Do I have the time?
As a board member, you will need to devote at least several hours of your time each month to association business. In addition to regular monthly board meetings, you will need to be active in email discussions and occasional special meetings. During special projects, you may need to spend a little extra time on association business. Some board members may also spend a little more time than others if they are involved with serving on a committee.
Can I make tough decisions when it’s required?
The primary role of the board is to conduct the business of the association. This doesn’t just mean approving the budget, but also developing and enforcing policies. Board members are required to put aside their immediate circle of family and neighbors and make decisions based on the greater good of the community.
Can I do all this and have fun, too?
It isn’t all about policies and tough decisions. Our community is only as good as we make it, and establishing and maintaining a sense of community is a part of a board member’s responsibility. Planning and attending events, activities, functions, and being a presence in the community are as important as any policy decisions you may make.
After answering these questions, here are a few important things to consider:
Members of our community association board have a big responsibility, and they have the legal authority to carry out their roles. Where do they get this authority?
First, most states like Arizona have statutes—such as a condominium act or homeowner association act—that legally empower elected volunteer community association boards to act on behalf of all owners collectively. Also, our association is subject to the state’s nonprofit corporation code, which confers on the board the authority to act on the corporation’s behalf.
Second, the association’s governing documents—such as the declaration; bylaws; and covenants, conditions and restrictions—which are recognized by the state as binding documents, bestow legal authority on the board and define the scope of that authority.
On the flip side, however, the same statutes and documents that give boards legal authority to levy assessments and make rules, also create an obligation for elected board members to act responsibly.
Being a board member can be frustrating at times, but it may also be one of the most rewarding ways you’ll find to volunteer your time toward the betterment of community. If you’re interested in running for the board or would like more details about board member’s responsibilities, please contact the community manager or a current board member.
Reginald Younger, Jr.
President
Desert Ridge Community Association
