Self-Managing a Community Association
So, what is self-management? Self-management is when board members or members take on tasks assumed by management companies.
Self-managing a community association can be challenging, but effective self-management is done with some planning, identification of the right tools, and effort.
Here are some tips for managing a community association as a board of directors:
Establish clear roles and responsibilities: Make sure that each member of the board of directors understands their role and responsibilities within the community association. Duties can include financial management, communication, and organizing events.
Develop a strategic plan: Develop a strategic plan for the community association that outlines the goals and objectives for the upcoming year. A Strategic Plan helps ensure that everyone is working towards the same purposes.
Create a budget: Develop a budget for the community association that considers all expenses and revenue sources. Keep accurate financial records and regularly report on the association's financial status.
Communicate regularly with members: Keep members informed about community association business and decisions through regular communication channels such as email, newsletters, and social media. Encourage members to provide feedback and suggestions.
Enforce rules and regulations: Develop clear rules and regulations for the community association and implement them consistently. Consistently enforcing rules can include behavior, communication, and conflict resolution rules.
Organize events and activities: Plan and organize events and activities for the community association that help to bring members together and foster a sense of community.
Establish partnerships: Develop partnerships with local businesses and organizations to support the community association's activities and events.
Managing a community association requires strong communication skills, organizational abilities, and a willingness to work collaboratively with other board members and community members. A self-managed community association can thrive with clear roles and responsibilities, a strategic plan, and regular communication.
No, we are not asking anyone to quick their day job or take on unthinkable tasks. Many community boards are seeking ways to manage community affairs effectively. Some communities are now being self-managed, where board members take on responsibilities that used to be handled solely by the PTO manager and their team.
While this self-management approach can reduce costs for the association, it can also bring challenges. To learn more about self-management, we are committed to a series of HOA Talk Radio and Video training sessions to help members evaluate the possibilities.