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FEATURED EBOOK: Smart Goals Worksheet

Hands typing on a laptop, preparing a "Set SMART Goals" presentation

Homeowners’ association (HOA) board members are tasked with running an efficient and financially sound community. To do this, the board must set realistic goals aimed at enhancing the overall living experience. However, creating these impactful initiatives and following through on them can be challenging without proper planning.

At Associa, we have decades of experience helping boards set and reach meaningful goals for their communities. Our Board Goal-Setting series offers free resources to help you set goals, track progress, and meet milestones. In this edition of the series, you'll find a SMART Goals Worksheet designed to help turn simple ideas into actionable steps. 

SMART stands for:

  • Specific. The goal must be well-defined and specific. Confirm everyone has a clear understanding of the goal, knows why it was set, who is involved, what should be accomplished, and the proposed timeline.  
  • Measurable. Having a measurable goal helps you track progress, correct the plan of action if needed, and demonstrate advancement to residents.
  • Achievable. Make sure your goals are realistic and achievable. Work within your resources of time, effort, and money. Setting the bar too high might leave board members feeling defeated and frustrated and residents unhappy.
  • Relevant. Is your goal important to maintaining or improving your community? Will achieving it make a difference? Is it something most residents want?
  • Time-based. Set deadlines. If it’s a long-term goal, break it into phases with deadlines for each phase. Also, take into account board members’ availability and their own time commitments.

While it's OK for boards to have broad visions for their communities, those aspirations are just starting points. Focusing your ideas, creating practical steps, and establishing a timeframe to achieve them is key to making a real impact. The SMART method is an effective way to help you do just that. 

Download the ebook now! 

Board Goal-Setting Series

Also out now is our "Goal Brainstorming Worksheet" ebook. Start here to get an idea of what your community needs and the kinds of goals you can set:

Examples of Goals

HOA goals can be broken down into three categories. Annual goals are set every year to maintain operations, compliance, and adequate funding. Improvement goals are related to maintenance projects and general upkeep of the community. Communication goals improve transparency, collaboration, and resident engagement.

Examples of HOA goals include:

  • Prepare the annual budget by a particular date.
  • Remodel the community pool deck.
  • Create a formal complaint process.
  • Invite monthly speakers for community events.
  • Find a more affordable option to replace an overpriced vendor.
  • Invest in technology that allows homeowners to pay fees online.

Coming Soon

And there's more to come in our Board-Goal Setting Series. These templates will help you  develop your ideas further and streamline for maximum efficiency:

  • Goal Planning: Out October 2025
  • Goal Review: Out November 2025
  • Monthly Planner: Out November 2025

To get our upcoming worksheets delivered right to your inbox, right when we publish them, subscribe to our blog!

More Board Management Content 

What’s an HOA Budget? Understanding Your Community’s Financials

What is an HOA budget? What should an HOA budget look like? And how should board members manage the budget? Read this to learn everything you need to know to lead confidently, keep members informed, and maintain smooth operations.

The Complete Guide to Preventing Rule Violations In Your Community

It’s important to foster an environment where rule compliance comes easy. When you have a set of rules that are necessary, clear, effective, reasonable, and—above all else—legal, everyone benefits. Download this ebook to access board tips for communicating with community members designed to encourage voluntary rule compliance and prevent violations in any community.

8 Biggest Mistakes Board Members Make & How to Avoid Them

While board members often put forth their best effort to succeed in their roles, sometimes they still make mistakes that can result in serious repercussions for themselves, the board, and the community. In this ebook,  leaders from around the globe reveal the biggest mistakes they see board members make. Read it to discover how to avoid them and become a more effective board member.

Keep It Fair: Pro Strategies for Balanced HOA Leadership

HOA board members have a legal responsibility to act in good faith on behalf of their fellow homeowners. This ensures the association is protected from HOA board misconduct or misuse of resources. If your board wants to maintain fairness, promote harmony, and fulfill its duties to help the HOA achieve its goals, read this article. In it , we share how to serve constituents equally and prevent HOA board member abuse of power.