Five Rules to Follow When Publishing an Association Newsletter
Board communication with co-owners is essential to operating a successful condominium or homeowners association. Establishing a community association newsletter to provide notice of meetings and to announce community events if a wonderful way for board members to communicate with the association members.
However, with that being said, one must recognize that when publishing a community association newsletter, it can lead to liability for the association. Here are five rules to help avoid liability when publishing a newsletter. (1) The Board of Directors must maintain control over what material gets published. Turning this decision making ability over to a “volunteer editor” could be legally hazardous to your health; (2) know which photos of members you can and cannot publish without permission. It would be a good idea to have co-owners sign a “permission slip” giving you the authority to post their picture; (3) print only verifiable facts. You do not want to publish rumors and/or hearsay, which will cause a divisive attitude to permeate the neighborhood; (4) do not print ads that violate fair housing laws; and (5) be especially careful when even considering publishing names of delinquent members. You should consult with your community association lawyer concerning the content of your newsletter and it may be appropriate for you to have him or her review it before it is being sent.