An Evening for the Neighbors Who Serve
The people who usually run the meetings got an evening planned for them on Tuesday, September 22, 2026. HOA Connect Houston’s Board Member Appreciation Night brought volunteer leaders together to enjoy good company, hear a fresh perspective on board service and ask questions of experts who work with communities every day.
Blue Stream Fiber made its office feel like a celebration. The team hosted a lovely reception with full-service catering featuring light bites and cocktails, arranged beautiful flowers and balloons, and dressed the tables for the occasion. Every detail said “we appreciate you,” making the space inviting and intimate for all guests, who enjoyed mingling during the reception. HOA Connect Houston is especially grateful to Blue Stream Fiber for their generosity and care behind the entire evening.
Keynote speaker Lauren L. McCardell of Faith & Grace Advisory Services called her presentation “Lead Well Without Losing Yourself.” She described how board service can quietly shift from serving to carrying, when one person becomes the default for every urgent question or unfinished task. Her advice went beyond simply asking others to help: clarify the work, give fellow directors real ownership and build a board that can function even when one member steps away. She also encouraged leaders to set limits on their time, address disagreements with care and ask for support before they are overwhelmed.
Tiffany Krenek then moderated the “Ask an Expert” panel with Herb Dorow of Condo Insurance Pros, community association attorney Noelle Hicks of RMWBH, Kate Grutzmacher of Blue Stream Fiber, Kevin Bob of Building Reserves and Board Certified Master Arborist Glen Ginzel of SavATree. The conversation explored the work residents often never see: weighing competing expectations, diving into what an HOA can and cannot do, caring for the places neighbors love and communicating through uncertainty. Board members added several excellent questions of their own, leading to an energized, collaborative discussion that offered fresh perspectives and ideas.
Although we had to pivot from our planned Board Member Bingo due to time constraints, several prizes were raffled off before the night ended. Thank you to Lauren, our incredible panelists and every board member who joined the conversation. And another heartfelt thank-you to Blue Stream Fiber for making the people who serve our neighborhoods feel so welcome and appreciated.
Photos from the Evening
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