Tips for Developing a Relationship with Neighbouring Communities

Benefits of Partnering with Neighbouring Communities

Juggling everything from bylaws and rules enforcement   to meeting management can be tough for any Strata Council  member. However, you might be able to tackle some items more efficiently by working with a supportive partner, like a nearby community. When leveraged properly, a close-knit bond with a neighbouring Strata can reduce your workload and solve issues. A connection can provide:

• Improved education of council members through shared resources
• Increased resident engagement fueled by community event exposure
• Knowledge of local activities, animal sightings, and crime from consistent communication
• New business opportunities created by networking

How to Find Like-Minded Local Stratas

Getting out and speaking with the Stratas near yours can seem like a tall task. You don't want to make the wrong first impression or reach out to an Strata with different values. To find local communities with similar goals, consider:

• Using your Strata manager to your advantage. Your community manager  is tasked with helping your Stata community thrive, and part of that includes relationship-building. Reach out to your manager about your interest in networking and ask if they know of any similar-valued Stratas. Some management companies will even hold events to bring their partner communities together.
• Research similar Statas. Stratas that are similar in size, price point, and style often share comparable values. Finding them can be as simple as typing the name of your city along with Strata Corporation" in a search engine. Or you can look up homes for sale near you and see if the corresponding Strata information is available.

3 Ways You Can Build a Relationship with Neighbouring Communities

All strong relationships have great communication, but building that up will take some work. The key is knowing who to contact and keeping in touch with them. Follow these tips to facilitate steady communication with a community partner.

Tip #1: Share common resources.  

Depending on your strata’s privacy laws and governing documents you may be able to share common information and resources with another community. The types of data that may be shared include:

• Crime and safety details. Sharing general safety information  might allow strata properties to form effective prevention and notification plans.
• Weather conditions. Communicating first responder contact information or dependable weather trackers will help residents be better prepared when threatening conditions strike.
• Vendor contacts. The stratas near yours likely have similar vendors. Use your neighbours to get first-hand recommendations and special referral rates.

Tip #2: Get involved in the local Strata Management industry.

When you attend public industry forums, you'll meet other leaders and like-minded people operating Stratas. Keep your eye out for:

• Management-hosted council training events. A great way to meet neighbouring council members, attending a training event hosted by your management company also enables you to learn more about your important role in the community.
• Vendor networking opportunities. Businesses looking to expand their client base may invite communities to product demonstrations or meet-and-greets.
• Conferences, workshops, retreats, and seminars.  

Tip #3: Collaborate with communities for events.

Community events allow residents to connect, enhance a positive environment, and foster a supportive culture. And while they're essential, funding events can be expensive, and planning can be stressful. For your next event, consider collaborating with your partner community. You may be able to cut costs, gain resources, and increase participation. These types of events lend themselves to joint-hosting opportunities:

• Community Events. An annual community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships, neighbourhood camaraderie, and safer communities, hosting an   community event usually includes many free resources and encourages connections.
• Garage sales. Hold community-wide garage sales alongside other communities to take advantage of the influx of people in the area and put more eyes on available homes.
• Recycling events. Work with a fellow community to set up recycling drop-off centers for old computers, TVs, and other electronics. This will help make each community more eco-friendly, allow residents to declutter their homes, and hopefully increase environmental efforts in the future.