Wednesday, September 28, 2016

Thank a Volunteer!


 
Doing good may be its own reward, but most volunteers would probably agree that it’s also nice to be recognized for the time, effort, and commitment they put into serving others—particularly in what can sometimes seem to be thankless roles.
 
Members of your community devote their energy and enthusiasm to making your community the very best it can be by serving on the board, a committee, and on neighborhood projects. And, volunteers help keep assessments down—every hour of volunteer work is an hour of salary the association does not have to pay a service provider.
 
Below are some easy ways to show your neighbors how much you personally appreciate their hard work.
  • When you see a board member, committee member or anyone volunteering their time to     better the community, simply say "Thank you."
  • Send an e-mail to a volunteer explaining that he or she is valued for stepping up.
  • Write a personal note or letter to your Board of Directors, thanking them for a job well done. 
  • Let other people know how happy you are with your Board of Directors - a few kind words can go a long way!
As volunteers, your neighbors invest their time in projects that benefit you. No association can thrive without them, so let them know you appreciate their efforts.
 
Have an idea for recognizing volunteers? Contact a board member and share!

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller
 
#goodneighborday
 
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Thursday, September 1, 2016

What is a Quorum and Why is it Important?


A quorum is the minimum number of owners who must be at a meeting before business can be transacted. State law tells us what that minimum number is for our association. It’s relatively low, but we still have a tough time getting to it. It’s a common problem in many associations.

Meetings that don’t have a quorum must be adjourned and rescheduled at a later date. This costs the association money and creates more work. And, achieving a quorum at a second meeting—if we couldn’t get one the first time—is even harder.

So, why bother to try again? Because the board is legally obligated to conduct an annual meeting. It’s an important part of conducting association business. During the annual meeting, new board members are elected and the coming year’s budget is presented to the homeowners for approval. No quorum—no election, no budget. This means the current directors will have to continue serving until an election can be conducted. It also means that last year’s budget will remain in effect until a valid meeting (one with a quorum) can be held to approve a new budget.

Good news! You can be “at” a meeting and across the country at the same time by signing a proxy! That’s how you assign your vote, in writing, to another person. Proxies count toward the quorum, so they’re very important to the association.
 
We ask you to complete a proxy form, even if you plan to attend the meeting. That’s just in case something comes up that prevents you from attending. 

Because proxies are so important to achieving a quorum, you may find us knocking on your door, calling on the phone, or even stopping you in the common areas asking you to sign a proxy form. We’ll do anything to achieve a quorum. Without it, we can’t do business, and eventually that affects you, the homeowner.