The health of a homeowner association is important to measure from time to time. Fortunately, even poor health is curable but identifying the problem precedes the cure. Here are a series of self-diagnosis questions to help you out:
1. Are all board meetings open to members?
2. Are all rules necessary, reasonable, uniformly enforced and include a right of appeal?
3. Do owners have an opportunity for input before or during board meetings?
4. Are all meeting minutes made available to members?
5. Do new owners receive information packets to get them started on the right foot?
6. Is there an Owner Forum provided at board meetings to allow member comment?
7. Does your HOA have and follow a Reserve Study?
8. Does the board consult with an attorney when proposing new policies or rules?
9. (If self managed) Do you have a reliable system for emergency response?
10. Do you have a sustained and successful volunteer recruitment program?
11. Does the board distribute and follow an Annual Planning Calendar?
12. Are regular financial statements reviewed by the board and distributed to the members?
13. Are records available to members for inspection by members?
14. Is an informational newsletter distributed on a regular basis?
15. Are rules and architectural guidelines written and easily available to the owners?
16. Are rules written in a positive tone to encourage compliance rather than dictatorial way that promotes defiance?
17. Do your members receive regular reminders of rules and policies affecting lifestyle or ownership responsibilities?
18. Are members kept informed of possible litigation?
19. Are members given a chance to comment on proposed rules and policies?
20. Does the HOA have a website to provide vital information and to communicate?
The goal of this survey to get all or mostly "Yes" answers. If your HOA falls way short, you have some healing to do.
The survey could serve as the basis for an board planning retreat. It hits on many things that smooth out HOA business. Or with some creative rewording, it could be turned into a questionnaire to be distributed to the members for comment. Requesting feedback is an important step to promoting volunteers. Dr. HOA says, "Heed my prescription and heal yourself!"
For more innovative homeowner association management strategies, see Regenesis.net.
Author: Richard Thompson
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