Residents at Rolling Greens, Ocala, staying active.
If you ever talk to someone who loves where they live you’ll often hear the same thing. They love the community! For many people living miles from family, the friends surrounding them become their loved ones.
Fostering this feeling in your manufactured home communities and RV Resorts is so important. These communities aren’t just houses in close proximity, for many they represent home, family and a sense of belonging. But communities like this don’t just happen, they are built over years and become neighborhoods sharing experiences, laughter and love.
At Newby Management, we believe this sense of community is one of the most important aspects of managing manufactured home communities and RV Resorts. As such, we wanted to give you five ways to help your residents get involved in your community.
1. HOST MONTHLY EVENTS
Each month, plan several events that will bring the residents of your community together. Whether it’s something small, like coffee and donuts, or something bigger like a potluck, your residents will enjoy getting to meet each other. Each event will begin to feel more and more like a family reunion.
2. USE SOCIAL MEDIA
Today, communities are built in person and online. If you’re hosting monthly events in your manufactured home community, let people know about it! Get your residents talking on social media, whether you’re asking them to share pictures or use a certain hashtag. Eventually you’ll have a community of people who love promoting you! Plus, if your community caters to snowbirds they can stay involved during the summer months, too.
3. CREATE SOCIAL CLUBS
When people move into your community, screen them for their interests. Create a form that lets people select the type of things they like to do. For example, photography, knitting, running, woodworking, etc. Then you can give your new resident information on others in the community who like the same thing, what time social clubs meet and how to best get involved. Some people are too shy to find people who like the same things they do, so this gives them a head start!
4. CREATE BUZZ
If you’re hosting an event in your community, make sure to create some buzz. Pass out flyers, hang banners and get people talking. When people come into your office remind them about the event and tell them to bring a friend. Use social media to help your cause. If you’re excited about the events going on other people are going to get excited too! Once word gets around you’re more likely to have a full house.
5. ENGAGE THE LONERS
Sometimes people will come to events but will sit by themselves. Engage these people, talk to them about their interests, see if they filled out an interest sheet. If not, have them do one. Introduce them to people at the event with similar interests. Try to help them engage with the community around them. Sometimes shy people just need a little budge to become the social butterfly!
At Newby Management, we believe strongly in the power of community. We strive to promote a sense of fun, friendship and fellowship for all our residents. That’s part of why we host strawberry socials in the spring and chicken BBQs in the summer. We love to see our residents get together and have good times! How do you promote resident involvement in your manufactured home community?