Hey Board! Bridge your communication gap

I've got experience with the drama involved with a self-run HOA. People can take things personally, criticism is imminent, and everyone has got an opinion when it comes to be decision-time. Many times, it comes down to a board member not executing or keeping track of things that have already happened or have already been defined. I'll outline some ways that you and your HOA Board can open up communication to empower your neighbors to collaborate on a decision.

Communicate through a channel that's trackable

Any time your soliciting your neighbors for input, it all needs to be recorded to make sure you know who said what. If you're trying to make a decision on something, make sure that you can trace back everyone's input to best determine what people want. This could come in many ways:

• Poll your neighbors on when your next meeting should be: Doodle.com or Formspring are easy to use tools
• Post a story on your website (we can blast an email to all your neighbors, too) and enable comments by your neighbors
• Blast emails to your neighbors and store responses in a folder in Outlook somewhere

When it comes to decision time by the board, having direct access to your neighbor's feedback could have a material impact on correctly weighing the facts to make the best decision.

Be transparent with what's going on

Keep your neighbors informed, even if a decision doesn't have to be made. Let everyone know what the status of ongoing projects is. It may be a matter of updating the website, sending out an email to everyone, or just letting people know as you pass by what is going on.

Stay organized: Try keeping things in one place

Important documents, emails, meeting minutes, neighbor feedback... What a mess if you can't keep all that information in one place! That's why Neighborino gives you the option to keep all of your communication centralized. Lack of organization has caused more than one HOA to fall apart. Use the resources you have at your fingertips (like the Internet!).

Listen (and ask!) "Why?"

Too many times opinions are thrown out without justification and ideas aren't considered properly when in meetings. If you don't understand something, probe deeper into the issue to best understand how to fix it. And don't take things so personally!

I hope these tips help!

Meet your next door neighbors. All of them.

As a homeowner, I have become good friends with several of my neighbors. But, it has always been the neighbors within the closest proximity to me. I’m talking about right next door or across the street. Sure, I’m friendly with the rest of my neighborhood and have passing conversations, but seldom has it gone further than that. This makes me wonder what friendships I’m missing out on simply because of where I live within my neighborhood. And take it a step further, how can this fundamental issue be addressed?

Upon asking around I found this to be a common scenario, so I thought I would offer a few suggestions to help you, and the rest of your neighbors, all get to know each other a little better.

WELCOMING COMMITTEE
To most, a welcoming committee is a thing of the past. However, upon moving into my subdivision 2 years ago, my wife and I were greeted with a tray of cookies and a warm welcome. This is my third home ownership experience, but the first time I received any type of formal "welcome to the neighborhood". My and wife and I immediately felt welcome and confident that we had made the right home choice.

As a resident and/or board member, what can you do? Form block captains to welcome each new resident of your neighborhood. Create a packet that includes local utilities, your contact information and any other important information they may need to help them settle in their new community.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE
This is different than your neighborhood board. Sure, they need to be involved, but the board’s main interest is to ensure covenants are met and to address issues as they arise. A social committee’s goal is to foster a sense of community, encourage socialization and neighborhood involvement. The list of possibilities for the social committee to organize are endless. From a visit from Santa in December, to block party in the summer, to a harvest festival in the fall, there are many opportunities to celebrate your neighborhood and get to know one another. Don't forget the smaller, easier to plan events as well like informal cookouts and monthly gatherings with smaller groups of people who are interested. A simple survey to your neighborhood will help gage interest and guide your events.

WEBSITE
If you have a community website, be sure it's up to date. Your website can be a great avenue to contact neighbors who participate in the directory, offer your services or search for services offered, see what's upcoming on the calendar, and stay up to date with going's on of your community. Used in conjunction with the Social Committee, your neighborhood site can be a valuable asset in inexpensively spreading the word about events and social opportunities.

Remember, the goal is to connect neighbors. Residents who feel a sense of connection and kinship to their neighborhood are more likely to be good neighbors and speak highly of their neighborhood. This goodwill can help form friendships, mend boards who may need a nudge of help, and create a happy, involved community that all are proud to call home!