When thinking of rules within a California Homeowners Association, what comes to mind are the few but chronic rule breakers that somehow find their way into some associations, and how nice it might be to have a spell to bring about compliance in the HOA community. Read the article…………..
5 Ways To Deal With Board Members That Micro-Manage
It’s no secret that board members that micro-manage make life tough for property managers. The need for the board to control even the smallest aspect of a property manager’s job is not only considered a nuisance—it’s stressful. What if I told you there’s a way to satisfy a board’s thirst for control AND keep your […]
How to Create The Ultimate Operations Calendar for Your Community
The start of a new year is about more than just changing the calendar on the wall. It’s an opportunity to strategically plan your community association’s operations calendar for the next year to ensure you complete all necessary tasks and meet all compliance requirements. But where do you even start when it comes to setting […]
Invalid Board Does Not Have Authority to Bring Lawsuit on Association’s Behalf
The Appeals Court of Illinois recently held that an association’s board of directors does not have authority to bring a lawsuit on behalf of the association if it is not formed properly according to the condominium’s governing documents and the law. While this case is not binding in Washington, it may indicate how Washington courts […]
HOA Homefront: The board balancing act
The ancient Chinese concept of yin and yang deals with opposite and inseparable forces. Common interest developments, or homeowner associations, have their own “yin and yang” issues, in which four basic and inseparable priorities must be balanced to produce a successful and harmonious community. Those four interests include the association’s corporate, real estate, financial and […]
Essential Board Member Skills: Objectivity is Key
I believe the most important skill for a board member to possess is objectivity. You need to look at all positions and possibilities and then select the path that provides the greatest good for all members of the association. This may not be the path that benefits yourself the most, but benefits the group. We […]
E-mail Intelligence – Does Your Board Possess it?
Today, I am discussing the pros and cons of homeowners’ association (HOA) board members and managers using email for community correspondence, and how to craft a sound email policy for your association. Board members, managers and association residents are no different from everyone else you know inasmuch as they are all heavily reliant upon electronic […]
Clarifying Board Roles: Who’s On Board?
Chances are if you’re a resident in a co-op, condo, or HOA community, you’re familiar with your property’s board of directors (or trustees, or managers, depending on what part of the country you live in). Boards are usually made up of volunteers, or members appointed by the community’s initial developer, depending on the property’s age […]
Essential Board Member Skills: Listen More, Talk Less
When I was asked which skill was most essential for board members, I had an immediate consideration for one I thought they should definitely master: listening. However, as a matter of routine, I did a straw poll of some of my managers and asked them the same question. Some of the skills they suggested were: […]
Being a Condo Director Could Enhance Your Career!
How did Kellyanne Conway, President Trump’s former campaign manager and current Counsellor to the President (and proponent of “alternative facts”) make it to the White House? It was recently reported that Ms. Conway met President Trump a number of years ago, when she was a board member of Trump World condo, her “beautiful home in […]
6 Essential Skills Board Members Should Master
If you’ve chosen to dedicate valuable time to serving as a board member, giving the job your best effort may require you to refine certain skills or learn new ones. But between your limited time, big buzzwords and best practices, it can be hard to figure out exactly which skills you should cultivate to make […]
Help Your Board Stay Proactive in the Winter Months
Oftentimes Boards of Directors believe that after the holidays, they can catch a break for a couple of months prior to meeting and discussing Spring projects. They use Winter months as a ‘rest period’ from Board activities. Yet, the beginning of the year can be used to accomplish important tasks and administrative projects like improving […]
New Board Member? Here’s What to Expect in Your Orientation Training
he beginning of a year signals many things but in many community associations, it signifies the start of a new relationship with recently elected board members. Volunteering to serve your community in the capacity of an elected board member is exciting but it can also be a bit intimidating. The new responsibility can feel like […]
What Roles Do Owners, Boards And Committees Play Within Community Associations?
There are various opinions on the role of community and condominium associations. But, generally speaking, the main purpose and authority of the association are to maintain common elements and ensure compliance with the association’s governing documents. Property owner associations typically operate with three bodies of community governance: Read the article…………..
Could Your Personal Emails Be Exposed?
Imagine the worst case scenario: you are on the board, the board is embroiled in litigation, and the opposing side wants to know what was said in an email. Suddenly you may find yourself facing the possibility of a third party rooting through your private email in search of information relative to the pending lawsuit. […]
So You’re on the Board….Now What?
You took the plunge! You volunteered, put your name on the ballot, and were elected. After the anticipation, the vote, and the satisfaction of being elected subside, you may realize that you are not exactly sure what to do as a board member. Outlined below are a few helpful hints and tips which will make […]
Wearing the right hat: Managing condo owners’ expectations
Picture this: It’s a sunny Saturday morning, and a condo board director has just stepped out to grab the morning paper before settling in for a relaxing breakfast. As she turns to go back inside, a neighbor starts a long-winded rant about the most recent condo board decision. Sound familiar? For condo board directors, chances […]
Six Ways Board Member Training Creates Successful Communities
When board members volunteer, they’re driven by the desire to enhance their communities. But what happens when good intentions don’t pair up with a board members’ level of expertise or education? “Board members volunteer their time because they want to do what’s right for their community,” said Maurice Talley, corporate trainer for FirstService Residential. “The […]
5 Ways an HOA Board Can Encourage Member Involvement in the New Year
Since a new year is about to begin, this may be a good time for the HOA board to communicate with the Association members about several ways they can help make the community an even better place to live in the next year and beyond. See the list below for ideas to get you started. […]
Taking It to the Streets: Dealing With Conflicts Outside Your Condo or Co-op (NY)
The day-to-day operation of a residential condo or co-op can certainly be a handful for its board of trusted volunteers. But not to add insult to injury, communal living doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and there are likely to be outside activities that may directly or indirectly bear on an association. Whether it’s a rambunctious […]
10 Questions Your HOA Board Should Ask Before the End of the Year
It’s important for an HOA board to work on ending the year well. It doesn’t matter if your homeowners association plans around the fiscal or calendar year, the questions below apply to both. It may already be the end of December, but it’s not too late to ask yourself some of these questions and make […]
Board Power: Its Sources, Its Uses, Its Limits (NY)
Today’s boards owe a debt of gratitude to Ronald Levandusky and his kitchen. In 1990, a man named Ronald Levandusky wanted to remodel his kitchen at One Fifth Avenue. In the process, he changed the position of a two-inch steam pipe, which led to his neighbors objecting and the board issuing a stop-work order on […]
How to Make Good Governance Policies for Condo Boards
Policies may not seem like an exciting topic, but they are crucial to the success of any condo board. I divide policies into three areas: governance, financial, and communications. An earlier post described best practices in communication. In this post, I start with a brief overview of governance and then propose some governance policies that […]
Total Board Recall in Your HOA
The natives are restless. The smell of tar wafts through the night air and somewhere a chicken loses its feathers. The board prepares for impending doom. Board recalls don’t happen out of the blue. Like Mount St. Helens, they give off warning signs. There’s rumbling and venting going on. Disgruntled phone calls, rants at board […]
Shortening the Board Member Learning Curve
For those who live in community associations, board membership should be viewed in the same vein as a civic duty. An effective board of directors is essential for the financial and administrative wherewithal and stability of every community association, so all unit owners who are able should volunteer to serve at least one term to […]
How to Make Condo Boards Successful: The Ultimate Checklist
One of the questions I’m often asked is what makes a condo board successful. I’ve been in the thick of things as President of my condo board, and I’ve spoken to people involved with dozens of other condo boards. From that experience, I’ve compiled the ultimate checklist of best practices for condo boards to make […]
HOA Target, Process & Objective
The lack of communication is often one of the biggest complaints that many boards receive. Yet, good communication is a fundamental imperative of every homeowner association. If the board is to succeed with its objectives, it needs cooperation from the members. So how is this cooperation best obtained? The board needs to identify priority targets […]
HOAs: How to make community service fair
It is a basic truth that the risk in any venture should match the reward. High risk investments should bring high yields, while low returns may be acceptable for very secure investments. The same principle should be applied to volunteer board service. Start with the reward – what is the compensation for board (volunteer) service? […]
6 ways to manage a successful homeowners’ association
It is always a convenient option to form a group of like-minded people, chosen by the rest of the residents to maintain harmony in the neighborhood. For this purpose,homeowners’ associations are formed so that one can mark the elements that progress or hinder the wellbeing of a certain community. No matter if it is a […]
Contending with Apathy Towards Board Member Service in Community Associations
Community association living has many advantages and desirable qualities. Residents share expenses in order to be able to enjoy relatively carefree maintenance of their property and the use of amenities such as pools, fitness centers, meeting rooms, and other appealing features. However, in exchange for enjoying benefits derived from community association living, such as the […]
The Road to Self-Management: Independence Has Its Pros and Cons
Management by definition is a process; a series of ongoing systems and controls put in place with a specific outcome in mind. The management needs and requirements of HOAs, co-ops and condominiums have helped define the overall property management industry. Read the article……….
HOAs: The Business Judgment Rule protects boards but is not a free pass
Courts normally defer to HOA boards as long as the Business Judgment Rule is followed. The State Supreme Court said so in 1999, while deciding Lambden v. La Jolla Shores. In the Lambden case, a homeowner contended the board should have responded to a termite problem with fumigation instead of spot treatment. The court held […]
Protection for volunteers: Remember the business judgment rule
Association directors are unpaid, serving their neighbors as volunteers – is it fair that they can be sued for the decisions they make? The Business Judgment Rule (“BJR” for brevity) is the first thing all directors should learn, but well-meaning directors unwittingly stray beyond its protection. Read the article…………….
Risky Business: Discussing Association Matters in Emails
As well-known especially by those with teenagers, email has taken the place of ordinary telephone conversations and in-person communications. Unlike most telephone conversations and in-person communications, however, email communications are not ephemera. Rather, they live on in back-up tapes or disks maintained by your employer, in records maintained by your email service provider, on your […]
4 Tips to Improve HOA Board Harmony
A productive HOA is a harmonious HOA. If people are arguing and ignoring each other, work can’t get done. If your board is lacking in harmony, check out these four tips to improve peace amongst members. The most important thing to remember when holding an HOA board meeting is to always follow the governing documents. […]
New Condo Board: Transition is Important
Question: I have just been elected President of our new condominium. Our new board of directors have just taken over from the developer, but frankly we are at a loss at to where and how to go. Any suggestions? Harry, Read the Q&A…………….
Six Essential Tips for New HOA Board Members
Congratulations are in order – you’ve just been elected to the board. So now the big question: What’s next? “The great thing about associations that are helmed by owners is that they have a vested interest in doing right by their community,” said Kirk Kowieski, CMCA, AMS, vice president of FirstService Residential. “But that also […]
Important Things to Know When Serving on a Board of Directors (FL)
Serving on the Board of Directors of any corporation can be a great opportunity for both personal and financial growth. As with everything in life, however, in order to receive, one must also give. This article will summarize the responsibilities imposed by the law on directors who serve in the state of Florida. The law […]
How to Handle Aggression Against HOA Board Members
Ideally, all HOA board meetings would be organized, calm, and simple. However, that’s not usually how life works when you manage a homeowners association. With many homeowners comes many opinions, and there is usually one owner who believes their opinion is the best. Sometimes this can lead to obnoxious attempts to get a rise out […]
The Business Judgment Rule
Community Association board members frequently ask, “What is the standard we’re held to when we vote and make decisions?” The standard of conduct in Oregon and Washington is colloquially known as the “Business Judgment Rule.” Application of the Business Judgment Rule comes into play in nearly all board decision making from deciding how far to […]
When the Inmates Take Over the Asylum and a Good Board Loses Control
Those of us who have been involved in representing community associations (in my case, for over forty-five years) have, no doubt, experienced a situation where so-called dissidents in a community association, for clearly irrational reasons, strive to seize control of the association so they can further their “platform”, which frequently leads to the demise of […]
Don’t Fall Into the Pit
Being on the board of a homeowners’ association or condo association can be a very fulfilling experience. Many board members enjoy getting to know their neighbors better, offering guidance on association matters, and playing an active role in the operations and health of the community. Most board members take their positions seriously and truly want […]
HOA Generationalizing
Homeowner associations can be a melting pot of age groups which carry unique values and perceptions of the world. At times, these values can clash at the HOA level and the board is challenged to restore balance and harmony with the warring factions. There’s more to it than loud music, wandering pets and illegally parked […]
When a Board Breaks Bad: Righting the Ship at Your Co-op or Condo
Owners and shareholders trust their elected boards with their very lives. Okay… it’s probably not a life-or-death scenario, but residents of co-ops and condos do put a great deal of faith in their association’s representatives to have their best interests at heart when it comes to their financial security and the maintenance of the properties […]
Business Judgment Rules does not Apply to Unauthorized Acts
The South Carolina Supreme Court held that association board decisions must be evaluated individually to see if the business judgment rule applied, and the business judgment rule did not apply when the board acted beyond its authority. Although this case was decided in South Carolina, it could be an indication of how a Washington court […]
How To Recognize Volunteer HOA Board Burn-Out
It would be hard to overstate the importance of volunteerism: it’s quite simply how a lot of work gets done, from large, national programs to smaller and more localized organizations. According to the National Corporation for National and Community Service in a 2015 report, “over the past 13 years, Americans volunteered 105.9 billion hours, estimated […]
The Power of Ongoing Education for HOA Board Members
As a volunteer board member on your community’s homeowners association, you are not expected to understand the complicated logistical and legal details that govern the community. However, the more you know about the ins and outs of property management, the more confident you can feel about each decision you make. A clear understanding of expectations […]
So You Want to be a Board Member – Now What?
I wish someone had told me the nuances of trying to cultivate a community while also trying to manage a business,” said Pat Burke, the current president of the Fieldstondale co-op in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, when asked what he wished someone had told him when he joined his co-op board 12 years […]
Creating Harmony on Your HOA Board
Part of the fun and reward of serving on the board of your homeowners association is getting the opportunity to listen to the many perspectives of other board members before reaching a decision that will best serve your community. In order for your community association management board to function smoothly, it’s necessary to create and […]
Risks and Rewards of Association Self-Management
There are both advantages and pitfalls for common interest realty associations (CIRAs or associations, plainly) that wish to self-manage. A self-managed association typically employs an onsite professional manager who works directly at the board’s behest and is given authority to complete assignments, coordinate departments, collect and disseminate information to the board, protect assets, enter into […]