By Michael Rhodes
Stone Ridge Association informs and engages residents by utilizing various methods of communication. Residents can expect communication from the association on a regular basis on current topics, events, local news, association policy and guidelines, community etiquette, and other relevant information. The Association’s Communications Manager ensures consistency, and that information relayed to residents is timely and relevant.
Etched In Stone, our full-color monthly magazine is mailed to each home in Stone Ridge and every absentee owner. This magazine serves as the primary means of reporting and communicating news and essential information to residents while also providing an advertising opportunity for our local businesses to communicate their services directly to our readers. Residents may opt-out of mail delivery and receive the newsletter via email. Current and past newsletters can easily be found on the Stone Ridge website and mobile app.
The Association supplements the monthly publication with a weekly email, mobile app, LED entrance sign, social media, website with resident portal and postcards to communicate information to residents. The Communications Committee recommends the methods that will be most timely and effective. Short-term and long-term plans are discussed and finalized at monthly meetings. Communication plans and strategies are determined based on feedback from the committee members, residents, communications manager and analytical data.
The Stone Ridge website provides essential information and acts as a secondary means of communicating with residents. The website and resident portal provide access to association contact information, meeting announcements, event schedules, design guidelines and all governing documents. Everything on the website is also available on the Stone Ridge mobile app. The mobile app allows residents to opt-in to receive push notifications, which sends important news and announcements of immediate concern.
Residents are encouraged to subscribe to our weekly email that supplements the monthly Etched In Stone and website information. The email is sent every Thursday and provides information and updates on association news, events and deadlines along with relevant announcements from local supervisors and official county outlets. The same email blast can also be used to relay emergency announcements and important news and updates to residents.
The Stone Ridge social media pages on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter act as additional channels for communicating news and essential information. Social media also provides the opportunity to share photos and videos from events, promote the community and establish a method of two-way communication between the Association and residents.
Technology makes all our lives easier, but often physical reminders can still be an effective way to connect. Four to six times a year, color postcards are sent to every household in the community as a reminder of upcoming events, pool season and association elections.