There’s no denying the COVID-19 pandemic will affect this year’s holiday season. Condo and Homeowner’s association annual meetings need to adapt, and the virus has created new budgetary challenges association Board members must meet.
Still, some things about the end of the year, like making New Year’s resolutions, remain unchanged. Hopes are high that 2021 will see things start to turn around on the health crisis. To get in the New Year’s spirit, we’re sharing six resolutions your condo association can make to ensure next year is the best year yet!
1. Take Advantage of Software
Enhancing the community experience, increasing property values, and staying on budget are just a few of the challenges association Board members tackle every day. Any way you can reduce the time you spend on certain tasks makes your “second job” more manageable. Allied Property Group offers a range of financial, real estate, and association management services designed to help you do just that.
2. Form Committees & Define Position Tasks
Many Boards are made up of a small group of people who consistently try to accomplish it all: evaluate vendors, communicate with owners, draw up and enforce covenants, and so on. It’s important to remember that a Board’s role, though, is to make sure these things get done. That doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself. Make a resolution to recruit some help for different committees and make sure everyone knows their specific responsibilities.
3. Get Proactive
It might not be easy to anticipate what next year’s issues will be, but there are some things you can do to get a head start. Start reviewing last year’s goals, accomplishments, and documents like bylaws, CC&Rs, and rules. Highlight both items that still need to be addressed and what steps were taken to meet others successfully.
4. Enhance Homeowner Participation
Even with additional health safety measures in place, everyone can still work together for a better community. Resolve to communicate more frequently with community members by publishing newsletters and website updates. Email newsletters and common area bulletin boards are also a great way to encourage community member involvement.
5. Review & Update Documents
Is it time to amend old documents and records to more accurately reflect how your community operates? Florida doesn’t legally require a condo association to keep documents current, but amending them from time to time improves association operation and instills trust in the Board.
6. Learn Something New
Whether you’re a first-time or long-term Board member, there’s always something new to learn. Make 2021 the year you take advantage of some of the fabulous resources out there to learn something new about being an association member. The Community Associations Institute (CAI) offers webinars, live classes, and local training sessions, which you can read about in its Learning Center. There’s nothing like getting outside your comfort zone and broadening your knowledge base!
It’s Going to Be a Great Year
Even the simplest New Year resolutions can keep you on track and make being an association Board member a more enjoyable experience. Why not try one or more of these resolutions to make 2021 a positive and successful year for you and your Board?
