Estate Living Magazine New Beginnings - Issue 37 January 2019 | Page 49

C C o
o m
m m
m u u n n i i t t y y
L L i i v v i i n n g g
Primary documents are the recorded plan or map of the
development, the declaration, covenants, conditions and
restrictions, or master deed, the Articles of Association, and
documents pertaining to bylaws and resolutions. • Board members have the responsibility to perform their duties
with due diligence and care for the reputation of the association
by acting within procedures, and ensuring that they act in the
best interest of the community.
Other documents include the rules, regulations and levies. It is
imperative that prospective owners obtain information on the
community levies as well as its rules and regulations, and ensure
that they agree with the standards set, as once they have bought the
property they are obligated to conform to the rules and regulations
as they have been set out. COMMUNITY BUILDING
COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT
In order for a community association to be effective, it is essential to
recognise that it is made up of people with different backgrounds.
The community is made up of four distinct groups: the owners, the
board members, committees and association management. Each
group has different goals. In order for community leaders to manage
these goals, they have to understand the different roles of each
group, and its respective scope of responsibility.
Every community association is unique and will adopt the style of
management that best suits it. Options include self-management,
being managed by a management company, or the employment of
a community manager.
THE PARTIES INVOLVED: RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Owners have the right to a well-run, efficient community
association that they can participate in, have access to, and have
a say in.
• The board has the right to respect, and to expect all residents
in the community (both owners and tenants) to comply with the
community rules, and pay their levies as required.
Some activities that can be undertaken in order to build this sense
of community are:
• community activities that assist local charities
• community assistance programmes, e.g. a supportive network
of lift clubs
• recognising achievements by members
• organising safety and basic first-aid training
• blood donation drives
• annual events such as sponsored Easter egg hunts or tree
planting on Arbour Day
• including feedback on various events in the Estate Livings portal
news feed to encourage participation.
Effective methods of involving members include:
• undertaking regular surveys to determine community satisfaction
and asking for suggestions for future activities or programmes
• communicating all current programmes and upcoming events in
the monthly newsletter
• starting a welcome committee for new residents
• ensuring that anyone who contributes to the community is
appreciated and acknowledged
• encouraging sponsorships from service providers
• ensuring that the board or manager is accessible to the residents,
and organising quarterly member meetings
• arranging any community events in areas where residents
traditionally congregate
• establishing committees with specific functions (security,
landscaping, social, etc.) and clear responsibilities.
Ultimately, the goal is to encourage a mindset of being part of the
community, as opposed to merely living within a community.
hoasupport.co.za
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Community associations are an excellent example of democracy at
work. Ownership of the community rests with the owners, but the
authority for the daily operation of the community is delegated to
the elected representatives – the board of directors.
In managing a community association it is essential to focus on
building a sense of community among residents. An integral part
of creating this sense of community is to have members who are
involved, and provide their unique viewpoint and suggestions
on issues. Residents who feel that their viewpoints are taken into
account are usually more motivated to be involved in the community.
Members of the homeowners association have two responsibilities
– one to themselves and to their individually owned property, and
one to the association and the community concept. Apathy by
an individual member can render the association ineffective, and
can destroy the community concept. To maintain the quality of
life that accompanies a well-maintained residential community,
each individual member must do his or her part. The success of the
homeowners association will depend on how well each member
meets and keeps the responsibilities that are established by the
covenants creating the overall community concept. – Sean Wolfe-
Coote, Chairperson of Eagle Canyon Golf Estate
Common areas do not automatically create a sense of community.
Nurturing the community spirit is probably the greatest challenge
facing community associations today. – Clifford Treese, CPCU,
ARM, CIRMS