Updated on December 5th, 2024
Sitting on the board of your homeowners association is a rewarding way to get involved in your community, get to know your neighbors, and personally ensure your property values are preserved and protected for the immediate future and in the long run.
Many residents may be curious about what’s required to serve on their HOA board but aren’t sure where to start. With our lengthy experience providing HOA management resources for homeowners associations across southern California, we have discovered that certain traits make for excellent board members.
Here are some characteristics to look for when voting for board members or if you’re thinking of serving on the HOA board yourself.
Community-Oriented
Though elected representatives, all HOA board members are volunteers. Therefore, they must have the time, patience, and enthusiasm to dedicate themselves to community issues, even though there is no monetary compensation.
The best board members want to get to know their neighbors, enjoy building community, and take pride in the place they live. They put their community’s best interests first and seek to build long-term value for the property and community.
Fairness
Board members are in place to serve their communities, not their own personal interests. Great board members demonstrate respect to all community members, regardless of how they feel about an issue personally, and implement HOA rules fairly to all community members.
On the other hand, just because a homeowner serves on an HOA board doesn’t mean they are exempt from community regulations. Great HOA board members know that they possess no individual authority; rather, in their role as a unified board, they make group decisions that positively impact their communities.
Business-Minded
Board members understand their responsibility as a fiduciary of a large non-profit company (the homeowners association) that controls millions of dollars in assets. In addition to the social aspects of running a community smoothly, great board members can see the big picture and make smart long-term business decisions that will ultimately increase property values for all residents.
They work in tandem with a community’s HOA management company to preserve and protect the value of the properties in their community. They listen to the expert advice provided and don’t rush into any hasty decisions.
Detail-Oriented
Legal updates, liability issues, and responding to community needs in real-time require detailed knowledge and a deep understanding of the concerns that can impact a community. This is important in guiding meeting agendas, communicating with homeowners, and implementing changes to governing docs.
Great board members take advantage of the training and HOA management resources offered by their management company and educational opportunities at trade organizations such as Community Associations Institute (CAI), to ensure they are educated enough to make keen decisions.
Problem-Solving Skills
Addressing the problems of the community head-on is important to prevent them from becoming a larger, unmanageable issue. It’s also helpful when a board member can think big picture and adapt accordingly, in addition to being detail-oriented.
HOAs evolve throughout the years, which require updates to governing docs, changes in types of communication, and other factors that affect homeowners. Looking to the future and identifying areas of improvement in advance can help the HOA streamline solutions.
Positive and Optimistic
Even when tackling the most difficult of responsibilities like balancing budgets and enforcing rules and regulations, bringing a productive, optimistic spirit to the group will help accomplish more with the focus always on the betterment of the community.
Interested in Serving on Your HOA Board?
There is great responsibility that comes with being a board member, but it can feel rewarding to give back to your community in such an impactful way.
If you think you might be a good fit to serve on the board of your community’s homeowners association, attend a board meeting to see the team dynamic firsthand and get a sense of how you might serve your community with your own passion, enthusiasm, and expertise.
Don’t worry, you won’t have to navigate the role alone. At Keystone, we support HOAs in their efforts to preserve property values and create connected communities. To learn more about the steps you should take to be considered for a board member position, feel free to contact us today to learn more.