“My assessments are too high, And so is the grass. My neighbors are loud, And they drive too fast.
OH, I GOT THE BLUUUUES”
When you think of your community association, does it conjure up images of a smoky, dark-glasses-wearing guitar player, picking out a rhythmic tune lamenting the loss of his money, his baby, his overall good humor? Does living in your community instill a sad, discontented feeling? Or, simply stated, does your property have the blues? Here are a few ideas on how to improve owner morale in your community and throw a little sunshine onto those blues.
BE POSITIVE
Speak positively about the association and its members and residents. Keeping a positive outlook that you demonstrate to your neighbors can go a long way towards improving community morale. Flattery may get you nowhere, but an encouraging and upbeat attitude that focuses on the positive can be contagious. Think about it: when someone smiles at you, don’t you usually smile back?
COMMUNICATION
Uninformed homeowners are angry homeowners – keep them informed of significant changes, major projects, financing, assessment and special assessment changes, etc. Send the proposed annual budget and annual recap of income and expenses well in advance of the deadlines. If feasible, start a routine newsletter or online message board where you can communicate fire alarm inspections, utility issues, repair projects, community social events and other notifications. Homeowners have said time and time again that they feel more included when they are aware of what is happening in their community.
CONDUCT THE RIGHT KIND OF MEETINGS
Conduct successful business-like board meetings. Set an agenda and stick to it. Send meeting information to the board well in advance so they can review the material and come prepared to discuss issues at hand and make decisions. Be conscious of everyone’s time and keep the meeting on track. No one wants to attend board meetings if they consist of no clear agenda, but rather are a bevy of complaints and conversations that habitually go off- track and don’t accomplish the business tasks of running the association. Unproductive meetings are a waste of time and frustrate owners, board members, managers and
any other attendees. They can also dissuade people from volunteering. If conversations start to digress, politely steer the conversation back to the decision or motion that needs attention. If this seems to be a habitual problem, set start and end times and allow owners a certain time limit during the homeowner’s forum session. That way, if things start to veer off course, you can always blame the ticking clock.
Occasionally the association notifies all residents of a meeting at which absolutely no business is to be conducted. Generally these meetings include food and music, and they tend to be the best attended meetings at the association. Oh, wait! That’s a party, not a meeting. Well, it depends on your definition of meeting! Planning regular social events such as holiday parties, summer barbecues, block parties, or even an annual dinner is a great way to promote camaraderie among the community. Organize community garage sales or community service-type activities to put a little purpose behind your gathering. When you have shared a drink, a meal or a fun time with your neighbors, not only does it make you more appreciative of your community, but results in a stronger bond between people in that community.
ALLOW OWNERS TO VOICE THEIR CONCERNS
Hold town meeting style meetings once or twice a year for all homeowners to attend and voice their concerns. Offer “suggestion box” style of communication, whether it be a hotline, online message board, email account, etc. for owners to leave their suggestions on ways to make the community an even better place to live (by the way, phrasing it as “an even better place to live” is a good example of the “speak positively” tip mentioned above!).
Listening to owner concerns and complaints can go a long way toward calming the stormy waters. It can be difficult, but try not to react to homeowners’ anger or emotion; listen first and consider a thoughtful and helpful response. Showing sympathy for their concerns – showing you are on their side – can be a good means to calm them down, even if you don’t have a solution at the ready just yet. Telling them you understand their frustration and will do your best to work towards resolution can sometimes soothe the savage beast as successfully as music.
Encourage voting, whether for board meeting elections or to approve major projects, borrowing, or other significant
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