Create an annual calendar for your HOA

An annual calendar can help keep your HOA on track and get homeowners more involved.

We live our lives by calendars. And while they’re often too full, they do help us plan and remember to complete certain tasks. So it’s only fitting that your homeowners association (HOA) have a calendar of yearly tasks as well, and that it’s shared with homeowners at the beginning of each year.

Dates may shift and items may be added as the year goes on, but having a general overview of what homeowners can expect though the course of the year can help them plan, budget and participate in activities.

Here’s a list of ideas to include on your HOA’s annual calendar.

• Review vendor contracts. Discuss work quality, automatic renewal clauses and length of contracts.
• Review safety and security issues. Noting this discussion on a calendar can bring homeowners together to talk through any recent or ongoing concerns.
• Review the HOA’s disaster preparedness plan. It’s especially important that homeowners be part of this discussion, so everyone understands what to expect in the event of a disaster.
• Review rules and regulations. Check to see whether you need to update or change your HOA rules and make sure the current rules are being enforced.
• Review the HOA’s budget. This likely will occur at your board’s annual meeting, but including this on the calendar can help homeowners plan to attend and come prepared with any questions.
• Prepare work parties. Note work parties and volunteer opportunities so homeowners can plan their schedules in advance and get involved in their community.
• Note regular maintenance work. Carpet cleanings, annual fire extinguisher and alarm inspections, window washings, gutter cleanings and other regular maintenance items should be scheduled on the annual calendar.
• Include fun activities, too! Community-wide yard or garage sales, potluck gatherings, movie nights, holiday parties…think of fun ways homeowners can come together throughout the year.

This article contains general information.

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