Why does anybody want to be the Board President

For those HOA Board presidents that are not self-serving and try to follow the governing docs and law; I think this is an existential question. For all other HOA Board presidents, I think the payoff should be obvious. [smile]

Michael

A well run BOD will have specific people oversee certain areas thus you can relegate tasks versus take them all on. A president does not have to take all tasks on. Pass some tasks off. Even when an owner approaches you with a concern/complain tell them that So and So oversees that area or pass on the concern/complaint to So and So yourself. Also ask yourself if you are using your PM effectively as in what tasks can they or will they do?

Along these lines, I stay on the BOD so some other Ahole cannot get on.

You don't say If you're the oresident, but if you are, it may be you're taking on car more than what's necessary. If there are other officers, don't try to their job - they need to read the documents to see what's required and do it.

As for complaints I think people look to the president be used he/she IS the president and therefore can do anything because they xan. That's not true, as you kniw, so it's important to set expectations. You don't approve exterior change requests on the fly, people need to apply and they won't get brownie points because you're their next door neighbor. You're only one vote, so you can't overrule your colleagues because you got outvoted.

That's why it's important for the board to manage expectations and make it clear there's a method to the madness. If they don't like it, they can vote you out and do it their way, if people let them get away with that. If they feel strongly about something, they can volunteer to help or do some research the board can consider. That may cure some of the more toxic residents because it's always easier to hitch and moan as opposed to actually buckling down to do something.

The payoff for all this? Depends on who has the job. Start with considering why you took on the job in the first place (board meeting - the officer spot was an added bonus of nail in the coffin!). All of you are volunteers and do the best you can because you're homeowners too and want to help make the community a clean, safe and attractive place. When it's beginning to become more of a chore, that's when you step back and prioritize what's really important. Don't be afraid to say no and remember you have a life outside the association and have a right to enjoy it.

That's something I had to learn the hard way during my 10 years in the board and is hate to see you burn out, so set your limits now. Good luck and God bless!

The president runs the meetings and is spokesperson for the board or association. Otherwise, he or she is one member of the board. The president is not the manager or CEO of an association.

In my association, most of the directors chair committees, which can be a lot of work, depending on the committee. The president cannot chair a committee so it is actually less work.