Good Qualifications for a Board Member

Since apathy is often listed as the number one issue with HOA's my first item would be a person who "shows up" is available timewise to effectively represent their community.

2. Any kind of "collar" experience (blue, white, or no collar) professionals who work well with all demographics and "types" of personalities, and group dynamics - the thought of a "magician" comes to mind

3. Have a strong foundation in understanding financials - you don't have to debate the virtues of cash vs accural accounting, or even GAAP standards - you just need to be able to read a spreadsheet notice irregularities, be able to project expeditures, and understand that flexibility is one thing, accountability is another.

4. Have had a quality psychological exam done in the past six months for volunteering for a board, or at least an excellent healthplan that covers mental and prescription meds.

5. Be a good listener, but also understanding that you will be look upon to make decisive decisions (some will be good, others will be bad - all will be worth learning from).

6. Remember that you are neighbor first, and boardmember second - finding common ground, or at least getting the other party to understand "why" a board decision is correct will be a task at times - but one that should not prevent sharing of a cold one over a fence (and not talking about an ice/snow bomb aimed at your neighbor, either).

7. It has been mentioned here, be conceited - when the HOA works, and things are good, sound the trumpet and make sure that the members see the good - and not just the bad (torn up roads, pool has "stuff" floating in it, trees/grass needs cutting, etc.)

8. Have FUN being part of the community, if you don't want folks stopping you while you are walking Fido, or Fluffy, your kid, or that romantic stroll - then don't run for the board. You become the "voice" and "face" of the community, so you must have patience when members need your ear.

9. Be honest, don't make promises (good or bad) that you do not have the authority to turn into actions.

10. Always respond to your members, they voted you in, they can vote you out - so if you have ego, first thing you need to check at the door.

That is about it, my wife is now looking at me, and wondering if I have any of the above, except of course #4.....

Hi Norman:

Here are a few things to think about:
1) Good communicator - can talk about the board in a positive way, explain board decisions; perhaps be able to write newsletter articles...

2) Team player - knows how to be part of a team, can disagree about ideas and live with the overall decision of the board; not a grudge holder.

3) Able to deal with stress of angry homeowners without losing own cool.

4) If it's a self-managed hoa, ability to give a lot of time, oversee projects, get involved in the day to day management of the hoa.

5) If it's an hoa that uses a manager, able to set policy, make decisions and then step back and let the manager manage; not a micromanager; understands the concept of policy governance.

6) Can read the whole email or management packet and make sense of it all, answer all the questions and understand all the issues; doesn't get hung up on one issue and miss the rest.

7) Has good "business sense," even if not in business; thinks rationally, thinks things through to the logical conclusion.

8) Able to see the "big picture," and has a vision for how the community can improve.

9) A leader - willing to stand up and lead with energy.

I'm sure there's more...

JPM

JadeDone4------------- Love # 4 and # 6 ..........Still chuckling this early saturday morning over NUMBER 4..... LOL Great insight...Love your "sense" of being...........LindaC

I like #4 and #6 too.

You can't be too soft either, people will walk over you.