If you reside in a residential society or a gated colony, there is one organisation working behind the scenes to make your day-to-day lives convenient—your RWA. And if nobody ever whispered that word in your ear ever before, then Resident Welfare Association is
what it means?
Even though they might seem bureaucratic or unglamorous on the surface, an RWA is really one of the most critical elements of any well-functioning residential community. Picture your neighborhood volunteer association cleaning up your neighborhood to spit-and-polish perfection, patrolling it to make it safe, and humming along in tip-top working order.
Let’s demystify it and get it done so that homeowners everywhere will grasp why they should know about how an RWA functions—and perhaps even participate in one.
What Is an RWA?
A Resident Welfare Association, or RWA, is a nominated, not-for-profit resident association of housing society dwellers, apartment building residents, or residential colony residents. Why? So that they can represent the residents and allow the community to run smoothly.
RWAs typically have unpaid members, a few of whom are elected. Some of whom they may have as president, secretary, treasurer, etc., committee positions, depending on how large the community is.
They do anything and everything – security, cleanliness, even policing.
What Does an RWA Do in Real Life?
You will not believe all the kinds of things that happen behind the scenes. Under this is the list of work which is performed by most RWAs:
- Security & Maintenance: Recruitment of guard staff, CCTV monitoring, gate security, etc.
- Housekeeping: Cleaning of common areas such as the staircase, parks, and elevators.
- Utility Management: Management of water tankers, power back-up, garbage removal, and minor plumbing or electrical work.
- Finance: Realization of the residents’ maintenance and cash issues of the society.
- Rules & Dispute Resolution: Enforcing the residents’ bylaws and resolution of residents’ disputes in a diplomatic manner.
- Events & Culture: Arrangement of festivals, sports days, and cultural functions for the solidification of the community relationships.
Short version, they’re the ones who keep the place together.
Why You Should Care About Your RWA?
As a resident or owner, operational and functional condition of your RWA actually impacts your quality of life.
An open and working RWA can:
- Enhance security
- Add value to property
- Resolve resident issues as they occur
- Maintain common areas clean
- Enforce compliance with local government by law
What if there’s a malfunctioning RWA? You’ll know. Neglect, wastage of money, and hot arguments ensue.
How are RWAs created?
RWAs are usually registered under Societies Registration Act, 1860 or state housing act, of where you are living. A very brief synopsis of how to do it follows:
- Some of the citizens sit together with an idea to capture the area.
- They prepare a constitution and get the RWA registered with government.
- There is election for electing important positions.
- There are monthly meetings monthly, and there are decisions typically by vote.
All RWAs are democratic in nature and also offer an alternative for residents so that they can have a say in how things get done.
Can You Join or Attend Meetings?
Yes. RWAs have made joining and attending meetings easy. If you want to see how your society is being run, then you should join meetings. You will be able:
Voice concerns
Suggest ideas
- Find out where your maintenance dollars are being spent by
- Having a say in the decisions made in your household
You don’t have to give up your free time to drop by and offer to do some good. Dropping by every now and then does count.
Final Thoughts
RWAs get no publicity, but they run your neighborhood. If you’re ranting about parking, griping about streetlights in the back, or just dashing to cry to know why your lift still hasn’t been repaired, bet your life your RWA is where you belong.
Go the next time you hear “RWA meeting this weekend.” Don’t miss it.
It’s your voice. It’s your home. And your RWA is here to make it scream.
