How Community Associations Keep in Touch with Residents with effective ways of communication.

Every community association, no matter how large or small, needs clear, concise, and consistent communication with its residents. Good communication helps board members and community leaders explain decisions, distribute information, and develop a solid relationship with everyone in the community.

It is absolutely vital that you communicate with your residents, but what's the best way? The truth is, if you want to keep in touch with your residents, you need to use many different forms of communication.

1. Emails

Probably the most basic and simple form of communication, emails allow you to communicate necessary information quickly. You can use emails to send out quick bits of information like meeting summaries, event times, community announcements, and project updates. Generally, a monthly email is a good idea to communicate the most necessary points to all of your residents. Keep in mind that the association should not use email for official notices or statutory notice requirements unless the governing documents have been amended to allow for such notice!

2. Social Media

Social media should be used to connect with your residents and build a sense of community, but remember to keep things light. It is “social” media, not “business” media or “board meeting agenda” media. People want to be, play, and have fun on Facebook and Twitter, so post images of kids playing at the park or send a congratulatory tweet for a local sports team, but always keep it fun and social. Don't over-do it either. Generally, two or three social media updates a day is plenty.

3. Newsletters

If you want a more visually-attractive and engaging way to communicate with your residents, a newsletter is a great choice. Newsletters are perfect for feel-good stories about the community, such as the completion of a park or the details on a new security system. They also allow for much longer articles than emails and social media updates, where attention span is usually smaller. Community leaders should directly contribute to newsletters by writing article and giving their viewpoints on upcoming issues. You can use more visually appealing content like information graphics and stunning photography with newsletters. Newsletters can be sent monthly, seasonally, or even annually depending on your budget and priority level.

4. Websites

Almost all community associations have a website, and they can serve a wide range of purposes, from daily updates to longer explanations of current topics affecting the community. You can use a website to archive meeting agendas and notes or create a photo gallery of your community. FAQs are great for websites, and you can also use your site to generate feedback on board decisions or conduct a community survey.  A community website with multi-level security access (log-ins) or password protected areas are a great way to provide official documents in response to an official records request!

5. Community Meetings

All the well-designed websites, Facebook updates, and flashy newsletters in the world can't connect you to your residents like a well-organized meeting. Give your residents a chance to meet you in person by hosting meetings on a seasonal basis, or have one every summer and winter to keep everyone connected. This gives you the opportunity to meet with residents face-to-face, explain decisions, and listen to the questions and concerns of your residents.

You can have a wonderful community with the help of PeytonBolin. We specialize in providing legal support for community association leaders and residents, and we would be honored to help you today.

Contact us now and put our experience and expertise to work for your community association!