The board of directors is an essential—and required—aspect of any homeowners’ association (HOA). Comprised of elected volunteers who live in the community, the HOA board is responsible for helping the association run smoothly, setting it up for long-term success.
What is the board of directors?
To function correctly, an HOA must have a board authorized to act on the community’s behalf. Board members are volunteers who are elected to the position by other association members to handle a variety of tasks, including creating and enforcing guidelines, overseeing finances, and maintaining shared spaces.
How many members are on the board?
The number of members on the board is usually outlined in an association’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, which can be found in the governing documents. Governing documents are, in essence, the constitution, law, and regulations that explain how a community is governed. In some states, there are laws that determine the number of board members allowed for a community. All communities differ, and larger HOAs may have bigger boards while smaller ones have fewer members. On average, an HOA’s board is comprised of three to five members. The GlenRiddle Board of Directors shall consist of an uneven number of not less than three (3) nor more than seven (7) Directors.
Who leads the board?
The board of directors is a unit that has an obligation to lead a community, but within the board, officers are assigned to lead the functions of the group. Generally, an HOA board has four officer positions: president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. While it varies by community, each officer has specific responsibilities related to the operation of the association, including:
PRESIDENT
The HOA board president is vested with the same powers typically given to the chief executive officer of a corporation. This office should guide the board, handle procedural duties, and serve as the spokesperson for business matters.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
- Schedule, attend, and run board meetings
- Establish meeting agendas
- Serve as the main point of contact for management partners
- Call for votes and announce results
- Sign documents
VICE PRESIDENT
The vice president should support the president and must be able to act in their place if needed. They should familiarize themselves with the same documents as the president and be able to perform the same duties.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
- Act for president when they’re absent
- Lead important committees
- Help run meetings
SECRETARY
The secretary guarantees board and association documents are well-maintained. But it’s not just clerical work. Community records are extremely valuable, and if your association doesn’t have the right secretary on board, it can lead to legal problems, financial risks, and confusion.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
- Guarantee records are maintained
- Provide proper meeting notice
- Ensure minutes are taken and approved
- Confirm documents are accessible to appropriate parties
TREASURER
The treasurer oversees all things financial. Often, financial functions are outsourced to an accountant, and it’s the treasurer’s job to work with them to complete tasks on time and in compliance with the community’s governing documents.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
- Review financial records for accuracy
- Help manage accounts
- Assist with budget preparation
- Oversee billing and collections
- Ensure timely payment of invoices
- Confirm audits and reserve studies get performed
What does the board do?
An association’s governing documents detail specific board tasks, powers, and duties. However, responsibilities can be distilled down to three key categories:
1. Enforcing governing documents.
After purchasing a home that’s part of a community association, all residents automatically become a member of the association and must follow its rules and regulations. These standards protect the resident’s investments, and board members are responsible for enforcing them. However, as residents of the HOA themselves, committee and board members don’t hold special powers that exclude them from abiding by the same rules and regulations as all the other residents. Everybody is expected to follow the same standards.
2. Managing the financial aspects of the HOA.
Managing and overseeing the community’s finances is one of the board’s most significant tasks. Most associations are multi-million-dollar nonprofit corporations, which means the board runs a small to mid-size business—with all the decisions, exposure, and liability that come with it. Board members must understand where, how, and why money gets spent. It’s crucial to closely examine budgets, certify compliance, and review monthly financials, contracts, statements, utilities, and reserve studies.
3. Maintaining common areas.
Part of a board member’s fiduciary duty is to keep the community well maintained and operational for the years to come. However, community maintenance isn’t just about planting flowers and mowing lawns, it’s also about monitoring the condition of critical assets the community relies on every day. It’s important for the board to stay on top of the association’s most valuable components, partner with qualified maintenance vendors, set aside a reserve fund, perform inspections, and more to create a safe, clean, and attractive community.
How does the board work?
All board members must act in the best interest of association members and use sound business judgment when making decisions. To do this, the board must:
- Understand governing documents
- Be familiar with local, state, and federal laws
- Establish committees for support
- Welcome and educate residents
- Hold fair elections
- Discuss issues and vote on decisions in meetings
- Encourage residents to provide input
- Make relevant documents easily accessible
Want to be part of your HOA board?
10 Signs You’re Cut Out for the HOA Board
Board members are elected officials who are responsible for an association’s affairs and running the community. This responsibility isn’t a small matter, and the board of directors can make the difference between the community’s success or failure. The following are 10 signs that you’re cut out to be the newest member of your HOA board.
1. You’re a leader.
Board members are the leaders of an association. As an elected official, your fellow neighbors trust that you’ll represent them well and always act in the best interest of the association. You must be able to work within your authority, recognize your strengths, and use them for the good of your community.
2. You have a passion for community.
People who serve on their association’s board of directors do so to make a difference and get involved in their community. You must be willing to volunteer without compensation and view this as an opportunity to serve your neighbors and enhance the community’s assets.
3. You can be objective.
When performing board duties, it’s essential to leave your personal agendas at home and avoid conflicts of interest. As a director, you have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interest of the association—not yourself or another individual—even if it goes against your personal preference or doesn’t benefit you directly.
4. You value relationships.
As a board member, you must spend time nurturing relationships with your fellow neighbors. This will personalize leadership, build trust, and show that boards do more than enforce rules and measure budget performance. Positively connecting with residents will significantly impact governance and make the community a better place to live.
5. You’re tenacious.
Sometimes, board members have to make some challenging decisions. While these decisions aren’t always popular, you must be able to stand by your choice, defend it with facts, and not take negative remarks or resistance personally.
6. You’re a good mediator.
When residents disagree, board members may have to get involved and find a resolution. To do this, it’s crucial you’re a good listener, calm, and remain consistent and fair, even when tempers flare.
7. You have a student mindset.
Board members aren’t supposed to be association experts day one. They should take the time to learn about local and state laws, governing documents, and how and why the association operates the way it does. The more you know, the better off you’ll be!
8. You’re a team player.
Boards need to make decisions as a group, and even if you’re in the minority, you should always support the decision of the entire board. No board member is more important than another, so the ability to disagree respectfully is essential to the success of the community.
9. You’re strategic.
The board is responsible for maintaining assets, solving and preventing issues, and preparing the community for a strong future. The most successful boards operate as a business and need a strategic plan to hold members accountable, track progress, and recognize areas that need improvement.
10. You’re reliable.
It’s essential you make yourself available and attend all board meetings. You should always show up prepared and ready to make informed decisions for the community.
Being a board member can be tough, but it’s an extremely rewarding experience. If you have a lot of these qualities and think you’d be right for the job, consider running for the board.
Source: Associa
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