How to Prepare for Your New Community Board Role

Community association board members who are educated about their roles and responsibilities are critical to a functional and harmonious community.
There’s a lot to learn.

Provided by the Community Associations Institute

You can prepare for your role and succeed in it by following these steps:

• Attend a board member orientation held by your community, management company, or

  business partners—if offered.

• Ask for a roster of important association contacts (board and committee members,

  managers, staff members, business partners, etc.) and understand the relationships.

• Read the association governing documents.

• Review meeting minutes and financial reports for the previous six months.

• Read the annual budget and the most recent reserve study.

• Understand the functions and current projects of each committee.

• Evaluate the goals of the board, how it operates, and its strategic priorities.

• Understand the business judgment rule, which separates careful board members from liability for the decisions they make while governing the association.

• Avoid predetermined agendas and personal priorities.

• Join CAI and take advantage of all its resources including introductory publications, training courses, and both online and in-person workshops.

Serving on your community association board is a big responsibility but also a rewarding experience. For more information on board member roles and responsibilities, visit www.caionline.org/HomeownerLeaders.