Getting involved with community services in a homeowners association can be very rewarding. It’s not only personally gratifying, but builds stronger neighborhoods. When neighbors come together for a common goal, they can accomplishment just about anything. Learn more about Community Services by visiting http://www.HomeownerResources.com.
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Community Services
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• Getting involved with community services in a homeowners association
(HOA) can be very rewarding.
• It’s not only personally gratifying, but builds stronger neighborhoods.
• When neighbors come together for a common goal, they can
accomplishment just about anything.
• Examples of community services run the gamut from volunteering on
aesthetics projects, neighborhood watches, events, communications,
HOA management, and a host of other opportunities.
• The first step to getting involved is familiarization with the HOA’s
governing documents.
• It’s important to become well versed in the rules and regulations of the
association so they can be followed when volunteering for community
services.
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Community Services
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Helping the Board of Directors
•Every homeowner should be supporting the HOA Board.
•After all, the Board is working in the best interest of the community.
•Their number one priority is to protect property values.
•They also preserve and enhance the common assets and manage the
financial well being of the HOA.
•But many HOA Boards have a tough time getting homeowners to
actively participate in community services.
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Community Services
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Helping the Board of Directors
•Some basic things HOA members can do to help the Board include:
Following the rules and regulations in all HOA governing
documents.
Attending and participating in Board of Director and annual
meetings.
When HOA violations are noted, reporting them to the Board.
Communicating with the Board and/or management company in
writing and through the established processes.
Appreciating the work the Board does on behalf of the HOA and
recognizing the common goals.
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Community Services
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Volunteering for Community Services Committees
•One of the worst things that can happen in a homeowners association is
to let a small group of people shoulder the burden of responsibility.
•A strong neighborhood depends on the involvement of all its members.
•Serving on a community services committee is a great way to make a
meaningful contribution and support the efforts of the HOA Board.
•The Board and management company can’t possibly conduct every
aspect of neighborhood business.
•It must rely on committees made up of member volunteers.
•The number of committees at any one time will depend on the existing
projects.
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Community Services
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Participating in Other Opportunities
Involvement in community services isn’t limited to supporting the Board
and joining a committee.
Numerous opportunities exist for homeowners to volunteer their services,
including:
Attending meetings.
Participating in community meetings is one of the best ways to learn
what’s going on in the neighborhood.
It also allows homeowners to meet other members and join upcoming
activities.
Attendees can also find out about new tools the HOA may have
available for getting involved in community services.
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Community Services
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Participating in Other Opportunities
Organizing events.
Members can take on a project as small or large as they want.
From a simple coffee get-together to a block party, whatever meets
their comfort zone is perfectly fine.
It’s the involvement that counts rather than the size of event.
Maintaining common areas.
If the HOA needs help with common areas that aren’t maintained by a
service provider, this could be a perfect area for homeowners to
volunteer their help.
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Community Services
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Participating in Other Opportunities
Producing and delivering the newsletter.
Many HOAs produce a regular newsletter either in electronic and/or print
form.
However, they provide an excellent opportunity for volunteers to get to
know the community and its residents.
Forming a Neighborhood Watch.
If a Neighborhood Watch already exists in the community, new volunteers
are always needed. If one doesn’t exist, forming one can be a huge benefit
to the HOA.
As one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the
U.S., Neighborhood Watch helps bring citizens together to make
communities safer.
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Community Services
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• HOAs require homeowner involvement to succeed.
• When neighbors work together to provide exceptional community
services, the HOA can reach its full potential and help create a
comfortable lifestyle for all homeowners.
• AAM works with many of the largest homebuilding and community
development companies in the United States such as Del
Webb/Pulte, Shea Homes and Meritage Homes.
• Founded in 1990, AAM employs 370 people and manages over 400
communities in the United States.
• AAM is dedicated to delivering total peace of mind to the Boards of
Directors and homeowners in the communities it manages.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
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Jason Tucker is VP of AAM Edge Sales, a dynamic
and exciting new online community from
Associated Asset Management that delivers
trusted and relevant information to homeowners.
Learn more about Community Services by visiting
http://www.HomeownerResources.com.