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HOA Committee Spotlight: Social Committee

group of people talking around a table with coffee

Committees are a crucial part of any successful homeowners’ association (HOA). Comprised of volunteers, HOA committees help support the board of directors so they can focus their efforts on accomplishing operational duties and achieving goals.   

One important HOA committee is the social committee. Tasked with coordinating social events, these committee members promote harmony and work to ensure the community is an all-around great place to live. Read on to learn about an HOA social committee, get HOA social committee ideas, and more.

What’s an HOA Social Committee?

The HOA social committee is a group of homeowners who generate enthusiasm and maintain interest in the managed community lifestyle. They organize social events and activities geared toward homeowners, like block parties, holiday celebrations, and garage sales, to facilitate positive experiences and neighborly interactions.

HOA Social Committee Responsibilities

Social committee responsibilities vary by association. Your governing documents will outline more details about committee roles and requirements, but most social committees:

  • Plan and host events
  • Coordinate logistics
  • Facilitate outreach
  • Fundraise
  • Develop and manage event budgets
  • Create event revenue reports
  • Recruit volunteers
  • Communicate event details
  • Solicit event ideas and feedback from residents
  • Confirm events are safe and comply with the governing documents

To ensure your event is a success, it’s critical to put safety measures into place. Here are our tips for hosting safe community-wide gatherings.

Who Is on the HOA Social Committee?

The social committee typically consists of three to five volunteer homeowners and any interested board members. While no specific experience is required to be on the social committee, it’s helpful to partner with homeowners who are actively involved in the community, passionate about nurturing a vibrant atmosphere, organized, and have a knack for socializing and planning events.

How to Start an HOA Social Committee

If you’re looking to start a social committee in your HOA, here’s what to do:

1. Check your governing documents.

Your governing documents will specify the kinds of committees you can start, how to establish them, and other requirements. Review them carefully and get any clarification before proceeding.

2. Create a charter.

Once you’re approved to start the committee, you’ll need to set expectations and build the framework of the committee in a charter. You should identify the committee’s scope of authority and define its purpose and function. You should also determine:

  • Mission statement
  • Budget allocations
  • How decisions are made
  • How the committee works with the board
  • Leadership and voting structures
  • Term limits
  • Committee lifespan
  • Meeting regulations
  • And more

3. Organize the team.

Detail the responsibilities and activities of the committee and its members. Decide how many members the committee needs, land on an organizational structure, write job descriptions, and recruit volunteers.

4. Get to work!

With the social committee now formally established, you can get to work. Set projects and timelines, have meetings, assign tasks, and have fun!

two women walking in neighborhood

HOA Social Committee Benefits

One of the main reasons residents choose to live in a managed community is the inherent camaraderie. The social committee plays a key part in achieving this harmony and fostering a collaborative environment. Other HOA social committee benefits include:  

1. Regular and well-planned events.

With so much on their plates, board members often lack the time and commitment needed to plan community events. A dedicated social committee guarantees events are well-planned, hosted frequently, and executed smoothly.

2. Improved safety.

Community events encourage neighbors to meet one another. If neighbors have personal relationships, they’re more likely to look out for each other and recognize and report suspicious activity.

3. Better communication.

Poor communication can be detrimental to the community. Social committee events and outreach provide another avenue for HOAs to share information.

4. Minimized conflict.

Involved communities are happier communities. When you know your neighbors, you’re more inclined to find common ground and less likely to have conflicts.

5. Increased property values.

Engaged communities are attractive to prospective buyers. People want to live where they’ll feel connected and at home.

HOA Social Committee Ideas

Every community is different, but HOA social committees usually have many opportunities to host fun in-person and virtual events and engage with the neighborhood. These are some homeowners' association social committee ideas:

  • Block parties
  • Garage sales
  • Holiday celebrations  
  • Community picnics
  • Movie nights
  • Sports tournaments
  • Community clean-up days
  • Educational sessions
  • Community gardens
  • National Night Out events

The popularity of these events will depend on your community’s location, size, and demographic. Don’t be afraid to reach out and ask neighbors for feedback about what events they want to attend or see in the neighborhood.

Ready to plan a more engaging event? Check out how to host the perfect event for your community.

Other Common HOA Committees

Social committees aren’t the only committees that can help board members work more efficiently. Other common HOA committees include:

  • Budget committee
  • Architectural review committee
  • Welcome committee
  • Landscape committee
  • Education committee
  • Neighborhood watch committee
  • Contract review committee

A Complete Guide to HOA Committees

Social committees are just one of the many committees an HOA should have to be successful. Want to learn about other HOA committees, their role and importance in the community, and more? Read our ebook, “The Complete Guide to Community Association Committees.”