Serving on the board of an HOA association is a weighty responsibility, and it can entail a significant volume of work. People must go into board service with a clear understanding of their duties and the proper skill set. Consider some essential qualities that can help an individual excel in a leadership role within an HOA.
Time for HOA Association Management Functions
Overseeing an HOA’s governance, finances, and day-to-day operations can represent a substantial time commitment. It is especially true of associations that did not have outstanding leadership in the past and need to remedy long-standing managerial or budgetary problems.
Being an officer or director may involve more than attending board meetings and approving an annual budget. They may need sufficient bandwidth for continuous financial oversight functions. They should be available to support expenditures and make important decisions about new projects. Even if an HOA works with a professional management company, officers’ and directors’ active participation can be crucial to an HOA’s ability to effectively serve the interests of the homeowners who have elected them to do so.
HOA residents with demanding jobs or similar constraints on their time may need help reconciling board service with all of their other obligations. Likewise, residents who travel frequently or spend part of the year at another residence might not be the best fit for leadership.
Resourcefulness
In assessing what makes a good HOA association leader, people might conclude that an individual’s knowledge or experience should be the determinative factor. In reality, advanced, specialized expertise is optional. However, leaders ought to be capable of recognizing when they should seek out professional expertise.
Bringing in reinforcements and harnessing expert insights equips leaders to make well-informed decisions. For instance, establishing working relationships with knowledgeable accountants, legal counsel, and insurance agents can help foster intelligent choices.
Accountability to the HOA
When something goes awry with managing the HOA’s resources, board members could bear the brunt of the blame. An HOA association leader should be ready to withstand scrutiny and constructively address any allegations of negligence or wrongdoing. It is not to say that they should resign themselves to being punching bags for frustrated residents. Instead, they should anticipate possible contention and conduct themselves to prevent it.
Tensions between homeowners and boards can lead to strained relationships, discord, and D&O claims. Board members must be receptive and empathetic toward people’s frustration when there is a severe issue. While they might not necessarily be the cause of a problem, they have to accept that they are responsible for dealing with it rather than shirking or abdicating responsibility.
Because officers and directors must be accountable to an HOA association, it is always advisable for them to offset their risk exposure with D&O insurance. This vital coverage could shield them from personal financial liability if someone were to bring a claim against them in their capacity as an officer or director.
Lastly, it is essential to recognize that HOA leaders should be adaptive. As they encounter unforeseen conditions or new challenges, they must be able to pursue practical, productive courses of action.
About Kevin Davis Insurance Services
For over 35 years, Kevin Davis Insurance Services has built an impressive reputation as a strong wholesale broker offering insurance products for the community association industry. Our president Kevin Davis and his team take pride in offering committed services to the community association market and providing them with unparalleled access to high-quality coverage, competitive premiums, superior markets, and detailed customer service. To learn more about the coverage we offer, contact us toll-free at (855)-790-7393 to speak with one of our representatives.