What is a neighborhood association and what is it for?
Neighborhood associations are entities formed by residents of a given geographical area with the objective of improving the living conditions of the community and defending their interests. Through the association, neighbors can work together to solve common problems and improve the quality of life in their environment.
Neighborhood associations usually have a board of directors made up of neighbors elected by the community itself, which is responsible for managing the association and making decisions necessary for the welfare of the community.
The main functions of neighborhood associations include the following:
- Promote coexistence and participation of neighbors in community life.
- Defend the interests and needs of the community before public administrations.
- Organize activities and events to enhance the social and cultural life of the community.
- Manage problems and conflicts that may arise in the community.
In addition, neighborhood associations can also perform other functions, such as managing community facilities, promoting urban and environmental improvement initiatives, or collaborating in the organization of sports activities, among others.
What is the difference between association and community?
It is common to confuse the term “neighborhood association” with “homeowners’ association”, however, they are different but related concepts.
A community of owners refers to a group of owners of a building or group of buildings, which share common elements and are subject to specific regulations governing their operation and management. In this case, the owners have obligations and responsibilities that must be fulfilled in relation to the conservation and maintenance of the common elements, and the management of the common expenses and budgets.
On the other hand, a neighborhood association is an organization created by the neighbors themselves with the aim of defending their common interests, promoting community improvement projects and fostering coexistence among neighbors. In this case, it is not necessary to be a homeowner to be part of the association, and the management of common affairs is not subject to specific regulations, as in the case of the community of owners.
Basically, the main difference between association and community is that the former focuses on the defense of the common interests of the neighbors and the improvement of coexistence, while the latter focuses on the management and conservation of the common elements of the building or group of buildings.
How to create a neighborhood association?
Creating a neighborhood association is not a complicated process, but it requires following certain steps and meeting certain requirements. Before starting, it is important to keep in mind that the creation of a neighborhood association is a process that involves the collaboration and commitment of the entire community.
Steps to create a neighborhood association:
- Meeting of neighbors: the first thing to do is to call a meeting with the neighbors interested in forming the association. The purpose of the association, its objectives and functions should be explained at this meeting.
- Drafting the by-laws: after the meeting, the association’s by-laws must be drafted. These bylaws are a set of rules and regulations that establish the functioning of the association and the rights and obligations of the members. The bylaws should contain important information such as the name and address of the association, the objectives and purposes of the association, the rights and duties of the members, the rules for the election and renewal of the board of directors, the rules for holding assemblies and meetings, the manner in which voting is to be conducted and the provisions for the dissolution of the association. It is essential that the bylaws be clear and precisely drafted, as they will be the basis for the organization and operation of the association. In addition, the bylaws should be updated periodically to adapt to changes in the situation of the association and the needs of its members.
- Constitution of the association: once the bylaws have been drafted, the association must be constituted before a notary public. For this purpose, the bylaws and a list of the founding members, as well as their personal data, must be kept.
- Registration in the National Registry of Associations: Once the association is constituted, it must be registered in the National Registry of Associations of the Ministry of the Interior. To do so, the application and the necessary documentation must be submitted.
To carry out this procedure, it is necessary to submit an application at the Government Delegation or Subdelegation of the province where the registered office of the association is located.As for the presentation of the application, it is possible to do it in person at the corresponding Government Delegation or Subdelegation, or through the telematic platform of the National Registry of Associations, available on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.It is important to note that electronic processing is only available for those associations that have a digital certificate or electronic ID. - Election of the Board of Directors: after registration of the association, the election of the Board of Directors, which will be in charge of the management and direction of the association, must be carried out.
What are the regulations governing the establishment of a neighborhood association?
Among the main obligations established by law for the creation of a neighborhood association is the preparation of bylaws, which detail the rules that will govern the operation of the association. In addition, it is necessary to register the association in the corresponding registry and to keep proper accounting records.
It is also important to note that the law establishes that neighborhood associations have their own legal personality and, therefore, can carry out activities and acquire goods and services in their own name.
Benefits of a neighborhood association
A neighborhood association is a valuable tool for neighbors who live in the same area and want to work together to improve their quality of life. In this way, neighborhood associations have multiple benefits for the members of the community. Here are some of the most important ones:
- Participation in community life: neighborhood associations offer their members the opportunity to actively participate in the life of their community. Neighbors can share their ideas, concerns and proposals to improve their environment and work together on projects that benefit everyone.
- Defense of common interests: the neighborhood association is a body that represents the neighbors before public and private institutions. Thanks to it, neighbors can assert their rights and interests on issues such as urban planning, environment, public safety, etc.
- Improvement of public services: through the neighborhood association, neighbors can work together to achieve improvements in public services in their area. For example, they can demand that the streets be cleaned more frequently or that more litter garbage cans be installed.
- Promotion of coexistence and solidarity: the neighborhood association is a place where neighbors can get to know each other better and establish relationships of friendship and collaboration. This fosters coexistence and solidarity among neighbors, which contributes to creating a more pleasant and welcoming environment in the community.
- Access to information and resources: the neighborhood association can be a valuable source of information for neighbors, for example, on issues related to zoning regulations or grants available to improve the area. In addition, the neighborhood association can manage resources and services that benefit all members of the community, such as cultural or sports activities.
How can eAgora help in the management of communication and participation of the neighborhood association?
Once the association has been created, it is important to count on a communication and participation platform that allows neighbors to be in contact and organize themselves effectively. In this sense, eAgora is a platform that offers different tools and functionalities to facilitate the communication and participation of neighborhood associations, such as the management of events and activities, communication between neighbors and the publication of news and documents of common interest.
In addition, in the case of property administrators, eAgora can also be used to manage communication and participation in the communities they manage. With eAgora, they will be able to improve incident management and communication with neighbors, and offer them a platform where they can consult information and carry out transactions easily and efficiently.
Functionalities to assist in the management of communication and participation of the neighbors.
- Communication between neighbors: eAgora allows neighbors to communicate easily and quickly through an internal and secure chat, avoiding the use of WhatsApp. In this way, they can share information, ask for help or make suggestions immediately and efficiently.
- Incident management: through eAgora, neighbors can report incidents such as building breakdowns or coexistence problems. These incidents are recorded and the property manager or the Board of Directors can follow up and solve them more quickly and effectively.
- Publication of news and documents: eAgora offers a news section where you can publish news or documents of common interest, such as the minutes of the Board of Directors’ meetings. In this way, access to information is facilitated and transparency is promoted.
- Event and activity management: with eAgora you can create and manage events and activities, such as neighborhood meetings, celebrations or sports activities. Neighbors can confirm their attendance and receive reminders, which facilitates organization and improves participation.
In short, eAgora is a very useful all-in-one platform for the management of community communication and participation, both for neighborhood associations and property managers. Thanks to its functionalities, communication, organization and incident management can be improved, leading to better coexistence and a more united community.
Tips for the effective management of a neighborhood association
Managing a neighborhood association can be a challenge, especially when it comes to neighborhood communication and participation. Effective communication and neighborhood participation are the keys to a successful neighborhood association. In addition, it is also important to address other aspects such as safety, cohesion and leadership.
Here are some tips for the effective management of a neighborhood association:
How to manage communication between neighbors?
Managing communication among neighbors can be a challenge for neighborhood associations and communities in general. However, the eAgora platform offers several tools to facilitate this process. One of the most outstanding functionalities is the secure chat, a safe and private alternative to the need to use applications such as WhatsApp to communicate, which is a great advantage in terms of privacy and protection of personal data. In addition, eAgora offers the creation of subagoras, which are specific spaces to discuss particular topics, allowing a better organization of the topics and a more efficient communication.
Another advantage is the possibility of sending notifications through the app. This allows neighbors to be kept informed about relevant news and events in real time.
How to improve the involvement of neighbors in the community and neighborhood?
Neighborhood involvement is essential for creating a cohesive and healthy community. To achieve this, eAgora offers tools and functionalities to encourage the involvement of neighbors, such as the organization of events and activities.
One of the most important functionalities of eAgora is the creation of surveys, which allows to gather the opinion of the neighbors on various topics. Thanks to this tool, it is possible to know the community’s opinion on important issues, such as the remodeling of a common area or the choice of a new maintenance company. In this way, decisions can be made jointly, taking into account the opinions of all the neighbors.
Another valuable tool of eAgora is the possibility of participatory budgeting. In this way, neighbors are allowed to decide how part of the community budget is invested. Neighbors can propose ideas and projects, and then vote for their favorites. In this way, the participation of neighbors is encouraged and decisions are made jointly, which increases the sense of belonging and cohesion in the community.
How to successfully lead a neighborhood association?
eAgora offers you tools and functionalities to facilitate the management of your neighborhood association. With the platform, you can create and manage events and meetings, as well as send notifications to members about them. In addition, you will be able to communicate with members of the association efficiently through a secure chat, where you can share information and make informed decisions in a collaborative manner. The platform also allows you to keep track of the association’s activities and ongoing projects, which will facilitate decision making and progress monitoring. With eAgora, leading your neighborhood association will be much simpler and more efficient.
eAgora is an all-in-one tool essential for the management of a neighborhood association or community in general. It allows for more effective communication, the organization of meetings and events, collaborative decision making and the creation of stronger ties between neighbors. In an increasingly hyper-connected world, we have lost connections as close as door-to-door at home. That is why it is more important than ever to build strong networks and communities. At eAgora, we believe in the importance of connecting people and fostering communication and collaboration in local communities. Don’t hesitate to try eAgora for free and experience the benefits of a well-connected community!
