INDUSTRY JOURNAL Vol . 8
Here are some more suggestions I have heard from associations dealing with apathy , and looking for solutions :
• In a smaller association , one on-site manager told me that each year she sends around a calendar to the membership and provides boxes for members to fill in indicating years they would be willing to serve .
• Some associations have a celebration dinner or evening party each year honouring those who have served .
• Some associations have shortened the term of directors to shorten the commitment . ( Keep in mind though that an association does not get the consistency it would otherwise achieve through longer , staggered board terms where only a portion of the board is up for election each year .)
• One association approved a partial ‘ dues levy waiver ’, although there are possible ramifications to this that should be discussed with the association attorney .
In one non-profit organisation on which I served on the executive board , finding volunteers was difficult because of the sheer commitment of each officer position . In our organisation , we proposed and achieved approval of a bylaw amendment that split some of the officer positions into a position that could be shared , changing the titles of the positions to include the prefix ‘ co- ’.
To recap , apathy prevention begins with the communications to the homeowners . Communications that are geared toward soliciting feedback help the administration and leadership to identify resources within the community . Accessing those resources and funnelling creative and resourceful energy into committee and board service commitments promotes a healthier business structure and community environment . A healthy community environment probably means a healthy political environment . With good administration , smooth-running programmes , enough help from the committee structure , and effective and efficient administration , there is a stronger likelihood of willingness to serve . Alternatively , in an inefficient or a dictatorial system , there is less likelihood of people willing to stand up and serve . No one really wants to become a target . If the association does nothing to counter the conceptual reality that serving on a volunteer board is a thankless job where one is likely only to hear complaints , and not praise , then the association is likely to come up short at election time .
In my experience , I have never seen or heard discussed at any board or annual meeting the specific issue of apathy in the community , although I have heard board members lament , when it is time for an important ballot or an annual meeting , that : ‘ There is no way we will ever get enough response to pass this measure ’. The time to approach apathy is not just before a very important election on some important action item before the association . The time to approach it is at the board meeting where the seats in the audience are empty . Perhaps it would be a good idea to work in discussions on overcoming apathy and expanding the board pool into ( hopefully far in ) advance in planning for the next annual meeting . The board that operates without community involvement is likely to face a lack of community support when difficult decisions must be made and imposed upon the membership . Don ’ t let that happen to you .
Reference Beth A . Grimm , P . L . C . www . californiacondoguru . com
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