What is community association board service? How much time would I have to volunteer to serve on the board? What are my responsibilities?
“A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” -John C. Maxwell.
An association board is a group of owner volunteers elected by all owners. The size of the board and its scope of responsibility and authority is determined by your association’s governing documents and state statutes.
Most boards have the responsibility and the authority to set goals and policies for the association that include making sure the association maintains financial viability, managing the property (either self- managed or hiring a professional manager), contracting for services to provide building and landscaping maintenance and other services and legal responsibilities including enforcing rules, conducting meetings and elections.
Community associations are unique entities. The board members are elected to represent and protect the best interests of the entire community. They must preserve or
38 July | August 2021
improve the property value and the quality of life of the jointly owned community. A good board member should possess some of the following qualities: a willingness to serve, have previous volunteer service, and be able to work with others for the common good.
The board has several responsibilities: it sets policies and establishes a direction for the association. Depending on its size, amenities, together with the budget, it determines what type of management the association needs to implement those policies. The board will also need the services of the following professionals: an attorney, accountant, insurance agent, and reserve specialist to make the most informed decisions for the community.
Through the association bylaws and documents, boards have guidelines on setting up committees. Committees are the backbone of the association. There are two types of committees. The standing committee performs a continuing function in specific areas such as finances, landscaping, and social functions. The second type of committee is the ad hoc committee which is a short-term committee
that is set up to solve a problem or plan a project. Committees report to the board and with this information the board can make informed decisions. Committees are another opportunity to have more homeowners involved in the welfare of the community. Committee members provide associations with more experience and knowledge. They serve as an opportunity for training volunteers to become future community leaders. This is another board responsibility. Volunteers who serve on the committees need to be publicly thanked for their service to the community.
Another responsibility of the board is their fiduciary duty. Owners invest in their property. Boards, having authority over and responsibility for the property of others, become fiduciaries. As fiduciaries the board must adhere to strict fiduciary standards in performing their duties. Fiduciary standards comprise of two parts – duty of loyalty and duty of care. Duty of loyalty means that any board decision must benefit the entire community and not just one individual. Duty of care means that board members perform their
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
