Board Member 101: Best Practices

Board members who are elected to represent their condominium, homeowner (HOA), and townhome community association carry a weight on their shoulders to ensure they are acting in the best interest of their fellow neighbors. When holding a board position, it is good practice to follow these three duties:

• The Duty of Care
• The Duty of Loyalty
• The Duty to Act Within the Scope of Authority

Association unit owners and residents depend on board members to make informed decisions, act fairly, operate in good faith, and manage the community within the scope of their delegated authority. The following are a few best practices in becoming a contributing member of a board:

• Become familiar with the association’s financial and operating documents
• Study your association’s bylaws and declaration
• Understand the association’s rules and regulations
• Be aware of the association’s common areas and maintenance obligations
• Participate in board meetings
• Report violations through appropriate channels
• Work with the association’s legal counsel to maintain familiarity and compliance with local, state, and federal laws
• Subscribe to industry newsletters to stay current with changes and trends
• Attend educational seminars to learn new strategies
• Meet with new board members and inform them of current community issues
• Safeguard association information and maintain privacy standards
• Encourage participation in association events
• Invite members to be on the board or lead a committee

Membership on a board is a serious responsibility and should not be taken lightly. Board members should attend meetings, review materials, be attentive to community concerns, ask questions, and work through established procedures. These actions will help the board efficiently operate the association and effect change where needed. If KSN can answer any legal questions or assist your Board, do not hesitate to contact our law firm. Please call 855-537-0500 or visit www.ksnlaw.com. Since 1983, KSN has been a legal resource for condominium, homeowner, and townhome associations. Additionally, we represent clients in real estate transactions, collections, landlord/tenant issues, and property tax appeals. We represent thousands of clients and community associations throughout the US with offices in several states including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. Please note the material contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is established by your review or receipt of the information contained in this article. You should not act on the information discussed in this article without first obtaining legal advice from an attorney duly licensed to practice law in your State. While KSN has made every effort to include up-to-date information in this article, the law can change quickly. Accordingly, please understand that information discussed in this article may not yet reflect the most recent legal developments. Material is not guaranteed to be correct, complete, or up to date. KSN reserves the right to revise or update the information and statements of law discussed in the article law at any time, without notice, and disclaims any liability for your use of information or statements of law discussed on the article, or the accessibility of the article generally. This article may be considered advertising in some jurisdictions under applicable law/s and/or ethical rules/regulations. © 2022 Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, A Professional Corporation.