Monday December 02, 2019
A guide to understanding HOA board member positions and roles
Most associations boards consist of four primary positions: president, vice president, treasurer, and secretary. Some associations may also have additional positions such as member-at-large or extra vice presidents that preside over specific facets of the association. Each of these roles has unique responsibilities to lead their association.
Is everyone playing their part? Here's how your board works together to keep the community in good standing.
HOA board member positions to know
What does a president do?
The president is responsible for overseeing procedural duties. To succeed, the president must be knowledgeable about the community's CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions) and governing documents. The president is also the primary liaison (other than the general manager) between residents and the property management company.
What does a vice-president do?
The vice-president shares many of the leadership and procedural duties with the president, including assuming the leadership role if the president is unable to do so. The vice-president's responsibilities also include ensuring order is maintained during board meetings.
What does a treasurer do?
The treasurer is responsible for the community's funds, securities and financial records. He or she oversees billing, collections and disbursement of funds, and coordinates the development of proposed annual operating budget and reserve allocations. The treasurer is also responsible for monitoring the budget and reporting the association’s financial status throughout the year.
What does a secretary do?
The secretary maintains the association's meeting minutes and official records and ensures they’re safely stored and accessible to residents. They're also responsible for providing notice of meetings and distributing documents (official records, agendas and meeting minutes) on a timely basis.
What does a member-at-large do?
Unlike the well-defined positions mentioned above, the member-at-large doesn't usually have an explicitly stated role as defined by the governing documents. Instead, they often serve as a liaison to the general membership, keeping their finger on the pulse of the community and providing those insights to the other board members. Their duties may change as needed to help the board address the association's priorities at the time, from heading a newly formed committee to assisting the treasurer in budget season.
What does this information mean for you?
Now that you know the role of each position, discover how your unique personality gels with that of your fellow board members. To learn more about FirstService Residential and how we can support your community,
contact us today.