7 Key Things That Should Be on Your HOA Vision Board In 2020

2020 is approaching and if your board has not had your end of year meeting or planning meeting for next year, these 7 items should be factored into your agenda planning meeting.

HOA boards should have a board approved plan for the upcoming year. Community residents are interested in knowing how the board is moving the community forward, what improvements are being made and how their money is being spent for the New Year.  Without a New Year plan, residents will not have confidence in the governing board. It is essential to keep member morale high and confidence in the HOA high.

Here are 7 items your HOA Board should focus on as part of your plan for the community in 2020.

1. Upcoming Proposed Changes in Regulations or Proposed Legal Changes That May Impact HOAs

Homeowners Associations nationwide should stay up to date on legal changes that could impact your HOA.  It is also important to notify members of any changes to governing regulations, documents, city, state and federal laws that could affect residents, homeowners or the community as an entirety. These items should be made available to members throughout the year. HOA boards should always communicate such changes and prove to the community that the board is knowledgeable about all items that pertain to the operation of the community association.

2. Ways to Develop and Sustain Community Involvement in the Association.

Throughout time community or member involvement in the HOA has been a dilemma.  Boards should always look for ways to recruit new board members and retain effective board members that currently serve. Letting community residents know they can have a part in the HOA is key to keeping community involvement high and active.

3. Focus on Community Safety

Review past safety and security efforts and integrate ways to improve community safety. Look at the HOA’s fire protection policies, emergency preparedness policies, law enforcement and crime policies.  Update the community’s policies and procedures as needed to protect the safety of families and community residents.

4. Plan Efforts That Will Protect the Value of the Market in your Community

With the ever-fluctuating housing market throughout the US, HOAs should always consider ways to preserve the property values in the community as high as possible. Although this is probably one area where residents rebel, it is important to keep encouraging and enforcing residents to follow the community guidelines and regulations for making regular updates, maintenance and repairs to individual homes.

5. Review Amenities and Common Area Maintenance

Every year as part of the annual meetings, HOA boards should always review the procedures for how common areas and amenities are maintained, repaired and managed. The association is required to regularly improve and maintain all amenities and common areas throughout the community. This help residents feel they are getting value for their fees and assessments. Staying on top of this helps build the morale of the residents and helps them have confidence in the leadership

6. Review Procedures for Resolving Conflict and Complaints

At the annual HOA meeting, it is wise to review the past year and see how complaints from the residents have been handled. Things to consider are: Has the number of complaints increased? Have conflicts between residents and the board been resolved in a timely and peaceful manner? How can the association improve conflict resolution and complaints?

7. Improve Communication

Review the past year and determine if your HOA has adequate communication between the board and the residents. Is your HOA effectively communicating important information to the residents?  Look for ways the HOA can use new methods of communication using new technology.

Association Management Group recognizes that successful community leaders must couple skills and information with their passion to serve their community. Over the last 30 years, it has become clear to AMG that well-informed executive Board members make better community leaders. AMG’s goal is to always help our community leaders be more effective. Working as their partner, it is our pleasure to help provide the latest information, skills and techniques to our clients.

AMG knows executive Board members need tools to help them perform their duties right away. The following are six tools that Board members tell us they appreciate: https://www.amgworld.com/board-education-toolkit