Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1427282
29 ASK A COMMUNITY MANAGER Q How Can Communities Spread Holiday Cheer? One of the biggest benefits of living in a managed community is an overall sense of unity and belonging. Whether it's getting together for a good cause or sharing recipes with neighbors, managed communities offer residents a chance to engage and build lasting bonds. In celebration of the holiday season, we asked Jesse Dubuque, CMCA®, to share his expert advice for spreading cheer within the community and beyond. A There are so many ways to bring good tidings and joy to your neighborhood. Ideas for the upcoming winter festivities include: • Hosting a dessert swap. Invite residents to bring their favorite holiday treats to a party. Mix and match the treats and create goodie bags for attendees to take home. • Putting on a show. Reach out to a nearby school or club and ask if they have a choir, band, or comedian that can perform for your community. • Tapping into your competitive spirit. Encourage residents to deck their outdoor spaces with tasteful décor. Then, hold a contest and have everyone vote for the best displays. • Making it a season of giving. Place donation boxes around the community and collect toys, nonperishables, or toiletries for local charities and pet shelters to pick up. Remember, you can build holiday cheer any time! Holding inclusive, secular activities and events year-round will show the spirit of the season while making everyone feel welcome. For example, you can organize a picnic for Independence Day or plant trees for Earth Day. A community is made up of all sorts of people, and bringing them together for a common cause is exactly what it's all about. " " Jesse Dubuque is a General Manager for Associa Minnesota and oversees a large master-planned community. He works tirelessly to provide superior communication and customer service to his clients. Jesse has been a licensed Realtor® in the state of Minnesota since 1999 and has been a valued Associa Minnesota team member since 2008. He has achieved the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) and Certified Manager of Community Associations (CMCA®) designations.