Community Association Elections: Holding an Election for a Community

‘Society’ is a term used to describe a network of social relationships between individuals. In sociology, it’s an intangible construct, but societies also have another meaning when it comes to formalized governance over a group of individuals. A society can also refer to a formal organization, which is simply a social system structured by clearly laid-out rules, goals, and practices. It functions based on a division of labor and relies on a clearly-defined hierarchy of power.

Major examples of formal or exclusive societies include national and local societies that operate as nonprofits to connect organizations with a common goal. For example, the American Humane Society is a network of local organizations to prevent cruelty and neglect towards children and animals. Your state likely has a Humane Society adoption center for animals!

‘Community’ is also a term that is often used in many contexts. So, how does it translate to a formalized organization? While a society is an umbrella term that can encompass shared ideologies and identities between groups, communities actually fall under that same umbrella, but in their own category. Communities are more focused on building stronger one-to-one relationships among their members, supporting transformational development. Communities can form boards with an election committee to create order for the group.

Common traits of a community are:

• Inclusivity and consensus: Members of a community accept and embrace one another, committing to themselves and others involved in the community. They make decisions and reconcile differences through consensus.
• A group of all leaders: Unlike other formal structures, communities pose greater emphasis on the ‘power of the people.’ The community itself works as one to make decisions, considering factors that will impact all of the individuals.
• Formal or informal: Communities can either be formalized groups or not. Often, communities are an intangible concept tying together people by geography, such as a shared neighborhood or shared demographics. However, communities that are brought together with a formalized structure tend to have a more streamlined process for problem-solving or working towards common goals. They have formalized documents, bylaws, officers, and procedures for their group as well as hold elections.

Associations, unlike communities, are formalized structures of groups of people who have something in common–be it apartment unit owners, a neighborhood, a industry, or a shared vision for the world. A homeowners association is a common association for those who represent a certain neighborhood or building, but professional associations such as the American Bar Association and the American Psychological Association are examples of professional associations geared to a specific industry or field. Associations can also include trade unions, clubs, and volunteer associations. Association elections are held to vote on board membership.

Some key traits of an association are:

• Members organize with a specific purpose or goal in mind.
• They can be long-standing or short-lived.
• Associations require written laws and rules to function.
• Members of the association carry out activities that support the shared goal in mind.