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April 30, 2005
Why Not Ask?
The way things are these days, you're lucky if you know your neighbors name, much less everyone in your community association. So it stands to reason that unless someone is in your face, you probably don't have a real good idea about what the owners feel about the community. The squeaky wheel may get the grease, but that doesn't necessarily mean the majority feels that way.
Why not simply put together a survey once per year, and ask the owners what they think. A Board's reluctance to change might be supported by the owners, or they might find out that some policy is getting seriously out-of-date and begin the process of change.
The survey can be very simple--do you agree with certain rules? Would you prefer to see them changed? How are we doing? Publish the results and tell them what you plan to do or not do. If people like the way things are, those who want change will at least know they have some work to do to convince others. If people want change, you can start it in an organized way--not as a reaction to pressure. Change is inevitable, documents weren't written in stone.
You may not get a lot of responses, but at least you're asking. Just showing that you are interested in what they think will go a long way in helping a community to feel confident that their board is a part of the community, not some disassociated entity periodically tossing thunderbolts at rule violators. Its a small thing, but it can have great results.
Posted by joewest at April 30, 2005 3:40 PM