November: Plan more community events.
It's easy to get caught up in all the work in front of us, like maintenance, meetings and enforc-
ing rules, and forget why we serve as board members in the first place: to build a community
where all residents love to live. We call this "emotional equity."
One of the simplest ways to grow your community's emotional equity is to provide more op-
portunities for neighbors to interact – even if it's a cost-effective, weekday activity like arrang-
ing for a food truck to visit. As you plan for next year, remember that events don't have to be
complex and expensive to cultivate a sense of true community.
There is nothing like a harmonious community where people greet each other and actively foster a friendly environ-
ment. We also know that taking the first step to introduce yourself to your neighbour can be intimidating. By hosting
a few casual, inexpensive events, such as simple barbecues and ice cream socials, you can build a stronger sense of
community that motivates more residents to get involved and invested in the place they live.
— Laszlo Antal
New Development Account Manager
Associa British Columbia
December: Budget for today and tomorrow.
The work you and your fellow board members do for your association extends beyond home
values today – it preserves your community for tomorrow so that generations to come can
also enjoy a place to call home. That's why it's critically important for your board to consid-
er future expenses in your budgeting and planning as well as immediate needs. If you're not
prepared, future board members won't have the resources they need to ensure the community
always stays as functional and beautiful as it is today.
Make sure you balance a deficit by increasing income, reducing spending or both to ensure the health of today's financ-
es. Develop a long-range plan and engage in a reserve study to help plan and budget for future costs. Being mindful of
what lies ahead is key to having a healthy and stable association.
— Josie Flicek, CMCA®,
AMS®
Business Development Manager
Cities Management
