Board Members

We are in the beginning phases of educating ourselves in regard to HOA Turnover. I am informed that the election of the New Board takes place on the Turnover Date. Are there any websites to review in regards to putting a procedure in place for the election of a New Board? How does one canvas for New Board members? Should they have certain qualifications, like Financial background, past experienced HOA Executive, Retired Lawyers, etc? Should they submit a resume and to whom do they submit this to ??? What are the steps in getting to this point of electing a New Board of Directors? Thank you.

From https://www.hoatalk.com/Forum/tabid/55/forumid/1/postid/352539/view/topic/Default.aspx, this appears to be a HOA subject to FS 720. I will assume this until RobertW35 says otherwise.

RobertW35, your first steps should be to read what the bylaws say about elections. Next read what FS 720 requires, in sections FS 720.306 (9) and FS 720.307. See http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0720/0720.html

It is of the utmost importance for you and the other owners to become accustomed to turning to FS 720, FS 617, the HOA's Declaration and the HOA's Bylaws before making any move. Pretty soon you will know them so well that turning to them will rarely be necessary.

Urge you to follow Lori's advice.

Meanwhile, as others have noted, your Bylaws will tell you about qualifications, as will aspects of 720. If like Calif. there are deadlines for various steps. To entice candidates, there are announcements at monthly board meetings, notices in the President's Message in our Newsletter and blasts form management calling for candidates. IN CA, their must occur way before the election.

Do you have a community manager? They would be able to help. What size is your HOA?

Many HOAs have trouble finding enough candidates to serve. Mine does not mainly because a large % of our owners are retirees. For the past 17 year only a handful of our 7 directors have been under 60 y.o. with most in the 60s & 70s. We have had 4 lawyers serve on our Board in 5 years and they had not been helpful often because they do no know HOA law. In fairness the 4th's only been on the board a few months. Similarly, our first treasurer was a CPA, but not experienced with our several reserve accounts or reserves at all. He made a major mistake. One of these days I'll count up the # of directors I served with over my 14 years on the Board. maybe a couple of dozen?

Over that time, I didn't see any occupation or profession among directors that were "better" directors than others. It may be simple coincidence, but the stronger directors came out of the public vs. private sector of the economy. Except for one director who was a Professional Engineer, none had any background in buildings, construction or the trades or crafts until now where a director who's retired as a community's Fire Dept. chief also had his own family construction company. He's become a fine asset.

there's been a ci couple of posts about seeking directors so I posted what our board uses, just as a hint about what you might want to consider.

I want to thank everyone for their input. It always helps to get other opinions to make a good decision. Thank you.