowners get involved, the board benefits by getting volunteers that want to help. We at Condominium Associates came up with a list of ideas on how to get more community members involved this year!
Welcome New Homeowners
Give out a welcome package from the community association. It could include a letter of welcome that you or another HOA board member has signed, information about how they can get involved in the HOA, and a small gift. The gift should have a connection to your community, such as a gift card to a nearby coffee shop, a refrigerator magnet with vital community information, or a coffee mug with the HOA logo. Whatever you decide, be sincere, and establish a relationship from day one.
Organize Social Events
Consistently, studies have shown that most Americans don't know their neighbors. Your homeowners have more motivation to get involved if they're at least acquainted with their neighbors. Your association can foster social connections by hosting at least one community-wide social event each year. Some associations host a holiday party or another type of event, such as a viewing party.
Create Opportunities
Some homeowners would like to be more involved, but they don’t know where to start.. Creating volunteer committees gives homeowners a way to interact that has clear expectations. The board can even use committees to implement some of these homeowner engagement strategies. Your community association could have committees for welcoming new neighbors, events, architectural review, beautification, and any other priorities of the community.
Communicate Often
The HOA needs to stay in regular communication with homeowners. Although taking a flyer or newsletter to each door still works, modern technology like social media, emails, and texts are more efficient. Social media has the advantage of making it easy for homeowners to become part of the conversation instead of just receiving announcements.
Show Appreciation
Getting homeowners involved is just the beginning. You have to keep them engaged. Thanking volunteers is one way to do that. You may want to recognize them at the annual meeting or a community event. The board may wish to send a thank-you note or gift if volunteers have been exceptional in sharing their time and talent with the association.
Be an Active Member
People want to belong, to feel a part of the group. Think of the times you felt excluded. Were some of these times the result of not getting more involved yourself? It is instinctual for humans to want to socialize. Being proactive by increasing your social-spheres will make you a happier person.
Be a Neighbor
Take the extra step to really get to know your homeowners. Handing out a survey or leaving a suggestion box in the office or community grounds
Share Accomplishments
People like to be a part of successful organizations. Once a year, the board should inform homeowners of what the association accomplished in the past 12 months.
Respect Time
Homeowners will be reluctant to get involved if board members have a reputation for not respecting their time. Association meetings need to start and end on time. A realistic timeline for a committee reflects that volunteers are handling their assignments alongside their other commitments.
Face-to-Face Conversations
Reaching out in person may be the most effective way to get homeowners involved. Although it's more time-consuming than the other methods, you will find it's time well-spent. Your association will get more active homeowners involved in the community.