Are you a property manager or an active member of a Florida Association? Like most Florida communities, you may experience that participation and turn-out during elections is likely low, as owners are either disengaged, live abroad or feel alienated by the current cumbersome analog voting process. Passing a motion and getting projects approved, even when a low quorum of 20% is needed, seems like an impossible task for many associations, let alone implementing changes for large projects that require a higher turn-out. And when motions do pass, often, it is because a few active group of owners participated, deciding for everyone else – a silent disgruntled majority – who as a result, in many cases, end up feeling even more alienated. Here are 5 important decision areas where increased owner participation methods, like online voting, could help get more owners involved:
The whole body of members should decide the board of directors of your association by vote. The directors of an Association have a tremendous amount of unpaid responsibilities including:
Without inclusive and truly representative election, these huge decisions will be almost completely up to a board elected by a just few active group of owners and not by the majority
The budgets and reserves an association creates and keeps is decided collectively. They decide if the maintenance fee increases or not, and how large the association fund needs to be. When only a small percentage of members vote on financial matters the decisions clearly represent the interests of only a small percentage of the body. This can negatively affect the experience and satisfaction of an owner because having to comply with unforeseen fees dictated by a new board, selected by a few, can appear as a bitter surprise and change the whole game for some
Condo and HOA boards have the final word on what owners can keep on balconies, imposing fees on unit owners for breaking rules, rules on pets, and general guidelines on how residents should behave in common areas. The control can go as far as deciding what fertilizers, pesticides, sprinkler systems and whatever else it takes to keep your lawn picture-perfect. A board may or may not allow environmentally friendly forms of landscaping and may limit the size of gardens, ban compost piles and prevent owners from installing solar panels. Keep in mind that all owners have to pay for maintaing common areas whether they use them or not. Associations decide the hours for amenities like pools and tennis courts and have rules, some loose some severe, about how many guests can use common facilities. Think about it… all these rules without many of the unit owners having a say? Risky business.
Any construction, remodeling, or purchase on or for the premises is discussed in association meetings. The prices of such are also reviewed and approved during meetings. Associations decide when community areas, amenities, lobby, and landscaping needs an upgrade. All decisions hold a price tag to them that are later billed to each one of the members of the community. Even if an owner does not vote they are still responsible for the charges.
Lastly, the board decides who are the providers for all the services of the property, including lawyers, maintenance, valet, management, amenities, security, construction and remodeling of the community. During association meetings the list of providers are discussed and picked collectively by the group. The choice of providers alters the overall community living experience, the value of homes, how safe residents feel, and much more.
Analogue and tedious voting processes keeps many homeowners from participating in the decision making process of their association. Voting in association matters is an important responsibility that helps to build a happier and more engaged community. When everyone feels welcome to participate and make their voices heard, from anywhere, securely and in a simple way, making participating a no-brainer, everyone in the community wins. Online voting software applications like ONR have been proven to help – want to learn more? Schedule a demo today!
So what's the solution? electronic voting software.