 Building
Community
Successful community associations have a common thread:
their leaders have focused on building a strong sense of community
among residents in addition to ensuring that the community looks
appealing and maintains property values. Prime Site's Leadership
Training Program focuses on the benefits of building community
and assisting the leaders of community associations in fostering
a sense of community in their associations.
So much of what we do every day is “negative” – enforcing deed
restrictions, collecting assessments, denying requests for architectural
changes. We need to focus on the positive aspects of living in
and being a member of a community association – a neighborhood.
An association's core purpose is not buildings, rules or money,
but helping people.
Where to start:
- acknowledge the need for a friendly approach – this is a customer
service enterprise -- put people first! – democracy vs. mandating
rules – provide responsible leadership
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nurture relationships – owners, renters, committee members,
volunteers |
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show residents that the association is not an impersonal
bureaucracy |
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new owners especially need to lose skepticism about “condo
commandos” so they will become involved in the leadership
of the community |
- understand what the membership wants
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survey, survey, survey – what's important to owners, renters? |
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publish results, hold forums for discussions |
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follow up with action |
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board's dedicated and patient commitment to member education – formal,
written rules, enforcement process, collection process |
- assign committees/task forces
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encourage volunteers, recognize them and reward them whenever
possible, -- annual meetings, newsletters, press releases
to local papers |
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solicit advice and input – if a member is constantly challenging
decisions, encourage them to join the appropriate committee
and participate in the process |
- Annual board orientation – review policies & procedures,
governing documents, operating & reserve budgets, long term
planning, applicable laws & legislation – rejuvenate, revitalize,
invigorate
- deed restriction enforcement
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find ways to say “yes” – look for the gray! |
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reasonable approach to compliance – phone call, personal
visit, nice ”notice” letter, more formal letter, final visit |
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commitment to comply, even after the deadline, is better
than noncompliance |
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publish guidelines for exterior improvements/alterations – make
it easy to comply |
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send seasonal reminders, i.e.;
removing Christmas decorations |
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recognize that special circumstances
arise – work with member |
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due process – hold hearings
if board decision contested |
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thank those who do comply |
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newsletters, monthly meeting summary postcards, bulletin
boards, door hangers |
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keep it positive – don't always repeat rules |
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educational forum from board to members |
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communicate constantly with candor and consistency |
BE REASONABLE!
Marjorie
Jean Meyer, CMCA, PCAM
Vice President and National Director of Education and Certification
Associa
Houston, TX
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