The Tellico Village HomeOwners Association is actively looking to recruit new volunteers for 2021.

During the 2019 calendar year, there were more than 180 volunteers involved with the HOA who worked together to give back to the community. Due to COVID-19, activities have been shut down since March, making it “virtually impossible” to recruit new volunteers in person, George Curran, vice president of communications, said.

Curran and other HOA members now aim to get the word out in hopes of filling vacancies on the board and in general volunteer positions with energetic and motivated people.

“‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ is an African proverb that means entire community of people must interact with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment,” Curran said. “The same can be said for Tellico Village, where a community of volunteers come together to create a rich and fulfilling environment for residents to enjoy a meaningful lifestyle.”

While the HOA offers a social organization for members, its primary role is to advocate for Village homeowners and their concerns, Ken Litke, HOA president, said. Members have coined the slogan “Voice of the Village” for the HOA in honor of its advocacy.

“The HOA provides long-term opportunities for its members including HOA representation and attendance to the (Property Owners Association) board meetings, and its many working committees,” Curran said. “Additionally, the HOA provides liaisons to the Loudon and Monroe county governments, the (Tennessee Valley Authority), (Tennessee Department of Transportation), STAYinTV and the Tellico Village library. The HOA liaisons serve to provide a two-way communication bringing back important information from those entities, which we then pass along to our members, and the HOA informs those entities about our members’ concerns, questions and priorities.”

The HOA has also established a Neighborhood Watch program.

On top of civic duties, the group hosts monthly socials and activities organized by volunteers like Bobbi Taylor, HOA social committee member, who has been involved with the HOA since 2011. Taylor first served as treasurer and took on membership duties before finding her niche in the social committee.

Taylor said the HOA is an opportunity for retirees to stay active in the Village.

“Well, the reason I’m in it is because I’m retired, and I want to stay involved in the community, and that’s one way of staying involved in the community,” she said. “You also get to know some of the people that live here and that type of thing.”

Susan Stalgaitis, social committee member, agreed.

Stalgaitis, a new member who joined the ranks this year, said volunteering has helped her learn more about the HOA and everything it does to help Villagers. She loves having the opportunity to give back.

Membership fees are $10 each year per household, which Litke believes is worth it for the benefits members reap.

“HOA strives to be the ‘Voice of the Village’ on all matters that affect Tellico Village residents,” Curran said. “Annual membership is open to all residents of the Village, and you must renew each year to remain active. HOA members receive the HOA factual and timely communications on issues that affect our property values, infrastructure, lifestyle and social environment.”

For more information on elected and volunteer positions, email George Curran at gcurran455@gmail.com.