Residents Associations in the UK

SETTING THE STANDARD FOR RUNNING
EXCELLENT RESIDENTS ASSOCIATIONS

Like any business or organisation, a residents association is only as good as the people who run it and so we want to encourage RAs to be as well run and effective as they possibly can. We want to make people aware of the great RAs in this country and to inspire others to replicate them. At the same time, we also want to be effective in solving problems within RAs and the individuals who cause them so that necessary adjustments can be made to create harmony in their communities. This takes tremendous skills, empathy and patience and not qualities everyone has naturally but that isn't to say that they can't be learnt or developed.

We have been dealing with several problems faced by individuals in or with residents associations. Running an RA is quite a responsibility but there is no accountability so each RA is a law unto themselves unless they are attached to a local council or housing association. This isn't fair to members who give their time and even money freely to their RA. This causes such unnecessary and additional distress and frustration to good-hearted people because of the different agendas, personalities and egos involved.

Therefore, our aim for 2012 is to provide an organisation that RAs would be proud to be to belong and would like to bring people together to discuss the many issues faced so that every attendee can go back into their communities inspired and equipped to deal with the things they may face from time to time.

In order to attract as many to join us as possible, membership to Residents Associations in the UK is free at this time. However, as we grow there will be the need to form a board of trustees for the governance of the association and to raise funds for further development. There would be different types of membership such as an Individual Membership and a Group Membership (for RAs, Councils, Housing Organisations and other bodies working in the communities in this country). We would need to decide on the membership fees and the standards to which each RA must adhere. A logo for their paperwork will be designed to show they meet such standards.

I feel that the above is quite urgent because of the stressful lives we find ourselves facing and so the last thing is to have a falling out with each other because people are unable to agree or communicate effectively. I hope you will agree with me and let me know how you would like to move things forward after discussion with your neighbours.

If you know of an excellent RA and would like to nominate them for the Best Residents Association of 2012 let us know.