The board is the backbone of the HOA because it makes all of the decisions and ensures that the association is operating in accordance with its governing documents. The board works tirelessly to keep the neighborhood looking and functioning at its best. With all of this responsibility, however, it can be difficult to recruit new members to the board. As current board members work on building a pipeline and getting others interested, there are some common excuses that tend to pop up:
- It’s too much work.
Yes, there is a lot of work involved in running an HOA, but the board does not have to do everything on its own. The community manager provides a great deal of support, as do other professionals and committees. While there are certain responsibilities that cannot be delegated, there is a lot that the board can get help doing. With an active and involved community, this can reduce some of the burden. Furthermore, board members work together to ensure everything is covered and one person isn’t doing the bulk of the work.
- It takes too much time.
Take the time to discuss what the general time commitment is like and how much time is spent preparing and planning meetings or projects, responding to homeowners, or attending training. Members may think that the time requirement is more than it really is, so talking to someone who has actually done the role can provide a more realistic understanding.
- The current board is doing a good job.
Even if the current board is excellent and keeping everything on track, that doesn’t necessarily mean that board members want to hold their positions indefinitely. They may be ready for a change and waiting for someone else to step up. They have put in their time, and it’s only fair for others to assume some responsibility as well. If someone is happy with the way things are going, they can join the board to help keep it that way. It allows them to make their voice heard.
- There’s too much drama.
Problems will arise from time to time, but the board works together to deal with these challenges and put changes in place to reduce the risk of them occurring again. It’s important not to take things too personally and to realize that it is up to the board to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community. Adding new members to the board can create a stronger team that works better together than the previous board, in turn reducing issues. Sometimes a fresh perspective and new ideas are needed to make a positive difference.
- I don’t know enough.
Members don’t have to be experts on all things HOA-related. That is why there are governing documents, a legal team, a community manager, and other board members. There are also plenty of training opportunities so that board members can strengthen areas where they may feel they are weak and gain more knowledge. It is a wonderful learning opportunity and can be incredibly rewarding. Board members make decisions together, so it would not be left up to one person, especially if they are new to the board.
Kuester provides HOA boards with a wide array of services and support to keep associations running as effectively and efficiently as possible. From managing day-to-day tasks and communications to helping with planning and vetting vendors, a community manager can reduce some of the workload for the board allowing them to focus on more important issues. Contact us today to learn more!
