Contributed by Rebecca Pozo-Olano
Community association events aren’t simply social occasions. They’re essential ingredients in the recipe for a flourishing community. Behind the scenes of every successful event lies a commitment to nurturing community spirit.
With the ever-present reality of social media, work and school schedules, activity demands, and other daily responsibilities, building community for residents is challenging. Bundle in differing political, religious, and moral stances within a group of people living in close proximity to each other, and it can be nothing short of impossible.
Building community, however, is critical for homeowners associations to function. Finding common ground is best achieved when management, the board of directors, and committee members work together. Many times, this extends outside of monthly, quarterly, or annual meetings and into community events that everyone can enjoy.
Some associations are large enough to boast an activities line item in the annual budget and have owners who actively participate in the decision-making process, while others must simply rely on neighbors to form individual bonds with each other. Though associations with bigger budgets have dozens of options, even those without a budget can still host several events throughout the year. Creativity matters regardless of budget. Here are a few ideas:
- Earth Day is always a fantastic opportunity to host a cleanup day in the common area, and trash bags and gloves can be provided at minimal expense to the community. Coupons can be handed out to participants; donuts, coffee, and juice can be provided if the budget allows.
- An annual community yard sale held in individual driveways and advertised on various social media platforms and street signs costs nothing; it will undoubtedly bring both residents and guests out to browse all the good deals.
- Associations can assemble a Halloween parade and hand out certificates, candy, or small prizes for costumes. Think about categories such as best individual, best family, scariest, and most original costumes.
- Children naturally gravitate toward events that are active or engaging. Some popular and relatively cost-effective ideas include an Easter egg hunt, magic show, bingo night, dance contest, laser tag, and a visit by Santa.
- If an association has a pool or outdoor tennis court, renting an inflatable movie screen and showing a family-friendly movie under the stars is a great way to bring the community together. Just be sure you’ve properly licensed the screening.
- A large event that never fails to attract residents of all ages is a fall festival complete with food trucks, inflatables, a balloon artist, face painter, petting zoo, pumpkin painting, and vendor booths.
- Associations with a large adult population can focus on the ever-popular bingo or trivia nights, a chili cook-off, pie-baking contest, paint and sip, or a cake-decorating workshop.
Any event requires a certain level of coordination and can quickly eat up a budget, so mapping out a plan at the beginning of the fiscal year with anticipated dates and expenses is necessary. While bringing residents together and building community is not guaranteed, it can be achieved if residents, board members, volunteers, and managers are willing to build that foundation.
Rebecca Pozo-Olano is the on-site manager of a developing community currently consisting of 1,076 single-family homes in Virginia and coordinates all events on behalf of the association.
>>Find more tips, strategies, and ideas for putting community first in CAI’s Building Community book.
