Strata buildings and schemes typically need the assistance of some dedicated volunteers to operate effectively. These volunteers form what’s known as a strata committee, and they are responsible for ensuring the long-term success of the scheme while also managing daily concerns. Although it is not a paid role, it can be very rewarding because you have the opportunity to impact your immediate community. However, it’s not always easy to attract people to these roles. Here are some tips to encourage new members.
Talk regularly with owners
Just like any relationship, a strata community thrives on great communication. Often, however, members of the strata committee aren’t particularly well-known. This creates a feeling of separation and discourages people from applying to join.
A way to bridge the gap is to ensure existing committee members regularly speak with owners and residents. Not only does this breed familiarity, but it’s a great place to informally let people know what the committee is up to and make the role seem less daunting.
Speak positively about other committee members
When you do get an opportunity to speak to other owners, make sure you always cast the committee in a good light. Most importantly, never say negative things about the committee itself or individual members. If potential committee members hear you speaking in that way, they may assume the committee isn’t a nice and rewarding group to be a part of.
So, instead, talk about the good work that all committee members do. Praise the efforts of others, and portray the committee as a team that really works together. You don’t want potential members to think they’ll end up having to do everything.
Hire a strata management team
A strata management team performs a range of roles, but essentially they assist the committee with the daily running of the strata scheme. They can be involved a little or a lot. But the presence of a strata management team means that committee members don’t need to deal with the more unpleasant side of things, such as by-laws breaches or parking disputes.
With a management team on board, your committee can be much more fun to be a part of.
Create working groups
Another tip for getting people involved in the strata committee is to establish some small working groups or sub-groups for particular tasks. This way, you can call for volunteers to help with a one-off project, and they don’t feel as pressured. For many, committing to a larger role can be daunting, which is why giving them a taste of committee life through some small tasks is a great way to do it.
Naturally, not everyone will join, but they’ll at least get a chance to see how the committee works and perhaps consider taking on a larger role in future.
Looking for assistance with strata management?
As you can see, there are many ways to encourage owners to join your strata committee. You just need to find the ones that work best for your community. Remember that it takes time and effort, but if you keep at it, you’ll be able to build up a strong group of volunteers who will help make your community better. If you’d like the assistance of a professional strata management team to take the burden off your committee, contact More Than Strata today and we’ll be happy to discuss your needs.
