5 Ways to Foster a Broader Community Awareness in Your Association

Creating a sense of unity within an association is often a challenge for many boards. Encouraging residents to engage with their neighbors and collaborate is not always easy. Achieving this, though, fosters a strong community capable of reaching its goals and streamlining operations.

While cultivating internal community spirit is essential, it is equally important to recognize your association's role within the broader community. Encouraging residents to engage with their town, city, or even state, can lead to numerous benefits, such as:

- Boosting your community’s reputation

- Strengthening political influence

- Keeping the association informed about events impacting the community

- Creating partnerships with local businesses

Here are five strategies to help residents become more engaged with the wider community:

Provide opportunities to give back locally

Inform residents about local charitable organizations, events, and activities. This information can be shared via the community website, newsletters, common area postings, or regular emails. Forming community teams to participate in local events can enhance the sense of community within your association. For example, sponsoring a team for a fundraising event can be a great initiative. Consider national or local events to organize such activities.

Share local news

Stay updated with local happenings by subscribing to emails from your town or city government. Encourage community volunteers to attend city or town council meetings and share insights. This information can be communicated through your association's regular channels. You might also ask residents involved in local volunteering efforts, like PTA members, to contribute summaries of their activities to your newsletter.

Collaborate with local businesses

Invite residents to write reviews of local eateries or businesses for your newsletter. Consider organizing a "trade show" where local businesses can present their offerings to residents. Representatives from new businesses might also be invited to make presentations. Hosting events at local venues or seeking local business sponsorships for community activities are other effective strategies.

Encourage political participation

Keep residents informed about local policy changes or bills at the state level that might impact the community. Motivate them to voice their opinions through letters, emails, or phone calls, and provide them with the necessary contact details of legislators.

Schedule group trips for residents to meet with representatives or attend hearings, fostering direct engagement with lawmakers.

Highlight area features to attract prospective buyers

If your community is situated in a desirable location or has access to city highlights, make sure to feature these on your community website and marketing materials. Prospective homeowners drawn to these features can become active participants in the larger community, aiding your board in promoting resident involvement.

Residents who feel connected to their town or city tend to develop a deeper connection to their community association. When residents care about their living environment, the entire association thrives!