Putting “Community” Back Into
Community Association Living

However, in the late 60's-early 70's, community associations became the builder/developer's answer to creating affordable housing with a larger amenity package than any individual homeowner would have been able to dream of on their own. As further benefit, builder/developers envisioned the return of “community neighborhoods” wherein residents would experience that warm neighborhood feeling within their community that folks like myself experienced growing up in the 50's. This was a time when everyone seemed to know their neighbors and, to some degree, felt a sense of security knowing that they could call on them for assistance when needed . . . if only to borrow the proverbial cup of sugar.

Moving to the present, we find this concept everywhere today. We have seen a proliferation of community associations of various sizes, types and configurations built all across the country. As in my fictitious ad, the amenity package commonly available within the community is greater than any individual homeowner could likely afford to purchase in a single family home. (i.e., pools, tennis courts, tot lots, clubhouses, jogging trails etc.) However, the one item that appears to be missing in most community associations across the country of this decade is a true sense of community – a sense of belonging, a sense of security in knowing your neighbors, and knowing there is someone there for you if the need arises. What's missing is, well, the cup of sugar.

The reasons that most association professionals and volunteer board members give for this lack of a sense of community is the current fast paced, highly pressured lifestyle that most Americans lead. There is simply not much time left after work for immediate family and a few close friends. Let's face it: who has time to chat with the neighbors anymore, even if you're lucky enough to know who they are?

Let's agree, for the sake of argument, that this is not a good thing (and I happen to agree). So …how can this be changed? What can be done to improve the quality of life within these modern-day communities? Psychologists and sociologists all agree that a sense of belonging is a critical component to achieving some degree of happiness and fulfillment in one's life. It even contributes to better health. As such, I can see a number of steps that the board of directors of a homeowners association as well as the management company can take to bring the association membership closer together while creating a true sense of community spirit.

• First and foremost, the establishment of a regularly published newsletter is essential. Please note I refer to it not as a community “newspaper”, but rather a community newsletter. The purpose of this project is to instill a sense of unity by delivering interesting items about the community and the residents within the community. This newsletter should be not only distributed to the residents, but all local realtors and elected officials, as well. If your association has contracted with a management company or employs its own manager, assistance should only be a phone call away to the board of directors in producing one of these association newsletters on a regular (not less than quarterly) basis.

• Another excellent tool, particularly during this digital age in which we live, is the creation of an association website. This could include administrative items such as minutes, notices from the Board of Directors, a community calendar of social events, discussion/bulletin boards, notices for garage sales within the community, posting for those requiring a babysitter or housekeeper, items for sale - - to name just a few of the practical uses.

• Some other approaches that successful associations have used are the following:
  
  
  • Schedule a community garage sale wherein all the residents display their unneeded items together. Perhaps even open the community to the public for the day of the sale.
    
    
  • Have a community block party including refreshments (hot dogs and sodas are a good start), games for the children, maybe even a rented “bounce house”, entertainment, a drawing for a door prize, etc.,
    
    
  • How about a community team of sorts (golf, tennis, bridge etc.)? Why not challenge that fancy condo project down the street to a match?
    
    
  • Another good thing can be the creation of a Civic Concern program. The Association could sponsor and support a local charity.
    
    
  • Similarly, I recommend the creation of a Community Assistance program – this is a program that keeps in touch with elderly or infirmed individuals within the community. It is important that these home-bound residents are contacted frequently to be sure that they are Ok and to address their needs for personal assistance.

These are but a few examples of programs that have been instituted in various communities around the country. I am certain that there are many more that are working equally well to help put the word “community” back into our community associations. Oh, by the way … got a cup of sugar?

Association Times' Staff Writer