When you ran for a board position, all that you probably needed to do in order to be elected was mount a successful election campaign. Now that you have been elected you have been entrusted with the authority to govern and make decisions that can maintain the current state of affairs or drive changes that could have a profound impact on the future of your community.

Whether you are ready or not, you may be expected to vote on matters of importance at your very first board meeting. This can be a daunting task as you face a steep learning curve and are expected to quickly take in and master a great deal of information. As a member of the board of directors you will face a multitude of complex issues related to daily operations, legal problems, budget and financial matters, and unexpected emergencies. To compound your challenges, you will also need to deal with the politics of your association. It will no longer just be about what you see and think. You’ll have to “view the world” through the eyes of the entire community and deal with the divergent opinions of your fellow board members. At times, it may feel as if your list of burdens will never end.
Trust me… You’re not alone. Even seasoned board members face similar challenges. It can be easy for them to be distracted by pressing unexpected association business as they are immersed in time consuming projects. As association work piles up, they are often consumed with putting out fires while keeping up with the work that they see right in front of them. They are also unpaid volunteers who have day jobs and families to worry about. Is it any wonder that they can lose sight of the regular daily, weekly and monthly tasks that they are supposed to perform; forget about the fundamentals of the job; or fail to think about and plan for the long-term prospects of their community?

Rest assured… Things will get easier as you gain experience and settle into a positive groove with your fellow board members. If you go about your job with a cooperative and pro-active outlook, board governance can be a gratifying experience that will give you the opportunity to act in the best interests of your community. Meanwhile, here are ten governance tips, based upon things that I learned over the years, that have served me well in my role as a community association board member:

1. Know your role as a director and the scope and authority of your board.
2. Adhere to the law and meet your fiduciary responsibilities.
3. Be familiar with where to get the information needed to do your job.
4. Read and follow your association’s governing documents.
5. Be a good communicator… know when to be transparent and when to keep things confidential.
6. Understand your association’s financial statements. Read them before each board meeting. If you see something that may not make sense, ask about it and expect an answer.
7. Don’t expect what you don’t inspect. Keep a close eye on the condition of your community.
8. You have power over staff. Use it wisely. Don’t abuse it.
9. Learn how your association operates before you try to change the way it does business.
10. Changing vendors and service providers can be a challenge. Have high expectations but be reasonable about service levels and get all of the facts before you consider making a change.

As you move forward, you will be able to turn to some of the seasoned members of your board for guidance. You will also find that your board members have the ability to collectively rely on your association’s legal counsel and auditors for professional advice. Most important, if your board has delegated management of your association to a qualified managing agent, your property manager will be an excellent training source. With the right guidance and a positive attitude, everything will begin to come together as you move into the more complex aspects of your governance position including the annual budget, repair and replacement reserve analysis and long-term planning.