‍

As a member of an HOA, you love your neighborhood! From the neighborhood gathering to the monthly community meetings, you enjoy volunteering and getting involved. Best of all, you appreciate the support and sense of community that your HOA brings to all members. You may also want to make changes within your community — perhaps your community needs an upgraded community center or new playground for the children to play. One way of doing this is by being a voice for your community as an HOA board member. 

Now you may be asking yourself why you would consider putting yourself into such a large role. In fact, many people ask the same question! To better understand, let's explore why you would want to consider joining an HOA board.

Here are 4 reasons to join your HOA board this year

1. New change 

One of the most important reasons people join their HOA board is because they desire to make a change. Providing change to a community can result in several positive outcomes. In fact, without change, an HOA is likely to lack the ability to thrive. Change is what makes an HOA successful and helps people stay involved.

• HOA guidelines - One of the biggest concerns HOA members often have is related to their HOA guidelines. As a board member, you have more influence in helping bring change to your HOAs guidelines. Although this process can be tedious, there are ways to go about it. One of which is by familiarizing yourself with your Hoa's current guidelines and procedures on how to make amendments.    

2. Solve problems‍

When times get tough, an HOA will rely on those that are problem solvers. A board of directors seeks to hire people that are efficient and enjoy problem-solving. 

• Feedback - As an HOA board member, you’ll receive feedback and concerns daily. In fact, this is a large part of why HOAs need people that are problem solvers. The happier your community, the happier the HOA board. As a problem solver, obtaining feedback will be a vital part of your role —not to mention getting people to speak up. It’s been said that those in politics will run the office to help people. For an HOA, there is no difference. As a member of the board, you have the opportunity to create positive impacts and solve long-term problems that result in positive change. 

3. Bring opportunity

You’re a natural leader and love to network — getting to know new people is your passion. You seek every new relationship as a new opportunity. An HOA board is perfect for someone with this mentality — without new opportunities, an HOA cannot grow and thrive. 

• Increase property value - One of the main responsibilities of an HOA is to increase and maintain property value. Bringing new opportunities such as new vendors, maintenance plans, and added security are all great ways to do this.
• Increase involvement - You’re already a natural-born leader, and as someone that loves to get involved, you’ll also want to help others be more attuned to the community. When working on an HOA board, you have the opportunity to be a role model and influencer for other members.    

4. Resume builder

It never hurts to add a little something extra to your resume. In fact, many jobs see being a part of your HOA as a sense of leadership, proven dedication and display of having strong business skills. It takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and a creative mindset to join an HOA board. Potential employers find these traits to be valuable and sometimes a requirement when seeking new hires. 

What roles are offered as part of an HOA board of directors? 

President - The president’s job primarily facilitates communications from the other board members to the rest of the association. They also oversee the other operational tasks delegated to the other board members.

• Handles preparations and schedules for board meetings. 
• Drives grand-scale decision-making required of the HOA 
• Skill needs may include: efficient leadership and the ability to delegate 

Vice President - This role is considered to be more flexible and sometimes unique in that it can sometimes feel like the most non-essential position on the board. If permitted within the HOA bylaws, the vice president’s role can serve as a primary resource and companion to the president’s position.

• Handles operational tasks that the president is unable to spearhead
• Assist the president with presidential duties such as running board or community meetings. 
• Suggested skills may include: being reliable, taking the initiative, being efficient, and being a strong resource to the president. 

Secretary - Considered to be one of the most critical roles, the secretary is a non-presidential position. The position is designed to be a documentation source and a record keeper for the HOA. 

• Maintains and records minutes from all HOA board meetings 
• Assisting the president with preparing discussions and agendas as needed
• Provides access to HOA governing documents, maintenance records, and any other resident-related information that may need to be supplied to either residents or management companies.
• Skills required may include: strong communication, organizing data and documents, fast typing, and grammar skills.

Treasurer - The HOA treasurer’s responsibilities are considered to have the most impact on an HOA, especially if it is not managed correctly. The treasurer’s responsibilities entirely function around the financial and accounting aspects of the HOA. 

• Assists in planning a yearly HOA budget.
• Collects and maintains dues from both residents and HOA vendors. 
• Assists in completing daily and yearly financial tasks such as tax filings. 
• Skills required may include a strong financial planning background, the ability to project and calculate yearly expenses, honesty, and reliability. 

‍

How do I know what position is best for me? 

1. Talk to former members - There’s no better way to know what you’re getting into than by talking to former members. This helps by obtaining feedback about what it takes to fill the role and the experience other members may have had. In addition, talking to former members can also help you know what changes may need to be made. 
2. Feedback - Obtaining feedback from current members and fellow neighbors helps by allowing you to hear what other members may want to bring to the table or change in the community. You may be surprised to hear that you have many of the same concerns. Obtaining feedback also works as a valuable source to understand where you stand as a member and if the problem is something you’re willing to take on. 
3. Time - Being reliable is a viable part of being a board member. Before taking the plunge, consider the amount of time the role may take. Are you prepared to include this responsibility into your daily routine and lifestyle? Consider talking to former members about their experience while working with deadlines and time-consuming projects.  

‍