While visiting a property, I saw a plaque honoring an owner volunteer for years of service and recognizing his contribution throughout his life to the property. Communities often frown upon additional signage, but I admit, I was touched by the message behind the sign. I would want to live in a community who thanked the people who worked hard to make it special.
Community managers often brainstorm how to get more people to attend meetings, sign proxies, vote in an election, etc. Individual phone calls to owners asking for attendance, food served at meetings, social gatherings arranged around meeting schedules and incentives offered to owners who attend are just some of the lengths Boards and managers will go to get communities active.
There are 1,068 condominiums listed on the Town of Ocean City’s website.
1,068 Board of Directors – UNPAID volunteers
1,068 Annual Meetings
1,068 Elections
1,068 Budgets
1,068 Reserve Funds
And, if experience is an indicator, 1,068 conversations about parking, noise and clean up after pets.
According to the Foundation for Community Association Research there are approximately 6,400 condominiums in Maryland and between 1,000 – 2,000 in Delaware. At a minimum that is over 24,000 volunteer Board members. THAT IS AMAZING!
Maybe the first step to get more community involvement is to start thanking and recognizing the people who have already volunteered. The ones who put in years of work. People who spend Saturday in a meeting room instead of on the beach.
On behalf of our team at Deeley Insurance Group – THANK YOU. When you show up to a meeting, return a proxy, serve on the Board or come out to a community clean up day, you take pride in your association and your community. It shows!
