Karla Strader, Associa
Homeowners choose to move into a homeowners’ association for a multitude of reasons. Whether it be maintenance, amenities, social gatherings, or even cost of living. Whatever the reason may be, everyone wants to feel welcomed when they come home. Having a great community feel helps bring new buyers into the community from word of mouth. When homeowners feel a good sense of building community, they attend board meetings just to listen, are very positive, and happy to learn about things going on in the community.
A few things that have been successful for me in building community over the years are:
- Establishing an annual calendar of events. Make sure you have at least one event per month. Remember that not everyone celebrates the same holidays, so don’t do a Christmas Party unless you know for sure everyone celebrates Christmas. Call it a Holiday Party instead!
- Determine your budget for each event. Track your spending for each event so that you know what needs to be adjusted in the budget for next year.
- Develop a Social Committee. Seek volunteers from within your community. Draft a committee charter to outline the roles and responsibilities of that committee.
- Create a social event checklist. This way you won’t forget all of the items you need to do for each event.
- Obtain Special Event Insurance. Did you know the insurance policy does not cover special events that are sponsored by your community? You must obtain a special event insurance policy for each event (typically under $200).
- Remember to take pictures during the event, and post them online so residents can view them, and mention how well the event did in your next monthly resident update.
- Chalk Walk. Provide the chalk and let residents know they should complete the chalk art on this date and time, then walk the community and look at everyone’s chalk art. You can even have a contest where you post pictures online and have people vote.
- Movie Night. Hire a professional that will come with a large screen and speakers. Provide refreshments such as water and popcorn.
- Total Destruction. Provide a paper shredding truck, dumpsters and electronic disposal for residents to use.
- National Night Out is the second Tuesday in August every year!
Some fun ideas for community events are:
About the Author: Karla Strader has been in Community Management for over 17 years. In her many years of experience Karla has managed condominiums, townhomes, single family homes, master and sub associations over 1,000 homes, mixed-use commercial and residential as well as supervised up to 10 employees at one time. In her current role she is overseeing a team of Community Association Managers for a company she has been with for over 12 years. Karla has obtained her CMCA, AMS and PCAM Certifications. She enjoys assisting associations by offering suggestions on how to improve the community. Karla has also been nominated for several Vision Awards through CAI and serves on the Rocky Mountain Chapter Board of Directors as Secretary. She also enjoys photography, website design and has a passion for training and education especially when it comes to financials and budgets.
