Boosting HOA Board Effectiveness Through Education

In order to be successful in practically anything you do, training and education is essential. The same is true for running an HOA board. There are many rules, regulations, and processes that board members should be familiar with. And as board membership changes, it is even more important to ensure that everyone is up-to-date and possesses a wide range of skills. For instance, since creating and maintaining the budget is a group effort, it makes sense that everyone should have some financial knowledge for making decisions.

Here are some great tips on boosting HOA Board effectiveness through education :

Learn from one another. More senior board members have accumulated experience regarding various issues. They can serve as mentors to new members and support them in becoming more familiar with HOA policies and procedures. It can also be a good idea to sit down together from time to time and review the governing documents to ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of the rules and how they should be implemented. This can also identify areas where more training may be necessary.

Engage in professional development. Board members lead busy lives just like everyone else, but taking the time to attend a conference, seminar, or training workshop can pay off. There are organizations such as the Community Associations Institute (CAI) that host a variety of educational services. Select one or two members to attend and report back to the board with what they learned. You can also partner with other local HOAs and bring in a guest speaker or subject matter expert to provide a short training session.

Create a database of resources. Some continuing education can be done on your own. Compile a list of resources such as blogs, videos, reference manuals, and other materials that board members can access to learn more information about different topics. Should a question arise, they have something to reference and can build upon this content to find more information.

Consult with your property management company. Many accredited management companies hold periodic educational classes and seminars to provide ongoing support to HOAs. Kuester encourages HOA board members to ask questions and take advantage of educational opportunities to better manage their communities.

Community members who are interested in joining the board should also take steps to become more knowledgeable about HOA operations and management. Attending meetings, talking to current members, and familiarizing themselves with the governing documents are great ways to be proactive.

Taking the time to focus on education and training can pay off when it comes to creating more effective leadership and governance within the HOA. Contact Kuester Management Company for more information about educational opportunities for your community and HOA Board effectiveness through education.

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Bryan Kuester

Bryan Kuester

Bryan is the CEO of Kuester Management Group. He has over 15 years of managing community associations throughout North and South Carolina.

His specialties include Community Association Management - maintenance, budgeting for operational and reserve funding, long-range planning, covenant enforcement, amenity management, onsite management, large scale management.