If you're a part of a condo or homeowner association, you've probably had a conversation concerning the need for volunteers. Many times, it is based on size, but that isn't always the deciding factor. Some large communities are successful without a manager, while some small communities have professionals aiding them.

It's up to you to decide whether which is best for your community association. If you're not sure whether your association is better off run by a professional manager or volunteers, the following tips will help you decide.

Hire a professional if:

1. Residents don't have time or don't want to volunteer
2. Residents don't have the necessary skills
3. A management company can receive better rates from contractors or service providers like insurance companies
4. Your association is responsible for managing many building systems, properties and amenities.
5. Your community has complex systems and/or amenities which require technical expertise

Use volunteers if:

1. You don't have the money to hire a professional manager
2. Residents are willing and able to commit and take on required responsibilities.
3. Residents are skilled in finance, operations, public relations, law, construction, and project management,

If your community association doesn't fit perfectly into either of these categories, you may want to take the middle ground and use a mix of professionals and volunteers. The overall goal of a condo or homeowner association is to ensure solid property values, and this may only be achieved through a mix of volunteers and professionals. Splitting responsibilities helps ensure that you're getting necessary work done efficiently and at a lower cost than if the board was run fully by professionals. Figure out what roles volunteers can take on and use professionals for the ones that require more technical skills and knowledge.