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Your Board Of Directors
A Home Owners Association (HOA) is run by a Board of Directors that is usually made up of homeowners who live in the Association. It’s rare that someone who is not a unit owner in the Association would be a member of the HOA Board.
People who are actually homeowners in the Association will have a different perspective on issues in the association community because they are directly impacted by them. This is especially true when it comes to decisions relating to monetary issues, like HOA fees.
Homeowners will also care more about the future and make plans for the Association by considering the big picture, instead of just immediate ramifications. If there's a circumstance where a member of the HOA board is not a homeowner in the Association, then this person most likely would not have voting rights.
What are the offices of the Board of Directors?
In general, the HOA Board of Directors will have the offices of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Member at Large. The officers are usually elected or appointed at the first Board meeting following the annual association meeting. The term of office for a board member typically lasts one year. The duties for each office look something like this:
President
Presides at all HOA board meetings
Makes sure orders and resolutions are carried out
Signs contracts and co-signs checks
Vice-President
Takes the place of the President when he/she is absent
Performs other duties as required
Secretary
Keeps meeting minutes
Records votes
Signs contracts on behalf of the Association
Sends meeting notifications
Keeps member records current
Treasurer
Receives and deposits monies
Signs checks
Keeps the accounting books
Schedules an annual audit of the accounting books
Prepares the annual budget
Member at Large
Fifth voting member of the HOA board
Performs duties as assigned
What other duties does an HOA board have?
The CC&Rs and Bylaws in a Home Owners Association will detail the responsibilities of the Board. In general though, an HOA board can also:
Adopt and change Rules & Regulations to protect the homeowners, relating to the use of common areas and personal conduct of HOA members
Employ a manger or independent contractor(s)
Set a budget and determine the amount of HOA fees each year
Board members should be fair, honest and always keep the homeowner’s best interest top of mind. Most importantly, an HOA board is there to represent and support all members of the homeowners association. But who supports the Board? Your Board may require outside help help governing and managing the Association. That is where a professinal HOA manager or management company is employed by the HOA.