You've seen the value of amenity viewing. You know it would reduce complaints and make residents happier. But getting approval from your HOA board requires more than enthusiasm—it requires a clear proposal that addresses their concerns.
:::key-takeaway Here's how to make the case effectively and get your board to say "yes." :::
Board members respond better when they understand the problem before hearing about solutions. Start your proposal by documenting current issues:
:::feature-list{title="Questions to answer in your proposal:" variant="arrow"}
- How many court-related complaints did you receive last month? Last year?
- What's the most common complaint? ("Courts were occupied," "Reservation conflicts," etc.)
- How much staff time goes into managing these disputes?
- Have there been any heated confrontations between residents? :::
"We received 47 court complaints last quarter" is more compelling than "residents complain about courts a lot."
The first question many board members will ask: "What about privacy?" Be ready with clear answers:
:::feature-list{title="Privacy talking points:" variant="check"}
- Cameras only view common amenity areas (courts, pools, fitness centers)—places where residents already expect to be seen
- No video is recorded or stored (with CamView, at least)
- Access is restricted to verified residents of the community
- No facial recognition or AI surveillance capabilities
- Individual viewing activity is not tracked :::
Board members think in budgets. Help them understand the value:
| Costs | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Monthly service fee (per camera) | 40-60% reduction in complaints |
| No hardware costs if cameras exist | Less staff time managing disputes |
| Minimal setup time | Higher resident satisfaction |
| — | Better amenity utilization |
| — | Reduced confrontations |
If the board is hesitant, suggest a limited trial. Pick one amenity (like tennis courts) and run a 60-90 day pilot. This reduces perceived risk and gives you concrete data to support a full rollout.
Nothing convinces a board like hearing from the people they represent. If you know residents who would benefit from amenity viewing, ask if they'd be willing to speak at a board meeting or provide a written statement.
Anticipate Questions
Be prepared to answer:
"What if cameras go down?" Residents see a friendly "temporarily unavailable" message.
"Can non-residents access this?" No—access requires verification.
"What happens to our data?" Explain the privacy policy clearly.
"Do we need new cameras?" Usually no—works with existing systems.
After your presentation, send a summary email with key points, cost estimates, and next steps. Make it easy for board members to review and share with others who weren't at the meeting.
:::key-takeaway The best proposals make approval easy. Do the homework, address concerns before they're raised, and show that you've thought through the details. Your board will appreciate the thoroughness—and your residents will appreciate the result. :::