Serving on your condo or homeowners association board can be both time-consuming and tiring. The job of an HOA board member often goes unrecognized or unappreciated, but that doesn’t mean it’s not rewarding or necessary in any way. Without volunteers to lead and manage the association, things would start to fall apart. But, how do you join the HOA board in the first place?
What is an HOA Board?
Moving into a condo or planned development often means having to join an association. This association is run much like a business, with leaders who volunteer for the HOA board. These leaders operate the HOA with the community’s best interests in mind. They fulfill responsibilities dedicated to the welfare of the association.
Who are the Members of the HOA Board?
The key members of the HOA board include:
- President. The president is the commander in chief. They run board meetings and function as the leader of the board.
- Vice President. The vice president is the second in command. They support the president and step in when the president is unable to.
- Secretary. The secretary is in charge of all documentation, including the minutes of all meetings.
- Treasurer. The treasurer is in charge of the HOA’s finances. They lead the charge in budget preparation, disbursements, financial management, and financial report preparation.
Apart from these four positions, the HOA board can also include other board members and officers with no titles.
How to Join the HOA Board
If you’ve got your eyes set on your board, you’re not alone. Today, it is estimated that over 70 million people are living in one of the 300,000+ community associations in America. Of those residents, nearly 2 million are serving on their HOA board to manage their association. Clearly, there are more than enough reasons to serve on your HOA board, so don’t let your fears hold you back.
Most homeowners associations hold an annual election to fill vacancies on their boards. If you want to become an HOA board member, you must follow these simple steps.
1. Start Preparing Early
To join the HOA board, it’s best to start gathering insights early on. Learn the ropes by volunteering for the community in other ways, such as joining committees. You should also study the governing documents, attend board meetings regularly, and ask as much questions as you can.
Make sure to prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically. While most board duties don’t require physical exertion, it can still take a toll on your health if you have a lot on your plate. As such, you must review the different HOA board member requirements and responsibilities that come with the role. Serving on the board can be very taxing and demanding, so it’s best to ready yourself for big tasks and an even bigger commitment.
2. Understand Your Nomination Process
In order to get nominated, you must know how your HOA does things. Do you need your neighbors to nominate you or is a self-nomination sufficient? Are nominations submitted officially or are floor nominations accepted? You should also make sure you meet the HOA candidate qualifications.
3. Spearhead Your Campaign
Once you’ve secured a nomination, it’s time to get the word out. Running for a HOA board position involves advertising yourself as a candidate. Build your campaign, and make sure everyone knows about it. Inform fellow residents about your plans and what changes you want to make to the community. Demonstrate your skills and explain why you’d be a good fit for the job.
4. Attend Candidate Forums
If there are candidate forums, make sure to attend those to reach a large number of people at once. Not all associations hold candidate forums, though, so you can look into organizing your own or disseminating information some other way.
5. Better Yourself
After everything, all that’s left to do is vote and wait for the results to come out. If you manage to secure the position, take a class or attend a seminar. The work doesn’t stop once you’ve got the vote. You should focus on bettering yourself as a board member by pursuing training and ongoing education.
Is it a Good Idea to Join the HOA Board?
If you are passionate about your community and are willing to serve it, then it is absolutely a good idea to join the HOA board. Serving on your board is one of the best ways you can make a difference in your association.
Make sure you are willing to learn and keep an open mind. Trust your fellow board members and accept that you may not always get what you want. It is important to work together and decide on what’s best for the community, putting the HOA’s interests ahead of your own.
How to Be a Good HOA Board Member
If you want to join the HOA board, it’s best to exhibit these skills:
- Leadership. A board member serves as a leader of the community. As such, you should be able to lead people and inspire others.
- Organization. You can’t be a board member if you’re messy and all over the place. Planning is a big part of the job, so organization is key.
- Problem-solving. As a board member, you’ll be putting out fires left and right. You must know how to approach every problem, look at it objectively from all perspectives, and reach a satisfying solution.
- Communication. A board member must know how to communicate effectively, both with fellow board members and homeowners. Without communication, everything would quickly fall apart, including trust and transparency.
- Conflict Resolution. You must learn how to resolve conflicts as they arise. These conflicts can happen among board members, between the board and a homeowner, and between neighbors.
- Financial Literacy. As a board member, you manage the association’s finances. It’s important to be well-versed in financial management and even the most basic accounting.
Common Challenges of Being a Board Member
Board members often encounter difficulties like balancing personal priorities with the community’s needs, handling disputes, and dealing with legal and financial challenges. To overcome these, effective communication, teamwork, and a dedication to the community’s interests are necessary. A strong HOA board member plays a key role in ensuring these qualities are reflected in the board’s decisions, and attending HOA meetings is vital to this process.
To address these issues, you must actively look for resources and professional guidance to manage complicated situations. Maintain open and honest communication with fellow board members and residents to resolve concerns and prevent conflicts.
When you join the HOA board, you must uphold transparency, practice fairness, encourage collaboration, and pursue continuous learning. All of these things will help you achieve your objectives and become the best board member you can be.
Do HOA Board Members Get Paid?
In a word, no. Board members of an HOA do not typically get paid. Some states even prohibit board members from receiving compensation for serving on the board. Many governing documents consist of the same rule. However, there may be some communities that allow board members to get paid.
Understanding the HOA Board
An HOA board is typically comprised of volunteers from the community, which means they are not paid to serve. The absence of a salary might turn most people off to the idea, but what you get when you join the HOA board far exceeds any monetary value.
If your association is having trouble managing your community even with a competent set of board members, consider contacting an HOA management company like Cedar Management Group. Call us today at (877) 252-3327 or email us at help@mycmg.com to get started!
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