Your actions as a Strata Council can go further than you think. As we collectively face the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, many residents of community living are adjusting to changes within their own buildings. For some, that means coping with amenities closing, passing by others in the hallways without approaching each other, or not being able to hold in-person meetings.
Because we have all been confined to our homes and immediate neighbourhoods, Strata Councils play a large role in supporting their residents’ physical and mental well-being. In Provincial Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry’s words, we must “be kind, be calm, and be safe” around our neighbours given that we’re now living together 24/7.
To help Council members with Strata Management during these difficult times, we have put together some tips and examples.
It is important that your community hears from you and understands how their strata community is being protected and managed during this time. Keep communication frequent, short and to the point. You want to make sure there is little opportunity for a resident to say “I didn’t know about that.”
Here are a few ways to reach your residents...even in quarantine:
By trying some (or all) of these methods of communication, you can help ensure that residents feel informed and supported during this time.
With physical distancing in place, more people are at home working, studying and caring for children. Our buildings have become very busy places. It is important to remember that our neighbours are more than likely home too. Key challenges include noises from other suites and crowding in communal spaces such as hallways, elevators, and mailrooms.
While we know it can be hard to keep noise levels down – especially when following workout videos or catching up on your latest shows – please remember your neighbours.
If you have a noise concern and need support, submit a help desk ticket through your online platform [for Tribe clients] and your Manager will address it in a timely manner.
Now more than ever, your community needs to be informed. With in-person contact being highly discouraged, now is the time to go digital.
Since the start of quarantine, security has been a top concern. Although the number of break-ins is starting to return to normal (as of May 2020), there has been a recent spike in early April. As such, we need to stay connected with our neighbours.
Create a group on a platform like WhatsApp, Facebook or others, and invite your neighbours. You can use this to stay informed, share resources and help each other. Zoom calls are also a great way to communicate about urgent issues.
We’ve seen incredible displays of generosity and community-building in our communities. People have come together using our Tribe Home Community Platform. Some of our residents have posted offers of food and toiletries, while others have asked for assistance with getting medicine while in quarantine. We support our communities by keeping everyone informed – providing important building notices, a secure place to store meeting minutes, and instructions on how to successfully run your next virtual Strata Council meeting.
One of our council members offered to pick up groceries for his fellow neighbours on bazinga!
There are three primary Strata Management communication features in the bazinga! Community Platform:
The Loop is a two-way community forum where residents & administrators such as Strata Council members, the property management team and other staff can post information, ask questions and comment. Here, Strata Councils can post common COVID-19 FAQs and address specific protocols for the building.
Learn how The Loop helps improve communication in our communities.
Using our app, residents can submit requests for help, report issues about your community and find commonly asked questions and answers. Strata Council members and other administrators can manage these requests in the form of tickets. This ensures that nothing gets lost and all concerns are communicated in a timely manner.
Need to send a private email? You can do this via Messages to all registered users of Tribe Home. To maintain residents’ privacy, unit numbers have been hidden and full names are abbreviated.
We’ve loved the kind gestures we've seen on our platform, and we’re committed to our mission of connecting communities through heartfelt service and innovative technology.
Our world and how we operate it is changing faster than ever right now as we adhere and adjust to different levels of our current pandemic. It is important to look ahead and plan for situations that we may face with our "new norm".
Have you established a contingency plan in the event that your building staff can’t come to work? What about if your concierge falls sick? With new circumstances, every day now is the best time to educate ourselves.
During this period, Strata Councils must be prepared to take the lead. To guide you through the process, here are a few things to consider doing:
Stay up to date. Be prepared to adjust your plan and communicate these changes to your residents. By following community management best practices you can help minimize the disruptions of COVID-19 in your community.
There’s no question that spending more time at home will require Strata Councils to be more vigilant in enforcing the rules. Please do your best to work with your fellow Strata Council members and residents to keep the following in mind:
By reminding your residents of the regulations established within your building, you can effectively manage your strata during this time.
This can be a scary time for us, but it doesn’t have to be. We’re all in it together.
Take some time to consider the needs of your residents and begin planning with your Strata Council members. Find a platform that not only allows for fluid communication but also helps keep your community protected. Safety is the most important thing during this time.
At Tribe, we're on a mission to build happier and healthier communities through connection and education and to help Strata Councils succeed.