What Matters Most in Your Community Association?

The question, "What matters most in your association?" will likely be answered differently based on be it answered by the owner or a board member. The difference in focus is related straight to one's degree of involvement and comprehension of the operations of the residential association. Having said that, this indicates obvious that somebody needs to address the disparity; since owners represent the pool of candidates for the board, it behooves all of us to do something about this before later.
Oftentimes,  property management kew  who are around for years can dilute the value of years of knowledge and history by dismissing "new" ideas promulgated by owners at meetings or newly elected towards the board, with the age old phrase "We tried that before and yes it doesn't work." No one wants to be summarily dismissed because manner and quite often things change; what didn't work before might be just the ticket on this occasion. In this case, knowledge is history although not necessarily association policy.
On the other side with the coin, we now have eager owners elected to your board with all the pursuit to change almost anything, without realizing that a lot of things are essentially set in stone. For instance, payment dates for assessments - it genuinely wouldn't work to abolish all output deadlines and late fees even though the economy is screaming for relief for all those who've experienced job loss. Without its lifeblood of assessment income, the association simply cannot operate. In this case, lack of know-how may result in conflict due to misguided intentions and efforts.
Who are at fault for rampant naivete? The board? The individual owners? The management company? Where can the finger be pointed? Likely it may be pointed in most direction mentioned and more! The key is correction from the issue, the problem being probably the most essential aspect in any association- knowledge!
Everyone involved in an association has an obligation to perform her or his far better to learn. Those "in charge" should take responsibility to make available every piece of information and tools that will serve the uninformed to get informed. This effort has to be ongoing, not really a flash inside pan effort once every couple of years. Much time and might be conserved if everyone involved features a basic working understanding of how associations must operate. Basic knowledge will even reduce discord and misunderstandings between owners, the board, along with the management company.
The professionals inside the industry including management companies, attorneys, and CPAs, should all create a concerted effort never to just answer the questions with all the facts, but to spell out in a way that educates. Imagine a world where everyone in every community association clearly understood everything relating to rules, obligations, etc. - that of a copacetic community we would have!