How to form a committee within HOA?

Started by KW3 • 4 replies • 4145 views

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KW3 (California)
Posts: 146

Posted:

Hi, I did a bit research through CA state law, davis-sterling act and our HOA bylaws about committee under BOD and found very limited info on "executive committee" which is formed with board directors. Are there other more general type committees that BOD can adopt and appoint to carry out specific task with just homeowners (members) or combined homeowners and BDs as the committee members?

If the answer is yes, how would it (board adopt and appoint such committee) properly done? and how do such committees operate and run their task? what power and authority do they (committee chair and members) have?

Thanks for sharing and

Happy Holiday!

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

KW there are all kinds of committees that can be formed from Architectural Control Committee or ACC to Nominating Committee to help find people willing to run for the Board. Finance Committee charged with auditing the books to Landscape Committee to maintain or improve the common areas. Welcoming Committee to welcome new homeowners to the HOA and explain about the neighborhood; Social Committee to set up neighborhood social events. These are just a few ideas and the best part homeowners who are unwilling to serve on the Board will often serve on a committee and before you know it you can "sucker" them into running for the Board.

The Board would set up a charter for each committee outlining their powers and duties, they would then appoint willing volunteers to the committees including its chair. The committee would function like a Mini-Board for their specialty and report to the Board. The Board would remain responsible for the actions of the committees and each committee would have no power other than that granted by the Board or in the case of the ACC the CC&R's depending on the documents. Some Acc's have limited power there was one who posted here several years ago who claimed their ACC was setup under the CC&R's to function autonomicly from the BOD with their of budget and lawyer.

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Here are several different charters for committees:

http://www.seawindcovehoa.com/committees/finance-committee/budgetandfinancecommittee-charterandguidelines

http://www.riverdownsva.com/downloads/Landscape_Committee_Charter_Jan_2008.pdf

http://www.courtsandridges.org/documents/communicationscommitteecharter2008.pdf

http://www.miragecrossing.com/news/community-committees/landscape-committee-charter/

Studies show that 5 out of 4 people have problems with fractions

StanH5 (Colorado)
Posts: 89

Posted:

My current HOA has many Committees formed by and staffed by the Board (independence in question, yes!). This is proper in my HOA. However, matters of governance are all in the authority of the Board who has the final say. The Board must authorize all committees and a charter for each committee needs to be develped as well as what is to be done with the work completed by any committee: most likely all outcomes are approved or vetoed by the Board. If you want to form a committee that exerts any powers of governance this seems as though it would require a change to by-laws and a vote by all residents

KellyM3 (North Carolina)
Posts: 2,239

Posted:

Stan's observation matches mine.

Our HOA has, in its covenants and by-laws, the official chain of command. Committees can be created as-needed for particular tasks or projects. They technically get disbanded when no longer needed or effective, no matter when. My opinion is since all committees are unofficial, then the president creates the ad-hoc committees with communication with the board in full.

The HOA board retains all final decision making. Unless you're relinquishing official power (which isn't the case), this is the same as organizing a group of neighbors to help in their own community. This sounds positive!

If John Doe comes to my meeting and says "I want this." I'll say "Check it out and give the full board the facts at the next meeting." That's essentially a "committee."

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