Political advocacy: A fine line for board members

Most board members campaign for a seat because they are passionate about making positive changes and improvements that will benefit the community as a whole. After all, not just anyone will volunteer their time and energy for an entire election term.   Read the article………………………..

A condo board’s guide to fixing people problems

If the police are called to break up a fight at a board meeting, most directors will recognize that a problem has been allowed to escalate overtime. Fortunately, most condo boards will never find themselves in a situation such as this. Still, many other less dramatic yet problematic situations can go unrecognized and, if not […]

The Importance of a Board Member Code of Conduct Policy (CO)

Situations involving conflict are always easier to address and resolve when a prior relationship between the parties has been established. Every time I’ve facilitated a New Resident Orientation with new owners in a community, I have always encouraged them to make it a priority to introduce themselves to their neighbors sooner than later so that […]

HOA Board Member Roles

As a homeowner in a community governed by a homeowners association (HOA), commonly referred to as a Community Association, you may be curious about the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors are elected by the association members to serve as their representatives and make decisions on behalf of the […]

Grabbing the Bull by the Horns

At times, serving on an association board can leave members feeling overwhelmed and underappreciated. To keep an association operating smoothly, board members must continually address both new and timeworn challenges with vision, diplomacy, efficiency and financial ingenuity.   Read the article………………………..

10 Tips for Successful HOA Board Members

As a Board member of an HOA, you have an important responsibility to ensure that the association is running smoothly and effectively. Your fiduciary duty is to make decisions that reflect the best interests of the community and its membership. In this article, we will provide 10 tips for successful HOA Board members that will […]

Risk Management Considerations for Condo Association Boards

The condo association takes on a special level of responsibility because of the unique form of ownership that is the condominium. To make sure we are all on the same footing — a condominium is a form of ownership where a person (in the broadest possible sense) purchases a unit within a building   Read the […]

Can you get paid for serving on your co-op or condo board? (NY)

It would be highly unusual for a board member to receive compensation for serving on a board, our experts say. Co-ops and condos are not run as for-profits and introducing any salary would skew incentives and create conflicts of interest.   Read the article………………………..

HOA Boards: How to Stay Up-to-Date on Industry Trends and Regulations

As an HOA board member or manager, it’s important to stay informed of industry trends and regulations to succeed. Keeping up with the latest information can seem daunting, but proper education is vital for a community association’s success.    Read the article………………………..

Board Members, and Owners, have to Watch Each Other

A condo owner who served 15 years on the board was arrested and accused of stealing millions of dollars of monthly maintenance fees and diverting them for personal use. The accused served as President for some years, and even President and Treasurer during other years. At one point, he was the only signer on the […]

Term Limits for Co-op and Condo Board Members

Cooperative and condominium communities are unique in their governance structures. Instead of a single homeowner being responsible for their property, a board of directors is elected to manage the affairs of the entire community. These boards are responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations of the community, managing finances, and making decisions that affect the […]

How To Be a Great HOA Board Member

Serving on a Homeowner Association (HOA) board can be an incredibly rewarding experience. Not only do you have the opportunity to serve your community and make decisions that affect the lives of all its residents, but you also gain invaluable experience in problem solving, consensus building, and conflict resolution. Being a great HOA board member […]

Can HOA Members Remove Officers Midterm?

As a member of a homeowners association, it’s important to know your rights and options when it comes to the governance of your community. One issue that may arise is the removal of officers, such as HOA board members, before the end of their term. So, can HOA members remove officers midterm? The answer is […]

When to Use a Code of Conduct for Board Members

Our firm recently received the following question at a free virtual class we were teaching… “We have a candidate running for our Board who previously served on the Board. This candidate was asked to leave the Board at that time for engaging in unprofessional behavior. What can we do if this person is elected to […]

How to Improve Communication Among Board Members

Effective communication between HOA board members is essential to help enhance the overall functioning of the organization. Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts, so it is important to foster an environment of clear and respectful dialogue. Here are 8 strategies that can be used by HOA board members to improve their communication with […]

When Boards Overstep / HOA Abuse of Power (CO)

It’s tough to be a volunteer HOA board member in Colorado these days. Just last night, I was watching a PBS show called “The Trouble with HOAs”, and depending on who was being interviewed, the board was doing too much or caring too little. It’s no wonder that sometimes boards are accused of overstepping their […]

Defamation

In the past two years, I have seen a significant increase in ‘bad’ behavior among residents. Whether verbal altercations, email campaigns designed to intimidate and harass or yard signs with insulating messages. Managers and board directors are suffering with the stress, anxiety and fatigue of dealing with such behavior.  Read the article………………………..

Seven tips for building trust in condo communities

It is unlikely that the condo’s declaration, bylaws, rules, or policies include any reference to trust; yet good governance cannot be achieved without it. Directors might assume that meeting their fiduciary responsibilities is enough, but specific actions that provide the evidence on which trust is built are also required.   Read the article………………………..

5 Common Mistakes HOA Boards Should Avoid (CA)

Being a Board Member of a homeowners association is a valuable opportunity to lead and serve the community. Many members relish the chance to participate in the association’s affairs, get to know their neighbors, and make a positive impact.   Read the article………………………..

Defamation Against Co-op and Condo Boards Is Hard to Prove (NY)

A license to vent. Disputes between co-op and condo boards and their shareholders or unit-owners have become more vitriolic than ever, thanks in no small part to the Internet. People can complain viciously and broadcast it instantly while remaining anonymous. It’s a recipe for charges of defamation.   Read the article………………………..

Continuity & Transfer of Power: Getting New Boards & Board Members Up to Speed

Among the keys to successful governance of residential communities is continuity. The most basic of democratically elected units, condo, co-op, and HOA boards are the custodians of their community’s welfare, success, and continued operation. Over time, the experience and insight accrued by board members, directors, or trustees are the compass and rudder that steer and […]

When Boards Overstep / HOA Abuse of Power (CO)

It’s tough to be a volunteer HOA board member in Colorado these days. Just last night, I was watching a PBS show called “The Trouble with HOAs”, and depending on who was being interviewed, the board was doing too much or caring too little. It’s no wonder that sometimes boards are accused of overstepping their […]

A condo board’s guide to fixing people problems

Attempting to fix a condo board’s problem does not usually result in calling the police. If a fight breaks out at a condo board meeting and the police are called to assist, most directors recognize that there is a problem. These types of problems usually escalate over time. Fortunately, most condo boards will never find […]

How Your HOA Board Can Help Prevent Gossip in Your Community

Gossip can create a lot of havoc in a community. It can lead to alienation of friends, emotional turmoil, ruined reputations, and any form of relational regression. A society that spreads rumors and gossip makes the residents uncomfortable and unable to interact with other residents well.  Read the article………………………..

Qualifications for Being a Condo Association Board Member

If you live in a condominium association, you may see signs encouraging residents to run for a board member position. Being on a condo association’s board is incredibly important, as you are part of a group elected and responsible for the property, business of the condo, and ensuring bylaws are followed and community members are […]

What Makes A Good HOA Board Member?

Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are a great way to bring together community members and ensure that the community thrives. As with any organization, the HOA board is responsible for making decisions to help the association succeed. The best way to do this is to have a team of competent, engaged, and passionate board members.  Read the article………………………..

The Benefits of Board Education (CA)

In the State of California, most HOA’s are non-profit corporations managed by a board of directors composed of volunteer homeowners elected by the membership. Boards derive their authority from the governing documents including the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) that impose rules and restrictions on the use of property within […]

Board Decision Making and the Business Judgment Rule

We have recently spent some time focusing on the role of an Association’s board of directors as the entity designated to make decisions for the Association, the fiduciary duties of board members in making those decisions, and adoption of policies and standards for association governance to help make sure those duties are met and to […]

Boston Condominium Association Prevails on Summary Judgment Based on Business Judgment Rule Concerning Insurance Shortfall (MA)

A recent summary judgment decision issued by the Suffolk Superior Court has endorsed the employment of the business judgment rule in assessing the decisions of a condominium association concerning the amount of insurance maintained. In Joseph Cimino v. Lynn Ornstedt et al., Suffolk Superior Court Civil Action No. 1984CV01991, the Court allowed the condominium association’s […]

7 Things Every First-Time Board Member Should Do

Becoming a member of a homeowners’ association (HOA) board of directors is an exciting and rewarding opportunity. You’ll play an integral role in maintaining and enhancing the neighborhood, financial planning, and regulation enforcement. You’ll also collaborate with other board members to ensure residents are represented and informed.  Read the article………………………..

Board Member Terms and Staggering Elections- Getting It Right to Benefit the Community (OH)

Community association owners may not fully appreciate how the length of time board members serve on the board and staggered elections can directly impact the community. Making sure the governing documents for the association provide for longer board terms and staggering elections are necessary tools for efficient and effective community associations.   Read the article………………………..

HOA Board Members Ethics Model

Leaders of organizations, corporations, and governments should abide by a set of ethical standards when performing their duties. This also applies to volunteer leaders of homeowners associations. Here is your guide to HOA board member ethics.  Read the article………………………..

Upset Community Association Members? Here’s What to Do (NC)

Board members often face complaints from property owners about things that aren’t against the community’s rules. This can be difficult for the board to handle because they may not be able to help resolve the issue. In this blog post, we will discuss some things board members can do when they receive complaints about something […]

Managers and Board Members: Tips to Survive Holiday Stress

It’s very easy to become overwhelmed this time of year. Stress affects everyone differently, but here are some tips to help managers and their communities effectively deal with this very busy season and the conflict that often arises. I hope they help you manage the stress of the holiday season and help you to have […]

Boards & Bylaws Part III: Board Membership and Terms

Your bylaws set the size or your board (unless otherwise set forth in your Certificate of Incorporation), either as a fixed number or as a range. But what is ideal? In general, Plan A recommends that your board should be big enough to populate every needed board committee so that each committee has a minimum […]

Boards & Bylaws Part II: Mission and Board Role

This multi-part series will help nonprofit executives and board members consider revisions and amendments to make your bylaws more congruent with the way your nonprofit actually operates, improve governance, and ensure compliance with current law.   Read the article………………………..

Boards & Bylaws Part I: All About Bylaws

This multi-part series will help nonprofit executives and board members consider revisions and amendments to make your bylaws more congruent with the way your nonprofit actually operates, improve governance, and ensure compliance with current law.    Read the article………………………..

Who Can Serve On The Condominium Board? A Simple Question With Many Variables (MA)

As many board members and property managers know, we are currently in a season where many condominium associations hold annual meetings. With each of those annual meetings generally comes an election for members of the condominium board. When a board is approaching an election, management and board members must be clear as to who is […]

Tips for Preventing Burnout in HOA Board Members

When you are on an association board, it can seem like a lot of work to keep up with your responsibilities as a board member. These duties can pile up, and for some people, they can be downright exhaustive. Sometimes, you may feel it takes away from your family time, and other times even time […]

Best Practices For Homeowner Association Directors and Boards (NC)

Community associations are governed by a board of directors, which is typically comprised of volunteers from the community who are elected by their fellow owners. The board of directors manages the corporate affairs of the association, and as a result, it can often become a lightning rod for dissatisfied owners. This can lead to individual […]

Understanding the roles of the HOA board in Maryland

If you live in a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA), you are probably familiar with the board. They may have told you to pay fees, abide by the set laws in that community and so on. To understand why this is the case or why they have such powers, you need to know the […]

The Top 10 Terms all HOA Board Members Should Know

If you are a board member of a homeowners association, it is important that you know the terminology that is used in the industry. This will help you make informed decisions and communicate better with your fellow board members and community managers.   Read the article………………………..