With fall in the air and holiday festivities on the horizon, it is time to start planning! One of the best ways to bring a community together is to organize parties in the neighborhood. But what we’ve found is that most communities don’t do this because the HOA is already too busy, and parties can feel like a lot of work. Don’t let that thought process bog you down or stop you from organizing a community get-together.

Take a look at these helpful tricks to get your community parties going stress free.

  1. Pick your holiday. Decide what holiday you want to celebrate with your community and keep in mind the closer you get to December the busier people get. We encourage your board to pick a holiday like Halloween or Thanksgiving since most people have more open schedules. You could host a trunk-or-treat on or just before Halloween, or a Friends-giving party for Thanksgiving.
  2. Plan ahead! The more notice you give residents, the better your turn out will be. Also, plan foods and decorations well in advance to avoid emergencies right before the event. The more prepared you are beforehand, the smoother the event will go.
  3. Keep it simple. Don’t bite off more than your board can chew. Keep things fun, simple and within budget and you’ll eliminate stress before it can even start! Also, make sure your board delegates to community volunteers when possible. That helps distribute workload and gets more creative juices flowing!
  4. Be conscious. This goes beyond being politically correct, and is more about being conscious of differing views. Avoid picking a party name or theme that will inadvertently make some feel excluded. This can mean calling it a winter festival instead of a Christmas party. There are no laws regarding this, but it is important to consider it when planning.
  5. Budget accordingly! Depending on varying state laws, your HOA may or may not be able to foot the bill. Check with your legal council and your CC&Rs for guidance on this. If your state doesn’t regulate who pays the bill, make sure your HOA has the funds to pay for a party. If your budget allows for decorations and pizzas, but not drinks and appetizers, ask residents to bring their own drinks and an appetizer to share. Most people are happy to meet the board half way!

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Planning a party may feel insignificant next to all the “important” work, but the most important job of an HOA board is to foster goodwill in the community. And what does that better than a nice holiday party! A community that plays together will have better relationships and work well together. Take the time to plan at least one or two community parties a year to encourage community comradery. So, get your party planning hats on and have some fun with your neighbors!

For questions about HOA Management or to learn more about how to ease the stress of your HOA board, contact Spectrum Association Management today!