Board Training Opportunity – July 24th
The next session in the quarterly series of Board Training opportunities will be held on Wednesday, July 24th, 6 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Plaza, 2nd Floor Training Room at 7900 Xerces Avenue in Bloomington, MN 55431. The 90-minute session will be led by director of business development and education, Josh Reams, CMCA, AMS, PCAM – and will focus on Governing Documents If you are interested in reserving your spot, please email: clientcare@sharpermanagement.com
Sharper Scramble Golf Tournament – July 26th
Mark your calendar for the 8th Annual Sharper Scramble Golf Tournament, to be held Friday, July 26th at Boulder Pointe Golf Club in Elko. This FREE day of food, fun, fellowship and golf is Sharper’s way of showing our appreciation to you – our valued client – to our Sharper staff and to our trusted vendors. Registration begins at 10 a.m. Shotgun start to the scramble/best-ball format starts at 11a.m. Dinner and an awards banquette to follow the round. If you are interested in securing your spot for the Sharper Scramble, we recommend youdo so soon. Space is limited and tends to fill up fast! To register, email:clientcare@sharpermanagement.com
Communication is Key: Forging Stronger Communities through Effective HOA Communication
The Foundation of Community Harmony Effective communication lies at the heart of a thriving Homeowners Association (HOA). In this blog post, we will delve into the critical role of clear and transparent communication within an HOA, exploring why it is the foundation for building stronger, more harmonious communities. The Significance of Clear Communication in HOAs Clear communication is the lifeblood of any community, and HOAs are no exception. Your community wants to feel heard, and they also want to feel valued, which does not happen without communication. If you are implementing changes, those changes need to be effectively communicated to establish trust along with cooperation. When people feel left in the dark when it comes to changes, negativity and anger can arise, which is never good. It is important to show through your communication efforts a sense of unity among residents to create a healthy community environment. The Impact on Community Engagement When communication is conducted effectively, community engagement improves along with transparency. Residents will feel more inclined to join community events, participate in discussions and create a sense of belonging. This can even open the door to new initiatives created when people feel like they are in a positive environment to want to make positive changes themselves. Tips for Successful Communication Strategies in HOAs 1. Regular Newsletters and Updates: Explore the power of regular newsletters or community updates distributed through various channels. Sharing consistent information keeps residents informed about upcoming events, policy changes, and other crucial updates. 2. Digital Platforms for Community Interaction: Communication through social media and online forums is another great communication strategy. These channels provide a space for residents to voice concerns, share ideas, and connect with their neighbors. 3. Town Hall Meetings and Open Forums: Town hall meetings and open forums create a platform for direct communication between the HOA board and residents. By creating regularly scheduled meetings can improve transparency and address concerns in real-time. 4. Utilizing Email and Text Notifications: Email and text notifications for urgent updates or time-sensitive information is a great way to keep your community informed. These channels ensure that residents receive critical information promptly. Handling Conflict Through Effective Communication Conflict is inevitable, but effective communication can be a powerful tool for resolution. By effectively communicating the rules set for your community, you leave less room for confusion or interpretation and more room for transparency and guidelines. There can come times when conflicts arise internally between other community members and by having clearly defined rules prevents these conflicts from escalating. Building a Culture of Transparency As mentioned earlier, transparency is crucial to maintaining a healthy community and should be considered a cultural cornerstone within an HOA. Setting a culture of transparency, openness and honesty builds trust among residents. In turn, by being as transparent with residents as possible promotes a positive community atmosphere. Elevating Community Living Through Clear Communication Having successful communication tactics lead to running a healthy HOA. By being transparent with your community through various forms of communication, you keep your residents happy and informed. It is not just a necessity but a catalyst for building vibrant communities. Take advantage of multiple communication strategies from newsletters to open forums. Continual communication efforts are required to maintain a healthy community. Ready to elevate your HOA management? Contact us today to learn more about Sharper Management’s HOA property management services. Sharper Management is a locally-owned, mid-sized property management company offering a full-suite of premiere services to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county area.
Sharper Gives Back
Each year Sharper chooses a cause or organization that will be the benefactor of this annual event. MMRF is a wonderful organization that is “commitment to advancing health equity so that all myeloma patients can benefit from the scientific and clinical advances we pursue. Since our inception, the MMRF has committed over $500 million for research, opened nearly 100 clinical trials, and helped bring 15+ FDA-approved therapies to market, which have tripled the life expectancy of myeloma patients.” Check them out at https://themmrf.org/ “Giving back to our community is one of our core values at Sharper Management,” said Dan Cunningham, owner and CEO. “As with any cancer type, Multiple Myeloma is a devastating condition. Unfortunately, it has affected the family of one of our staff in a significant way. They have found a great resource in the MMRF, though. It means a great deal to us to be able to support them and all of the families affected by Multiple Myeloma.”
2024 Sharper Event Calendar
Mark your calendars for the following Sharper events, which are all free to you as a valued client and Board member. Board Training Opportunity – January 24 The first in our quarterly Board Training sessions will be Wednesday, January 24, 2024, 6 p.m. at the Wells Fargo Plaza, 2nd Floor Training Room at 7900 Xerces Avenue in Bloomington, MN 55431. The 90-minute session will be led by director of business development and education, Josh Reams, CMCA, AMS, PCAM. This session will focus on defining associations and association meetings. Topics include: If you are interested in reserving your spot, please email clientcare@sharpermanagement.com 2024 Save-the-Dates Board Training Schedule: January 24 – Board Training: Associations Defined & Association Meetings February 21 – New Client Orientation April 24 – Board Training: Roles & Responsibilities of the Board & Property Management Practices July 24 – Board Training: Associations Defined & Governing Documents July 26 – July Sharper Scramble Golf Tournament August 22 – New Client Orientation & Board Member Appreciation BBQ October 23 – Board Training: Insurance & Financials
Sharper Shines At CAI Vision Awards
Shaper Shines at CAI Vision Awards On Thursday, December 7th, the Community Association Institute-MN Chapter (CAI) hosted their annual Holiday Gala and Vision Awards ceremony. CAI, the international trade organization for community associations and regarded as the national experts in education programs, publications, association governance, advocacy and the accreditation body, holds this annual event to recognize and celebrate managers, business partners and homeowner leaders. Multiple awards were given out for both associations and for individual managers. Nominations are submitted by CAI members and a special voting committee reviews all nomination applications for specific criteria. The awards are a high honor and significant recognition by industry experts, for industry professionals. Sharper is honored to receive the following: Above & Beyond – Josh Fuhreck. Recognizes an individual for substantive achievement in performing tasks and services beyond the typical job description and scope of responsibilities. Josh was the Runner-Up amongst seven nominees. Excellence in Service – Tracy Shaver. Recognizes a manager which goes beyond the call of duty to service the Board and homeowners to make to community a better place. Tracy was the Runner-Up amongst seven nominees. Financial Impact – Michael Miller. Recognizes a manager who positively impacted a community(s) in a significant manner, such as budget management, capital improvement project management, insurance claim navigation, etc. Rookie of the Year – Caleb Robinson. Recognizes a manager with less than two-years of experience, excelling in all aspects of management functions. Caleb was the Runner-Up amongst seven nominees. Advanced Manager of the Year – Kim Schlauderhoff. Recognizes a manager with over seven-years of experience who excelled in all aspects of management functions. Kim was the winner amongst a handful of very qualified candidates. Management Company Support Staff – Anton Graf. Recognizes an individual that supports the operations of a management company on an administrative, financial, etc. level. Anton was the Runner-Up amongst nine other nominees. Association of the Year – This award recognizes an association Board of Directors who members clearly understand their roles and fiduciary responsibilities putting the association’s interests ahead of and above all personal agendas. (Large: 100+ Homes) – Ridgewood Condominium Association – Manager Tom Parsons. Ridgewood tied for Runner-Up in the category. (Small: Less than 100 Homes) – Henley Condominium Association – Manager Kimberly DuPont. The Henley of Edina took home the Award! Outstanding Community – Bearpath Homeowners Association (Manager Dave Garten). This award recognizes an association the values community building. Bearpath was the Runner-Up for the award. In this industry event, which this year had an attendance of over 550 people, Sharper has been fortunate to have a long-list of winners. In 2021 we took home five of eight nominations. 2022 we took home four of nine nominations. Now in 2023 we’re honored with two winners and six Runner-Ups awards. Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners! It was a beautiful night for the industry – and an exciting night for Sharper.
The Ultimate Guide to Successful HOA Management
Homeowners Associations (HOAs) play a crucial role in fostering vibrant and harmonious communities. Successful HOA management requires a delicate balance of effective communication, fair rule enforcement, and robust community engagement. In this blog, we’ll explore the key components of successful HOA management, offering valuable insights for your neighborhood along with making your community feel taken care of. Communication is Key in Successful HOA Management Effective communication is the cornerstone of successful HOA management. Implementing programs such newsletters, community forums & digital platform announcements can help foster an open dialogue in your HOA community. These programs can help improve relationships throughout your community while also keeping them informed & engaged. Rule Enforcement with Fairness and Transparency Fairness and transparency should be at the forefront when exploring rule enforcement. Having clearly defined rules allows for consistent enforcement throughout your community. Creating a balanced approach will help your community respect these guidelines along with a more positive environment. Community Engagement: Building Stronger Bonds Engaging your community helps foster a positive relationship with HOAs. Think about implementing programs such as social events and volunteer opportunities to create a stronger bond amongst your residents. Having a connected community leads to higher satisfaction and quality of life for everyone. Leveraging Technology for Efficient HOA Management Incorporating technology is essential for efficient HOA management. Uncover how digital tools can streamline communication, facilitate rule enforcement, and enhance community engagement. From dedicated HOA management software to online portals, there are multiple tech solutions that can make successful management a reality. Strategic HOA Management Planning for Lasting Success Successful HOA management involves proactive planning. Planning for things such as maintenance, community needs and financial planning can help plan for future success. By creating a well thought out strategy, you can foster an environment for a thriving neighborhood. Conclusion As you navigate the intricate landscape of HOA management, remember that success is a journey, not a destination. By prioritizing effective communication, fair rule enforcement, community engagement, and leveraging technology, you pave the way for a healthy and happy neighborhood. Implementing these strategies can lead to successful community living. — Ready to elevate your HOA management? Contact us today to learn more about Sharper Management’s HOA property management services. Sharper Management is a locally-owned, mid-sized property management company offering a full-suite of premiere services to the Minneapolis-St. Paul seven-county area. Topic post by following us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/880327.
Sharper Scramble Golf Tournament
Last chance to register for the 7th Annual Sharper Scramble Golf Tournament, held Friday, July 14th, at Boulder Pointe Golf Club in Elko. This FREE day of food, fun, fellowship, and golf is Sharper’s way of showing appreciation to you – our valued client – to our Sharper staff, and to our trusted vendors. Registration begins at 10 a.m. The shotgun start to the scramble/best ball format golf round starts at 11 a.m. Dinner and an awards banquet to follow the round. If you want to secure your spot for the Sharper Scramble, do it now! Only a few spots remain. To register, email clientcare@sharpermanagement.com
Types of Association Meetings
As always, each Association will vary according to the Governing Documents. There are three common types of Association meetings. It is important to understand the differences and functions they serve. Board Meetings – the most common type of meeting that many are familiar with. This is the regular business meeting of the elected Board of Directors. While they may be open to homeowners (especially if you are governed by MCIOA), it is important to understand that the purpose of these meetings is for business to be conducted among the Board of Directors, as they were elected to do. Each Association, of course, has its own policies and practices for homeowner engagement. Annual Meetings – the second most common type of meeting. Most Associations are required to hold an “Annual Meeting of the Members.” The purpose of the Annual Meeting, however, is usually very straightforward – to conduct business that requires approval by the members of the Association. Nine out of ten times, that means electing members to the Board of Directors and approving the Minutes of the previous year’s Annual Meeting. That’s it. It is very common for homeowners to feel like an Annual Meeting is a forum to bring up issues or ideas. It is not. The reason why is that, according to most Governing Documents, voting on anything not included on the Agenda and/or Notice distributed prior to the meeting is invalid. Items brought before the membership for a vote must be specified and given X-number of days advanced notice (the “Annual Meeting Notice”). Special Meetings – these are relatively uncommon. A Special Meeting of the Members may be called to vote on a unique or special initiative of the Association. Perhaps it is to approve a Special Assessment. Maybe it is called to amend the Governing Documents. Or the purpose may be to remove or install a new Board member(s). There are a number of reasons. Each Association has requirements for the role and Notice required for a Special Meeting. And similar to Annual Meetings, usually, items brought before the membership for a vote must be specified on the Agenda and/or Notice of said Special Meeting.
Pet Rule Reminders
Now that the snow is melting, the common grounds can tell tales of those not following pet rules. If your Association allows pets, most have similar rules. A common one - pick up pet waste immediately. Please be courteous and respectful of your community by helping to keep the grounds clean. Please also review your Governing Documents, as oftentimes, the Association is empowered to assess the cost of repairing turf damage back to the offending party. Another common pet rule is to ensure they are always on a leash when in Common Areas. Additionally, many Associations have a policy about not leaving a pet unattended. It is important to note that not only are these things possibly against the rules of the Association, but most Cities have ordinances making these common pet issues illegal. Living in an Association comes with the right to an enjoyable living environment for all. Having pets is a privilege provided by the Association’s Governing Documents. Please help preserve the former so that the latter can be enjoyed.