Finding volunteers to fill positions on the HOA board can come as a challenge. After all, board members don’t get paid for the work they do, and this can be a hindrance for many. Thankfully, by utilizing a few tips, you can recruit HOA board members more efficiently.
Here are some of the ways you can use to recruit HOA board members:
1. Inspire with Your Recruitment Letter
Sometimes, residents just need a little nudge in the right direction to get them started on the path of serving on the HOA board. And that all begins with your recruitment letter.
Your board member recruitment letter needs a powerful and moving message to inspire residents. You can do that by outlining what the HOA board does for the community and its members. See to it that you stress how essential board member roles are to the success of the association.
Additionally, your recruitment letter should include hints as to what kind of members you’re looking for. Keep in mind that the HOA board should always be in search of new ideas. Encourage residents to share their thoughts and make the letter as inviting as possible.
2. Make Homeowners Feel Their Talents Are Needed
A lot of homeowners feel apprehensive about volunteering for the community because they don’t think they’re needed. They believe they don’t possess the skills or talents required for the job. This is a common perception that homeowners have because they think the only thing the board does is financial management.
While managing the HOA’s finances is certainly an important aspect of the job, it’s not the only aspect there is. HOA boards also need members who are equipped with expertise and skills in other areas such as community management, information technology, construction, and design. Any talent they have is valuable, and that will help you entice more residents into joining the board.
If you feel like your board needs someone with great organizational skills, then it’s worth personally approaching candidates who possess such skills. Let them know you need their talents and how the board can greatly benefit from their participation.
3. Use Complaints as an Opportunity to Recruit Members
Many homeowners have complaints — that’s just the way it is. If a particular homeowner informs you of their dissatisfaction with how your board is running the show, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. In a lot of ways, complaints can be useful to your board.
However, you have to learn how to separate the homeowners who make petty complaints just for the fun of it from the ones who actually turn complaints into useful suggestions. It’s the latter that you need to keep an eye out for. Such complaints give you a chance to encourage passionate homeowners to get involved.
If homeowners approach you with complaints, try to look beyond them and determine whether the homeowners want to contribute something to the community. Perhaps you can convince them to play a more active role in helping the association improve.
It’s also important to address the concern they bring up. This will make them see that the board cares and has power enough to make positive changes in the community. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to personally talk to them about board recruitment as you give them updates on their issue.
4. Assign Hesitant Recruits to Committee Roles First
Far too often, homeowners feel reluctant to join the HOA board because of the amount of work involved. Many are afraid to take on so much responsibility, especially if it’s their first time. After all, joining the board is a big commitment.
A great way to assuage their fears is to start these new recruits in positions that don’t require too much commitment. Let them serve on a committee of their choice first. From there, you can slowly encourage them to take on bigger roles and make them see that serving on the board isn’t as scary as they made it out to be in their head.
5. Do Something Marketing for Your Board
Out of sight, out of mind — that saying applies to the HOA board a majority of the time. Because homeowners don’t see board members often, they usually forget that the board even exists. This is especially true if the board is functioning like a well-oiled machine. It’s hard to notice the board if you don’t have anything to complain about.
Although members shouldn’t join the board for the fame or added clout, there’s still value in marketing the board to homeowners. By letting homeowners see how important board members are to the community, they’re more likely to develop an interest in serving the community in the same way.
Make sure all homeowners are aware of the opportunities for participation that exist in the community. Communicate the ways people can get involved using your newsletter or HOA website. You can also personally approach members as well, especially if you have your eye on a skilled resident.
6. Be Ready with Answers
Interested homeowners will naturally have a ton of questions to ask about the open board positions. Some of the questions you might encounter include:
● Do you think I have enough experience for the job?
● How much time do I need to commit to the role?
● What sort of tasks should I expect to carry out?
You need to know the answers to these questions, so make sure to prepare yourself ahead of time. Make sure your answers don’t scare potential candidates away. But, you should also be as honest as you can about the requirements of the job. This is also a great opportunity for you to educate interested homeowners about the board position.
7. Appoint Homeowners, If Your Bylaws Permit
This won’t apply to all homeowners associations, but some governing documents do allow board members to simply assign a member to a board member role. If you already know someone who is perfectly qualified and suited for the position, then appointing them is a no-brainer. This works out especially well in the event that a sitting board member needs to resign from their position midway through.
Of course, don’t just appoint someone out of the blue. Not a lot of homeowners will take kindly to a surprise designation. Make sure to first talk to the candidate to gauge their interest in the position.
A Strong Board Starts with Recruitment
Your HOA board is only as good as the members that make it up. Therefore, you must recruit HOA board members who are willing, capable, and passionate about the community. That’s often easier said than done. But, armed with these tips, you’re definitely on the right path.
7 Ways to Recruit HOA Board Members
