Outdoor, socially-distanced community HOA get-togethers: permitted?

Started by ChrisE8 • 11 replies • 523 views

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ChrisE8
Posts: 454

Posted:

In my HOA (a high-rise residential building), there is a nice roof deck, with nice patio furniture. The few residents who are around often use it when the weather is nice.

I'm new in my HOA and would like to meet more people. The neighbors are great: all nice and professional.

I'd like to meet more people in the building, as the ones I've met are great. I figure that the outdoor roof deck would be a good place for an owner get-together.

Before I email the board and ask permission to send out a building-wide invitation for a get-together (BYOB, just to meet informally, perhaps on a Saturday afternoon):

These days, with Covid-19, would your HOA ban all get-togethers, even outdoor ones? Or would they frown on residents organizing such things?

Thanks.

GeorgeS21 (Florida)
Posts: 3,808

Posted:

Chris,

I waaay get the need to socialize - just moved to a community with clubhouse, pool, sports courts, etc ... to be more social.

BUT ... IMO, cocktail parties are out for now.

ChrisE8
Posts: 454

Posted:

OK, thanks. I figured I might be veering off course with this, so I appreciate your feedback. I won't proceed.

MelissaP1 (Alabama)
Posts: 13,836

Posted:

You have to go by your local and state laws on this. Here we have to wear masks and bars close by 11 pm. Plus there are certain capacity limits.

Even though it is an exciting time being new to the complex, it's not so exciting to be the root of the spread of a virus...

There could be other things you all could do. Make a little game between you all but still social distance. Maybe make a "cross word" puzzle of building facts or a treasure hunt. Something where can be fun without being close. Like Find the "duck" and who had it at their door? Be inventive and creative person not the virus spreader...

Former HOA President

MarkM19 (Texas)
Posts: 1,459

Posted:

Chris,
If I were you I would reach out to the Board and see if they have anyone in charge of Social events. If so contact that person and ask if you can help. They always need help and if you have some ideas about how it can be done while complying with State and Local rules. I am sure that there are others who want to get out and meet in an open air setting. Not sure about how many units your HOA has and what the Rooftop deck has regarding capacity. If you had to break up the meet ups by floors or by age or by any other category you may think of just to make it work. Have a defined schedule so that everyone knows they will be included. NYC is starting to open slowly the last I heard and the timing may be right.

If you have an idea and a plan that works people will be willing to participate. Be ready to carry the load because the person with the idea gets to do a lot of the work.

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Some good ideas for you, Chris.

In our high rise HOA our Lounges (party rooms with kitchens) and pool areas were closed for quite some time. When they reopened, we made emergency rules that no-one could reserves the Lounge and no more than a few people could be in them at a time. The pool area was limited to 10 users and we've now increased to 17 with social distancing required. Gym limit to 7 at a time. No guests are permitted.

Given the all NYC has been through, doesn't your HOA have any rules or guidelines about limited use of your common areas? Not even the elevators??

Best way to meet others is to join a committee. If your HOA has none, maybe you're the person to get a Social Committee started. Since Boards may have closed meetings in NY, are your board meetings closed? Or open to owners?

If I'm in a chatty mood, I can hang out in some lobby seating near our tower's mailroom to open my mail. Folks wander by and conversations happen. Masks are, of course, required in all common areas of our HOA.

TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059

Posted:

Personally, I wouldn't send it building wide.

Start with your floor (as States often have limits on the number that can gather).

ChrisE8
Posts: 454

Posted:

Thanks, everyone.

My HOA has very strict rules in place re: coronavirus. Temperature checks when you enter the building, a ban on guests using common areas, etc.

The roof deck is open, and open to all owners, and people use it, and it’s outdoors, so if owners want to get together on the roof deck, that is compliant with building rules. I just figured that encouraging people who are already allowed to use it, and do, to just talk to each other would be OK. But I appreciate these responses and will hold off. I had a client who asked to get together and I found the request weird, so I definitely appreciate being cautious.

MarshallT (New York)
Posts: 414

Posted:

Hi Chris,

I appreciate that you want to be a friendly neighbor, but it wouldn't be wise to extend an invite to the entire community. If you're really wanting to mingle, you could try arranging a Zoom hangout and sending a link for building members to use.

Good luck!

KerryL1 (California)
Posts: 14,550

Posted:

Say, Chris, I understood your reply until the end, when you wrote: "I had a client who asked to get together and I found the request weird, so I definitely appreciate being cautious."

I can't figure out what this has to do with your roof deck? Or makng friends in your new building?

ChrisE8
Posts: 454

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By KerryL1 on 09/28/2020 1:56 PM
Say, Chris, I understood your reply until the end, when you wrote: "I had a client who asked to get together and I found the request weird, so I definitely appreciate being cautious."

I can't figure out what this has to do with your roof deck? Or makng friends in your new building?

It's unrelated. Sorry.

I had a client who wanted to get together in person. I found that weird- the last thing I want to do is risk getting a virus from a business get-together.

So just as I found it weird for someone to want to get together for business, I could understand that my neighbors and the board would find it weird to want residents to get together.

Thanks again, everyone.

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