The goal is to address changes to the way residents live — and to encourage them to stick around rather than simply walking through the lobby on their way to private units Read the article………………………….
Flagpole at condo complex dedicated to veterans (WA)
Retired Baptist pastor Howard Cooper speaks slowly, with a steady Texas drawl. At 91 years old he has kind eyes and a smile that lights up any room; he’s also responsible for spearheading the effort to get a flagpole installed at The Cedars condominium complex in Burlington. Read the article………………………..
A community that binds: BV Ranchos musters massive work effort to aid a stricken neighbor (AZ)
A close-knit neighborhood in South Tempe has rallied around one of its own in the wake of tragedy. Craig Cottrell, 51, a Buena Vista Ranchos resident and a father of two, suffered a devastating hemorrhagic stroke July 13. Now facing a long recovery during which he must learn how to walk again as well […]
Children learning early value of Community Commitment through Junior Homeowners Association (MS)
Residents and officials in the city of Madison talk a lot about having “hometown spirit.” One resident started a group to foster that spirit in her neighborhood with the hope of its members carrying it out into other facets of the community. Elizabeth Cobb, president of the Trace Vineyard Homeowner’s Association (HOA), started a junior […]
Naples Reserve’s homeowners association earns Blue Zones Project recognition (FL)
Naples Reserve, iStar’s 688-acre community of Southern Coastal-inspired attached villa, single-family and custom estate homes in South Naples, has recently been named a Blue Zones Project recognized homeowner’s association. Sponsored locally by NCH Healthcare System, Blue Zones Project is a well-being initiative being undertaken by more than 47 communities around the United States. Based on […]
After an alligator crashed through her window, community members are helping the ‘gator lady’ rebuild (FL)
Mary Wischhusen wasn’t bothered when an 11-foot alligator crashed through her window. She figured the damage the gator caused could be fixed. Then her insurance, Florida Peninsula, denied the claims. It cited state law, which says condominium associations are responsible for covering drywall and sliding doors. Read the article……………………….
Broken Arrow’s Country Aire Estates named one of 50 ‘Nicest Places in America’ (OK)
Small gesture, big impact. That could be the motto that helped a group of Broken Arrow neighbors become one of 50 finalists in Reader’s Digest magazine’s “Nicest Places in America” contest. When the magazine recently revealed its list of “Nicest Places in America,” Broken Arrow’s Country Aire Estates was named the “Nicest Place in Oklahoma.” […]
County Offers Up To $5,000 Mini-Grants To Local HOAs, Deadline Approaching (FL)
Valrico area residents have the opportunity to improve their communities next year thanks to money from Hillsborough County. Applications can now be submitted for Hillsborough County’s 2020 Neighborhood Mini-Grants, which offer groups and homeowners associations (HOAs) the chance to apply for up to $5,000 to fund community projects. Read the article………………………..
Booking Entertainment for Your HOA Event
It’s not hard to find great entertainment – you just need to identify the type of entertainment you’d like, make an offer, and sign a contract, right? Well … not quite! Each event is unique, and being an HOA, there’s likely a set budget to work with. If you’re the board member or committee member […]
How to Build a Social Committee for Social Events and Social Clubs in Your HOA
Building a social committee for your HOA is a great way to increase interaction among members. From garage sales to book clubs, such a committee can plan and promote a variety of social events. Establishing the committee is serious work, however, and before the fun comes committee structure and assignments. If you’re planning a social […]
Have a Safe 4th of July in Your HOA
Summer is in full swing and, believe it or not, the Fourth of July is just around the corner! Fourth of July events, such as a community barbeque, ice cream social, or block party, can bring neighbors together and reinforce that they live in a great HOA. This is a wonderful time to get together […]
How to stop the erosion of civility in community associations | Opinion
Raised voices, reddened faces and angry gestures. You might think you are watching a Congressional hearing on C-SPAN, but you are at your community’s board meeting. The erosion of civility in our society has begun to manifest itself in private residential communities. This comes in many forms, from rudeness and disruptive behavior at meetings, to […]
Buckhorn Homeowners Association Awards College Scholarships (FL)
The Buckhorn Homeowners Association is dedicated to helping neighbors enjoy the community and to provide a safe environment for all to enjoy. Aside from that, it also provides scholarships for worthy students living in Buckhorn. This year, two seniors were awarded $500 college scholarships at the annual meeting held at Buckhorn Springs Country Club on […]
How to Reflect a Positive Community in an Association
In today’s modern, social media-centric world, reputations can be built up or destroyed in an instant. A video clip captured on cell phone of a good Samaritan pulling a trapped puppy to safety from an open drainpipe goes viral and instantly propels them to hero status (at least for their 15 minutes of fame); while […]
Rancho Bernardo to honor 63 volunteers on Saturday (CA)
All are welcome to join the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation in honoring 63 locals on Saturday morning during the 10th annual Hats Off to Volunteers. All are welcome to join the Rancho Bernardo Community Foundation in honoring 63 locals on Saturday morning during the 10th annual Hats Off to Volunteers. Read the article…………………..
A Few Ideas on How Your HOA Can Celebrate Earth Day
Earth Day is coming up quickly, and it’s time to prepare. April 22nd is when this spectacular event is happening, and there is plenty that your HOA can do to participate in an effort to better our environment and the Earth in general. Even doing a small part will contribute to a greater life for […]
Playing Music or Movies at your Community Event or in Your Community Pool or Workout Room?
Peloton, the fitness company that makes the popular exercise bike, is being sued for using unlicensed songs in its workout videos. The National Music Publishers Association claims that Peloton failed to properly license the music they use for their streaming spinning classes. With the ease of accessibility of streaming music from Pandora or Spotify and […]
Living in Your Neighbor’s Backyard? Here’s How to Keep the Peace
If you’ve visited a newer neighborhood recently, you may have noticed that yards are getting smaller and houses are getting closer together. Whether it’s because homeowners don’t want to manage the maintenance and upkeep that comes with having a large yard, or developers are trying to make better use of their space, the small yard […]
Help Keep Your Community Safe by Hosting Safety-Focused Seminars
Promoting the safety and security of the community is, of course, a primary mission of any HOA. Ideally, crimes and disturbances should stay far from your community’s gates. But, no neighborhood can expect remain entirely insulated from would-be bad actors and ugly events. Most residents recognize the need to take basic steps to enhance their […]
HOA Welcoming Committee Ideas
Establishing a welcoming committee to contact new residents will enhance the board’s service to the HOA, as well as to the whole community! A welcome package (or packet, basket, etc.) is a good way to ensure that the first contact new residents have with the association is positive. Read the article…………………..
How to Get Homeowners Excited About Your Community
Membership enthusiasm plays a key role in the success of every community. When homeowners are engaged and excited, the whole community can feel it. It makes the HOA a vibrant, bustling place to live. Not only does an engaged membership support high property values, close-knit homeowners are integral to creating a true sense of community. […]
Improving Your HOA Experience with Renters: Welcome, Inform, and Include
Moving to a new home is often a stressful experience. Learning to meet new people, and in the case of an HOA, learning new rules can easily overwhelm anyone. When the new neighbor is renting, welcoming them is just as important as if they had purchased the home. Renters can become invested members of an […]
Sugar Land Seeks Applicants For New HOA Task Force (TX)
Sugar Land residents who are interested in making a significant impact in their city are encouraged to apply to serve on the newly created City/HOA Maintenance Responsibilities Citizen Task Force. The city is accepting applications through March 13 for this task force. In an effort to maintain the “Sugar Land Way,” the task force aims […]
Blount launches Stockbridge homeowner association alliance (GA)
In an effort to help residents stay engaged with city leadership, Stockbridge City Councilman John Blount has launched the Homeowner Associations and Residential Alliance. The group will be made up of area homeowner associations who seek to have an ongoing working relationship with the city. Read the article…………………
5 Ways Communities Can Work Together to Stop Non-Violent Crime
“A porch pirate stole my package!” We are seeing more and more posts like this come across our social media feeds. With over 7.6 million property crimes reported in 2017 and the use of eCommerce sites like Amazon on the rise, this story continues to repeat across the nation. Unfortunately, 87% of non-violent crimes like […]
A Civil Action
Worried about rudeness, disruption, and even physical attacks, community associations are establishing codes that demand courteousness and respect. Read the article………………….
A ‘kinder, gentler’ community starts with you
“Where is it written that we must act as if we do not care, as if we’re not moved? Well, I am moved. I want a kinder, gentler nation.” That was the late George H.W. Bush as he accepted the Republican nomination for president in 1988. Bush, of course, would go on to serve in […]
Lunada Bay homeowners look to finish second half of trail restoration project (CA)
Residents in a Palos Verdes Estates neighborhood decided to embrace the saying, “If you want to get something done, do it yourself.” Three years ago, Lunada Bay homeowners launched a plan to raise money to beautify a barren stretch of walking trail near the seaside bluff. Read the article…………………
Kindness of neighbors helps woman recover from condo fire (NC)
Something beautiful is starting to rise from the ashes of the terrible fire that destroyed eight condos in southeast Charlotte right before Christmas. One of the survivors, Dianne Esan, tells Channel 9 the kindness of neighbors is helping her family take their first steps forward. Read the article………………..
HOA Homefront: ‘Twas the night before (the HOA’s) Christmas”
‘Twas the night before the HOA’s Christmas, and all through the community Read the article………………..Not a complaint was heard, there appeared just pure unity;The thank-you notes were placed by the bulletin board with care,In hopes the board and manager would soon see them there;
Theft of suburban family’s gay pride flag leads to heartening outcome — a neighborhood of rainbows (IL)
Casey Handal was hosting a gingerbread decorating party at her Barrington home earlier this month when she glanced out her window and noticed something unnerving: The rainbow pride flag she and her fiancee flew from their backyard flagpole was gone, replaced by the Stars and Stripes. Though Handal considers herself a proud American, she saw […]
6 Fun Holiday Events for Your HOA Community
During the holiday season, you have more chances than ever to bring your community together. When you live in an HOA, you want to host activities that will encourage everyone, young and alike, to participate. Try some of these ideas to bring everyone out of their homes and encourage them to interact. Read the article……………….
4 Tips for Celebrating the Holidays in Your Homeowners Association (CA)
During the holiday season many homeowners association members plan festivities with friends and loved ones. With all of the merriment that’s sure to ensue, it’s important that the HOA board reminds residents who are hosting celebrations to not only be considerate of their neighbors, but also take note of the Association’s rules. Read the […]
Get on Board! How to Increase Member Participation at Community Meetings
One of the conundrums of co-op and condo life is how to keep members involved and interested in the governance of their building or association. Many residents are delighted to own, but less than excited to participate. That lack of engagement can ultimately cause problems–not just in the form of a limited pool of volunteers […]
4 Ways to Increase Community Engagement During the Holiday Season
Successful community associations all have one thing in common: their leaders are focused on building a strong sense of community. Engaged residents are happy residents, and the holiday season is the perfect time to bring your community together and show them you care. Here are four ways you can increase community engagement during the holiday […]
How to Offer a Positive Customer Service Experience in Your HOA
Community association board members and managers might not immediately think of customer service as one of their priorities, but they should. Customer Service is typically associated with the retail industry, but it’s an integral function of any organization. The need for excellent services is just as vital to an association’s success as it is to […]
Ask the HOA Expert: Blessed Are the Peacemakers
Homeowner associations can be hotbeds of discontent, turmoil and conflict at times. Out in the big world, combatants can often successfully just avoid each other rather than deal with the problems. But within the HOA, avoidance is much more difficult and being in conflict with a neighbor can make living there very stressful. Unresolved conflicts […]
How HOA Members Can Be Good Neighbors
HOAs (Home Owners Associations) exist to promote cooperation, safe neighborhoods and a stable environment for those who live within their boundaries. Rules and regulations are often necessary to ensure that neighbors treat one another with respect – especially in denser neighborhoods where people are in close contact with one another. Read the article………………
Summer Fun Out of the Sun – HOA Ideas to Beat the Heat
The sunniest months are upon us, the kids are out of school, and summer fun is in full swing! This is the perfect opportunity for board members to build community relationships. While summer is a popular time for swimming and dive-in movies, not all homeowners take advantage of outdoor amenities, and not all associations have […]
A Fairy Tale About a Co-op Full of Happy People (NY)
It sounds like a fairy tale, except it didn’t happen once upon a time; it’s happening right now. And it’s not happening in a galaxy far, far away, but right here in New York City, in a Lenox Hill co-op at 401 East 65th Street. In this 137-unit, 16-story building, the shareholders routinely applaud the […]
Are Residents Not Engaged in the Community? ?5 Ways to Re-Engage Them!
Have you been reviewing the communications sent to your residents in the past few months and found that they aren’t opening emails? Or perhaps, they aren’t reading text messages about ground maintenance and unpleasantly surprised with the noise. A resident might not be engaged in the community for several reasons. Let’s take a look at […]
8 Tips For Setting Up A Community Garden
Community gardening is a trend that is growing in many communities as more and more people are seeking to eat right and do it in more affordable ways. This has led to many homeowner associations establishing community gardens that will produce fresh produce for everyone in the community to enjoy. The following are eight tips […]
4th of July Fireworks Safety Tips for Community Associations
Celebrating our country’s freedom on July 4th should be an enjoyable time for all. Grilling out, watching fireworks, and decorating with patriotic items are all ways to have fun at this time of year if you plan on celebrating from home. If you live within a homeowners association, HOA, then you should also remember that […]
Celebrate a Fun & Safe July 4th in Your Homeowners Association
How will you be celebrating the 4th of July? If you’re traveling to visit friends and family or taking a vacation, bon voyage! If you’re sticking close to home and celebrating with barbecues, bathing suits, and bright fireworks in your homeowners association, there are some important things to consider. If you’re an HOA board member, […]
How To Host A Community HOA Event That Gets Attendance
Many community associations are interested in throwing parties, gatherings, get-togethers, block-parties, or other ideas for events that their community residents will want to attend. Many HOA’s like to hold anywhere from two (2) to (4) events annually corresponding with either winter/summer or with each of the four seasons in winter/spring/summer/fall. The options as to which […]
Be a Neighbor
Fred Rogers had a unique ability to address difficult topics, such as disability, Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination, and racial integration, in a thoughtful and compassionate way that related to children and adults in his show “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.” The iconic program, which ran from 1968 to 2001, emphasized uplifting philosophies, kindness, and courage. I wonder […]
7 Block Party/Community Ideas For A HOA Summer Party
It’s summertime and many condominium and homeowners associations across the country are looking to throw a nice summertime get-together for everyone in their community to enjoy. The challenge for many HOAs is figuring out what type of party or event the residents in your community will enjoy. One of the major keys to the event […]
8 Tips For Preparing Your HOA For Summer & Projects That May Come With It
It’s that time of year again when Memorial Day has passed, and everyone is excited about the summer ahead. We are anticipating the longer days and more hours of daylight ahead along with vacations, warmer temperatures, the kids getting out of school (OK depending on who you are that may be exciting), days spent by […]
Is Our Association a Community?
What does this mean? How would I know? Is it Important? Who cares? All valid questions and certainly varies from association to association. What follows is an attempt to shed some light on this often-forgotten issue in today’s busy world of business and staggering list of priorities placed on each of us. Let’s begin by […]
County Recognizes 15 Neighborhoods For Building Community (FL)
Fifteen groups and individuals across Hillsborough County have taken top honors in Hillsborough County’s annual Neighborhood Recognition Awards program, recognizing those whose efforts go above and beyond to make a difference. The 2018 countywide awards program highlighted individuals, groups and organizations that have enriched the quality of life in neighborhoods through outreach, improvement projects, volunteer […]