Entry Signs

We have a cul-de-sac neighborhood with one entrance/exit. We are buying a sign to put in the entry way that has the name of our HOA and has a encased and locked dry erase board that allows us to post meetings, news, etc.

Now, here's my question.......what are the pros / cons to putting our associations PO Box address on the sign. A few people that I have talked with have said this is a bad idea, but have not elaborated. Should we just put our Boards email address on the signs and not the mailing address?

What do you folks think?

Unless the email address is specific to the HOA and stays the same when officers change I wouldn't use that. If your community can afford it I would suggest a web address instead i.e. www.happydayshoa.com that way you can continuously change the contact information.

What ever you do I would suggest some form of this phrase on your sign: "This is a deed restricted community" to let prospective buyers know right up front that there are covenants that must be complied with.

David,

I know entry signs can be extremely expensive so I would think the board would want to limit what is put on the sign and also not put something on that might change in the future. The name of the HOA and perhaps the street address (or just the number -- the same as what you see on business signs). Anything else would just add to the cost of the sign, and IMO, isn't really needed.

I personally would put the name of the HOA and if it can be done tastefully, the web address. Yes, it is a sign of the times. I recall telling my dad back in the mid 90's that it would go this route. (But I didn't see companies choosing to put the ".com" in their names. I will reserve comment regarding what I think of that practice.)

Carole:

I agree the PO Box is the least invasive method of communication. But, I would counter with the fact that we are on the technology and information super speedway right now. We want it faster, better and then even faster and better than yesterday. When I want information I send an email or call them, I get that information from a website. I haven't sent a letter requesting information in well over 10 years. With that in mind I would argue that your association will look like it is behind the times if it posts a po box on there and not a web address. Best case scenario for return time on a letter is 2-3 days, best case. Best case scenario for return time on a call from a number of email on a website is right now...that information if crucial for potential homebuyers and your current members.

I agree with your earlier statements, probably the intent is something to look at. Also, how much money do you want to spend, you can get LED message centers for a decent cost now that are great looking...but probably not financial feasible for most.

Let me clear up what our intentions are. We want a sign that is not permanent. Merely put out when we have announcements, meetings, events, etc. We don't have alot of money to spend, but we want something that gets the job done. Poor communication has been the downfall of past Boards and we want to seize every opportunity to keep our neighborhood informed.

Sorry I was not more informative at the beginning. I know dry erase board is not real classy, but any other options, examples, pics would be welcomed.

Thanks-

David,

You may want to look into an email method of communicating as well. You can get a list hosted by Google (or another provider) for free. It is also fast and very weather resistant.

Carole,

As for the choice between a PO box and a web site, I suppose it depends on the person. I would much rather deal with a web site. I use gmail for my email and just don't have any problem with spam. And a web site can hide the email address. You can also setup the annoying "capchas" so that a real person has to use it to send something. (But please choose a system with alternative methods for the blind people in the world.)

I mean....Can't the public get the info- doubt the teens would want it..LOL

Email communication in our community is a waste of time, and could be a legal issue, as well, considering how few of our 300+ members use email. Yes, we have a website. Yes, we have dedicated email. Yes, we have communication "forums." But we have less than 5 percent of our residents who regularly use the internet, much less have an email account.

I'm also not crazy about the idea of a dry erase board, since it's awfully small. That would mean whoever is driving in or out would actually need to STOP the vehicle and then get out and go over to read it.

There are all sorts of new digital temporary signage that is rentable that could accomplish some of what you want, if you just need something temporary for special announcements, etc.

These are replacing what used to be those temporary signs like churches use. I've been told they are much cheaper now, too.

Good luck.

By the way, there is a website that will mail cards for something like $.04 over USPS postage to any size mailing list you provide. You can select the card and use your own text inside. It can be a folded card, or even just a postcard. It's called sendoutcards.com and it works, from your end, very much like just sending out an electronic communication (email). But then they "convert" the electronic message to hard copy and mail it for you. I admit that I haven't used the service yet, but it seems it will fill in that communication "gap" for us, since it usually takes us about 3 to 4 days turnaround to produce a mailing.