We often get questions about how community association membership meetings can vote before, during, and after meetings. With changes made during COVID, there are now several options—so many that it can get confusing. Read the article…………………………….
HOA Meeting Seating
The seating arrangement at meetings is critical to a productive outcome. Foreign diplomats are particularly careful in choosing the shape of the table and who sits next to who since the slightest faux pas can have disastrous results. In King Arthur’s day, meetings were held at a Round Table so that all could freely participate […]
COA holds annual meeting in Sun City (AZ)
The Condominium Owners Association of Sun City held its annual meeting Jan. 23 at the Sun City Posse’s meeting room, bringing together condominium owners, board members and local service providers to discuss various issues affecting the 384 condominium associations in Sun City. Read the article…………………………….
Annual Meeting Planning for Coops and Condos (NY)
The annual meeting is a cornerstone event for any coop or condo building. It’s not just about checking off a governance requirement; it’s an opportunity to foster transparency, engage shareholders or unit owners, and build trust in the board’s leadership. Importantly, this is where the board members are elected, making it a critical event for […]
Ultimate Guide to a Seamless HOA Annual Meeting
The new year is here, and it’s the perfect time to set your HOA up for success in 2025! One of the biggest opportunities to do that? Planning for your annual meeting. More than just a meeting, it’s your chance to look back on what worked, plan for what’s next, and set goals for your […]
How to Conduct Successful HOA Meetings: Tips and Tricks
Regular meetings are a crucial component of any successful homeowner’s association (HOA). These meetings allow homeowners and Board members to come together and discuss their community. Effective HOA meetings can create community cohesion, resolve issues, and promote trust between homeowners and the Board. Read the article…………………………….
Police called to Doral community as tensions rise after botched board election count (FL)
Seven owners in Doral Isles went to bed Thursday thinking they had won election to the community association board, only to learn a few hours later 128 mistakenly uncounted votes from people who could not attend the meeting but voted by proxy flipped the results Read the article…………………………….
The Three Key Elements of Properly Noticing a Special Assessment Meeting (FL)
Special assessments are becoming more and more common in community associations. As the frequency of special assessments increases, so does the possibility of delinquencies in payment of the special assessments. A crucial element of collection of a delinquent special assessment is proving that the special assessment was properly adopted at a properly noticed board meeting. […]
Condo Smarts: Postal strike impacts notice of general meeting (BC)
Dear Tony: Our strata corporation issued its notice of general meeting on Nov. 10 by Canada Post. As of Nov. 15, only one person in our entire building had received the notice when the strike started. Have we given proper notice, even though it is clear the notice packages had not been delivered to everyone? […]
Navigating HOA Meeting Protocols: The Importance of a Parliamentarian and Scheduling Flexibility (NC)
A parliamentarian serves as an adviser to the presiding officer, other officers, committees, and members on matters of meeting procedure. While common in large association membership meetings or conventions, their necessity in board meetings varies depending on several factors. Read the article…………………………….
Planning for Success: A Guide to Planning an Effective Annual Homeowners Association Meeting
Hosting an annual homeowners’ association (HOA) meeting is more than just a routine event on the community calendar. It’s a crucial opportunity to engage members, foster a sense of community, and address important matters that impact everyone. In this blog, we’ll delve into the key steps for planning an effective annual HOA meeting that satisfies […]
Best Practices for Hosting Successful Annual Meetings in Condos and HOAs
As a board member of a condominium or HOA, you know how critical annual meetings are for keeping the community on track. They’re an opportunity to discuss future plans, review past progress, and make decisions that impact the residents. But what if there was a way to make these meetings even more efficient and inclusive? […]
How to Organize HOA Meetings: A Step-by-Step Guide
Organizing HOA meetings is a crucial aspect of maintaining a well-functioning homeowners association. These gatherings serve as the backbone for community decision-making, ensuring transparency and fostering open communication among residents. From setting a clear agenda to meeting quorum requirements, proper organization is key to productive and efficient HOA meetings. Read the article…………………………….
765 ILCS 160/1-40: What Every Homeowners Association Needs to Know About Owner Meetings (IL)
Community associations play a crucial role in managing community living, ensuring that shared spaces are maintained and that residents abide by community rules. Effective governance hinges on active participation from homeowners, particularly during owner meetings. ILCS 160/1-40 of the Common Interest Community Association Act provides guidance with respect to owner meetings. This article will address […]
Membership Meetings Checklist (CA)
Associations must adopt election rules [CC §5105(a)], but the requirements of §5100-5145 do not apply if the governing documents provide that one member from each separate interest is a director. [§5100(f)] Every corporation must have reasonable nomination and election procedures given the nature, size and operations of the corporation. Read the article…………………………….
Annual Meetings Best Practices and Tips for Condo Board Members
Annual meetings are essential to running a successful condo community. For condo board members, these meetings provide an opportunity to review the past year’s performance, assess financial health, and outline future goals. When conducted properly, annual meetings lead to informed decision-making, greater community involvement, and a more cohesive, collaborative environment. In this blog, we will […]
Free Speech is Not Always Free (FL)
Q: Can an owner of a condominium association exercise free speech to protest issues with their condominium association? (J.D., via e-mail) A: That is a complicated legal question. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution only prohibits the federal government from abridging free speech rights. That protection is extended to the States and their […]
Maximizing the Impact of Your HOA’s Annual Meeting
Annual meetings are the cornerstone of effective community management for homeowners’ associations (HOAs) and condominium communities. As a board member, you play an essential role in ensuring these meetings are not only well-attended but also productive and engaging. A successful annual meeting sets the tone for the year ahead, fostering a sense of community and […]
Tips On How To Host An Effective HOA Meeting
Are you an HOA board member or homeowner looking to make the most of your HOA meetings? Effective gatherings foster a thriving community, ensuring everyone is informed and engaged. Let’s delve into the different types of HOA meetings and essential tips for hosting them. Read the article…………………………….
Understanding HOA and Condo Association Meetings: Your Guide to Active Participation in Florida
Homeowners’ association (HOA) and condo association meetings play a vital role in the decision-making and governance of the community. Active participation in these meetings is essential for homeowners to stay informed, voice their concerns, and contribute to the betterment of the association. In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide to understanding HOA […]
7 Tips for Improving Annual Meeting Attendance
Annual Meetings are an important part of running the association you live in. But sometimes it can be hard to garner enough homeowner attendance to make quorum, vote on board candidates, or conduct other meeting objectives. To help you build homeowner interest and meet quorum at your next annual meeting, we want to offer a […]
How to Handle Community Conflict During HOA Meetings
Some communities inevitably have a bully who attends board meetings to push their agenda, belittle other members’ proposals, or even make others uncomfortable with their aggressive behavior. Sometimes, it may be a homeowner; other times, it may be a fellow board member. So, what can you do to peacefully and proactively handle the neighborhood bully […]
Maximize Votes at HOA Election
Many HOAs and condominium associations have annual meetings coming up this time of year, or special meetings to amend their covenants, conditions and restrictions (“CCRs”) or bylaws. What is the best way to collect the votes your HOA needs to elect a board or get that important change to the CCRs or bylaws passed? Read […]
Holding Orderly, Efficient Annual Meetings: It’s Not as Hard as It Seems!
Talk to anyone familiar with common-interest community governance anywhere in the country, and they will tell you the same thing: apathy is rampant among residents of co-ops, condos, and HOAs. Not only is it difficult to get owners and shareholders to run for their boards of directors, but it’s a struggle to even get them […]
Why The Seating Arrangement At HOA Meetings Is So Important
Meetings are a necessary component of homeowner association operations. The seating arrangement at HOA meetings is critical to a productive outcome. Foreign diplomats are particularly careful in choosing the shape of the table and who sits next to who since the slightest faux pas can have disastrous results. In King Arthur’s day, meetings were held […]
Holding Orderly, Efficient Annual Meetings – It’s Not as Hard as It Seems!
Talk to anyone familiar with common-interest community governance anywhere in the country, and they will tell you the same thing: apathy is rampant among residents of co-ops, condos, and HOAs. Not only is it difficult to get owners and shareholders to run for their boards of directors, but it’s a struggle to even get them […]
Virtual Board and Member Meetings (CA)
Good news for directors and managers who hold virtual meetings but hate the hassles that come with hybrid meetings: you can legally hold solely virtual meetings! Read on for details. Associations have been using virtual video communications platforms like Zoom, GoTo Meetings, and Microsoft Teams for the last few years to hold board and member […]
Increase Annual Meeting Attendance (AZ)
It’s Annual Meeting Season! Our firm has been busy helping clients prepare for and execute successful annual meetings. After all, the Association’s annual meeting is the Association’s TIME TO SHINE! Read the article…………………………….
Arizona Law Mandates Open Meetings for Planned Communities
In Arizona, homeowners’ associations are governed by a law that promotes transparency and resident participation. The statute, A.R.S. § 33-1804, is part of the state’s Planned Community Act and requires associations to conduct open meetings with only a few narrow exceptions. Subsection (A) of the law sets forth the general rule: all meetings of an […]
AB 1458 Stop, Adjourn, Then Proceed: New Reduced Quorum Requirements Help Make Every Vote Count (CA)
Recent legislation has provided various tools to remedy the difficulties that many associations face due to the lack of member participation in director elections. AB 502 went into effect in 2022, permitting elections by acclamation when the number of qualified candidates running for a board of directors is less than or equal to the number […]
Director Elections—What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Director elections are one of the most important powers association members have, so it makes sense that owners take elections seriously. Whether voting in an election and/or running for the board, the process and its results are personal to association members. Therefore, any appearance of impropriety or error in the process is oftentimes met with […]
Achieving an HOA Meeting Quorum
It’s five minutes until the Annual Meeting starts. The governing documents require the presence in person or by proxy of at least 25% of the eligible voters to establish a legal quorum. With only 21% of the members so represented, the meeting has to be canceled and rescheduled. Read the article…………………………….
Holding Orderly, Efficient Annual Meetings – It’s Not as Hard as It Seems!
Talk to anyone familiar with common-interest community governance anywhere in the country, and they will tell you the same thing: apathy is rampant among residents of co-ops, condos, and HOAs. Not only is it difficult to get owners and shareholders to run for their boards of directors, but it’s a struggle to even get them […]
Dos and Don’ts of Election Challenges in Community Associations (FL)
Pursuant to their relevant statutory provisions, election disputes that take place in condominium, homeowners’, and cooperative associations are subject to mandatory nonbinding arbitration before the Division of Florida Condominiums, Timeshares, and Mobile Homes (the “Division,” for short). It is referred to as “nonbinding” because the arbitrator’s order is not final until 30 days after its […]
NYC Condo Boards: Know When Unit Owner Approval is Required
Last year, the Circa Central Park condominium decided to spend $60,000 to make the building’s many windows more visible to birds. The board decided to add translucent dots to the windows so the birds would see them and not crash. If this was your condo board, would you get unit owner approval before doing that […]
Why these condo owners want state ombudsman monitoring their HOA board election (DE)
A group of Le Parc Condominium owners wants Delaware’s common interest community ombudsman to monitor the complex’s upcoming board election, fearing the homeowners association board will block residents from voting. Read the article……………………………
Navigating Common Challenges in Community Association Meetings
Community association meetings are pivotal in fostering communication and decision-making among residents and board members. These gatherings, however, are not immune to common problems that can hinder their effectiveness and efficiency. This article will delve into some of these challenges and offer practical solutions, ensuring that community meetings serve their intended purpose. Read the article…………………………..
Annual Meeting Time: Making a Case for Assessments Increase (MN)
Proper financial planning is the bedrock of every community association’s sustainability. It ensures that the association can continue to provide essential services, maintain property values, and enhance the overall quality of life for its residents. One critical aspect of financial planning is the periodic assessment of whether it’s necessary to increase dues. In this blog, […]
Condo Column: Special Meetings (NH)
Let’s say you disagree with a board’s decision. It could be something as small as a $50.00 fine or something bigger such as not allowing a third car for your now driving child or perhaps it’s bit more important, such as discovering evidence believe a Board member is stealing money. Read the article………………………..
Update: Condo/Co-Op/HOA Meeting Agendas & Notice Requirements
Florida laws governing community associations require notice of meetings to encourage owner participation. Here is a helpful guide summarizing the notice requirements under statute; however, this guide is not intended to be all inclusive and is only for general reference. Read the article………………………..
Post-Pandemic: Virtual vs. In-Person Board and Annual Meetings (AZ)
Virtual board and annual meetings have become commonplace in the post-pandemic world. But, what happens when a homeowner doesn’t want virtual meetings and demands that the association hold in-person board or annual meetings? Read the article………………………..
10 Tips to Ensure a Well-Run Hybrid Meeting (ON)
For over 3 years now, most owners’ meetings have been held virtually. Technology has drastically improved, lessons have been learned, and changes have been implemented by virtual meeting host platforms to improve the overall experience of participating in a virtual meeting. Read the article………………………..
Update: Condo/Co-Op/HOA Meeting Agendas & Notice Requirements (FL)
Florida laws governing community associations require notice of meetings to encourage owner participation. Here is a helpful guide summarizing the notice requirements under statute; however, this guide is not intended to be all inclusive and is only for general reference. Read the article………………………..
Big Changes to Condominium and Homeowners’ Association Elections are Coming This Summer: Part II (PA)
Act 115 of 2022 will amend the Pennsylvania Uniform Condominium Act and the Uniform Planned Communities Act to change the ways meetings and elections are held. In Part One, I listed many ways that Act 115 will help communities. In this part, I will talk about some of the ways Act 115 may make things […]
Tips for Running a Successful Community Association Meeting
Have you volunteered to sit on your community’s board of directors? If so, chances are you understand how exhausting meetings can get. Nevertheless, meetings are necessary to take care of the association’s business. Fortunately, solutions are available to ensure these issues don’t derail future meetings or hamper progress; today, we have some tips for managing […]
First HOA Meeting? Here’s What to Expect
A knowledgeable homeowner is a helpful homeowner. If you’re new to an HOA community, then you may not know what to expect when it comes to meetings held by the board. In this guide, we’ll cover what to expect when attending your first HOA meeting as a homeowner. Read the article………………………..
Planning & Preparing for Effective Meetings (CA)
Ineffective meetings in common interest developments, especially when addressing sensitive topics, can easily devolve into shouting matches, threats, and even news coverage. Fortunately, these meetings are rare. More common is apathy or frustration with how business is conducted, which results in very few homeowners attending association meetings, even when important topics are discussed. Read the […]
The Complete Condo Annual Meeting Guide
In condominium corporations, regular board meetings are essential to the community’s operations. However, once a year, there is a meeting that takes on greater importance in the form of an annual meeting. Read the article (PDF)………………………..
Are you Following Robert’s Rules at Your Community Association Meetings?
If you’re a board member of a community association, it’s important that you familiarize yourself with and follow Robert’s Rules of Order. This article will give you some background information on the rules and how they relate to homeowner’s association (HOA) meetings. Read the article………………………..
Timesavers at Annual/Election Meetings (FL)
In condominiums and cooperatives, general proxies are used for establishment of a quorum and limited proxies are used to vote on a particular matter – amendments, waive reserves or financial reporting requirements, etc. It is only in homeowners associations when proxies may also be used for elections. Read the article………………………..