What is the role/responsibility of a “member at larger”?

CharlesW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 826

Posted:

As many of you may know. I’m no longer a board member, with the arrival of our first born son. I knew I wouldn’t have the time necessary to be as involves as I feel a board member should be. Although, I did want to provide suggestions and to be able to hear about how MY money is being allocated and to help when needed without inadequately filling the position.

Chuck W.

BTW- I don’t get to post nearly as often as I had or would like too. However, I do spend several hours a day throughout the week, reading various threads being discussed. Occasionally, I read were the poster isn’t addressing the original thread, but for the most part it is general corrected, shortly there after.

Thanks in advance for addressing my concerns. I look forward to hearing from each of you, especially the “veterans”

Charles E. Wafer Jr.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Charles,

Congratulations on the birth of your son. This is a momentous occasion and one you should savor. Children grow up so fast, b/4 you know it he'll be starting school! Start that baby album now. My boys (aged 40 and 33) still delight in looking through theirs and my grandchildren love looking at "daddy's" pictures and reading all about him. I also have a "family portrait wall" in my home (a tradition I started about 35 yrs ago) that the boys and the grandchildren can't pass by w/o taking a peek. Memories are all we have. . .

P.S.

If I had my druthers, I'd much rather be rocking a cuddly little angel to sleep than reading about some HOA's errant board!!! LOL

Good luck and have fun!

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

By the way, what particular type of "member" are you referring to in your question?

An association "member at large"?

Or a board "member at large"?

If it's an association member at large, my guess would be the same responsibility/role as anyone else, which is to say to be aware of and abide by the governing documents.

If it's a board member at large, it just simple means a non-officer and you would not have direct, mandated responsibilities (as a president or treasurer would), but that you would still have to attend the required meetings, be up-to-date and informed on the matters before the board and vote as necessary on items before the board.

The role and responsibility would likely vary with the needs and functions of your particular board.

On our board, a member at large is pretty much a cushy position. At least THEY think so!!

They get to know all the "inside" scoop, and don't have to break a sweat on any project that they don't personally volunteer for.

However, in some HOAs, a member at large may still be required to fill committee chair roles.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Opps, forgot to add, congrats on the new member of your family!

What a great way to start the new year!!

GeorgerwilliamsW (Indiana)
Posts: 975

Posted:

In answer to the question that is the subject of this thread--role/responsibility of a "member at large", here is what the Community Associations Institute has to say:

Rights and Responsibilities

right

responsibility

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Charles,
Congratulations on your new son. The thrill has begun.

In my HOA, our 5 member Board had 3 officers, a Pres, V.P and Sec/Treas. The other 2 Board members were "at large". They had responsibilities as liaisons to certain committees but basically, they were valuable to ensure that we always had a Board quorum and enough Board members for voting purposes.They picked up certain jobs such as web master, researching of projects and basically were the go to people for following thru on projects with responsibilities of reporting to the other Board members.

AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960

Posted:

Hey Charles, thanks for popping in to say hello! It's nice to know that the "long-lost" regulars are still spying on us and keeping tabs on our lastest problems and issues.

Congratulations on the new arrival! What a blessing, I'm sure he is. Maybe when he starts to learn to read you can teach him by using some of our posts! :

"Spot pooped in Janes's yard."

"See Dick run and park in Sally's space."

CharlesW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 826

Posted:

Thank you all for the advice provided thus far. My wife and I are certainly blessed with a very beautiful, well behaved baby boy. It’s difficult to image life before he arrived. We are enjoying every moment.

I enjoyed being involved with various events throughout the year within our community. Although, the HOA takes a back seat to our sons needs. He is our number one priority. Unfortunately, I can not/will not spend myself thin.
I suggested being a “member at larger”. I had to explain what a member at large is, but once the others were aware, they thought I would be great asset to the community. I explained it to them as basically being a board member, but not able to vote.

I recall how much conversing is generally done (via email or special meetings), but the current members don’t seem to want to include me in any of their email discussion. I pretty much have to inquire as too what is going on, or monthly meeting. But when decorations need to be hung; I’m the first they call!
I feel as though I’m being used. I’M DONE! I’M JUST GOING TO PAY MY ASSESSMENTS AND LIVE VIOLATION FEE.

Thanks as always.
Chuck W.

Charles E. Wafer Jr.

GlenL (Ohio)
Posts: 5,491

Posted:

Charles if you're just an "honorary" Member at Large and not an actual trustee without a specific job/title, then you have no more - no less standing of any other member of your community. And it would be improper for the BOD to share anything relating to Board activities with you that they don't share with other members.

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

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

Charles,
A nice New Years present to hear of your brand new New Years Present......all the very best.

I suppose it is worth mentioning on this thread that for all of us reading and posting here, if you even start to think that being on the Board or being involved in your association or helping out around here is going to get you some kind of Brownie Points...........best to forget that idea. We all know the apathy that exists in associations, and to think that apathy doesn't extend to us is not realistic. Shoot, any of us decide to bug out and in three days people will have forgotten your name. Nature of the beast, I suppose.

CharlesW1 (Georgia)
Posts: 826

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By RobertR1 on 01/04/2009 12:36 PM
Charles,
A nice New Years present to hear of your brand new New Years Present......all the very best.

I suppose it is worth mentioning on this thread that for all of us reading and posting here, if you even start to think that being on the Board or being involved in your association or helping out around here is going to get you some kind of Brownie Points...........best to forget that idea. We all know the apathy that exists in associations, and to think that apathy doesn't extend to us is not realistic. Shoot, any of us decide to bug out and in three days people will have forgotten your name. Nature of the beast, I suppose.

RobertR1

Certainly one of the best presents, I could EVER receive. I’m blessed for sure.

I do not understand what you’re saying, what you posted to me thread! You have stated the obvious, IMO. I do what I can, when I can, (as do others) for my community, which in turn will eventually benefit me and my family indirectly.

I don’t mean to sound hasty. You continue to help those who ask on a frequent basis and I enjoy reading the posts you write.

Thank you

Chuck W.

Charles E. Wafer Jr.

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

Hey Chuck,
My remarks were certainly not intended for you personally. I suppose (I don't remember)I selected you because you were last posting or first posting.

Anyhow, my remarks were general remarks and one of the things I like about this Board is that many that post here are smarter than I. Their educational level is apparent in many posts, and they can also spend the time digging out all kinds of stuff.

When you look at how many folks view these postings , it is clear, lots of people are "lurking", no a bad thing. I suspect if enough people lurk, some may mistakingly assume some of us have big ego's, not a bad thing. So, at times something strikes me, that we need to go "Home" and reconsider. To me, that means trying to understand what we do here is use our knowledge. Part of that is the understanding that we are, when we get naked, just run of the mill folks hoping we can make a tiny difference.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Chuck,

I believe "member-at-large" is not the proper title to use for your suggested position. Many assn's that have a 5-member board and 4 officers refer to the 5th director as a "member-at-large". My assn has an advisory committee. The advisory committee members are actually non-voting board members, appointed by the BOD. They receive a board packet for each meeting; sit in on the closed sessions, serve on various committees, and are privy to everything a board member is.

RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164

Posted:

Mary,
We don't and have never had this position filled. In our docs, these folks would be designated "Officers" appointed by the Board. I have always felt this is a very valuable tool for the Board, but that opinion doesn't roust any interest. I do believe this is not addressed in the SC State Statute on Condominiums, but is covered in the By laws.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

If anyone is interested, my take on a "member at large" is this.

Typically, a member at large represents the general membership on issues of interest or concern, particularly those that arise outside of the standing committee structure.

The MAL conducts projects to further the goals of the organization or to develop services for the membership. The MAL could serve as chair of any HOA committee formed to develop these projects.

The MAL listens to membership and communicate their issues, needs and interests to the Board of Directors.
* Identify potential problems and opportunities.
* Work effectively toward common goals as a team member.
* Set objectives and develop action plans for selected and/or assigned projects.

Any Board that has more members than there are officer positions, often names these extra people as Members At Large and use them in any way that the Board sees fit, hopeefully in a productive way.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Robert,

My assn bylaws, under the article titled "Officers" states: ". . . the BOD may appoint other agents as it shall deem necessary who shall hold their positions for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the board."

W/o that stipulation, or one to that effect, in the bylaws I don't believe a board would have the authority to appoint a "member-at-large" as Chuck suggests or an advisory committee as my board has done. I do agree an advisory committee can be a valuable asset to the board but only depending upon the people who are appointed to it.

DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671

Posted:

Robert,

If the governing documents call for a 5 or 7 or whatever number of Board members, then after they run out of officer positions, such as 1st and 2nd Vice presidents, the extra members [could] become members at large if that is what the docs call them. They would also be voting members as long as the total number of Board members matches what the documents call for.