Be Thankful for Their Thankless Job

🥱 Mondays are Hard:
Be Thankful for Their Thankless Job

Howdy, and happy Monday folks. Here’s a little something in your inbox on Monday mornings to make you sounds smart to your boss in your upcoming meeting about a meeting 😁 

It’s Thanksgiving week. Let's Hear It For The Brave Souls Running Our HOA!

Let's face it - who in their right mind voluntarily signs up to manage other people's property complaints, mediate disputes about fence heights, and spend their Tuesday evenings discussing the riveting topic of drainage systems? Our HOA board members and volunteers, that's who! These everyday heroes deserve more than just our side-eye when they remind us about our non-regulation mailbox color.

✍ The Art of the Thank-You Note (Yes, People Still Write Those)

Sure, you could send a quick text saying "thx," but why not go old school? Break out that fancy stationery you've been hoarding since 2005 and write a genuine thank-you note. Pro tip: Actually mention something specific they've done, like "Thanks for not immediately fining me when my garden gnome collection exceeded the permitted three-gnome limit" or "I appreciate how you managed to keep your cool during the Great Parking Space Debate of 2023."

🎙 Public Recognition (No Stage Required)

While our volunteers aren't exactly seeking Hollywood Walk of Fame status, a little public recognition goes a long way:

- Feature them in the newsletter (promise we won't use their awkward Facebook profile photo)

- Give them a shoutout at community meetings (bonus points if you bring cookies)

- Create a "Volunteer of the Month" parking spot (finally, a legitimate reason to park in the good spots!)

🥳 Throwing A Party (Because Who Doesn't Like Free Food?)

Nothing says "thanks for dealing with our countless complaints" like a community appreciation event. Whether it's a coffee and donuts morning or a full-blown appreciation dinner, it's hard to stay mad about that denied paint color request when you're enjoying free food together. Plus, it's probably the only time you'll see board members in something other than their "I mean business" attire.

🙏 Small Gestures That Say "We Notice You're Not The Monster We Initially Thought"

Sometimes the smallest gestures make the biggest impact:

- Gift cards (because managing HOA drama deserves at least a free coffee)

- Certificates of appreciation (suitable for framing or regifting)

- Coverage for HOA management seminars (because apparently, there's even more to learn about proper hedge height regulations)

📅 Making Gratitude A Year-Round Thing (Not Just When You Need Variance Approval)

Let's be honest - our volunteers could be spending their free time binge-watching Netflix or perfecting their sourdough starter. Instead, they're reviewing architectural applications and mediating disputes about wind chimes. The least we can do is show some appreciation throughout the year, not just when we need something approved.

Remember, behind every well-maintained community is a group of volunteers who somehow maintain their sanity while dealing with everyone's "urgent" concerns about their neighbor's slightly overgrown lawn. They're not just board members and volunteers - they're the unsung heroes who keep our property values up and our community drama down (mostly).

And yes, we are incredibly grateful to you, our readers. Thank You.

Have a great week! 🦃

😎 Cool tools should check out to help you work better:

1. Claude.ai - yep, this is an alternative to ChatGPT, and may actually be better. Don’t be afraid to use these free tools to sure up your writing style or grammar when sending notices to your community.

2. The HOA Pros Podcast - need something to listen to while grinding away at reviewing ARC submissions?

3. HOA Leadership Network - a wonderful group dedicated to HOA industry and board member education

👔 Gigs