Annual meeting turnout

Does anyone have any creative ideas on how to raise turnout at annual meetings ? We have not attained a quorum in many years, and I was wondering if anyone had any ideas that worked for them. I was thinking of a door prize , but I didn't know what an appropriate value should be to entice people to to come.

We send newsletters and post signs at our entrances. Our signs are dry-erase so we don't incur a cost every time we have a meeting.

Our 2nd annual meeting yesterday brought a 25% turnout. And the hot topic was that we are raising assessments and doing improvements next year. We even sent out a survey (and put it on our website) on asking how much people were willing to spend and what they wanted to see happen. We only got 5% response!!

It was said to me that because we only charge $100 per year, and there have been no major problems internally that affects the homeowners, that no one cares. They don't come to the meetings because it isn't important to them...yet. Our Board looks at it as a good thing at this point- we have the trust and support of the members so much so that they don't come to question us. We also have good communication via email so most individual issue sget solved that way.

We also are considering some sort of door prize for next year. We have a number of local restaurants. Most are willing to donate a gift certificate or grant a discount on one. We might go that way. or perhaps some sort of electronics item. TV's are so inexpensive but make a big impact when you give them away!

Let me know if you come up with a good idea...I'm listening.

Lisa

There are some interesting ideas in this news article from a HOA in Arizona, like giving away free dues:

http://www.newszap.com/articles/2005/11/01/az/west_valley/arrow01.txt

My Association is a property owners association with some owners living out of the country.
At the annual meeting and even the Board meetings the
same people always show up. To reach a quorum we send out limited proxies if voting on anthing
and to be counted as presence at the meeting. This way we usually
are able to reach a quorum to hold the meeting. If we do not obtain a quorum we adjourn the meeting until a quorum
can be obtained. Sometimes it takes a few phone calls and another
request to the members to return the proxy if they are unable
to attend the meeting. Our proxy is valid for 90 days from the date
of the meeting for which it was originally given This has helped
us in attaining a quorum to hold meetings and vote on important
matters concerning the Association. This Association is in Florida.