You may have already heard the saying ‘no man is an island’. It’s true in most cases, especially for homeowners. Try as you might, you can never be alone in a neighborhood. Unless, of course, you live in the middle of nowhere.
But most people live in communities, big or small. These can be in the form of condominiums or larger-scale communities. No matter the size, people will find a way to gather and interact. Though sometimes, they choose not to.
This is where this list comes in. Here are a few methods to get a community together to create a stronger bond.
- Listen To The People
A community is always composed of several individuals, with their own personalities and preferences. One tip to follow when building a stronger community is to understand each member’s concerns and address them. How can you improve something if you don’t know what the existing problems are?
Always start small. Begin by surveying families per house or per unit. Then gather up all your findings to evaluate what can be resolved quickly from those that may take more time and resources.
For smaller communities, you might not have the manpower available dedicated to community association management. You can ask for volunteers from your members or hire one to ensure that even the smallest issue gets solved immediately. To streamline these efforts and enhance efficiency, utilizing association management software can be a game-changer, enabling seamless coordination and management of community activities and concerns.
- Schedule Fun Events
Nothing gets people going more than an exciting event if it’s one close to home. Set up bake-offs, pop-up flea markets, and food fairs during months that don’t have much happening. Add in some special prizes and rewards to make it more enticing. Kids can take part too! Parents just need to guide them especially if it’s the children’s first time to attend one.
What’s more, an event will attract visitors to the area. Your community will gain a sense of pride when guests compliment the sights and sound around them. A monthly or yearly event entices people to visit regularly. More visitors also equal more funds for additional resources to improve the neighborhood.
- Set Up A Common Area
If your community doesn’t have a designated common area, it’s about time to make one. This can be a lobby in each condominium wing or an all-purpose building in the neighborhood. By having one around, you can attract people to congregate in one place for events and meetings.
Here, you can put a bulletin board to post any news and notices for the members to see. A large common area may also have amenities like a swimming pool and a gym. You can also invite intra-community clubs hold meetings here too for maximum interaction.
During special occasions like Halloween or Christmas, don’t hesitate to decorate for the season! You can ask people to decorate the community’s common area to invite interaction and camaraderie.
- Build Trust
Trust takes a long time to build. To earn trust, you need to be open when involving yourself with community association management. This includes transparency with finances and proactivity with people’s concerns.
Scuffles and feuds sometimes happen in any community. It’s unavoidable, but with a good sense of leadership and fairness, you can diffuse these fights before they get worse. By treating everyone fairly, people will gain more trust in you. Major arguments can be prevented if people see you as a positive example.
- Get Everyone Involved
Everyone in this world desires to have a purpose, no matter how small it is. By making each member feel important, you’re fostering healthier and happier relationships within the community.
Start by forming a welcoming committee. Assign a group of homeowners responsible for welcoming new community residents. This gesture promotes positive relationships between the existing members and the newcomers. The new ones will be more confident in exploring their neighborhood and might even begin forming friendships fast.
Especially with special events, never leave anyone out. Every person in the community must have something to do. Just be careful not to impose something that makes them uncomfortable. Encourage them instead. They’ll eventually find their spot in the community, like a piece that completes the puzzle.
- Stay Connected Online
Most people have a phone or laptop they use to connect with others, so take this opportunity. Set up an official community chatroom where homeowners can discuss anything involving the group. Watch out for gossipy neighbors though. Remember, the chatroom exists to strengthen the bond of the community, not to shatter it.
Online platforms for the community also serve as a digital bulletin board. Post news, schedules, and upcoming events to swiftly inform the neighborhood. Homeowners can also look out for one another by reporting break-ins and suspicious activities to avoid crimes that may happen. Security matters a lot in the strengthening of a community’s bond.
No Place Like Home
A community is the larger part of a person’s home. And by nurturing and protecting it, you can create a stronger community that values trust, safety, and amicable relationships. These traits make a better home for everyone living in the same neighborhood that they might never think of leaving for good.
