Meetings are essential for a thriving community. A homeowner association is a business. Like any other business, someone has to handle day-to-day decisions and activities. Thus, regularly scheduled Board meetings are a must to set policies, resolve disputes, listen to residents and plan for your community’s future.
The most successful HOA Boards follow parliamentary procedure to stay on track during meetings, but styles vary from Board to Board. Some are more formal and regimented. Some are more casual. Whatever the structure, the best meetings are those that stay on topic and elicit meaningful contributions from the Board members.
The primary reason to have regularly scheduled Board meetings is to make decisions about association business. Most HOA Boards meet monthly because there’s always some business that needs attention. In addition to attending to standard day-to-day business, your meetings may also include other topics such as:
Education about changing laws, procedures or policies that affect the association
Review roles and responsibilities
Explore new technologies, procedures or other plans for potential future implementation
Assign and/or receive status updates on tasks
Meet and get to know each other, both professionally and personally
Minutes are an important part of every meeting. You need a record of the meeting, but it isn’t necessary to record every comment. Typical segments that you should include in your minutes are:
Date and time of the meeting
Officers present and quorum
Minutes of past meeting approved and/or changes
Financial report from treasurer
Manager’s written report
Unfinished business topics, motions and approvals
New business motions and approvals
Adjournment motion and time
If you aren’t sure about the laws in your state, check them because timing of meetings, notice and quorums are usually regulated. Your governing documents may also specify rules regarding meetings.
It’s simple. Regular Board meetings provide the opportunity to stay on top of association business. Make the most of every meeting, and your community will reap the rewards.
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Wise Property Solutions is a property management company serving East Tennessee with offices in Knoxville, TN and the Tri-Cities, TN-VA. Specializing in Condominium Association Management, Home Owners Association Management, HOA Management and Gated Community Association Management.