During a typical work week, it's normal for the average employee to have to go to at least eight meetings. And many report most of them as being unproductive and wasting time. It's a tough reality of having a job that you'll likely get burnt out on meetings.
And that's exactly why it can be difficult to get great attendance at HOA meetings. Members often feel like they don't want to waste their free time doing something they hate to do at work.
But HOA meeting attendance is really, important for the health of the community. Check out these tips for getting more people to show up!
Build a Reputation of Efficiency
The first thing you have to do is make sure each meeting is worthwhile. Your numbers are going to drop as soon as people feel like coming is a waste of their time. Word spreads fast in HOA communities!
Efficient meetings always start with an agenda. Each item of business should be laid out in detail for everyone to see. This way, they know what to expect and can gauge the length of the meeting as it moves along. The most important thing is to stick to this outline!
Spread Meeting Invitations Early
Everyone has so much going on that it's easy for an HOA meeting to be forgotten. Spreading the meeting information should happen early and often for the best results. It's most helpful to have a consistent date and time for these meetings. Then it becomes a part of members' routines to attend every month.
Listen to Feedback from Members
Managing an association is a lot of work. And there's often a lot of things board members need to share during these meetings. But it's important that each meeting have time for member feedback.
This information can be crucial for growing a healthy HOA. These help members feel like they're seen and valued, which makes them want to be more involved.
Open dialogue between the board members and residents can make for great ideas and needed change.
Add an Incentive
It's never a bad idea to try to bring more people in by offering a small incentive! Everyone loves an extra little bonus, so even the smallest reward can be helpful.
Think about offering refreshments at the end of your meeting. Or you could offer the chance to enter a raffle for a prize. Something that's exciting and out of the norm will draw people in.
Increase Attendance at HOA Meetings in South Jersey
HOA meetings are the best way to bring the community together. They're designed to help address issues, share new information, and give neighbors a chance to meet each other. But none of those things can happen if there are low numbers.
Working with a management team can help you get all of these things done and more.
At PMI SoJay Property Management, we've been helping HOAs for more than 20 years. So we know just what it takes and have all the resources you need. If you're interested in seeing how we can help your community, contact us today!
