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 […]
Board and Director Recalls: A “How-To Guide” for Managers and Directors (CA)
It only takes a Petition signed by 5% of the members to trigger an Association vote to remove or recall (“recall”) directors. It is important to handle the process properly since the stakes can be high for all involved – directors, members and managers – and recent history teaches us that those who initiate the […]
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 […]
Need to Resign from the HOA Board? Tips for Leaving on Good Terms
Resigning from an HOA board position is a personal decision yet how you resign can affect the entire association. No matter your reason for resigning, it is important to handle the matter professionally. Doing so will help ensure a smoother transition for you and fellow board members. Here are five tips for how to resign […]
HOA Board Responsibilities – It’s Not as Difficult as You’re Making It.
Many HOA board members feel stressed, overworked, and underappreciated. I say “many” because there are a some who seem to handle their HOA board responsibilities with relative ease. What makes the difference? Are “those people” smarter, more skilled, or does their community have fewer challenges? All of the above may be true, but in many […]
The Legacy of Your HOA Board: Passing the Torch
When a new HOA board is transitioning into power, having solid foundations for the new members is important to the homeowners association’s success. The first step in a successful HOA board’s transition process is to set expectations, particularly if you have many board members (along with their experience) leaving the board. To do so, a […]
Helpful Tips for Creating HOA Board Resolutions
HOA board volunteers choose the best and most efficient ways to govern. Creating resolutions is one common method for amending documents that establish policy or set rules. By addressing the who, why, what, and how, a resolution is a formal record of a board decision. HOA board resolutions should adhere to federal and state law, […]
Best Practices For Homeowner Association Directors and Boards
The typical community association is governed by a board of directors comprised of volunteers who are elected by their fellow owners. The directors manage the corporate affairs of, and set policy for, the association, and as a result, they often become the main focus of dissatisfied members. This can lead to directors being sued individually […]
Best Practices For Homeowner Association Directors and Boards
The typical community association is governed by a board of directors comprised of volunteers who are elected by their fellow owners. The directors manage the corporate affairs of, and set policy for, the association, and as a result, they often become the main focus of dissatisfied members. This can lead to directors being sued individually […]
It’s Time to Change the Message (Part 2)
Let’s say you did everything recommended in last week’s blog. You have great rules and have done a masterful job communicating them to your members. Bravo! Yet, despite best intentions and practice, someone’s gonna blow it. Reflecting back to last week’s Catholic imagery, whether it be an innocent sin of omission or a more brazen […]
How to Recruit Potential HOA Board Members: Useful Strategies & Tips
Volunteering is a great way to share your talents and to give back to your community. Finding the time to volunteer is challenging: finding people willing to volunteer is sometimes even more challenging. For HOA boards, member involvement is crucial to providing responsible and successful HOA management. Here are a few tips on how to […]
Common Issues Faced by HOA Boards
HOA board membership is a unique situation. There are few other scenarios where a group of volunteers assembles to oversee the management of a multi-million-dollar nonprofit corporation in which they all also have a vested interest. All HOA boards face a similar set of demanding circumstances. Knowing how to handle these situations, as well as […]
7 tips for serving on your condo board without getting burned out
I wound up on my condo board for the usual reasons: Someone needed to do the job, the former board members were having disputes with owners and each other, and my neighbors asked (some begged). I expected that it would take up a lot of my time and would be a pretty thankless task, and […]
What Makes a Problem Board Member
The only thing more diverse than common interest communities are the board members who run them. Board members differ in their experience, knowledge, and leadership methods. One thing they do have in common is that they feel that they can help to make their community better. Diversity among board members is the secret sauce that […]
Building Trust with Homeowners as an HOA Board Member
As a board member, it’s important to build relationships with community members based on trust and transparency. Although there are times when confidentiality is called for, the benefits of HOA transparency – increased homeowner involvement, reduced conflict, and confidence in the board’s decisions – cannot be overlooked. Read the article………………..
Can an HOA Board Make Important Decisions without Homeowners? (CA)
More precisely, does an HOA’s Board of Directors have authority to make important decisions for the community without seeking input from their homeowners – either informal consultation, a survey or a formal vote? The short answer to the question is “Yes.” The HOA board is established to oversee the governance of the association on behalf […]
An Easy Guide to Understanding Board Member Term Limits: Pros & Cons
Having a great board of directors for an HOA or condo association is vitally important to an association’s success. Responsible for governing the association’s budget and needs, members who are willing to serve and to work together is invaluable: just how long they serve is a matter for discussion. Are term limits good or bad […]
How to Find and Recruit Great HOA Board Members for Your Community
When your community is recruiting new HOA board members, there are certain qualities to look for in prospective members and good strategies for getting these individuals involved. Good candidates for your HOA board are people who can delve into the details while keeping an eye on the big issues. Board members must be willing to […]
Who Can Serve? The Reality for Board Volunteers – There Are Some Factors (NY)
What assumptions do co-op and condo owners make about who can serve on the board of their corporation or association? A typical assumption might be that any owner of shares in a co-op or unit owner in a condominium would be eligible. But that’s not necessarily correct. As in most instances, the ultimate authority rests […]
6 Red Flags for Difficult HOA Board Members
A well-focused board of directors is efficient, productive, and in most cases, a pleasure to work with. The board of directors sets the tone for how things get accomplished and how the HOA is maintained overall. But what happens when one, or more, of your directors has personality issues with the rest, or even worse, […]
Condo Boards Are the New Co-op Boards (NY)
There are numerous reasons why so many of today’s apartment buyers prefer condos over co-ops. One of the biggest is that condo buyers don’t have to undergo intense scrutiny from a powerful co-op board. Traditionally, a condo board’s only power has been the right of first refusal, meaning it can exercise the right to buy […]
What does it mean to be on the Board of Directors of your HOA? Fiduciary Duties (Part 1 of a series) (VA)
Board members are told that they have fiduciary duties to the community association, but what does that really mean? Fiduciary duties arise because the members of the association entrust a board member to act in the best interest of the association when handling the association’s business. There are three components that are important to understand […]
The Ultimate Board Cheat Sheet to Completing an RFP
Interviewing a management company is no doubt important – finding a true partner beyond the facts and figures matters for a mutually beneficial working relationship. But before any company can confidently say how they can best serve your community, they need to know and understand as much as possible. That’s why writing a detailed request […]
Setting Boundaries as an HOA Board Member
Unlike a lot of other businesses, HOAs have the unique challenge of managing boundaries between volunteer board members and homeowners. The reason it is important to set boundaries between the HOA and homeowners is so that volunteer board members (and other volunteers) aren’t finding themselves constantly at the beck and call of homeowners. Today we […]
What Are KPIs? Should Your Association Use Them?
There’s a lot to be said for taking measurements – without them, the world exists in a fuzzy haze of probabilities. While KPIs, or “key performance indicators” aren’t crystal balls, when properly implemented, they help companies and community associations bring a little clarity to their future. Read the article…………………..
Secrets of Smart HOA Board Members
We’ve all worked with that one person who is always knowledgeable on pretty much everything and up-to-date on current processes. Having a person like that on your board is an incredible resource, and today we’re going to share the most important their secret, which will help you become that person as well! Drum roll…it’s all […]
Diversifying Your Board: Practicing and Prioritizing Inclusivity
A democracy fares best when it is proportionally representative of its constituents. For all intents and purposes, the board of a condominium, cooperative, or homeowners’ association is a democratically-elected entity, and as such, one could argue that it should strive for proportional representation of the residents it seeks to govern. Read the article………………
Help for New HOA Directors
Many board members want to serve their communities but don’t always know what is involved in HOA management. This week, we’ll share an overview of the roles, duties, and responsibilities associated with being a new director. In an HOA, all board members have an individual role with different responsibilities. The president of an HOA’s main […]
Roles and Responsibilities of a Board for a Condo Association
Serving on the board of a condo association is a great way to become involved with your condo community. Your election by fellow association members means you’ve received their vote of trust to oversee association matters in a responsible manner. Let’s look at several roles and responsibilities of a board that accompany a board position: […]
5 Ways Your HOA Board May Unknowingly Put the Community at Risk
As a homeowners association board member, your responsibilities to the community you oversee are many. Homeowners look to their board to keep their community safe, well-maintained and properly managed. Board members are obligated to do everything in their power to meet its members needs while complying with the community’s CC&Rs as well as any state […]
5 HOA Terms Every Board Member Needs to Know
Whether you just got elected to the community association board or you’ve served for years, you want to make a good impression. Knowing these common HOA terms will help you sound like you know what you’re doing while you get up to speed or serve as the refresher you need to keep growing as a […]
When your HOA forces you to leave you garage door open all day: Lessons for smart association governance
A seemingly whimsical story out of California offers Florida community association boards a valuable lesson in being vigilant in enforcing the covenants of the association’s declaration and making thoughtful, considered decisions. According to the headlines, which play up the absurd angle of the story, an association in Auburn California passed a rule requiring its residents […]
Helping Out Unhappy Homeowners in Your HOA
Discontent can become a major distraction for your community. Helping an unhappy homeowner in any setting can be a real challenge. But in a homeowner association, where the person who is displeased is your neighbor, there exists an entirely new level of concern. But, the bottom line is, unhappy homeowners often just need to be […]
The Importance of Ongoing HOA Board Education
Serving on the board of your homeowners association is going to feel like a totally new and unique experience. Despite previous experience serving on any board, non-profit or for-profit, get ready for a new ride! An HOA (homeowners association or community association) is complex, diverse, and multi-faceted. It’s consistently changing as new state laws, new […]
Items to Review Annually as HOA Board Members
With the end of the year having come and gone, both homeowners and board members are looking forward to starting the new year fresh! To help you get through your tasks, we’ve put together a list of important items your HOA should review every year. Your HOA has three main categories of documents to review […]
6 Tips For Running A Smooth Homeowners’ Association (HOA)
Running a homeowners’ association (HOA) is no walk in the park. There’s more involved than simply collecting monthly fees from residents and hiring a landscaper to make the place look good. You’ve got to connect with residents and get them to trust you. In a way, your residents are like clients and how you interact […]
The Limits of Board Powers: What You Can – and Can’t – Do
It is not easy being a trustee. There are meetings to attend, documents to review, decisions to make, and neighbors to mollify. There are also a number of rules and regulations that must be followed in order to ensure that the individual and collective actions of a board meet all legal and ethical requirements. Read the […]
Effective Habit #3: “Put First Things First” or prioritize
Identify what is required by law; what is urgent, what is needed; what would reduce ongoing costs; what residents want. Then, prioritize what all this entails. Most residents want to live in a safe home with an inviting and friendly atmosphere and probably with as many amenities as possible while paying as little as possible. […]
HOA Board Training 101
When new board members join it is important to make sure they receive some basic training to help them succeed. As a veteran board member it can be easy to assume that most duties are self explanatory, but if you don’t take time to train your new board members, you’re doing them and the entire […]
The Limits of Board Powers: What You Can – and Can’t – Do (NY)
It is not easy being a board member. There are meetings to attend, documents to review, decisions to make, and neighbors to mollify. There are also a number of rules and regulations that must be followed in order to ensure that the individual and collective actions of a board meet all legal and ethical requirements. […]
Improve HOA Board Communication
Along with the holidays, the annual meeting season is here! Many HOAs face change during this time of year as board positions become vacant and new people fill those roles. It’s always a good idea to help new board members with their transition by offering advice on how to improve your board’s communication. As a […]
Three Reasons to Become an HOA Board Member
Do you have great ideas about how your community can be managed more efficiently? Would you like to become more involved in your HOA’s daily operations? Do you have the time, dedication and enthusiasm to regularly volunteer your skills for the benefit of your community? If so, then you’re a perfect candidate to run for […]
The Business Judgment Rule Is Both Shield and Sword (NY)
Many members of co-op and condo boards sleep well at night because of the Business Judgment Rule. It shields boards from second-guessing and legal challenges – provided they act in good faith and in the lawful and legitimate furtherance of a corporate purpose. But boards need to remember that the protections of the Business Judgment […]
Do condo and co-op board members have to disclose conflicts of interest? (NY)
The state legislature recently passed a law that will make life a little more difficult, and legislators hope, a little less ripe for self-dealing, for co-op and condo board members. “The law, which goes into effect January 1st, requires co-op and condo board members to disclose any potential conflicts of interests to their fellow owners […]
How to Resign From an HOA Board Gracefully
Deciding to resign from an HOA board can sometimes be a difficult decision. However, at times, it can often be the best choice for both you and the board if you are finding your schedule no longer allows for the added responsibilities or there are conflicts that inhibit the ability of the board to function […]
4 HOA Accounting Principles Board Member Should Know
One of the fundamentals of community management is the HOA accounting. As a Board Member, you may or may not have a background or experience in reading and understanding financial reports. Here are some things every board member should know about HOA Accounting. Read the article……………..
Problem Boards: What To Do When Your Board Breaks the Rules
A condominium, cooperative or homeowners’ association elects a board for a specific purpose: to manage the community’s day-to-day business, oversee special projects, and draft and uphold the rules and regulations that keep life orderly and harmonious. In fact, the board has an inflexible fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the community as […]
4 Signs You Might Be Hurting Your HOA
Despite the best of intentions, many times an HOA board actually becomes the downfall of their association. How does this happen? Well, there are a lot of different ways for things to go awry, but here are 4 clues that the HOA board might actually be causing more problems rather than solving them. Read the […]
Preventing Community Association Fraud: Part One – The Board’s Role
As a homeowner who lives in an association, you put a lot of trust in the people designated to manage your association’s money. So it can come as quite a shock if you discover that one of those people has been stealing from your association’s funds. Fraud can leave you and your neighbors feeling betrayed […]