Monthly Archives: July 2020

A Day in the Life of an HOA Board Member

HOA board members are huge components of the backbone that makes up a successful planned community. From the organization of community events to making decisions that help keep a neighborhood within local code compliance, your average board member has a lot on their plate. All of this is on top of the fact that they are really volunteers who are deeply devoted to their community.

Our team works with community leaders on a daily basis and we felt like shining some light on all of the great things they do throughout their time at the helm. Here’s a look into a “day in the life” of an HOA board member and why they deserve more credit than they get!

Consistently Planning For the Future

Although maintenance in the community is a key focus for a board member, the future is really what they have their eye on. Many people have volunteered to be on the board in order to benefit the future of the community for generations of homeowners to come.

Planning for the future and meeting goals they’ve set in place for a neighborhood is easier said than done. Your HOA board works hard to gather several pieces to complete their puzzle.

This includes:

  • Pursuing collections to ensure the HOA has adequate funds
  • Building reserve funds for future budgets
  • Obtaining and reviewing multiple bids for big projects
  • Regularly conducting a Reserve Study, and much more!

Meetings With the Management Team

Like we’ve mentioned before, HOA boards consist of volunteers who just want to see a better community for the future. Not everyone is qualified to expertly handle all of the legal and financial hurdles that get in the way of community planning.

That’s where regular meetings with HOA management teams come into play. We help your board members navigate through the difficulties of running a neighborhood while still having a family life and full-time jobs.

From reviewing legal options in a non-payment dues dispute to finding the right vendors to maintain community grounds, meetings with a management team are essential. We work with your HOA to provide board members with the essential tools and resources necessary to improve your neighborhood.

Interpreting and Enforcing Bylaws

While this may not be the most popular duty for board members and community members alike, your board is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the CC&Rs that keep your community looking its best.

Remember, your board represents the community as a whole so, the best interest of the entire neighborhood is their duty. It’s important that everyone follow the general rules so that the pleasantries of a community remain uniform. So, even though a decision to shut down a personal construction project or fining members who consistently don’t cut their grass may seem like a power play, it really isn’t. All situations are unique and your board members work hard to approach every interpretation of the bylaws with a level head and the best interest of the community in mind.

Let Goodwin & Company Help Make Your HOA Community “Home”

If your HOA board knows that it needs some extra help managing the neighborhood, it’s time to look into hiring an association management team. At Goodwin & Company, we have the experience and resources to help communities of all sizes effectively meet the goals that have been set in place for their success. We’re ready to help you better your board. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Tips For Running an Effective Remote HOA Board Meeting

As Texas COVID-19 cases continue to climb to dangerously high levels, many community members are beginning to once again take a stronger stance with social distancing. However, the world continues to turn and thanks to technology, being socially distant doesn’t always mean shutting down business as usual.

This especially stands for HOA board members who must still hold board meetings and make important decisions that benefit the communities they serve. Remote meetings are among the latest trends for safe, effective meetings. So, if your board has decided to step away from the physical table and join the digital realm of communication, here are some tips for ensuring that your online meeting is one that really gets the job done well.

Agree on a Platform and Stick to It

In a mid-COVID world, there are so many different platforms to choose from when it comes to an online meetup. From free options like Discord video chat to more professional platforms like ZOOM, your board members may be overwhelmed by their choices.

Our suggestion is to research the possibilities, vote on a platform to use, and stay with that platform until in-person meetings resume. By staying faithful to one service, your board members will be able to ease themselves into using the program better with each meeting, resulting in less technical downtime.

Plan Ahead for Your Meeting

As with every board meeting, you’ll want your board members to be prepared for their talking points. Prepare an agenda and send it out in far enough advance for your board members to review. Ensure that any questions about items on the agenda are answered prior to the meeting so that the meat of your conversation revolves around action that benefits your constituents.

Keep Your Routine as Normal as Possible

Switching up how you conduct your meetings can easily throw the length, topics, and overall flow of your meeting off course. However, if you are able to hold a private “session zero” meeting, you can easily set boundaries that allow your meetings to stay as normal to an in-person meeting as possible.

Some of the essentials to discuss include:

  • Meeting frequency
  • The maximum length of a meeting
  • How early agendas should go out
  • Main objectives during this time of isolation

When in Doubt, Ask Your Management Team for Help

Remember, even though your board can still vote on objectives, there are still some limitations in comparison to an in-person meeting. Sometimes prior notice must be given to owners before a decision is made, and this can be difficult terrain to travel with newer board members.

Fortunately, your association management team will be able to provide you with the legal advice that you’ll need in order to ensure that the decisions you make during a meeting don’t go against state regulations.

Manage Your Community Efficiently With Goodwin & Company

If your HOA community is ready to take its leadership to the next level for its members, Goodwin & Company is here to help! We are a trusted, experienced HOA management team that can assist your board with any of the pressing issues that arise within a community. Contact us today to learn more about our services and how we’ve successfully helped communities like yours grow and flourish.