Why Summer is a Good Time For HOAs to Recruit Volunteers

June officially ushers in summer. During the summer months, people are outdoors and more active. You will find attendance at community events and businesses to grow during the summertime.

In communities, people are outdoors, enjoying their pool, and their homes, leisurely, walking, and enjoying the neighborhood.

Summer is a great time to take advantage of people being outdoors. This is a great time for HOAs to make volunteer opportunities known.

There are many ways to use the summer months as a time of getting to know residents and recruiting them to help with the HOA board or committee.

1. People are outdoors and more active. They are more involved with community activities; they meet neighbors while walking or at the pool.

They may hear positive information about the management and consider volunteering.

2. More people move during the summer. Communities see new residents move in during the summer. Statistics show that families move more during the off-school season.

Reaching out to new residents with a welcome letter telling them about the board or management team may spark their interest. Let them know the areas of volunteer opportunity within the management.

3. More people communicate with the community management team during the summer.

More residents are out enjoying amenities and may contact the association manager for maintenance issues. This is a good time to send a letter, thanking them and letting them know there are volunteer opportunities available.

4. Summer is a good time for the board to interact more with community members. There are more organized community events, as well as newsletters going out.

The summer season also provides longer daylight hours for participation and usage of the clubhouse and other facilities. This gives residents an opportunity to use the various amenities and realize how much they enjoy their HOA.

5. Summer gives people a good feeling.

During the summer, the community management will have regular lawn maintenance and residents will see the community becoming beautiful. The management may spruce up the common areas or entrances with flowers or shrubbery. This will give residents a feeling of pride in their community.

This will also make them feel better about volunteering, giving them a reason to speak positively about the management and their experience and giving them an incentive to maintain their own property.

Giving residents a positive experience may prompt them to get involved with the community through volunteering.

HOA boards are comprised of people from many backgrounds and ages. Each volunteer brings a unique perspective and talent. This results in a variety of viewpoints on an HOA board.

DR. Lori Baker-Schena states:

“I think we must be mindful of the fact that we want our board to reflect the community. And so, we need to look at our community and then find representation that truly reflects it. And I'm also not talking about just ethnicity or race. I'm talking about age, too.”

Welcome volunteers have some type of informational meeting or orientation to inform them about the HOA and what is expected of a volunteer.

5 SUMMER HOLIDAYS HOAs CAN CELEBRATE IN THE COMMUNITY

June officially ushers in the season of summer. Children are out of school, summer vacations are planned, and everyone loves summer activities. In an HOA community, planning summer activities for residents is a great way to bring people out to meet each other and have fun. If they enjoy the activities, you may even get a few volunteers for your HOA.

Here are a few summer holidays an HOA can celebrate in the community.

Father’s Day

Every year, Father’s Day is celebrated by families all around the world who plan activities to celebrate the special men in their lives. Father’s Day 2023 will occur on Sunday, June 18. Your community can plan a Father’s Day brunch, picnic, or other celebrations to honor Dads.

Summer Solstice

This year, the June solstice occurs on Wednesday, June 21, marking the astronomical first day of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. The solstice is celebrated by many cultures around the world.

Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors. If your pool is not open, plan a pool opening party, a summer kick-off barbecue with games that the whole family can enjoy. Your HOA board should plan for these activities and make sure the lawn and maintenance upkeep are done, the pool is clean and ready to open, the pool restrooms are all prepared for guests, and any other needed maintenance routines should be completed.

Flag Day

Both President Wilson, in 1916, and President Coolidge, in 1927, issued proclamations asking for June 14 to be observed as National Flag Day. But it wasn't until August 3, 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law.

Flag Day does not necessarily require an activity; however, your community can be patriotic and recognize this day. Your HOA could have small flags for community members to pick up to display on flag day.

Independence Day

The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades, and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.

July 4th is a big holiday and is a great time for your HOA to plan an activity to bring all community members out. Your board will need to plan this early for it to be successful.

Some ideas are a barbecue, a picnic, and swimming. Most families visit local fireworks displays in their city. If your city has a large event, then hosting a fireworks display may not be a good idea. Make sure to be prior to July 4th. All rules and regulations regarding fireworks are communicated to members.

Labor Day

The Labor Day holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America's strength, prosperity, and well-being.

Labor Day unofficially ends the summer season. Again, a Labor Day picnic would be a great idea. If it is not within your HOA budget to host an event like this, members could be asked to bring a picnic basket for their own family or bring a cover dish to share. Having members provide food will help cut the cost of the event for your association.

Providing regular activities in your HOA will keep residents interested and create a sense of community. The key to successful events is to plan early and promote the events to the community.