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Is such a prohibition in your state's statutes or your HOA's governing documents? If not, then the proposed prohibition is not legal. Nor can the friggin' board pass a resolution on same that is legally enforceable.

I think out of control board majorities pull this nonsense, of trying to gag their compatriots, all the time. The only gagging they can legally do is to prohibit directors from disclosing confidential information on the web site. If you are presented with an agreement, asterisk the main sections to which you object, and write at the bottom something like, ' *I intend to comply with state law and the governing documents with regard to confidential material. I reserve the right to speak about non-confidential material and make non-defamatory remarks, consistent with my fiduciary duty.' This advice comes from an attorney. I showed her one of these dumbass attempts to gag. He guffawed and gave the above advice. I would just bear in mind that your board majority may get mighty hostile to you mighty fast. But truth to power, they are in the wrong.

Actually, DouglasK1 that's how our president has been signing her posts for years. The president is upset that another member posting an incident on Nextdoor, so NOW they want to keep new people from posting on the site.

Our former president organized a group for our residents on NextDoor, but has since passed away, so the only way anyone can join it now is if they know someone who’s already a member and receives an invitation. In my area, there are several HOAs whose members post on the site, but virtually no one posts on specific HOA issues. In fact, I think there was only one incident where someone tried that and several homeowners from that community made it crystal clear they were not amused, and it never happened again. Most of the time, people post stuff about crime trends, garage sales, announcements for the next school board meeting, etc.

NextDoor hasn’t been around very long, so I doubt there’s anything out there that says it is or isn’t legal. Not everything in HOA land is going to be addressed in state law or even your documents for that matter (some of which are older than dirt and there’s little or nothing to reflect modern times). It’s really a matter of applying common sense and in this case, I’m with Mark and Douglas – you don’t give up your freedom of speech when you become a board member.

However, you need to make it clear you’re speaking as Jack Homeowner and not Jack HOA board member (and president), what you say could be interpreted as an official board statement. If someone asks about official board business or views, suggest he/she attends a board meeting or send a letter to the board. Save association specific stuff for your community’s website.

As for an agreement, it’s not necessary and the others can’t kick you off if you refuse to sign it, so I wouldn’t worry about it.

I, like many, believe the BoD of an HOA should NOT be posting on nextdoor - it is social media site.

However, as a director, if someone asked me to sign such an agreement, I would politely decline.

If they threatened to have me removed, I would laugh in their faces.

George,
I totally agree with you. I like to think of it more as a passive member on the site. I do want to know what people are thinking about and know when issues are popping up. The site we had in Ca. was really getting ugly with people on both sides of all issues fighting just to get the last word. The website was meant as a way to bring folks together but as usual when politics enters politeness exits.

Is it legal for them to ask? Yes.

If you agree to it in writing, it's likely a binding contract.

Does it prevent you from serving? Probably not (check your Bylaws)

Keep in mind that anytime someone who holds an office posts anything on social media, the perception is that what was posted is the opinion of the office vs. the individual opinion of the person posting.
That is likely why you are being asked not to post.

Tim wrote: "Is it legal for them to ask?" And again I wonder, who is "them?" Can you tell us AK8? Is there a written board-approved policy about this?

Boards here have a written Code of Ethics board -voted and -approved years ago. Every year, the PM asks directors to sign it. Occasionally a director refuses. And that's it. Nothing happens.

The story goes that Louis the XIV declared, "L' etat c'est moi." I AM the state. Too many board presidents have the same attitude. And they can persist so long as lazy or frightened directors let them.

"They" cannot order you to do anything. Only the board as a whole acting (voting) at meetings can try to make you sign this. UNLESS, as I noted, the rest of the Board is too lazy or afraid of the prez to keep her forom making her own rules. If so, shame on them!

Unless your governing documents has a social medial clause, they can ask, but that's all.

Can Nextdoor get out of control? Yes, The app can be used for just our community. or surrounding communities. I It is a great tool as long as it is not misused or abused.