PennyG1 (Georgia)
Posts: 7
Posts: 7
Posted:
What processes have your Welcome Committee implemented that has been effective for your Subdivision
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Welcome Committee
Started by PennyG1 • 4 replies • 2895 views
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AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960
Posts: 960
Posted:
We dump a big 'ol packet of rules and regulations on their front step with a letter telling them to comply, "OR ELSE". That always makes people feel welcome.
Just kidding of course. We don't have a real welcome committee but I've read replies here from others who do, so I hope some of them chime in and tell you what they do.
Just kidding of course. We don't have a real welcome committee but I've read replies here from others who do, so I hope some of them chime in and tell you what they do.
PennyG1 (Georgia)
Posts: 7
Posts: 7
Posted:
Well AnnaD2
(Florida)
You ended my night with a big laugh out loud. Laughter is healthy and I thank you for that
(Florida)
You ended my night with a big laugh out loud. Laughter is healthy and I thank you for that
AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960
Posts: 960
Posted:
Penny I was glad I was able to give you a laugh. I'm sorry others haven't responded because I've seen good replies about this topic before. So I searched into the archives on this sight and found a discussion about Welcome Baskets. I'll post it for you here. We can just pretend all these people answered your question.
EdF2
(Georgia)
Posts:1
05/05/2008 8:55 AM Quote Reply
I am new to HOA involvement. Our association is still relatively young and our social committee wants to come up with a way to welcome newcomers. I have read the welcome basket posts but would like some more current responses if anyone has new ideas. Thank you for your help.
GlenL
(Ohio)
Posts:1552
05/06/2008 2:48 AM Quote Reply
Ed I don't have anything new to add about baskets but I would suggest reading Bruce's excellent post about what to say to new homeowners to explain Association living when you give them the baskets.
http://www.hoatalk.com/Forum/tabid/55/forumid/1/postid/44694/view/topic/Default.aspx
MicheleS3
(Florida)
Posts:22
05/07/2008 8:14 AM Quote Reply
We don't give newcomers baskets, but we do send a Welcome Package. This package consists of a letter informing the newbies of the existence of the HOA, which they should already be aware of, but serves as a reminder. It also includes a contact list for board members, the most recent newsletter, a paperback book that is published by the local newspaper with tons of information about the area, and a colorful flyer that suggests ways to be a good neighbor. We also include a copy of our CCR's - just in case their realtor or title company did not make them aware! We've had lots of thanks for sending it. I would like to add a gift card, maybe for a local restaurant, like a pizza place, you know how hectic moving can be! But so far, can't get the rest of the board to go along with that.
I think your idea of a basket is great. I haven't seen the welcome basket posts so I don't know what ideas you have already seen, but some of the things you could include might be a restaurant gift card. You might check with your local chamber of commerce or newspaper and see if they publish any informational pamplets about your area. Good luck!
MaryA1
(Arizona)
Posts:3045
05/10/2008 11:39 AM Quote Reply
Michele,
Have you tried soliciting a favorite pizza place for free coupons? These coupons appear all the time in local newspapers, perhaps they would give you a number of them to hand out to new members. It wouldn't cost the assn anything but would be a goodwill gesture that I'm sure would be much appreciated by a new member.
MikeS1
Posts:0
05/10/2008 12:04 PM Quote Reply
Out welcome basket consists of a quick reference guide on trash days, basic parking rules, important telephone number and other community guidelines. Then hit the dollar store and pickup some cheaps plastic utility baskets, a flashlights, a candle, an inexpensive tackhammer set and picture hangers, along with the magnet holding contact phone numbers for essential services, as well as UM Committees and information." Also included is a welcome letter from the HOA. In addition, the committee can get gift $10 certificates from local restaurants and neighboring stores that want draw in new customers. Then when you drop them off the basket, invite them personally to the next board meeting. This is an excellent opportunity for them to meet their new neighbors and also a great opportunity for the BOD to recruit new volunteers.
MicheleS3
(Florida)
Posts:22
05/12/2008 9:47 AM Quote Reply
Good ideas!
MarleneS
(Texas)
Posts:7
06/10/2008 1:34 AM Quote Reply
Our welcome baskets did well initially after residents donated items from their businesses. After a while it got too taxing since there was a lot of turnover in the neighborhood. Now, the Women's Club hosts a monthly meeting and they require all participants to bring one (1) item to donate to the gift baskets (gift cards, candles, gardening tools, etc.)
Add Reply
Forums > Homeowner Association > HOA Discussions > Welcome Baskets
EdF2
(Georgia)
Posts:1
05/05/2008 8:55 AM Quote Reply
I am new to HOA involvement. Our association is still relatively young and our social committee wants to come up with a way to welcome newcomers. I have read the welcome basket posts but would like some more current responses if anyone has new ideas. Thank you for your help.
GlenL
(Ohio)
Posts:1552
05/06/2008 2:48 AM Quote Reply
Ed I don't have anything new to add about baskets but I would suggest reading Bruce's excellent post about what to say to new homeowners to explain Association living when you give them the baskets.
http://www.hoatalk.com/Forum/tabid/55/forumid/1/postid/44694/view/topic/Default.aspx
MicheleS3
(Florida)
Posts:22
05/07/2008 8:14 AM Quote Reply
We don't give newcomers baskets, but we do send a Welcome Package. This package consists of a letter informing the newbies of the existence of the HOA, which they should already be aware of, but serves as a reminder. It also includes a contact list for board members, the most recent newsletter, a paperback book that is published by the local newspaper with tons of information about the area, and a colorful flyer that suggests ways to be a good neighbor. We also include a copy of our CCR's - just in case their realtor or title company did not make them aware! We've had lots of thanks for sending it. I would like to add a gift card, maybe for a local restaurant, like a pizza place, you know how hectic moving can be! But so far, can't get the rest of the board to go along with that.
I think your idea of a basket is great. I haven't seen the welcome basket posts so I don't know what ideas you have already seen, but some of the things you could include might be a restaurant gift card. You might check with your local chamber of commerce or newspaper and see if they publish any informational pamplets about your area. Good luck!
MaryA1
(Arizona)
Posts:3045
05/10/2008 11:39 AM Quote Reply
Michele,
Have you tried soliciting a favorite pizza place for free coupons? These coupons appear all the time in local newspapers, perhaps they would give you a number of them to hand out to new members. It wouldn't cost the assn anything but would be a goodwill gesture that I'm sure would be much appreciated by a new member.
MikeS1
Posts:0
05/10/2008 12:04 PM Quote Reply
Out welcome basket consists of a quick reference guide on trash days, basic parking rules, important telephone number and other community guidelines. Then hit the dollar store and pickup some cheaps plastic utility baskets, a flashlights, a candle, an inexpensive tackhammer set and picture hangers, along with the magnet holding contact phone numbers for essential services, as well as UM Committees and information." Also included is a welcome letter from the HOA. In addition, the committee can get gift $10 certificates from local restaurants and neighboring stores that want draw in new customers. Then when you drop them off the basket, invite them personally to the next board meeting. This is an excellent opportunity for them to meet their new neighbors and also a great opportunity for the BOD to recruit new volunteers.
MicheleS3
(Florida)
Posts:22
05/12/2008 9:47 AM Quote Reply
Good ideas!
MarleneS
(Texas)
Posts:7
06/10/2008 1:34 AM Quote Reply
Our welcome baskets did well initially after residents donated items from their businesses. After a while it got too taxing since there was a lot of turnover in the neighborhood. Now, the Women's Club hosts a monthly meeting and they require all participants to bring one (1) item to donate to the gift baskets (gift cards, candles, gardening tools, etc.)
Add Reply
Forums > Homeowner Association > HOA Discussions > Welcome Baskets
DuaneW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 34
Posts: 34
Posted:
Hi Penny, we used to do a really nice gift basket, complete with a hand-made bow, but the turnover just got to be too much. So now, we bake cookies and go greet the newcomers with a folder with newsletters in it, a map of the neighborhood (it's a hand drawn map with names on the houses so they can see who lives around them.) Phone numbers of: Motor Vehicle Dept, Voting etc. along with utilities, schools and amenities in the community. Plus a condensed version of the CCR's.
We use a regular school folder with a clear front so that is the cover page with the Board Member's Names clearly seen. It also has brads in the center so that it holds everything pretty neatly.
Good luck with the committee.
We use a regular school folder with a clear front so that is the cover page with the Board Member's Names clearly seen. It also has brads in the center so that it holds everything pretty neatly.
Good luck with the committee.
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