Whether you’re considering running for president of your HOA board or have already been elected, you may be slightly unclear on your roles and responsibilities. That’s okay — you’re not alone. Each role is important to the success of the association, and the president acts as the head and commander-in-chief of the HOA board. Here are the duties of an HOA president.
The Duties of an HOA President Explained
Every board member in an HOA community has a part to play to ensure the success of the association. These parts are all equally essential, with each one contributing to the smooth operation of the HOA. When it comes to the HOA president, though, some people tend to be confused. Apart from being the face and head of the organization, what exactly are the responsibilities of an HOA president?
1. Lead Meetings
As the president of the homeowners association, you will preside over meetings and make sure they run without a hitch. This applies to both annual meetings and board meetings.
You will prepare meeting agendas with your fellow board members, making sure to consider requests from community members. Furthermore, you will work with the secretary to send notice of the meeting as detailed in the HOA’s governing documents.
2. Oversee Financials
While it’s the HOA treasurer’s main responsibility to take care of all things financial, the president must oversee these duties, as well. The treasurer normally doesn’t make financial decisions alone. As president, you will work with the treasurer to prepare the annual budget and approve any expenditures. Some governing documents also appoint the president to act as the treasurer in case the latter is absent or unable to fulfill their role.
3. Sign Important Documents
Because HOAs are most often incorporated as businesses, the president has a role similar to that of the CEO of a company. As such, one of the duties of an HOA president is to co-sign all checks produced by the treasurer.
You will also sign all legal documents and contracts, including stock certificates and leases, pertaining to the association before turning them over to the secretary to be stored. Make sure to read these documents before you sign them, though, as failing to do so could land you in legal or financial trouble.
4. Act as the Middleman
Many associations decide to hire a management firm to handle the day-to-day management of the community. After all, with lives outside of the HOA, board members usually can’t commit full-time to their positions. Part of HOA president responsibilities is acting as the liaison between your board and your HOA management company. So, if your association chooses to partner with one, it’s your duty to act as the middleman.
What Makes a Good HOA President
The role of an HOA president is undeniably challenging. Therefore, it takes a specific kind of person to be able to fulfill those duties seamlessly and without fail. If you want to become president of your HOA or are about to assume office, you must possess the qualities of an HOA president, seen below:
1. An Uncontrolling Leader
Many people think being the president of any organization is the be-all and end-all. In the context of a homeowners association, though, this is not true.
A good president of a community association does not micromanage fellow directors or committees, but rather oversees them and ensures all opportunities for success are taken. Because of this, you must have exceptional leadership and management skills.
2. Knows How to Be a Team Player
As president, you must work in tandem with the other members of the board on various tasks. Therefore, you should not make decisions on your own; a homeowners association has a board and not a single head for a reason.
During board meetings and when discussing problems affecting the neighborhood, you should make sure each member of the board has the opportunity to give their opinion on the topic at hand. You also need to ensure the final decision is made only after it is properly discussed and that it is decided to be in the best interests of the community as a whole.
3. Takes Criticism Well
Being in a position of power, an HOA president will always be the subject of criticism. Your every move and decision will be dissected by the community at large. More confrontational residents may even express their harsh opinions openly. It is important to maintain your composure and be able to accept criticism of all kinds.
You must also know how to differentiate between constructive criticism and negative ones. Listen to the constructive kind and try to work on yourself. Conversely, learn how to filter out the negative kind.
4. Just and Honest
A good HOA president is both fair and honest. Don’t pass judgment based on personal vendettas or biases. Enforce rules uniformly and to the best of your ability. Furthermore, you must have a strong moral compass to guide you in your decision-making process. The temptation to abuse your power will always be there — you just have to make sure you’re strong enough to resist it.
5. Excellent Communicator
Communication is the key to a successful relationship, in this case, between you and your board. You won’t get anything done if you don’t know how to discuss it. Additionally, as president of the organization, you will likely face a lot of people — from potential and current residents to vendors and your HOA manager.
The Success of an HOA Depends on You
The power that comes with being president of a community association should not be abused for your own gain. The other members of the board and residents of the neighborhood look to you, the president, for leadership in both times of calm and crisis. All decisions should be made for the success of the association and not any individuals. If you can keep this in mind, there’s no reason for a community not to flourish.
The duties of an HOA president can pile up and become suffocating, which is why most associations opt to pair with an HOA management company to help lighten the load. If you’re thinking about doing the same, don’t hesitate to give us a call anytime.
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- 8 Must-Have Qualities Of An HOA Treasurer
