By Bob Gourley “The less people know about how sausages and laws are made, the better they’ll sleep at night.” – widely attributed to Otto von Bismarck, German aristocrat and statesman “Decisions are made by those who show up.” – fictional President Josiah Bartlet on the TV show “The West Wing” Before I begin, I…
Commit to Unit Owner Education. Reward Yourself with a Better Community!
Dedicate a portion of your condominium or HOA newsletter and website to education on a regular basis.
Landscaping: Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About!
By Bob Gourley If there is any one common element that gets residents talking and thinking about their condominium or HOA, it is landscaping. The state of appearance in any community association is a direct reflection of its residents and the people responsible for maintaining the look and feel of the property. For most associations,…
Are Community Leaders Politicians?
By Bob Gourley According to Merriam-Webster, the word “politician” is defined as follows: 1: a person experienced in the art or science of government ; especially : one actively engaged in conducting the business of a government 2 a: a person engaged in party politics as a profession 2 b: a person primarily interested in…
Keeping It Legal – The Story of Your Community Association’s Attorney
By Bob Gourley Comedian Milton Berle is quoted as saying “Attorneys practice law because it gives them a grand and glorious feeling. You give them a grand and they feel glorious”. While attorneys may be on the receiving end of many jokes, the contribution they make to your community is no laughing matter. Depending on…
Tell Everyone How You Maintain, Protect, and Enhance!
By Bob Gourley Maintain – Protect – Enhance. This is the prime directive for Boards of Directors of Homeowner Associations across the country. By maintaining, protecting, and enhancing the assets of the association, the Board ensures that property values are maximized and owners’ interests are served. The majority of your association’s common fund will be…
Newsletters for Associations and the Businesses that Service Them
Working within the condominium and HOA marketplace since 2004 has allowed MyEZCondo an opportunity to work with numerous businesses that sell goods and services to this highly specialized market niche. Reaching decision-makers in this sector requires targeted and intelligent marketing efforts. MyEZCondo has developed a proven method of providing timely information in the form of…
The Emotional Cost of Foreclosure
By Bob Gourley Have you ever had to foreclose on a neighbor? The word “foreclosure” strikes a note of fear and panic in most people. Typically, foreclosure is only considered when all other possibilities have been considered and no other solution can be found. It is the final remedy an association has to fix a…
Using Your Newsletter to Explain CIOA to Your Community Association
By Bob Gourley Using your condominium newsletter to discuss CIOA with members of your community association can be a vital component to a sound overall communication program. Interestingly, CIOA laws are designed for the protection of individual homeowners. Yet, unless an individual homeowner is aware of the changes to the law or hires an attorney…
Condominium Newsletters, Websites, Facebook, Twitter and More! Condominium Associations are Communicating Like Never Before!
By Bob Gourley Condominium newsletters have advanced rapidly in recent years. Gone are the days of typewritten and photocopied newsletters. Today’s condominium associations are publishing their condominium newsletters in vibrant colors, complete with stories and photos. No longer limited to printed materials, modern condominium newsletters are designed for both print and electronic distribution. Instead of…