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10 Things to Include in Your Community Newsletter

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Clear and open communication with residents is essential to boosting positivity and engagement within any homeowners' association (HOA). A community newsletter is one way for board members to connect with residents and improve transparency. With an active and effective HOA newsletter, you can share important announcements, promote community events, and build trust with neighbors.

Don't neglect the power your HOA newsletter has to make an impact across the community. Here are some HOA newsletter ideas and HOA newsletter topics that should be effective in any association. 

What’s An HOA Newsletter?

An HOA newsletter is a valuable tool for board members who want to communicate effectively with residents. Essentially, it’s a regular publication board members use to share relevant information with homeowners. To make them more accessible to community members, HOA newsletters can be distributed in various formats, including print, email, and digital.

As your HOA’s board of directors, you’re responsible for producing and maintaining your community’s newsletter. However, you can also delegate this task to a newsletter committee that can handle content creation and distribution. Remember, a quality HOA newsletter should be:

  • Appealing. You want your newsletter’s layout to be simple and attractive, including cohesive brand elements, pictures, and legible font.
  • Readable. The content in your newsletter needs to be concise and easy to read.
  • Reliable. If it’s going in your newsletter, make sure it’s factual, accurate, and relevant.
  • Uplifting. Keep the tone of your newsletter positive and inclusive by sharing details about fun events or highlighting the good deeds of your homeowners.

Why Send an HOA Newsletter?

To some, sending out a newsletter may seem like a hassle, but creating one has plenty of benefits. In addition to providing key tips and resources related to relevant topics, an HOA newsletter also: 

  • Promotes a sense of community
  • Provides a reliable and consistent source of information
  • Celebrates members of the community and their achievements
  • Encourages involvement with events and volunteer opportunities

Often, homeowners want to do more! Find out how to get homeowners involved in the community by downloading “A Guide To Getting Homeowners Involved In Your Community.” 

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10 Things Your HOA Newsletter Should Have 

As you put together your next newsletter, here are some great HOA newsletter ideas to consider for your content:

1. Content from residents

A community newsletter should include content directly from the community. Residents should be able to share photos and videos of community events and provide their own stories and testimonials on what's going on in the association to promote a feeling of togetherness and camaraderie. 

2. Safety tips 

From storms to crime and everything in between, the board should take some responsibility in helping residents protect themselves from any potential danger. Use your newsletter to promote safety tips year-round, from proper holiday lighting procedures to safeguarding your home while on vacation and hurricane preparedness. 

3.  Highlights from across the association. 

Maybe your association’s fitness center receives new equipment, or you revamp the neighborhood picnic area. Spotlight meaningful community milestones and highlight improved homeowner participation and memorable events whenever they occur. 

4. HOA rule reminders 

Is your community struggling to put out trash correctly? Are people not picking up after their pets? Use your newsletter to remind residents about their role in the community and the rules they need to follow. This is a great way to get the word out before having to go to things like violations or fines, which can cause conflict and affect the relationship between boards and residents. 

Rules can be a touchy subject. Use our guide to understand the importance of different policies better. 

5.  Neighborhood care guidance 

Maintaining the community takes teamwork. Your newsletter should cover topics on landscaping and maintenance that homeowners can do on their own. DIY tips can go a long way towards keeping things fresh and functional. 

6. Special recognition to community volunteers.

A little show of gratitude means a lot to the people that receive it. Recognize standout volunteers, their accomplishments, and how their participation has made a difference in the community. It’s a simple and effective way to keep volunteers engaged and boost future participation.

7. Save-the-date information for important upcoming meetings.

Be sure to include save-the-date details for any important upcoming meetings, like your annual meeting. Annual meetings typically happen at the beginning of the year, and attendance is critically important for meeting quorum. A quick announcement about the annual meeting can be a helpful reminder to get it on homeowners’ calendars.

8. Contact information where members can voice concerns or issues.

Your newsletter is a beneficial communication tool. Let residents know you’re there to listen and provide information on where they can direct questions or concerns to the board. Typically, you can point them to your association’s website or provide a phone number or email to connect directly with board members.

9. Recipes

Food is a surefire way to bring people together. Use delicious recipes from community members to increase newsletter engagement. Encourage community members to submit their favorite foods from the neighborhood's different cultures so that neighbors can enjoy their recipes. 

10. Local business spotlights 

There's plenty of community outside of your community association. Support your local ecosystem by using your newsletter to showcase local businesses and organizations that can benefit homeowners. 

The Top 6 FAQs About HOA Newsletters

These HOA newsletter ideas should help residents be informed and engaged on all important community matters. A newsletter is the perfect resource to communicate relevant updates, event details, and community highlights. For more tips and ideas on how to use your association’s newsletter, check out our ebook, “The Top 6 FAQs About Community Newsletters.”