January 2024

MANAGEMENT TRENDS Welcome Aboard:

A Primer for New Board Members and Reminder for the More Seasoned By Chuck Graziano, CPM, PCAM, Wilkin Management Group, Inc., AAMC

N ew to being on your community’s board? Seasoned but not sure your service is fulfilling your expectations? This article is for you. Let’s go through some of the basic principles of being a leader in your community and how you can help maximize your board’s effectiveness. Did you know: According to the Foundation for Com munity Association Research, between 2021 and 2022, about 28% of Americans lived in a community association. This number is likely to continue growing since about 60% of new homes under construction are being built in a community. Why this matters: Approximately one in four Americans serve their community in some voluntary capacity. The need for effective volunteer leaders is increasing, and the role that they play will become more important as the popularity of a community association lifestyle impacts the fabric of American culture more each year. Being a board member can be extremely fulfilling and pro ductive, or it can be frustrating and confrontational, leading to short tenures, board member turnover, and, most critically, the stalling of business matters that affect your community. When you first join the board, it is essential to maintain the mindset that you are now a strategic leader of a business enterprise, which is distinct from being a casual observer or participant in the operations of your community. You will, at times, be called upon to make difficult decisions, which frequently are outside your area of familiarity. These decisions often impact your neighborhood, your home, and your wallet and gener ally require the board to consult with professionals who have expertise in these areas in order to provide guidance for the board to make informed decisions.

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“Approximately one in four Americans serve their community in some voluntary capacity."

Frame of Reference: There are a few documents that will provide new (and existing) board members with a good base of knowledge to use in the decision-making process. One such document is the association’s bylaws. Although they look long (and intimidating) to some, there is a specific section (reasonably close to the beginning of the document) that describes the composition of the board, elections, vacancies, and removal, and roles and respon sibilities of the board. Bear in mind that many of the duties of the board, such as the day-to-day “Operation, care, upkeep, and maintenance of the Common Elements” are generally delegated to a community manager or manage ment company, engineer, or contractor. The board’s role is to ensure that these areas are adequately addressed and to plan for future maintenance programs, repairs, and replacements. CONTINUES ON PAGE 44

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JANUARY 2024