A few things to think about as winter releases its grip.

If you are a large enough condo association, say over ten units, you may want to explore as a Board, or with your management company, the possibility of buying oil/propane/gas in bulk.

If purchased in advance, usually in the summer months, it locks in the price. On average the price goes up about six out of seven years during the winter months, so locking the price in during the summer months will save owners much money during the winter months.

What to do about the odd year when prices go down? You can, each year, buy, for a small amount of money, price protection, so if the price goes up, you pay the locked in price, but if it goes down, you pay the lower price. Usually, this price protection fee is paid by each, individual unit owner, but just as the Association has the power of bulk in buying the oil, it can likely get a bulk price on the price protection fee. And doing this really helps rightly raise the stature of the management company and/or Board.

Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs). These are emergency text messages sent through your wireless carrier by government authorities, including local and sate public safety agencies such as the FEMA, the FCC, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Weather Service.

They include such things as emergency weather alerts, local emergencies requiring evacuations or lockdowns (such as for escaped or otherwise dangerous criminals) Amber Alerts.

For information about which mobile devices are WEA-capable and carrier participation, contact your wireless carrier, or visit www.ctia.org/wea. And the service is free.

Create a texting tree for those times when communication channels are disrupted. It can help with information on when power is out; when it is expected to come on; when the snow plow company is on site, and other important information.

Start a (brief) monthly news report. Ask for contributions. If someone is sick, you'd be surprised how many people will end a hand to cook meals, offer travel to appointments, etc. And you'd be surprised how many people are actually without nearby family support

Condo associations are community associations. Building a community, however, is the most overlooked job of a Board. Set aside some money in the budget for a summer barbecue (perhaps before or after a voluntary grounds clean-up, or a post-Holiday get together). Getting to know neighbors can solve a lot of problems. They are called community associations for a reason.

When there are large projects on the horizon, such as roofing or paving projects, have meetings open to all to discuss the project, pros cons, contractors, timing, costs, etc. It helps with approval and communication is the foundation of a good association