Social Committee Ideas for HOA Communities Part I
In this two-part guide, we'll explore practical tips on how to start an HOA social committee and the social committee roles it occupies. Social committee guidelines also call for a social chairperson, so next week, we will focus on social chair responsibilities.
Community Social Committee Ideas to Boost Socialization
You can likely relate to most HOA board members who struggle with finding an ideal work-life balance. It makes sense that building community between those in your homeowner's association may not be the top priority. However, there are ways in which homeowners associations can make it easier to build community and promote socialization outside of just the board meetings and on-the-fly interactions.
One of the most important ways to promote socialization in your community is to have people assigned just for that. In most HOAs, these people usually make up the social committee.
Community Socialization Importance
Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook make socializing much easier without having to be face-to-face. People are further encouraged to stick with the Internet for community interaction.
There are some great benefits to technological socialization. However, it's challenging to manage a community on a personal level when in-person connections are lacking.
It might not seem like a huge deal but think about the benefits of having neighbors getting to know one another and those on the Board. Developing meaningful relationships will increase happiness and decrease the chances of individuals getting frustrated with their neighbors or those running the community—which is you.
By getting to know others, Board members can make more informed decisions when handling any problems that may arise. It will also give you a chance to know the different personalities and preferences of those in your community. Therefore, board members will want to continue promoting personal camaraderie within their community.
Community Socialization Structure
Promoting the creation of a social committee is an excellent way to get your HOA members to get along better. It also opens up the path to holding exciting events for your HOA. Before you plan your next social committee activity, it's best to assign some responsibilities to your HOA committee members for these events.
Responsibilities of an HOA Social Committee
Board members and homeowners who join the HOA social committee will take on specific responsibilities. These duties include planning special events for the community, developing budgets, creating revenue reports following the events, and publishing an events calendar for the residents.
A Board member, or an assigned volunteer homeowner, will act as the social committee chairperson. He or she will preside over committee meetings and ensure everyone follows the meeting agenda. Suppose the committee needs Board members. In that case, any decisions, especially financial decisions, must be submitted to the Board for approval.
For financial matters, the social committee might collaborate with the finance committee if your HOA has one. The finance committee can provide technical knowledge about budgets and expenditures that the social committee members may have yet to have.
Many associations dismiss social committees as non-essential, but they are crucial to facilitating a stronger sense of community in your neighborhood. If you don't have one yet, it is one of the best HOA committee ideas to suggest at your next meeting.
HOA Boards and Social Committees
Getting your HOA board's support for your social committee ideas is very important. First, you'll need to form a social committee and have a chair. If your HOA does not already have a social committee, it's a good topic to raise during your annual meeting. This way, you can ask if someone is interested in chairing the social committee as you pitch the idea.
How to Start a Social Committee for Your HOA
When starting an HOA social committee, check if association bylaws allow you to have one in the first place. Suppose there is a provision for a social committee. In that case, it will be much easier to utilize funding from the association's funds.
Next, during a scheduled HOA meeting, a Board member or homeowner will propose the formation of the social committee. The Board may allot a specific period for studying this proposal. They need to determine whether creating a social committee has merits and whether the annual budget can accommodate social committee events. The Board may also develop guidelines and procedures for the social committee, including quarterly reports, meeting minutes, and qualifications for committee members.
Once everything has been finalized, the HOA board can notify the community regarding the creation of the social committee. Interested homeowners can then volunteer to join the committee. Following HOA covenants and bylaws, you can start turning social committee ideas into community events.
Stay Tuned for More Next Week!
As a subset of the HOA board, the social committee need not exist separate from the rest of the board itself. Depending on your HOA board composition and the bylaws and culture of your association in general, you may have one of three kinds of HOA social committees. Stay tuned for next week's post, where we go into more detail about these committees. In the meantime, contact Condominium Associates for more information!