Successful and thriving homeowners’ associations (HOAs) have high homeowner participation in all aspects of community life. The more homeowners invest in their community, the stronger it is.
Often, HOA Boards can gauge how engaged their homeowner population is by monitoring attendance at meetings. These situations allow residents to stay informed, voice their concerns, and participate in decisions that impact their community. So, if your HOA is struggling with low attendance and limited engagement, you have an issue that needs to be fixed.
Growing attendance at HOA meetings does not happen overnight. By following the information in this guide, your Board will be well on its way to increasing homeowner participation at meetings and in the community.
How High Homeowner Participation Can Help Your HOA
High homeowner attendance at and participation in HOA meetings is essential for a well-run community. Higher attendance leads to better communication, greater transparency, and more balanced decision-making.
These benefits, in turn, can foster greater trust between homeowners and the Board. A homeowner who feels their Board considers their opinions will create more involved homeowners in all aspects of community life.
Thus, the issue is cyclical: better meeting participation leads to better homeowner engagement overall.
Why Homeowners Often Avoid HOA Meetings
HOA meetings are places where the community decides on important aspects of management and future planning. With so much at stake, you would think it would be easy to have high attendance at these meetings. But that is, unfortunately, often not the case.
Many homeowners avoid HOA meetings because they believe the meetings are unproductive or overly long. Some other common barriers to attendance include:
- Meetings scheduled at inconvenience. Times.
- Poor or inconsistent communication about meeting dates and agenda.
- A perception that discussions will be contentious or uncomfortable.
- Lack of understand about the HOA’s role or decision-making process.
Tips for Increasing Homeowner Attendance at HOA Meetings
Improving attendance at HOA meetings starts with making meetings more accessible and meaningful for homeowners.
Begin by implementing the following tips.
- Communicate early and often:
The more homeowners know about the date, time, and agenda of a meeting, the more likely they are to attend. Highlight topics that directly impact residents, such as budget decisions, major projects, or rule changes, to encourage participation.
- Offer flexible meeting options:
Homeowners may want to attend the meeting but may be unable to attend in person. Virtual or hybrid meetings can significantly increase attendance and allow more interested homeowners to participate.
- Keep meetings organized and efficient:
A structured agenda and clear time limits can keep meetings to a reasonable length, which, in turn, will encourage more homeowners to attend.
- Encourage respectful dialogue:
Most people do not want to attend a meeting with a lot of conflict or drama. Make sure there are guidelines for homeowner comments and standards to keep the meetings productive and professional. - Partner with a professional community association management company:
A good community association management company, such as ACRI Community Realty, can help with all aspects of meeting planning and management.
Let us help you foster a culture of involvement and transparency. Contact ACRI Community Realty today!
