Social Activities

Among the benefits of living in a condominium community are social interaction, security, and fellowship. In 1999, instead of continuing to rely on a property management company, the Board of Directors opted for self-management, and there was a dramatic turnaround in the physical condition of the property. 

 

Moving to self-management resulted in substantial improvements to the property, cost savings, better-informed owners, a better social climate, and swifter action dealing with problems.

 

The Board of Directors also believed that parties, barbeques, pock-luck dinners, and other get-togethers were a great way to promote greater unit owner involvement in condo business and projects.

 

Historically, more owner participation has translated to the following benefits:

 

                         Cost savings (lower management fees)

                              More attention to the physical needs of the property

                              More attention to the job performance of contractors

                              More input for coming up with solutions to problems

                              More control of expenditures

                              Better access to financial records

                              ... plus many other intangibles

 

In 2004, the Board put an end to the social events as a cost-saving measure, and since then, the camaraderie among residents and owner participation in the affairs of the Association have both dropped off precipitously.

 

Granted, increased unit turnover may have contributed as much to this trend as doing away with social gatherings, but it is nevertheless a fact that lack of owner participation is a big reason why the Board had to abandon self-management in 2005 and revert to using a property management company.

 

As such, the Board has come to realize that the only way to get folks involved is to build a sense of community, so in the coming months, the Board will re-examine its curtailing of social events and try to resurrect some of the interaction and good cheer the residents of La Maison de la Bonne Vie condominium once enjoyed.

 

Who knows? With some renewed owner interest, we might once again find ourselves self-managed, fat and happy!

 

OWNER PARTICIPATION IS A MUST!

 

For progress to continue, it is vital that all unit owners find a way to take part in what is going on.  Volunteer to work on a committee, attend board meetings, stay up on what is happening to the property. Remember -- It's your investment. Get involved!