While 67% of homeowners are satisfied living in an HOA community, this number could be significantly higher if more homeowners were engaged. One way to engage community homeowners is to encourage them to attend the HOA board meetings. They would stay better informed of the HOA rules, changes, improvements, and community happenings.
Try these strategies to improve your HOA meeting attendance.
Choose a Good Time and Place
Choose a time and place that HOA homeowners can attend. This usually means a time in the evening and a place near or within the community. When you work with an HOA association management company, they can advise on the ideal meeting time and location.
They can also review the by-laws to ensure you follow the rules outlined for the HOA community meetings. If the current policies are not working, you can take steps to make the necessary changes. That way, your HOA stays current on what works for the community.
Give Timely Notice
While the New Jersey statutes state that you only need to give 48 hours' notice, this isn't ideal. If you want more of your HOA community to attend the meetings, you must give them plenty of notice. Homeowners have busy lives with jobs, children, and other commitments.
Try to give a week or two notice. This gives people time to plan and arrange their schedules to attend.
In addition, give notice in multiple locations and methods. That way, you can notify the maximum number of people. The more people that know, the more people you can get to attend.
Refreshments
Consider offering refreshments if you want to entice community homeowners to come to the meetings. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate or fancy. A few drinks and nibbles are perfect for bringing people together.
Not only are people more likely to come, but they will stay longer and be more engaged during the meeting.
Combine With a Social Event
Try combining the meeting with a social event. That way, you enhance HOA living while also engaging the community. Strike a balance between business and fun, though.
Keep the Meetings Short
One reason people don't attend the meetings is because they last for hours. Nobody wants to sit in an uncomfortable folding chair for hours while the board members drone on about boring or irrelevant topics.
This is when an HOA management company can be helpful. A management company assisting the board can keep the meeting agenda organized and streamlined.
Share the meeting agenda with homeowners, letting them know what to expect before they attend.
Increase the Attendance at Your HOA Board Meetings
If you want more homeowners to attend your HOA board meetings, you need to make it more enticing for them. This means addressing their biggest issues with them. It also means making the meetings more enjoyable.
Working with an HOA management company like PMI Turn Key NJ can be helpful. We can be a valuable resource that provides support and innovative ideas to improve your HOA operation.
Improve your HOA meeting attendance when you work with PMI Turn Key NJ for your HOA management.
