Across the country, HOA board members volunteer thousands of hours each year to serve their communities. If compensated for their time, the estimated annual value of their contributions would exceed $2 billion.
But what exactly does an HOA board member do, and what is the purpose of an HOA board in the first place?
In this article, we’ll break down the roles and responsibilities of HOA board members and explore what they receive in return for their time and dedication.
What Is an HOA Board?
A homeowners association (HOA) is typically structured as a non-profit organization.
Like any organization, it requires a governing body to ensure smooth operations and guide it toward its long-term goals. That governing body is the board of directors.
HOA Board Members
An HOA board is only effective when it has members who are authorized and committed to act on behalf of the community.
In most cases, board members are residents elected by their fellow homeowners to serve as representatives. Depending on the state and the size of the association, a board may consist of as few as three members or as many as nine.
We’ll dive into the specific roles later, but for now, it’s important to understand that each board member holds a duty of care to the community.
To uphold this duty, board members are expected to:
Act in good faith, always prioritizing the best interests of the community
Understand the HOA’s governing documents and relevant state regulations
Stay informed before making decisions or casting votes
Purpose of an HOA Board
Having a board gives elected homeowners “apparent authority” over major decisions affecting the HOA.
That means that board members don’t have much authority as individuals. They can’t sway the community one way or the other based on whims. They do, however, have control when they vote collectively.
So a board member’s support for a motion doesn’t necessarily carry more weight than any other regular homeowner’s support, unless enough board members share this point of view.
Side Note: There might be exceptions in the HOA’s governing documents. For instance, the board might grant one person the authority to buy materials for an event without needing prior approval for each item.
Responsibilities of HOA Board Members
What are the responsibilities of HOA board members? The responsibility range can change from one homeowners’ association to another.
This is partially because of state and local laws. However, the association’s bylaws also play a role. Each residential community has different needs, and the HOA’s structure has to cater to these demands.
That being said, there are some core HOA board members’ responsibilities to expect.
Updating and Enforcing Governing Documents
Most HOAs have three types of governing documents. The first is the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), which define the rights and obligations between the association and the members. This record is usually kept on file with the state as well.
Another important document is the bylaws, and it focuses on the governance details. It covers everything from board elections to quorums and meeting frequencies.
The third document is the Rules and Regulations, which is a broad term for anything not covered by the first two documents. Minor rules or regulations subject to seasonal change usually fall under this umbrella.
The board is responsible for all these documents. They’re the ones who are supposed to enforce these rules, and they need to do it in a way that doesn’t feel punitive. Board members shouldn’t give special treatment to their neighbors and friends, either.
Because the bylaws aren’t set in stone, the board should update the documents every five years or so. To do that, they’ll likely need a supermajority vote from the homeowners on the new documents.
Overseeing the Association’s Finances
Anything that has to do with money coming into the HOA (through fees) or out of it falls under the board’s scope of work. Even if the board partners with a community management company, reviewing financials is their responsibility.
A qualified HOA management company can assist with budget preparation, dues collection, financial reporting, and vendor payments, helping the board stay compliant and organized while reducing the risk of costly mistakes.
Maintaining All Shared Community Areas
Community maintenance isn’t just about landscaping. There’s a lot more that goes into creating a safe, clean, and appealing residential area than mowing lawns and planting flowers.
For one, the board has to track waste disposal, hire people to fix the community’s private streets, and stay on top of aesthetic standards (paint choices, roofing materials, and so on). Making sure gates, playgrounds, pools, and parks are responsibly funded is their job, too.
Managing these responsibilities can be time-intensive. That’s why many boards choose to work with an HOA management company to coordinate maintenance vendors, schedule repairs, and ensure community standards are upheld consistently.
Handling Disputes Between Residents
A board member might have to act as a neutral third party whenever disputes arise between homeowners. The goal is to mediate before things escalate and the members resort to court.
HOA Board Positions
Let’s take a closer look at the four basic positions on any HOA board.
HOA President
The president of the board is comparable to a company’s chief executive officer. They’re here to guide the rest of the board and act as a spokesperson.
Yet, the president doesn’t make any decisions on their own. Instead, they make sure everyone on the board gets heard.
HOA President Responsibilities
Here are the president’s main tasks:
- Scheduling board meetings and establishing agendas
- Running meetings (calling for votes, announcing results, etc.)
- Acting as the main point of contact for the association’s managing partners
- Signing all contracts and legal documents
- Co-signing checks (a shared task with the treasurer)
HOA Vice President
The vice president should be ready to do everything the president does. So, they’ll need to familiarize themselves with all the documents and procedures that the president deals with regularly.
They should also provide support when needed. For instance, the president might look at the tasks that don’t fall under any other board officer’s scope and assign them to the vice president.
HOA Vice President Responsibilities
The typical HOA vice president’s duties include:
- Taking over whenever the president is unavailable
- Serving as a liaison
- Handling delegated tasks from the president
HOA Secretary
Between membership lists and partner contracts, a lot of paperwork is involved in managing an HOA. The secretary’s job is to guarantee that every document is well-maintained and accessible.
Without their record management efforts, the association could face legal issues.
HOA Secretary Responsibilities
Here are the top tasks for the secretary position:
- Sending out meeting notices
- Taking meeting minutes
- Maintaining proper records for the HOA’s documents
- Making sure all parties have appropriate access to the documents
HOA Treasurer
The board might outsource financial work to an accountant. However, the treasurer should oversee the work and look for compliance with the association’s governing documents.
It’s their duty to handle every transaction, which includes collecting dues and issuing vendor payments. They also keep track of the reports to prepare the association for audits.
HOA Treasurer Responsibilities
Here’s a glance at the treasurer’s duties:
- Generating accurate financial reports
- Keeping up-to-date books
- Overseeing billing and collections
- Co-signing checks (a shared task with the president)
- Confirming that audits are performed regularly
Other Common HOA Board Roles
Some boards include members-at-large.
The members-at-large are elected homeowners who serve on the board without holding a specific position. They get to attend board meetings and offer their opinions.
Reasons to Serve on an HOA Board
A strong HOA board helps protect every homeowner’s investment, an incentive that, on its own, is often motivation enough to run for a board position.
Here are three more compelling reasons to consider:
1. To Make a Difference in Your Community
As an HOA resident, there are many ways to give back, whether by serving on a committee, helping with communications, or volunteering for maintenance tasks.
However, joining the board allows you to contribute at a strategic level. You’ll help shape the association’s long-term goals, policies, and overall direction.
2. To Build a Stronger Resume
Serving on an HOA board demonstrates leadership, responsibility, and commitment, qualities that stand out to potential employers.
It also provides a unique experience in governance, budgeting, and community relations, skills that translate well across many industries.
3. To Put Your Skills to Use
If you have specialized experience in law, finance, or corporate leadership, your skills would be highly needed on the board.
On one side of the equation, you’ll help the community out. On the other side, you’ll get to do the sort of work you excel at and enjoy.
How to Become an HOA Board Member
You’ll find the exact eligibility requirements and campaigning rules in your governing documents. In general, you’ll need to:
- Familiarize yourself with the bylaws and CC&Rs, paying particular attention to your chosen role’s duties and requirements.
- Analyze the main pain points in the community (chat with neighbors, attend events, etc.).
- Prepare a candidate statement and plan for your desired position, keeping in mind the HOA board of directors’ responsibilities.
- Wait for the upcoming election announcement.
- Put your name in for consideration if the HOA allows self-nomination. Otherwise, you’ll need one member to nominate you and another to second the nomination.
- Spread the word about and start campaigning.
FAQs
Do HOA board members get paid?
No, HOA board members typically do not receive monetary compensation for their service. They also should not receive special perks or preferential treatment.
That said, serving on the board can be highly rewarding. Seeing the positive impact of your efforts on the community offers its own kind of compensation.
What happens if an HOA has no board?
If there are no members on the board, homeowners in the HOA might have to go to court to have someone appointed as a receiver. The receiver then acts as a representative until a board is elected and ready to take over.
What happens when the entire HOA board resigns?
Mass resignation doesn’t mean that the HOA will automatically disband or dissolve. The association still legally exists and has to fulfill its obligations. In these cases, the association will likely go into receivership.
How to remove a board member from an HOA?
A homeowner might be able to call for an emergency meeting and remove a member if they have enough petition signatures. It’s still best to check the bylaws for the exact process.
Board members can also relieve a fellow member from their position (vice president, treasurer, etc.) without removing them from the board altogether. They’d be considered a member at large in this case.
What makes a good HOA board member?
HOA board members should be passionate about improving the entire community. They need to be fair, informed, and capable of encouraging homeowner involvement.
Certain positions require extra skills and traits. For instance, a treasurer or a secretary needs to be particularly well-organized.
How often should the HOA board meet?
There’s no universal rule for how often an HOA board must meet. In many cases, the governing documents outline the required meeting frequency, removing any guesswork.
If the documents are silent on this issue, the board can determine a schedule that suits the community’s needs, typically meeting monthly or quarterly.
