HOA Strategic

Some examples of thorny issues at HOAs Way too many decorations Showing the flag(s) What a dues-zy/ Of course I can! The HOA edition of the booklet -- At Least Some PR -- has more about thorny HOA issues. At Least Some PR (HOA Edition) is available through Amazon Books.

Measuring words used in HOA communication, in Meeting Minutes for example, is necessary and important. People in communication who work with words all the time think about each and every word. How words will be perceived. Whether words will make sense or not. Whether they will prevent or cause problems. Going over documents, potentially problematic words jump out. They just do. It's a mental process.

When you describe something as a problem , whatever you're talking about in communication is exactly that, it's a problem. So you better be sure there's a basis for using a word like that, especially in your HOA's Meeting Minutes. And, for that matter, in other communication that is a record of your association's thinking. Maybe a different word can be used. A word like -- instances -- for instance. So instead of saying a homeowner or several homeowners are causing problems, maybe say something like: The Board discussed instances of...(whatever the problem is that you're noting in the Minutes). Instances of homeowners and guests ignoring parking guidelines and rules, for example,or guidelines and rules when using an HOA's recreational facilities. There's something about a word like instances . It says there's a problem, but in a different, maybe less strident way. (For more about this, contact hoastrategic@gmail.com)

"Battles between property owners and homeowners associations are fairly common, but what one woman is fighting to keep only comes around two months out of the year," according to a story on KENS-TV, CBS in San Antonio. The story describes a "bluebonnet battle." The TV story includes a statement provided by the management company for the association with several points, including this one: "All owners living in a community have agreed to abide by the same rules as outlined in the deed restrictions."  

When you read headlines in the media about China showing off its trade war strategy, U.S. officials using personal email for government business, and crime news, it's good to read a headline like this in the Jackson, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger: "Be neighborly -- a simple kindness goes a long way." For the second year, a Jackson HOA held its Love Thy Neighbor Day by passing out a complimentary breakfast snack and bottles of water to 150 HOA residents "as they were heading off to work, school and other endeavors," according to The Clarion-Ledger. "A quick bite of breakfast seemed a good way to show thoughtfulness," said the HOA president, "as many people rush out the door to begin the day and sometimes forgo breakfast."

"Unapproved HOA paint color leads to two year fight, thousands of dollars spent." That's the headline for an ABC 15 (Arizona) story. There's a lot to the story . Including this: "We repeatedly contacted Kingswood HOA board members, the property management company and the HOA's attorney for comment. We received no statement by the time this was published." To comment or not...What do you think?

by PR Pro I've answered thousands of questions from reporters, some of them extremely irritating. But you learn to work through tough questions and to work with tough-minded reporters. If you ask why, I'll bend your ear about engaging with reporters so you or some other someone can tell your company's or your organization's side of the story, share perspectives on issues and maybe build knowledge and understanding. That is, of course, if someone's available, prepared and ready when reporters call. But unfortunately, more than usual now, we're seeing 'No comment' in stories rather than a response to questions posed by reporters. Spokespersons aren't speaking that much, they aren't returning reporters' calls, they can't be reached, they're not available for comment. You could see this coming years ago when commentary was encroaching more on the news, creeping and seeping into it. Maybe because plain old news just wasn't compell...