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erving as a volunteer board member on a homeowners association (HOA) board can be complex and overwhelming. Many HOA volunteers are not experts in areas that they are required to navigate. Financial planning, legal proceedings, conflict resolution, and conducting effective meetings are just a few examples. One daunting area for many board members is technology. So many HOAs underutilize or simply disregard technology solutions because of the perceived complexity, cost, and their own lack of expertise. Stop – this aversion costs HOAs a lot of time, money, and efficiency. We must dispel the stigma of being consumed by technology. With rising costs due to inflation and a new generation of techsavvy, data-driven members, HOAs must evolve and embrace technology to build associations that focus on community health and not only day-to-day operations. In recent years, technology, and software in particular, have come a long way. They are much easier to use, with many people transitioning aspects of their personal and professional lives to digital solutions without even realizing it. From online banking and videoconferencing to filing taxes, technology has reduced stress, improved accuracy, and saved people time and money. Technology has also given them options! Their ability to compare auto or home insurance quotes in minutes makes insurance companies fight for their business, not the other way around. So, if we’re embracing technology in our personal and professional lives, why aren’t homeowners associations doing the same? One 14
ISSUE TWO 2022 | ECHO journal