Condo Living

July 12, 2024 Published by Golden Horseshoe Chapter - By Craig McMillan

A Summer to Remember

From the Volume 20, Summer 2024 issue of the CCI GHC Condo News Magazine

Summer in Canada is best described as fleeting and before we know it, we will all be bracing ourselves for the cold winter months that seem to stay long past their welcome.

So how can a condominium community squeeze every drop of sunshine out of summer and build community engagement at the same time?

A good place to start is to establish a dedicated “Summer Fun Committee” and solicit the community for committee members. Look for enthusiastic and passionate people that match the goal of making the most out of the summer months.

Surveying the residents to obtain a list of possible summer activities and tailoring that list to what is possible for the community to achieve is a great way to start. Remember to consider any constraints that may get in the way of the “Fun” and determine when and where the events would occur.

Once the list of events is set, the details will need to be communicated to the wider community. Share the event details early and often requesting an RVSP to help the committee plan for resources based on expected attendance numbers for each event. It’s also a good idea to share photos and positive comments of previous events to drive more participation within the community for any future events.

If your condominium has neighbouring communities, consider inviting those neighbours to a dedicated event. Expanding the invitation list will help build a wider community spirit beyond the condominium boundaries.  

Consider utilizing existing common elements within the community and any amenities including parks, playgrounds, swimming pools, tennis courts or party rooms to hold the function. This will help to reduce the costs of any event and help to raise community engagement as they are being held close to home.

Barbeque gatherings are always popular. These gatherings are relaxed and less formal, creating organic opportunities for residents to reconnect after the winter months and forge new friendships which in turn strengthens relationships within the community.

Take advantage of technology that is widely available to hold an outdoor movie night, and this can be tailored towards different demographics. Consider a movie classic night or a family friendly movie night – the possibilities for themed movie events are endless. Coordinating fitness groups, yoga on the lawn or walking clubs, all of which will encourage residents to come together and to stay active.

Thinking outside the box, there are ways to engage with the community on a different level. Some thought could be given to offering gardening tips from a professional gardener or hosting a soil and flower day, education workshops on subjects like fire prevention or personal skill building topics. Providing refreshments at these events will ensure good attendance.

In conclusion, engaging your residents in the summer months requires creativity, collaboration, and a time commitment from the “Summer Fun Committee”. The results of these collective efforts will promote community involvement from the residents and provide some memorable events and lasting memories to keep your residents smiling, even on the coldest of winter nights.

Craig McMillan, RCM, ACCI, LCCI, CMCA, CAPM - Maple Ridge Community Management Craig McMillan is President of Maple Ridge Community Management (MRCM) an Associa Company. He has been a Condominium Professional since 2003. Craig holds his RCM designation from ACMO, and his ACCI and LCCI designation from CCI-National. He is a member of the Project Management Institute and holds his Certified Associate in Project Management designation CAPM.

He currently serves on the Board of Directors for ACMO and ACMO’s Membership & Programs Committee as well as the Condo Conference Committee hosted by ACMO & CCI-Toronto.

He also serves on the Professional & Business Partners Committee and the Communications Committee with CCI-GHC, as well as an inaugural member of CMRAO’s Advisory Committee. He is a frequent speaker at industry events & conferences, as well as contributing articles for various industry publications.