Rent Real EstateHomeowner Associations: How To Prevent Board Burn-Out
Getting and keeping dedicated board and committee members is one of a community association"s greatest challenges. How can the board avoid the burn-out that comes with time on the job? Here are a few suggestions:
Have a Long Range Plan. Handling community business efficiently and effectively can be a enormous stress reliever. One great tool is the Management Plan Calendar which establishes dates for meetings, regular maintenance (like gutter cleaning, etc.), administrative events (like tax return filing, etc.), major maintenance (like painting, etc.) a year in advance. The Management Plan Calendar evens out the work load and demonstrates that the Board is acting pro-actively, not re-actively. This, in turn, reduces complaints that contribute to burn-out.
Communicate Regularly. Keeping association business open and above board reduces suspicion that leads to criticism. Hold no closed meetings and distribute regular newsletters, monthly financial information and meeting minutes. Ask for feedback on issues by circulating surveys.
Protect Your Privacy. Board members have the right to peaceful enjoyment of their homes. Don"t accept association calls after hours, especially abusive ones. Deal with association issues whenever possible only at scheduled board meetings.
Get It in Writing. Members who constantly complain can be very wearing on a Board. Insist that their comments be put in writing. Several things will happen: Either the problem isn"t important enough to put in writing and they will go away or they will put it writing so it can be dealt with properly at a Board meeting.
Use Your Property Manager. The manager should field most inquiries and respond to requests. More significant ones that require Board action are handled at Board meetings. Letting the manager handle the routine reduces stress for Board members.
Use the Directors. Board Presidents often feel that they have to do everything themselves because no one else will do it. This attitude can be a self fulfilling prophesy. It is not the President"s job to solve all problems but to lead and delegate. The board structure was designed to spread out the load. Resist the temptation to take carry the burden alone.
The Board as Administrator. A fundamental error that many Boards make is doing office and maintenance work for free that would otherwise be hired out. Doing this undermines the Board"s true purpose...to administrate association business. Thus, an administrative position that should only take a few hours a month rapidly escalates to a full time unpaid maintenance job. Who wouldn"t burn out picking up someone else"s garbage? Remember the Board"s true purpose and stick to it.
Reward the Volunteers. There is a widespread belief that serving on the Board is a "thankless job." Like other jobs, recognition and appreciation consistently rank high for reasons people stay on. Find ways to reward directors, committees and other volunteers through awards and recognition in newsletters and certificates. They cost little or nothing but address the human need for significance. Volunteers that receive appreciation in small but regular ways stay enthusiastic.
The diagnosis is that Board burn-out is entirely avoidable by treating its symptoms early and often. Instead of giving into a curable condition, take the doctor"s prescription and get back to the worthy business of building a harmonious community.
For more information on this subject, see www.Regenesis.net.