The spread of rumors and misinformation in an association creates a toxic environment where residents don't feel
comfortable in their own homes; it causes division and reduces the sense of community boards work so hard to
build. But the damage doesn't stop there – left unchecked, gossip among board members and homeowners hinders
operations, undermines productivity and further affects quality of life for the entire community as a result. If your
community is being effected by gossip, it's easy to see why reducing it is such an important goal.
While it might seem tough, it's possible for boards to lead effective change and spring clean their communities'
culture.
"Discourage gossip in your community with the following best practices:
• Residents should be encouraged
to bring their questions directly
to the board and management
to get the facts instead of asking
each other.
• Strive for factual transparency
with your residents and make
this goal known to them. Answer
questions as completely as
possible and maintain regular
communication through
channels like TownSq.
• Ask your fellow board members
to commit to avoiding all
gossip themselves and to lead
by example. As leaders of
the community, when board
members engage in gossip, it
breaks the trust residents should
have in the board."
-Morgan Place, CMCA®, AMS®
Vice President | Associa McKay Management
Spring Cleaning Item #5: GOSSIP
