Handling Conflicts: When Should the Board Intervene?

Condo, co-op and HOA communities are made up of people – and people aren’t perfect. Within a community association, squabbles are inevitably going to break out between unit owners. Oftentimes these problems will be resolved relatively easily, and the owners will reach some sort of reasonable consensus with no lasting animosity or tension between them. […]

5 Essential HOA Terms New Board Members Need to Know

Whether you’re a new member of your community association’s board of directors or you’ve served for years, being familiar with basic HOA terminology is essential to the success of your role. Knowing these key HOA terms will help you get up to speed or serve as the refresher you need to improve as a leader […]

5 Essential Dos and Don’ts of Great Board Members

Many board members take great pride in never raising assessments. This is a great practice if there is an ability to reduce certain costs – say insurance premiums. But if it is a result of using less reputable vendors or other risky practices, doing so is likely to catch up with the association in the […]

Transparency vs. Privacy: A Balancing Act for Boards (NY)

Last week we revealed ways co-op and condo boards can conduct their monthly meetings in a way that will satisfy residents’ rising demands for transparency – while protecting sensitive personal information. Today we look at three other areas where boards must balance demands for transparency against the right to privacy.     Read the article………………

5 Traits of a Problem Board Member

HOA board members are usually fulfilling their positions on a volunteer basis, which means they’re using some of their free time outside of work and family obligations to better their communities. Because of that, it’s important that board meetings are both efficient and productive to be considerate of everyone’s time.      Read the article………………

HOA Board Team Building Ideas

Team building activities are a great way to make your HOA board of directors function in a more cohesive and harmonious way. Before we take a look at some activities that your board can try, let’s look at some of the benefits.   Read the article………………

Common HOA Lawsuits & How to Dodge (err…) Avoid Them

Covenant enforcement issues, rule violations, board member battles, and homeowner litigation against the Association are some of the most common HOA lawsuits. Contentious, continued litigation can and does ensue in some of these situations. However, as an HOA leader, you can learn how to make the courthouse a last resort, instead of a starting point. […]

Five Reasons for Joining a Co-op or Condo Board

Co-op and condo board service has its drawbacks. The pay is non-existent. The hours are long. It is almost guaranteed to stoke the ire of someone in the building. And, oh yes, it can get you sued and it rarely generates so much as a word of thanks.  Yet sane people continue to volunteer to […]

What to Do When a Board Member Resigns (IL)

It’s a fact of life: sometimes Board members resign. Whether due to selling their unit, a change in personal circumstance, a lack of time to devote to association business, Board member resignation happens. Once the dust settles, the remaining Board members are left asking, “What now?”    Read the article………………

Condo Board Members Conflicts of Interests and Service Providers in Florida

In Florida, the directors and board officers of a condo association, together with the members of their family and anyone who holds financial relationships with the officers and/or directors are entirely prohibited from forming any form of agreement with their condominium association under the terms of new regulations which have been put in place since […]

Common Mistakes of Board Members (FL)

It can be a wonderful experience being on the board of a condo or homeowner’s association.  Many members really enjoy the experience of being active in their community, guiding neighbors regarding association matters, and getting to know the members of their community better.  Board members generally take their positions seriously, and truly want to do […]

HOA Board And Manager Authority

To achieve effective communications between homeowners and their homeowner association, it is important to understand the authority that belongs to the property management company, the board members individually and the board as a whole.  For example, the management company may be able to solve a problem quickly while at other times, management may not have […]

Expertise Welcome – Up to a Point

Co-op and condo boards frequently recruit residents with professional expertise who can contribute to the projects they have planned for the next several years. While this expertise can be helpful, it should be exercised carefully. Problems arise when the new board members don’t fully understand their roles and how to deal with the other board […]

Best Board Member Budget Practices REVEALED

Approving the annual community association operating budget is one of the most important obligations of the board of directors. It is also the duty of the board treasurer to take the lead in this endeavor and ensure that a budget is approved in a timely fashion i.e. before the end of 2018 and in accordance […]

Steps to Take When HOA Board Members Can’t Make Decisions (CA)

Some HOA boards have the need to discuss things ad nauseum and yet never come to a decision. It can be extremely frustrating when the same topic comes up on the agenda month, after month, after month, and after hours of discussion, nobody’s willing to say either yes or no. They either need more information, […]

HOA Board Transitions: Passing the Torch to a New HOA Board

When it’s time to pass the torch on to a new HOA board, it’s crucial that the change in power is made as smoothly and efficiently as possible to ensure the continued success of the community and avoid unnecessary management mistakes. Especially if there are numerous experienced board members leaving, it’s important to first establish […]

Tips for a Smooth HOA Board Member Transfer (CA)

The volunteers who occupy seats on an HOA board are in a unique position. Although they’re skilled in their professional fields and possess a deep love for their community, few have experience serving on the board of a multi-million-dollar corporation like a homeowners association. As a volunteer with a fiduciary duty to the corporation, this […]

Common Issues HOA Board Members Face

Serving on the HOA board is a unique experience that brings together volunteers of varying backgrounds and philosophies. Volunteering in such capacity is extremely rewarding, but can also be hard at times especially considering that most board members are simply just volunteers without formal training in HOA affairs. HOA board members must collectively come together […]

3 Condo Association Board Burnout Remedies

Condo association board burnout can be inevitable, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be cured. Burnt-out board members don’t perform as effectively and can even impact the entire board. You might be exhibiting signs of burnout, but that doesn’t mean you need to resign. Here are three condo association board burnout remedies that can help […]

A Self-Serving Board Member Might Look Something Like This

You ran for the board on the platform of remodeling the clubhouse that has become outdated. What you haven’t shared with the members of the association is that your daughter is getting married next year and the clubhouse would be the perfect place for a reception.  The association has never charged for members to use […]

Dealing with Difficult People

Interacting with difficult people is an inevitability we all face. When confronted with a chronically upset person we’re given the choice to either reciprocate their anger or calmly address the situation. As a board member, you’re in a position of responsibility where escalating a situation is both inappropriate and unproductive. In the heat of the […]

Debunking the Myths of Volunteer Board Service

Congratulations! You’ve just been elected to your Board of Directors – now what? Or maybe you’ve been serving as a volunteer director for some time and you just aren’t sure which way is up. If you have been dazed and confused but still have a passionate heart to do the right thing in the best […]

5 Reasons Your Association Needs a Business Plan

Being selected to serve on the Board of Directors is a great compliment from your neighbors, but it’s also a significant responsibility. In every role on the board, you must act on behalf of all who have appointed you as the decision maker for the community. But, when you consider the various needs, conditions and […]

Top 5 Ways to Avoid Board Member Burnout

It’s a great compliment to be selected to serve as a board member for your community association, but it’s also a big responsibility. From meetings to budgeting, the role of a board member is extremely robust, and when just a handful of people are the designated decision makers for an entire community, it can be […]

HOA Resolutions and Your Board

The governing documents are in place to give your board a solid reference and a basis for every decision that is made during meetings. However, sometimes these documents can be ambiguous, outdated, or incomplete. One of the board’s main responsibilities is creating resolutions to solve these basic problems and to keep your association running smoothly. […]

Terms Every HOA Board Should Know

As a volunteer member of an HOA board, you are bound to encounter terms or situations that are unfamiliar to you. Much of the time, you’ll be able to learn as you go, picking up new terminologies, ideologies, and ways of handling different situations. However, there are some terms that you should be familiar with […]

Kass: When Disaster Strikes: What Is An Emergency In Your HOA?

Question: I am the President of our 98 unit condominium. Every so often, (and usually in the middle of the night) I get a telephone call from a unit owner (or our property manager) telling him that something has happened that needs immediate approval. For example, the other evening during a heavy thunderstorm, all the […]

Dear Boards: Suck It Up and Be Transparent

……Too many boards of directors of community association are nervous. Nervous about contention. Nervous about bad PR. Nervous about looking unprepared. Nervous about being wrong. Reflexively, they retreat into secrecy, even when state or local statutes require open meetings.  I get it. People can be tough. Most communities have hard cases living in them. I […]

Balance and Boundaries as an HOA Board Member

You’ve heard the stories­—or maybe even experienced them—of homeowners treating a Board member as a scapegoat for their complaints. HOA Board members are the unfortunate target of many homeowner concerns and frustrations, but your service to the community doesn’t have to be doomed to become a hassle. With the help of boundaries and efficient systems, […]

4 Things to Consider Before Removing a Board Member

It may come as a surprise to you, but occasionally a board member needs to be removed from the board.  In some cases, a conflict of interest or unethical behavior may be grounds to remove an individual from the board. In other cases, the behavior of a board member may become so obstructive that the […]

Finding HOA Board Life Balance

Successfully balancing a career and personal life while serving on your HOA board may sometimes feel daunting, but it’s not impossible. This week, we look at some ways to achieve balance across all areas of life while meaningfully serving your community.    Read the article………………….

All You Need to Know About Board Member Roles

Whenever new members are elected to serve on their Board of Directors, a new tone is set for the association.  Each new Board member brings a dynamic to the meeting that sets the tone for the operation of the association. These new volunteers are, most of the time, homeowners who have a vested interest in […]

5 Effective Personality Types for the HOA Board

There are many types of personalities that can hurt your Homeowners Association Board. But, it doesn’t take much to turn this around, as the same personalities could be your best allies. How do you make the turn, you ask? Evaluate each of your HOA board member personalities – yourself included – following our 5 Effective […]

A Beginner’s Guide to Community Association Terms

The management company and/or Board of Directors are almost always involved in reading through the association documents and learning the new terms can be a little overwhelming at first.  So, what do some of these terms actually mean? Check out the definitions of some frequently used terms!    Read the article………………

4 Useful HOA Board Recruitment Strategies (AZ)

Finding the time to volunteer for anything these days is challenging with our busy schedules. Additionally, finding people willing to volunteer is sometimes even more challenging, especially when it comes to the HOA board. For community associations, member involvement is crucial to providing responsible and successful management of the HOA. We’ve provided some tips on […]

When the Interests of Boards and Resident Groups Diverge

Late last year, a conflict developed between a board and some residents at the Windsor Oak co-op in Queens over shelters protecting a colony of feral cats that lived behind the property. As the New York Post reported, a contingent of shareholders accused the board of repeatedly destroying the shelters, despite the colony being protected […]

Homeowner Associations: From Zero to Board Member in 60 Seconds (CO)

Congratulations! You have been “elected” to serve on your Homeowner Association (HOA) Board. So, what does that mean? What are your responsibilities? What should you do?  The typical HOA Board is made up of four officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The President typically prepares the meeting agenda, presides over meetings, appoints committees, execute contracts, […]

Censure: Never Fun, Sometimes Necessary

One of the most important pieces of authority that the HOA Board has in its power is censureship. Censuring may sound a little strange and intimidating, and rightfully so, as it is a very serious matter. What exactly does it mean, and when is it appropriate for a board member to be censured? It’s something […]

Five Signs of a Problem HOA Board Member

Every board has likely experienced a problematic board member at one time or another. They can make board meetings long and stressful, and can cause a multitude of problems when it comes to quickly and effectively making decisions for the good of the whole community. Here are five signs that you have a problem board […]

HOA Success Tips from Past Mistakes

We’ve all had those moments where we wish we could have done better. Or, maybe we missed the mark a bit. Failure and mistakes are part of life, but we believe failure is where success is found. Making mistakes generally comes from trying – trying something new or trying something challenging – and if those […]

Kass: What to do when a condominium organization has become disorganized

Dear Benny: I read your informative articles, andI have a question concerning my condominium organization. We have an association in “title” only, because it is run by one lady who collects the fees. Problem one: She’s too tired to collect the fees from the owners who have abandoned their units. Problem two: How do we […]

HOA Board Conflict Resolution (TX)

As a member of your HOA’s Board of Directors, you’re accustomed to listening to homeowners’ concerns, disputes, and complaints and resolving these issues to the best of your abilities. But what happens when your fellow Board members have an argument? What should you do if a dispute between board members gets in the way of […]

What’s Your Authority?

I was reminded this week of a common pitfall: Don’t choose your authority to fit the argument you’re trying to make at the time.  Savvy board members and managers look for authority before taking action on behalf of their community associations. What happens when you find what appears to be conflicting authority?  Conflicts sometimes require […]

A Good Board Member Make up

Board members who strive to serve the best interests of their resdients regardless of their personal interests are critical to leading a community.  These are a few of the must-have traits and skills that make board members successful:     Read the article………………

Are Co-op Board Members At Risk of Being Sued? (NY)

“Board members get sued on a regular basis as an act of extortion by a plaintiff wanting to get the board to act in a particular way,” attorney Stuart Saft, the chairman of the Council of New York Cooperatives and Condominiums and a partner at Holland & Knight, tells the New York Times.    Read the […]