Ideas and Accusations?

Started by NicoleO4 • 14 replies • 1687 views

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NicoleO4 (California)
Posts: 160

Posted:

Hello all, I am in the process of doing our Summer Newsletter for our complex. I did one very recently for Spring, but giving there is lots of things going on earlier in July we decided to go ahead and put this out.

Question for all? I have the standard stuff on a three page newspaper like publication. First page important stuff like projects, firework laws, water shut off regulations ect. Things that have been an issue for us and of course the annual bbq. 2nd page has natural ideas for bird deterrence ( a big problem here ) and a bit of welcome stuff for our new homeowners. Third page had a review of a local eatery by me ( this is just for fun... ) and homeowners who wish to list a service they'd like to advertise ect.

I submitted the very same type of newsletter a month ago and homeowners loved it. They loved the fun stuff in the back and it made the board look like friendlier bunch.

I submitted an add asking for donations for yard sale to raise donations for a charity that I am very involved in, I have one homeowner who asked for pet setting services listed... that homeowner requested that I be contacted and then forward the person to the correct party just because she didn't want to advertise her # and email. ( her daughter is 14 and is the one who is providing the service and as a minor )

I am wondering if this is done in other communities? One board member accused me of promoting my own agenda with our newspaper. Please note that all homeowners are aware of services and things can be advertised in our paper. Is it wrong that I am trying to raise funds for the National MS Society and promoting it through our newspaper?

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Nicole,

Sounds like you've got a great newsletter -- kudos to you! :-)

I see no problem with soliciting for a charity you are involved with as long as it's made clear that any h/o has the same opportunity to do so. The only problem I could foresee with this is that if you get too many such "news items" you may not have room for all. How would you pick or choose which ones to include in the newsletter? I'm sure you have to be careful how many pages each newsletter is to keep the printing costs down.

MjO (utah)
Posts: 10

Posted:

Do you have a small committee that could oversee the content of the newsletter, then come to an agreement as to what the newsletter content should be? If you have been appointed the "newsletter" person and do not report back to the HOA board for content review, then you have the authority to establish the newsletter content. My recommendation would be to make sure somewhere in every newsletter you put verbiage about homeowners are welcome / encouraged to submit articles to the newsletter. Your notice you described is similar to the town newspaper publishing current events just to make the community aware of what's happening. Maybe start a column title "Current Events" just as notification of any fund raisers etc. Bulk up your approach and open the door of opportunity for your community, that should shut down the nay sayers.

NicoleO4 (California)
Posts: 160

Posted:

Yes the newsletter is completely open to all homeowners, and it has been posted as such on how to contact me for listing. Our board reviews a rough draft before I clean it up and send it out.

The Board member who was belly aching is not a happy person as his home was just listed as a quick sale. He doesnt' offer great feed back just finger pointinng... and moaning. Finances are an issue for everyone right now and even more reason for people to submit services that they can do from home... every bit helps!

NicoleO4 (California)
Posts: 160

Posted:

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

If the newsletter publication is paid for by the HOA, then it is an "official" communication from the Board and Association. Therefore, some kind of committee ought to be screening it, just to do an overview of the content. Sorry, this is for liability.

The Board president ought to be writing a Message to the Residents column, also.

Keep up the good work. I'd love a person like you in our community!

NicoleO4 (California)
Posts: 160

Posted:

Check it out.. I donate the paper and printing. it is ok'd by the board itself. We are in the clear.... I keep emails that prove it's authorized.

EllenS1 (Florida)
Posts: 1,148

Posted:

Nicole04,

You have one consolation...the belly acher will soon be gone. Sounds like you are doing a great job and I'm sure the homeowners appreciate being kept informed. Keep up the good work and turn a deaf ear to the complainer. Just think of his complaining as a form of entertainment for him..sad! The less response he gets the more likely it is he will keep quiet.

MicheleS3 (Florida)
Posts: 30

Posted:

I handle the newsletter for our HOA and I would really enjoy knowing what "fun stuff" you came up with for your newsletter.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

I have to slightly disagree with a few of the comments.

I produce newsletters, and have done so for a few decades.

While there is nothing inherently "wrong" with you promoting your pet charity, the fact is you have a unique position in that you have the "podium," so to speak. And, therefore, are getting a huge benefit (cost-wise) by including your own pet charities in the newsletter, while no others appear to be presented.

The fact of the matter is, it truly is an issue of "appearances" and "perception."

And, as we all are too well aware, "Perception IS reality."

So the "fingerpointing" board member is absolutely correct.

You should not be using the newsletter as a platform to solicit donations your pet charities, unless others are already using it to do so.

It gives the appearance of abuse of position. And I'm sure that you are not going to go to each and every home and explain to each homeowner in person why you think it's "okay" for you to include promotions for your charity and that they are more than welcome to include theirs as well.

Nip the appearance of any impropriety in the bud and actively go out and seek additional Homeowners to put in little plugs for their own charities. Don't just be passive and wait and then say, "well anyone else can do it, too." Go the extra step and do it now yourself. It's not hard, and I'm sure you would only need one or two additional to help reduce the appearance that you are using the newsletter as a tool to advance your own agenda, as opposed to just being a homeowner taking advantage of the opportunity to get the "word out" to the community.

I'm sure you might have a neighbor or two involved in a few charitable organizations who would love to have you make a mention in the newsletter for them as well.

I would also not use my own name or contact information for the woman to advertise her 14-year-old daughter's pet sitting (or any other) service. If the woman wants her daughter to be in business, she needs to set up a contact procedure that she has access to/control of. If the HOA has a main contact number, that's an option, but you should not be putting yourself in the position of acting as receptionist for homeowners who want to place ads. I can't even begin to list the variety of ways this could come back to bite you in the rear.

BradP (Kansas)
Posts: 2,640

Posted:

My thoughts are that there should be nothing in your newsletter other than official HOA business and news. All other content should have to buy space to advertise their product, business, service or organization. I sold advertising for our newsletter for over a year.

NicoleO4 (California)
Posts: 160

Posted:

Thanks for your input. Our newsletter is going to remain as it. The man who was having an issue with this is "better" as he asked to put in his own advertisement. He completely misunderstood what the newsletter read.

FYI... NOWHERE DID I SAY I WAS PROMOTING A PET CHARITY. LAST TIME I CHECKED MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS .. WAS A HUMAN DISESASE. I know some posts are long , but to make such storng comments without ready any post makes one thing that the ready and responder is so excited to type the opposing opinion that the complete content wasn't even read....

Please do not respond further as for myself this issue and our HOA is fine with as things are.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

I read your post. You apparently didn't read OR didn't understand mine.

You support the organization, it is a "pet" (preferred) charity for you.

You prefer to spend your time and energy working to promote the donations and charitable contributions to that particular "HUMAN DISEASE." I can't help it if you have limited understanding of the term "pet charity."

The fact that you are using your own newsletter to promote your "pet (preferred) charity" and SOLICIT for donations will not matter if "yourself" and your "HOA" are "FINE" with it.

The perception is that you are using a bully pulpit (your access to the newsletter) in ways that might be perceived as unfair to others.

You need to do a better job of reading the posts yourself and take the chip off your shoulder. If you don't want constructive criticism, don't post asking for it.

If all you want are people to stroke you and say "everything you do is peachy keen," then say so up front and people won't waste their time providing you with their advice (based on years of experience in many cases).

You asked. I answered. I think if you want to do it in a manner that is UPFRONT and not open to accusations of abuse of power, then you would be well advised to ask around for a few other people to go ahead and promote some charities or "good causes" of their own.

For example, have someone ask for donations of handmade quilts for Project Linus (a national organization whose mission it is to it to provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer "blanketeers."

By including one or two other similar "requests for donations" you effectively diffuse the perception of using the newsletter to your own, singular advantage.

Guess what? Project Linus is SOMEBODY'S "pet charity." And they don't provide blankets for "pets," but for very human kiddos.

BridgetteC (Michigan)
Posts: 4

Posted:

It takes a special person to put effort into the community, and that should be commended. I also agree with other postings that it could get overwhelming to allow all such requested ads. You may need to limit the number of such ads per newsletter on a first come first serve. Also criteria is an absolute must.
I often find that if you reply to complaints with an offer to allow them to help with the next newsletter, you will find that they are willing or just wanted to complain. Either way you have silenced a complaint and you may find you have some well needed help.

NicoleO4 (California)
Posts: 160

Posted:

Never heard of the term pet charity so sorry... that term has never been heard by my ears.
None the less no chip on my shoulder...

Since this posting the whiner has been silenced since he could also ADD HIS OWN BUSINESS... how unusual is that? He is happy with the newsletter now.. lol and so are the rest of us.

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