Want to find out how well your Association is being managed? Attend the next Board of Directors meeting and request a copy of the minutes for the past year. A well run meeting is a good indicator that the leadership of your community is managing the affairs of your Association effectively. The focus of this [...]

Creating committees allows for more people in an Association to become involved, provides a training ground for future Directors, therefore building a sense of neighborhood and community involvement.
It is important that a committee know the parameters: its purpose, responsibilities and authority.
A pitfall to avoid, which many presidents and boards experience, is when the board chooses [...]

Most homeowners associations attempt to follow Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised (1990 Edition). However, in keeping with the modern times, many associations have adopted specific procedural rules to shorten the debate and make the orderly flow of the meeting less cumbersome. Here are some procedures to consider adopting that further clarify Robert’s Rules of [...]

Perhaps the most frustrating thing for a customer is inconsistent service. McDonald’s prides itself on providing consistent products and service. When you eat at a McDonalds in Pittsburgh or Paris you know that your double cheeseburger will taste the same, be the same size and be served in the same packaging. There is comfort in [...]

Community association directors volunteer their services as elected representatives of their fellow homeowners in making decisions which affect the community. Unfortunately, some directors accept a position on the board of directors without an appreciation and understanding of the nature of the responsibilities which they have undertaken.
One of the most significant personal issues for association directors [...]

Association board members are elected by the membership, typically at the association’s annual membership meeting. Following the election, an organizational meeting is required to establish the officers of the board. Boards generally have three or four officer positions: president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. Some governing documents allow for the combination of the secretary and [...]

Acting through the board as a whole, a board member should:

Enforce the documents
Establish sound fiscal policies and maintain accurate records
Develop a workable budget, keeping in mind the needs, requirements and expectations of the community
Establish reserve funds
Act on budget items and determine assessment rates
Collect assessments
Establish, publicize, and enforce rules and penalties
Authorize legal action against owners who [...]

To be effective, a homeowners association needs a strong board of directors that understands its role and pursues it with passion and a concise mission in mind. The following outline provides an overview of board roles and responsibilities.
To form an effective board, directors must have a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the [...]