The HOA board may find it challenging to get input from homeowners in the association and motivate them to constructively voice their issues. After all, homeowners are not generally aware of the benefits the association offers or the limitations of the HOA.
It is not because homeowners don’t care about the association. Homeowners are typically hesitant to express their concerns. Sometimes, they simply lack the time to attend meetings.
However, homeowner participation and input are essential to the association’s improvement. To help your HOA board, here are the ways you can adopt to encourage input and involvement.
5 Ways to Get Input From Homeowners
1. Utilize Surveys
Homeowners may not be able to attend meetings, particularly if they conflict with their schedules. To make things more convenient, your HOA board can create surveys and disseminate these among homeowners either via email or traditional mail.
Even if owners don’t have any complaints about the community, it is important to still give them a way to share their concerns. In turn, they will feel that your board cares about their opinions.
2. Use Online Tools for Information Availability
Providing homeowners with easy access to information is a good way to cultivate a sense of community and involvement. Put the minutes of your meetings and other essential information online.
You can do this with a lot of different tools, such as social media and an HOA website. Homeowners can access information even while on the go, keeping them updated at all times and making it more likely for them to share their thoughts.
3. Encourage Homeowners to Volunteer
Serving on the HOA board is definitely a good way to get involved, but not everyone can make that big of a commitment. Allow homeowners to test the waters in community involvement by encouraging them to join committees.
By joining committees, owners can be more directly involved in making a difference in the community. But, they are less likely to join committees without the option available to them or without proper encouragement.
4. Give Thanks to Volunteers
It’s just as important to pay attention to the volunteers who work for the association. Expressing your gratitude to them for helping make the association a better place can have a huge ripple effect in addition to making them feel seen.
Try to show your appreciation at board meetings. You can even organize a party to acknowledge them for their volunteer work specifically. In turn, this will inspire others to follow suit.
5. Enjoy Your Community Together
Perhaps the greatest aspect of living in an association is the sense of community homeowners feel. Highlight this fact by creating opportunities for everyone to enjoy the community together.
You can do this by organizing social events — from an annual block party to an outdoor BBQ. There is no better place for homeowners to mingle and feel that they belong to something bigger than a social gathering. When neighbors know each other better, there is a higher chance of resident feedback and participation.
The Final Word
Overall, it is important to get input from homeowners, bring them together, and align them when it comes to issues. This will make them feel more like a community instead of just being neighbors. Encouraging homeowner involvement ensures that you’re not leaving anyone out, and asking for input ensures that their voices are heard.
Cedar Management Group provides HOA management services to communities. Call us today at (877) 252-3327 or contact us online to learn more!
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