Is a Property Owners Association a Civic Organization?

Property owners associations (POA) are not to be confused with HOAs (homeowners associations). While a homeowners association is usually highly localized to a subdivision or a condo complex, a POA includes all property owners, including businesses. 

POAs exist as groups of property owners joining together to improve the value of properties while advocating on behalf of the owners of these properties. They typically have elections for the association to determine leadership. 

What Is a Civic Organization?

A civic organization shares many characteristics of a POA, but its goals are different. A civic organization is a group of people working together to create change within society. This could be localized, such as a community watch organization, or it could begin at the local level and become a national organization. 

Here are some examples of well-known civic organizations:

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Founded in the 1980s, the title of this organization explains its origins as a community of mothers who had lost children to drunk driving accidents. Through its tireless advocacy, MADD has worked with state and local governments to pass legislation aimed at curbing drunk driving. It has been highly successful, as drunk driving deaths per capita have decreased steadily since its inception. 

Crime Stoppers

A prominent anti-crime organization founded in 1976, Crime Stoppers was formed to increase the rate at which criminals were caught. Since its founding, this organization has been responsible for awarding more than $4 billion in cash rewards, leading to the arrest of some 600,000 criminals. 

How Does a POA Work?

The easiest way to explain how a POA works is to provide an example. Let’s say there is a bustling downtown district where local businesses and property owners operate. Over time, the crime rate increases and road maintenance falls behind–these things affect the property values and economic status of the area. 

So, what authority does a property owners association have? If the people who own the property in this area are part of a legally recognized POA, they can advocate on behalf of business owners. They can also appeal to the municipal and state governments to take better care of the region, and they can file lawsuits requiring the government to act.

Property owners associations do not have to be incorporated, but from a legal standpoint, incorporation gives them a much better bargaining position, as they are organized under a legal framework. 

How Are They Similar?

Both POAs and civic organizations want to create change in their communities and advocate on behalf of their members to state and local governments. If the organizations are incorporated (even if they are not for profit) they often share the same legal structure. This legal structure ensures that there are corporate bylaws and rules, requires that elections are held, and allows members to vote on proposals. 

The best way of scheduling, conducting, and tallying the results of these votes is by utilizing modern online voting platforms like ElectionBuddy. These systems are not only safe and secure, but are more convenient than paper or mail ballots. 

By ensuring that your organization has the best and most convenient voting tools at its disposal, you can help your organization flourish and become more transparent to its members.

In Conclusion

Property owners associations and civic organizations both unify and empower their members. Depending on what your goals are, a POA might be the best way for you to achieve them.