community association board of directors apathy Tag Archives

For those who live in community associations, board membership should be viewed in the same vein as a civic duty. An effective board of directors is essential for the financial and administrative wherewithal and stability of every community association, so all unit owners who are able should volunteer to serve at least one term to contribute to their community’s overall success.

Some association members have the mistaken perception that the responsibilities of serving as a director are too complex and demanding for their capabilities and skill sets. While it is a serious commitment in terms of time and attention, board membership should not be viewed as being too daunting of an undertaking for the average unit owner.

The key to success for practically every board member lies in their use of the most effective professional and educational resources that are available. Of course, this should begin with relying on only the most experienced professionals such as attorneys, property managers, accountants, insurers, etc., but that is just the start.

Community association living has many advantages and desirable qualities. Residents share expenses in order to be able to enjoy relatively carefree maintenance of their property and the use of amenities such as pools, fitness centers, meeting rooms, and other appealing features. However, in exchange for enjoying benefits derived from community association living, such as the pooling of the financial burdens of an association via the monthly maintenance payments, members should be mindful of a vital commitment which contributes to the wellbeing of their community: serving on the association’s board of directors.

An effective board of directors is critical for the financial and administrative performance of a community and association. Boards, which are in charge of making very important decisions affecting all unit owners and residents, are comprised of volunteer owners who rise to the call of serving their community in order to make it the best that it can be for all of an association’s members.

Unfortunately, in many cases, we often find that unit owners become complacent when a community’s board of directors is doing its job effectively. Volunteering for board service is often perceived to be a daunting and thankless commitment by individuals who lead busy lives and do not wish to take on new responsibilities.

Effective remedies to tackle apathy towards board member service typically stem from implementing and maintaining long-term strategies to encourage serving. It should begin by encouraging all members of the association to attend and participate in the association meetings, motivating eligible attendees to consider serving on the board of directors in the future. Sharing informational resources on board service from industry groups, such as the Community Associations Institute (www.caionline.org) and other reputable sources, may also stimulate owners to aspire to serve on the board.

Articles Tagged with community association board of directors apathy

Shortening the Board Member Learning Curve

Contending with Apathy Towards Board Member Service in Community Associations