Serving on your homeowners’ association (HOA) board of directors offers a unique opportunity to make a difference in your community. Tasked with managing finances, overseeing operations, and facilitating engagement, board members play a crucial role in making life better and more accessible for residents.

While rewarding, the role comes with significant responsibility, and mistakes and errors do unfortunately happen. Read on to discover five common HOA board member mistakes and how to remedy them.

Mistake #1: Communicating Poorly  

Communication can make or break any community. If boards don’t communicate clearly and frequently with residents, confusion, frustration, and conflict can arise.

To ensure strong communication, it’s important for boards to be available and transparent about projects, updates, and concerns. Board members should confirm residents know how to contact them, respond promptly, establish a regular communication cadence, and use multiple communication channels, including:

• Community website
• Newsletters
• Email blasts
• Text messages
• Dedicated community app
• Bulletin boards
• Direct mail

When boards prioritize communication and strive to keep residents informed and aligned, they create a more harmonious living environment for all.

Mistake #2: Operating Independently

It’s no secret that HOA board members have full plates. Board members are volunteers who dedicate their time and talents, and their heavy workloads can cause burnout, stress, and tension. Fortunately, many HOAs create committees to offer support and divvy up duties. Typically overseen by a board member, HOA committees comprise volunteer residents who focus on projects and tasks that need additional oversight and attention. Popular HOA committees include:

• Social committee
• Architectural review committee
• Welcome committee
• Budget committee
• Landscaping committee
• Neighborhood Watch committee  

Committees not only help boards accomplish goals faster, but they’re also a low-commitment way for residents to get involved. Your HOA’s governing documents will outline permitted committees, operating guidelines, and roles and responsibilities.

Mistake #3: Ignoring Feedback

HOA board members have a fiduciary duty to always act in the best interest of the community. To successfully fulfill this duty, it’s critical for board members to constantly have a pulse on what’s happening in the community and how needs are evolving and residents are feeling. Boards can do this by providing convenient ways for residents to share their thoughts and feedback. Gathering feedback can improve performance, offer motivation, and build trust. Although you may not be able to implement every piece of feedback, listening and letting residents know their voice matters can make a big difference in output and morale.

Mistake #4: Not Encouraging Connections

Because everyone follows the same community rules, lives close, and is welcomed at the same events and amenities, living in an HOA usually comes with a sense of camaraderie. However, this united spirit isn’t immediate or inherent, and board members often must work to foster this togetherness.

When neighbors know each other, the community is a better and safer place to live. Boards can encourage neighborly relationships and connections by:

• Welcoming new residents
• Posting volunteer openings
• Hosting fun events
• Making local connections
• Having regular meetings

Offering opportunities for engagement may take some extra time and effort, but it’s well worth it.

Mistake #5: Refusing to Use Software

Today, there are technological solutions that simplify almost every aspect of our lives—and residents have the same expectations for their HOAs. To remain current, meet demands, and effectively address ever-changing needs, boards should implement dedicated HOA software.

Software solutions like TownSq are user-friendly and have features that make leading and living in a managed community easy and convenient. For example, with TownSq, residents and board members can do the following—all on the app or website:

• Pay online
• Submit architectural requests
• Reserve amenities
• Vote
• Post announcements
• Send reminders and private messages
• Host meetings
• Participate in polls and forums

While the HOA industry is historically slow to embrace technology, holding out can restrict growth and hinder productivity. Adopting an innovative solution can streamline processes, elevate resident satisfaction, automate tasks, and give your HOA a competitive advantage.

Avoid Common Board Member Mistakes with TownSq

Common HOA board member mistakes include communicating poorly, operating independently, ignoring feedback, not encouraging connections, and refusing to use technology. Fortunately, these mistakes can be avoided with the right knowledge, actions, and tools.  TownSq, the all-in-one leading app for HOA management companies, community managers, board members, and residents, addresses many of these issues effectively. Discover what TownSq can do for you by requesting a free demo today!  

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