3 powerful HOA

All HOA Board Members
share the same frustrations...

... we all want to say
good-bye to stress,
and hello
to leadership confidence
and peaceful community relationships.

Sound Familiar?

• Avoiding your next communication with a disgruntled homeowner?
• Tense before every HOA Board meeting?
• Feel incapable of making tough decisions for the community?
• Not sure where to turn for education and expert advice?

No MORE!

#1 - DOn't BE AFRAID to discuss HOA fees

AH HA! Light bulb moment!

No one wants to talk about HOA fees because they may feel
“ripped off” or don’t understand the fee system.

Here's how to have stress-free discussions about
HOA fees...

...BE transparent!

• Know where your fees go. You're already aware that this is an uncomfortable topic, so know your stuff!
• Make sure - absolutely postivite - that residents have access to the board meeting schedule.

You got this.

• As adjustments are made, announce it! A creative & efficient way to get the message across will go miles! Not all homeowners are going to read the minutes, so mitigate the shock of adjustments with an up-front notice.
• Share ideas on keeping costs low on Facebook, a community website, or newsletter. Provide a positive cause and effect example that resulted in adjustments for the HOA in the past.

"When Board Members are asking for, and spending their neighbors money, there is reluctance based on respect for their neighbors. Coupled with a desire to obtain full value for the dollar and not only meeting, but exceeding, their fiduciary obligations to the HOA - it may make board members tense before conversations about fees.
It's important to remind ourselves that we take budgeting, funding, and reserve commitments seriously. Broadcasting the assessments isn't the only priority. Meeting the document requirements and ensuring value for the funds is."


- Paul Monaghan, Planned Development Services

#2 - Continue Board Education.

As communities and laws evolve, so will the HOA topics you need to pay attention to.

First step:
Pick ONE topic at a time.
You aren't Superman (yet).

5 Areas to Focus

• Understand your HOA's basic financial status. Ever heard of "fiduciary duty?"
• Know your CC&R's - front and back!
• HOA Insurance and Directors Liability Insurance - know the difference!
• What's your role? And what is the role of the other board members?
• Learn how to lead effective HOA meetings.

"But I'm already juggling so much!



How can I fit HOA Board education into my schedule?"

easy as 1, 2, 3...

• Turn to your management company for live, in-person workshops. Board members can take turns attending, and report back information.
• Join your local Community Associations Institute chapter. They will send "need to know" info and host networking opportunities.
• Subscribe to your management company's blog or social media sites. Education is automatically fed to your inbox and news feed.

#3 - Keep up to date with State Legislation

Each US State governs HOA's differently. Each year new bills are passed that impact your community, including possible governance and communication requirements.

HOW WILL I KEEP UP?

Utlize your Resources

• Call your HOA Law firm for a legislative update. All HOA lawyers are more than willing to communicate the outcome of each session.
• Don't have a lawyer? Ask your management company for an HOA law referral.
• Know when your state legislators are in session each year.
• Subscribe to your state legislators social media sites, blogs, or RSS feeds.

BONUS LESSON

understand the risks 

Social media
is NEVER acceptable for
formal HOA communication.
However, Board Members should utilize it's benefits.

WARNING:
Utilizing social media in an HOA Board Member capacity, can be risky.

DID YOU KNOW...

• Social platforms behave differently, so before posting publicly, understand the forum (we wrote a blog about this to help navigate the differences between Facebook and Nextdoor).
• You could be liable for posting any public comments that undermine board decisions (don't worry, we have a detailed article for that too. Find links in the notes attached).

THAT'S IT!

Want More?
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@PlannedDevelopmentServices
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@PDS_az

www.pdsaz.com

Thank you for joining us!