WHAT IS THE SCIO FARMS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, AND WHY?

The Scio Farms Estates Homeowners Association is basically what the name implies. We are a collection of Homeowners and Renters in our community. The SFHOA Board works with residents and management to improve public safety and resolve community concerns. There are currently no dues for being a member, and at times when we did charge dues it was very low. Dues are used to pay for events, meetings, food, door prizes, printing our newsletter, etc. We typically only ask for dues if and when our treasury runs low. Currently we print our newsletter every other month. The months that we do not produce the newsletter we have a meeting, which is usually on the third Thursday of the month at 7:00 PM in the clubhouse. At other times we meet for a “coffee hour” on a Saturday morning. During these meetings we provide information and updates regarding what is going on in our neighborhood. Very frequently we have a Sheriff speak to us who will give us an update on activities, as well as provide useful advice. The Scio Farms Homeowners also work with management to run a neighborhood watch program. This program lost momentum over recent years, but we are presently working with management to rejuvenate it. A good neighborhood watch program is one of the best crime deterrents possible. We have other speakers at times as well, all for the purpose of providing you with useful information that will positively enhance your living experience here in Scio Farms Estates. Every meeting has a time period when we want to hear from you; the good, the bad, and the just plain interesting. We have also recently created a website that provides a ton of useful information for homeowners and their families. The website features a crime reporting tool called INWAR. This program is a very good information system where residents, management, and the police can post information as well as read information and observations posted by us. 

So who attends SFHOA events, and why do they do it? Generally, the meeting attendees tend to be the more active and informed community members. One of the reasons they are informed is because they go to the meetings and use our website! They attend the meetings and events to stay current on community activities and events, as well as to meet and socialize with their neighbors and fellow residents. Of course there are also the free snacks and sometimes more substantial free food. They come to the meetings not just to learn, but to tell us about their observations and experience. Sometimes they ask for assistance when they feel management is not responding to them. Assuming the complaint is legitimate and has been reported properly, the Scio Farms HOA will be their advocate in resolving the issue at hand. As you can see the SFHOA has a serious side, but we also believe in meeting our neighbors and just plain having fun. We do things for our kids as well, like showing them fire trucks, meeting our police officers, and helping with our annual Halloween Party.

The SFHOA does need something to not only keep doing what we are doing, but to do more. That is simply more members. Although we have seen attendance increase recently it is still far too low for our population. We have around 3,000 residents, and we should be filling the room. We want to see you and hear from you. This is your community too, and we would like to see you be a more active part of it. You could be the one that has the next great idea that leads to something that improves our safety, our lives, or is just plain fun. Or we could be the entity that finally resolves your issue. Maybe you will hear a tip from a neighbor that has found a solution to something that has been bugging you. Maybe you are the one that has information or saw something that will lead to the capture of someone doing us harm. So, by all means, please come to the next meeting and meet us. Be a part of the group and the effort to improve our living conditions. Tell us what you are thinking. Help us plan or run the next fun event. Check out our website. Just get involved; we are waiting for you. Did I mention the free food?

Charlie Nielsen

President, Scio Farms Estates HOA