Anyone use Facebook for their community?

Started by MariB • 21 replies • 7808 views

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MariB (South Carolina)
Posts: 33

Posted:

I recommended to my HOA president that they set up a Facebook page for the neighborhood (over 350 houses). Right now we have no way to communitcate with each other other than a newsletter (1 page) that is sent out every 6 months.

We have a website with old old info on it that is in need of updating.

They don't want us putting flyers on posts (lost dogs, garage sales, etc.) so I thought if we had a facebook page the community could communicate with each other. We could report lost animals, ask for recommendations for vendors, join clubs, etc.

Anyone else use Facebook?

My HOA president seemed uninterested and blew off the idea. I think she is just lazy and uninterested. She keeps telling me that the Board is only 6 or 7 members and they all work full time so they are tired. Basically useless.

What would make someone want to volunteer for a HOA Board? Is there some prestiege to it? Do you get some type kickback?

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

Marie,

I answered this question in the other thread you that you had posted it:

http://www.hoatalk.com/Forum/tabid/55/forumid/1/postid/113350/view/topic/Default.aspx

Tim

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

I wouldn't facebook as much as setting up your own webpage. Facebook can cause a variety of issues and ALOT of them public. What if you have a few residents get into a facebook fight? They may take it outside that relm. Which isn't good.

It's good to be up to date with technology. However, a HOA webpage may be the best solution in my opinion. That's because you may be able to keep some of it "Private" and other areas "Public". It's a site that should only be known by the members so it's more exclusive or inclusive as the case may be.

A few posters here have experience setting up and running their own webpages. I would suggest asking or reading some of their previous posts on the subject.

From personal experience on facebook...Things can get really ugly and get involved in your personal/professional life. Recently, have been dealing with that issue and wouldn't recommend facebook as a good place to share HOA information...

Former HOA President

MariB (South Carolina)
Posts: 33

Posted:

Thanks Melissa. We actually have a webpage, but it's way out of date. I have told the HOA president this, but she doesn't seem to care. It's not an issue with her or anyone else because there's info on there from back to 2009. The rules and regulations, CCRs, etc. are all out-of-date.

We get a newsletter every 6 months with not much info.

Right now we have what looks like an attempt to repave some roads. It sure would be nice to get more info about that but unless we contact a board member, we have no clue.

People post flyers of missing animals on the entrance stop signs. We are told NOT to do that anymore. Ok, it sure would be nice to have somewhere to post about missining animals. It sure would be nice to ask for recs for vendors. What if someone wants to start up a walking club?

The out dated webpage is so out of date and there is no way for the community to communicate on it either. Anyonet that googles "neighborhood" hoa can find it. It's not private.

I volunteered to set up a facebook page so we'd have a way to communicate with each other. In an over 300-400 house community, thought it would be helpful.

I'm techy oriented and love to learn anything new, but I've never set-up a webpage. If there is an easy way to learn, I'd love it.

I just feel our HOa is very weak and almost non-existant. There are only 6-7 members and I feel some are related. I honestly wonder if they aren't using money in our funds only because they don't want to part with any of it and since of the hard time I was given. I was made to feel like the bad person because I wanted to site my neighbor for running a business in our cul-de-sac.

Luckily yesterday I got some great video. Landscaper had all his men hanging out in his yard all over the place. He wasn't even there (must have been at the bank) but as soon as he pulled up, all the men lined up for their cash. I have video of this guy paying them. It's just not right.

Now I'm having to go to zoning and take my evidence. Hopefully he and none of his men want to retaliate against me....

Sorry, kind of went off on a tangent. Thanks for the info. Melissa

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

You know what we had? We had a bulletin board area set up at the front entrance area. Actually it was above our mailbox area. There was a separate glass case for official business and another peg board for OPEN messages.

Why not ask to set up a bulletin board area in a central location? I am sure you can find someone with some wood working skills to make one or have it as a volunteer project. Just make sure there is a place with a lock and key for BOD members and an open area for general postings. It can just be a simple easel but something that can stand a storm. If you have a clubhouse it would be a good location.

It's called "Old school" communication...LOL. Not everything has to be high-tech to get the point across any more. Plus vandelism can be addressed through the police and NOT webmaster...

I don't see anything wrong with the guys loitering around waiting on their boss to come give them a check. Where else are they going to go? It would be an issue if they were breaking into houses or causing damage. However, just a bit of loitering since they can't drive off anywhere until the boss comes back is just normal to me. Heck, I had a lawncare guy get caught peeing in someone's yard once. I slept in late that day and forgot to unlock the bathrooms for them...Got to read that letter in front of everyone at our meeting...Talk about embarassing but no real grounds to fire our lawncare for it until the contract was up.

Former HOA President

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Want to start a facebook for your HOA?

Do it.

No one can stop you and its free. Set it up anonymously, using a anonymous email, and a public wifi connection, so if anyone gets into legal trouble from a posting, you wont end up in court.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Mari!!

If I were in your HOA and you started up a Facebook for it, I would not go there, give any information for it and basically, just ignore it. Don't like it and never will so there may be others who feel the same.

Our Master Gardener org has a YAHOO Group email that is free, easy to use and keeps the crazies from getting into it. We use it as our communication method for all of our members to get a message at once. There is no chance of posting pictures and all of the "bonus features" of Facebook. Someone sets up the account, and enters the email addresses and it is done. Easy, easy.

MariB (South Carolina)
Posts: 33

Posted:

Melissa, I definitely see an issue with my neighbor running his landscapting business from his home. It is not zoned for business. This is a residential neighborhood. I have a huge issue for it. My house is accross the street.

His employees hang out at the house at any time. There is extra traffic on our street because of his business. They leave cigarette butts in the street. A guest of mine pulled out of my driveway and rammed into one of his employee's cars. His employees park all on our street and block people's driveways. It's a bid mess.

Landscapers yard usually had tools and crap all in it. This morning 3 trucks drove up to reload their truck....6 men loading and unloading trucks and trailers. YEP, I have a HUGE problem with it.

Zoning guy came out and landscaper told him this is America and he can do what he wants and he does. Well, I'm going to court to stop him because he's in the wrong. This is a residential neighborhood and not zoned for businesses.

MariB (South Carolina)
Posts: 33

Posted:

Thanks everyone for comments about Facebook. I won't bother with it then. I was just asking opinions. I just wanted to help out in some way and volunteer to help our HOA but actually I don't think they want any help. I offer and they don't respond so I basically am giving up on them. They are enthusiastic about any help.

I'll just communicate with zoning about my neighbor and get things fixed that way. As far as I'm concerned the HOA/management co. is just there to collect my dues.

I know if I ever move into another neighborhood with an HOA, I'm going to ask questions before moving in that neighborhood. I never knew all these specifics about an HOA before. I just assumed if you have issues with neighbors not abiding thy rules, the HOA board will fix it but boy, was I wrong about that. Who knew? It's been a learning experience. It's been disappointing to learn all that I have thus far.

MariB (South Carolina)
Posts: 33

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SteveM9 on 05/21/2011 9:28 AM
Want to start a facebook for your HOA?

Do it.

No one can stop you and its free. Set it up anonymously, using a anonymous email, and a public wifi connection, so if anyone gets into legal trouble from a posting, you wont end up in court.

lol Steve, If I did set it up (and I've decided not to bother with doing anything), I could do it from my house. The HOA won't take me to court. HA That would cost them money and they don't spend any and they can't fine me so I'm good to do as I please. If you live where I live you can get by with pretty much what you want to do.

SteveM9 (Massachusetts)
Posts: 3,699

Posted:

Quote:

The HOA won't take me to court.

I'm not so much worried about the HOA bringing you to court. I'm worried about a HOA member (homeowner) suing the owner of the site for slander or something similar due to a post against them, etc.....

JonD1
Posts: 2,350

Posted:

Seems like the OP has lots of problems with everyone.

She doesn't know what the MC does but has decided they are worthless and just collect money. If you don't know what they do perhaps taking the time to find out might be the way to go before you decide just how useful or not they are.

Now when she makes a suggestion to the board about someone setting up a Facebook account for the property they become lazy. And she suggests they must be getting kickbacks because that's the only reason she can come up with. Guess the board is sitting around waiting for her to explain what needs to be done next and they have plenty of free time in between managing the operation of the property about which she seems to know less than little.

And in her spare time she plans to explain to the zoning department just how to do their jobs. Good luck with that.

Finding fault and being critical without bothering to understand in the least who does what. WONDERFUL......................

MariB (South Carolina)
Posts: 33

Posted:

Ummm Don, I only have issue with my board president. That's the only person I've been communicating with. I pay dues into the HOA and to learn they can't enforce rules is frustrating. Our houses are close together...we don't live on huge lots. So if the guy across the street has 8-trucks parked at his house and yard debris in the front yard with trailer and other tools used in landscaping, it's obvious and our home values go down. I honestly thought the HOA would protect us from such issues. I really did. Yes, it has been frustrating to learn that they really can't.

Yes, I agree I'm disappointed with the HOA and with my neighbor.

I have no issue with zoning. In fact he's ready to move on it. All he's waiting on is my evidence which I organized yesterday and put on a CD for him. When the zoning guy went to tell my neighbor that he was in violations with zoning, my neighbor told him that this was America and he can do what he wants.

My neighbor has disregarded all letters of warning from zoning, HOA management company and HOA attornies. He laughed at them thinking he was above any rules. I mean if you live in America you do what you want. What rules? What laws? My reward is seeing him say those words from a jail cell.

I think anyone in my place and dealing with what is across the street would feel the same frustrations. If the nearest court date zoning can get is 6 months down the road, then I WILL be disappointed in that also.

To be honest, the HOA president said she's never had to deal with this issue and doesn't know how to handle it. I've been dealing with her for the past 3 months while she researches what to do only to learn that I need to go to zoning and let them take care of it. If the HOA took care of it with their own private detectives I would not have had to go face him in court. With this guy's mentality who is to say he won't retaliate? That was my worry. Oh well.

MariB (South Carolina)
Posts: 33

Posted:

So many people say to run for the board. Volunteer to help.

I did volunteer....to get signatures, to help with the website, Facebook, etc. I told my HOA president to let me know how I can help with anything. She ignores my requests. It sounds to me like she isn't interested in any help.

What exactly is required og the HOA on a daily basis? If you have a management company collecting dues what are some duties of the HOA Board? I'm not being sarcastic, just interested and curious.

Wouldn't the management company set up any clubhouse/pool repairs? (I know read the governing doc which I have no clue where it is...is that the covenant?) we have a landscaper keep up with the front entrance. What else is there to oversee? We only have a Board meeting once a year....a one page newsletter maybe twice a year. We have maybe one pool party a year and one garage sale thru the neighborhood. What else could there be to be so time consuming?

HOA president said they've been trying for years to get all signatures for the amendment. Well no one has ever approached me and I've lived here for 6 years. If they are doing their jobs, why not get enthused about it since you volunteered and ask for volunteers to help get signatures? Why just let is sit idle and not try. Can it takes years to get 25% more of the signatures you need? Seems slack to me but that's just my observation but then again I'm the type to move on something and get it done. I'm not a procrastinator.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,062

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By MariB on 05/22/2011 6:22 AM
Ummm Don, I only have issue with my board president. That's the only person I've been communicating with. .

Mari,

You may want to send any suggestions/communications to all board members with a copy to the management company, not just to one individual.

MariB (South Carolina)
Posts: 33

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By TimB4 on 05/22/2011 6:52 AM

Posted By MariB on 05/22/2011 6:22 AM
Ummm Don, I only have issue with my board president. That's the only person I've been communicating with. .

Mari,

You may want to send any suggestions/communications to all board members with a copy to the management company, not just to one individual.

Great suggestion Tim. I actually had done that in the past, but after learning that I did that, the HOA president told the other Board member to stop communicating with me and to let her be my only POC. I actually enjoyed talking to the other board member as he understood my frustrations, but the pres. frowned on our communicating together.

There is no way really to suggest to ALL board members. I wish I had everyone's email address or phone number but that info isn't listed anywhere. We don't have access to that.

I have also stated to the pres. many times that when she meets with the board with my issue to please include me in the conversation or meeting. She ignored my requests each time. I'd love to talk to everyone and speak my issues, but I was only allowed to talk to just the pres.

MaureenB2 (Ohio)
Posts: 4

Posted:

I manage a community Facebook page that I administer on my own. Before posting any content, I review each submission and do not allow complaints about the HOA. The page serves as a platform for discussing local trash collection, solicitors, security issues, general community activities, and donation pickups.

Any discussions related to the HOA, such as letters of violation, account inquiries, newsletters, financial matters, or minutes from Board meetings, should be directed to the HOA office. Additionally, many residents are part of the Next-door app, where we direct any drama or complaints.

I have been an administrator of this Facebook page since 2016 and will continue in this role even after I step down from the Board. The page is private for our community members.

MaureenB2 (Ohio)
Posts: 4

Posted:

We have a family who takes in foster kids, they owe money to the HOA, and they have multiple letters of violation, which they will not reply to, fines are posted to the account, but they do not pay. Send them to legal, place lien on property and that is as far as it goes for 5 years and repeat. I feel your frustration. I suggest they attach these outstanding balances to their paycheck, no one wants to go that far, as the management company and legal continue to get their money. Money is paid out by the HOA, and we keep spinning our wheels for a resolution. To my knowledge, no one has been foreclosed on in 22 years. So, they respond with, we will get the money when they sell their home. This is promising, but in the meantime, we must find the money to keep paying the vendors to provide those who do pay and follow the rules. It is unfair for sure. They knew or should have known what they were getting into when they moved into our community. If they want to live like those in the intercity, then they should have stayed there. They want to bring their slum ways to our well-kept HOA. They enjoy all the amenities of the community and are the first to complain when they feel they have been slighted. In addition, we have rentals, this is another nightmare…. for another post.

LoriM15 (Florida)
Posts: 1,009

Posted:

Please start a new topic if you want to discuss. This is an old thread from 2011.

MaureenB2 (Ohio)
Posts: 4

Posted:

I have found, no matter the date of the posts, Lori, I have always found good information to reference from these pages.

CathyA3 (Ohio)
Posts: 6,299

Posted:

It isn't just the date, it's also the title of the thread.

People who read this thread are interested in talking about using social media in community associations. They won't be looking for the subject of your latest post. And the people who would be interested in your post won't read it because they won't look for it here.

You're more likely to have a useful discussion if you start a new thread.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Agree with Cathy & Lori. As you can see, Maureen, no one is replying about your post.

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