Members of the board of a homeowners association (HOA) community have huge roles in helping a community progress, keep the safety and peace in the community, and make big decisions for the betterment of the neighborhood. Therefore, being a board member should not be taken lightly. It comes with many responsibilities that can have a great impact on the neighborhood. Moreover, it can be a real challenge since it is difficult to isolate the business aspect of a community from the personal aspect since you live there and you have friends all around. Hence, it is beneficial to the board to have a reliable HOA management company in San Diego who can help in managing the community.
Often, the board member has lots of tasks on hand. It can get very tedious and tiring. If you are having a tough time being part of the board, here are some useful tips for managing the community.
1. Work for the common good
It is important to keep in mind as a member of the board that everything you do should be for the common good and not your personal benefit alone. When decisions need to be made, it is best to have a list of pros and cons about the community. Remember that everything you decide on affects everyone in the neighborhood so it is important to think of their sake. Doing this can help in increasing the community’s trust in you.
2. Work closely with a community manager
One of the major roles of members of the board is to create policies for the community. It is the community manager’s job to implement these policies and make sure that they are being enforced. Although it is beneficial to have some community management skills as part of the board, you should also know when to delegate and let the community manager do their job. Work with them closely but provide boundaries and respect.
3. Other board members are your neighbors
Take note that other members of the board are your neighbors and most of them are your friends. There are instances when there are discussions in community meetings and arguments may arise. If you get involved in one, always be respectful and try to see things from their perspective. This may help in understanding a fellow board member and resolve an ongoing discussion.
4. Be in the know
As a board member, it is important to always stay on top of things. It is very challenging at the start, but you will get the hang of it as time goes by. You will learn from other people and from your own experiences. There may be learning via trial and error, but the important thing is that you learn from all of them.