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Simple Versus Complex Messaging

Seems this time of year not a day goes by without another holiday decor dilemma. ABC 13 Action News in a recent story describes a Nevada HOA as "a bunch of Grinches!"

Complicating this particular decor dilemma, the HOA in the TV news story has a main association and a sub-association. According to 13 Action News, the main association seems to be okay with lights and decor in the front of one of the homes, but the sub-association, citing rules, points out that holiday decor can be displayed in -- but not outside -- the courtyard of homes..."because the sub-association is charged with maintaining the outsides of the homes and the yard, and the decorations interfere with that."

So, on one hand, the resident has been displaying decorations outside the courtyard for a number of years, according to the TV story. That's half the dilemma. The other half involves rules and maintenance issues.

This sort of thing occurs occasionally when rules that are necessary for various reasons come into conflict with what's seen as -- you might say, in this instance -- good tidings and joy.

Here's the dilemma for associations. Rules generally are quite serious compared to holiday spirit which is fun and lighthearted. Explaining rules usually is more involved and complex than discussing good tidings and joy.

Speaking of rules, we have a rule of thumb in PR about what we refer to as simple versus complex messaging. One may trump the other, and you can guess which one that would be.

So, if for whatever reason your HOA happens to make headline news and reporters are lobbing questions your way, or homeowners are lobbing tough questions during an association meeting, keep simple versus complex messaging in mind, and craft what you're planning to say -- your messaging -- accordingly.

For more about this, contact HOA Strategic: hoastrategic@gmail.com

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