• Got a few accountants or finance-minded residents? Recruit them for the Budget Blitz Committee to help review the numbers during budget season. Their insights can improve transparency and help demystify the process for others.
• Referee Committee – A small group of impartial owners who can review alleged rules violations and make fair recommendations to the board. This can help ensure transparency and take pressure off individual board members when it comes to enforcing the rules.
When you give people a purpose and a clear “position” on the team, they’re more likely to suit up.
Keep the Field in Top Shape There’s not much to cheer for if the field is falling apart. A well-maintained building shows that the coach and players are committed to the team. Keep common areas clean, ensure repairs are handled promptly, and make sure amenities function as promised. When tackling a major capital project, communicate clearly — share why the work is needed, when it starts, how it will benefit the community, and what residents should expect. Even smaller upgrades, like a fresh coat of paint or updated signage, can boost pride and send the message that this team plays to win.
Provide a Game Day Playbook for New Owners
Every rookie needs a rulebook. A well-designed “Welcome Packet” (either printed or digital) should include:
• Move-in/move-out policies • Trash/recycling rules
• How to reserve elevators or party rooms/common areas • Package delivery policy • Who to contact for what
• Where to find documents and updates (e.g., website, e-mail list, bulletin boards)
• Other essential “how-to” info unique to your property (e.g., guest parking, bike storage, or how to operate smart building systems)
Help new residents hit the ground running, and they’ll be more likely to stay involved and may join the lineup next season.
Recruit Future Players
Having an all-star line-up of long-time board members can be a huge asset — veterans bring consistency, experience, and institutional memory but even the best starters eventually retire or get sidelined (metaphorically), and without a strong bench, the team suffers. A deep roster of informed owners is key to long-term success.
Sometimes your future star quarterback is sitting quietly in the stands. Even one enthusiastic rookie can bring new energy to the team. Encourage residents — especially those already asking thoughtful questions or showing interest — to consider running for a board seat. Let them know:
A history of responsiveness and reliability
Cukierski & Associates has been a family business for more than 40 years, and in the past year alone, we’ve partnered with over 1,400 Chicago-area HOAs and condominium associations. We provide the boards of directors with stateof-the-art audit, review, and compilation reporting services to help them prepare more accurate annual budgets, make more informed operating decisions, or
At Cukierski & Associates, we’re not only experts in this area of accounting, but we also have several team members who sit on boards of directors in their own associations, so we can relate and are well versed in the dynamics and intricacies of community associations.
Want to know how we can help your association?
Check our website and reach out to start the conversation. We’d love to hear from you!
• What the role involves (time commitment, responsibilities, and impact)
• Why their contribution matters (new voices can break the cycle of “we’ve always done it that way”)
• That the work is a team effort (no one person should be calling all the plays or running the whole field alone)
Invite current board members to share their own experiences, what motivated them to serve, and what they’ve gained from the experience. If you’ve got a board member who’s fumbling the ball, a little encouragement for fresh talent to “step onto the field” could be just the motivation needed to make a strategic trade at the next election.
Bringing It All Together: A
Winning Season In a condo community, not everyone wants to be a player, but every team needs its cheerleaders, fans, and even casual spectators who pay just enough attention to stay in the know.
Community managers can’t force people to join in — but we can create a culture that makes participation easy, welcoming, and worthwhile. And when things really are running smoothly? That is not a sign of apathy. That’s a big “W” in the win column — and it means your team is doing something right. So lace up, plan ahead, and keep the team spirit alive. Let’s have a winning season, one newsletter, committee, and conversation at a time.
3850 N. Wilke Rd. Ste., 100, Arlington Heights, IL 60004 847-496-7180 |
info@cukierski.cpa |
www.cukierski.cpa
cai-illinois.org • 847.301.7505 | 19
retention
99% client
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