Board titles and roles: A guide for your Georgia association

What are Georgia HOA board titles?

Georgia HOA board titles identify the leadership roles assigned to people serving an association, commonly president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The board governs the association as a group, while each officer has specific responsibilities based on Georgia law and the association’s articles, bylaws, or board decisions.
 

Georgia HOA board roles and responsibilities 

What does a board president do?

The president's responsibilities include both procedural responsibilities and leadership duties. In some cases, the president may appoint committees — as dictated by the bylaws — and serve as an authority on the HOA rules and documents governing the association.

The president calls association meetings to order, announces the agenda and confirms that everyone follows it. The president also maintains order during meetings, recognizes those who are about to speak, proposes questions, calls votes, and announces outcomes.
 

What does the board vice president do?

When the president is absent, the vice president assumes many of the president's responsibilities. During parliamentary procedures, they are responsible for maintaining order, keeping business moving smoothly, and acting as a knowledgeable source regarding the association's rules.
 

What does the board treasurer do?

Your board's effectiveness is strongly influenced by the effectiveness of your budget. The treasurer is responsible for keeping accurate and thorough financial records. The treasurer keeps the board informed of the association's financial health through regular reports of income and expenses and may produce a treasurer's report to all members each year.

The treasurer may be responsible for submitting financial records in the event of an audit and authorizing any disbursements. The treasurer may also be the primary signatory for community payables.

"The treasurer is one of the most critical roles on an association board."

Bobby Knuth, senior regional director at FirstService Residential

An understanding of accounting practices, specifically accrual accounting, is a great asset to a community association treasurer.

Occasionally, board members are placed into the role of treasurer without the background or experience to succeed. The treasurer must be someone with the background and experience to interpret a financial statement and confidently convey the information contained.

FirstService Residential provides association partners with budget resources, training, and an accounting team that can assist with complex budget questions.
 

What does the board secretary do?

Think of the secretary as the association historian. A secretary's role is to record all board actions to be referred to later. The secretary’s functions eliminate those “Oh, I thought you meant...” scenarios by keeping accurate minutes during meetings. The secretary may also sign the minutes of all meetings and other important documents.

How the minutes are taken can vary from association to association. A member of the onsite staff can take the minutes, and the secretary can approve and sign them. The secretary sometimes takes minutes during meetings.

Regardless of who is doing the job, it’s easy to take the meeting agenda and turn it into the minutes. Bring a laptop or tablet, and under each agenda item, enter the motion made and the topic discussed. This will help make it easier to send out. Remember, the minutes should be a summary of the motions made and actions taken, not a verbatim transcript of the meeting.

It is essential that the secretary be detail-oriented and concerned with both accuracy and consistency to confirm that all reviewed and signed minutes are correct. Learn more in our guide: Understanding the role of a board secretary in Georgia.
 

Board member vs. HOA officer

Being a board member and holding an officer title are related but different roles. Directors make decisions together as the association’s governing body. Officers carry out particular responsibilities assigned through the articles, bylaws, or board. A director may therefore serve on the board without being president, secretary, treasurer, or another officer.
 

How long do Georgia HOA board members serve?

Georgia HOA board members generally serve for the term stated in the association’s articles or bylaws. If those documents do not set a term, Georgia nonprofit law generally provides for a one-year term, and directors may be elected for additional terms (Ga. Code § 14-3-805).

Some associations use staggered terms so only part of the board changes at each election, which can help preserve continuity from one board year to the next.
 

Can one board member hold more than one title?

Sometimes. Georgia nonprofit law generally allows the same person to hold more than one office unless the association’s articles or bylaws say otherwise. However, the chief executive officer and secretary cannot be the same person (Ga. Code § 14-3-840(e)).

Boards reviewing Georgia HOA board titles should check their bylaws before combining positions, since the community’s documents may create additional limits or require separate officers.
 

What changes for Georgia association boards in 2027

The Georgia Property Owners’ Bill of Rights Act (SB406) was signed into law in 2026, with most provisions taking effect January 1, 2027. Registered associations will provide officer information to the Secretary of State and update that registration when officers change or another change materially affects the association’s business and control.

The law also gives owners in registered associations specific rights involving association records and annual membership meetings and states an expectation that directors act in good faith with ordinary care.

Boards should work with qualified association counsel to understand how the new requirements apply to their community.
 

Qualities of effective HOA board members

The most effective boards are comprised of a diverse group of people with a variety of skill sets and qualities, regardless of the size or type of the association. “The essential part of getting the right people on your board is to utilize the skills of each person for the right position.

Knuth says,

"Look at their skills, history, and background. If, for example, you have significant renovations planned in the community, it can be helpful to have a board member who has a background in architecture, construction, or engineering. Their expertise allows them to collaborate with or challenge hired professionals, which can make a huge difference in how those renovation projects will go."

Knuth said that people with experience running businesses of any size could also contribute their skills to help the board run more smoothly.

He explains,

"For instance, a board member with a business background will find it easier to approach the association as a business, and to focus on community goals rather than personal objectives. They will understand the need to accomplish tasks, but they will also be fair and amicable in their dealings."

What about our community manager?

Your manager is not a member of your board, but an outside party bound by contract to your association. Your manager should come from a reputable property management company, to confirm they have the knowledge and expertise, along with the management company’s resources and support, to deliver the best service to your community and board.

Though the specifics of their duties vary by contract, managers and their teams typically execute the policies dictated by the board and administer all of the services, operations, and programs of the association. Your manager should also be a valuable source of information and insight. In fact, many boards become more effective after receiving training from an experienced manager.

Knuth adds,

"The manager’s role can fluctuate, depending on the strength of the board members. If board leadership is uncertain or inexperienced, the manager can step in to help run meetings, if necessary. The manager should be able to fill gaps the board may have and complement its strengths."

Do you have what it takes to be an engaged and effective leader in your association?

Every board member brings their own strengths and talents to the table.

Knuth says,

"I’ve seen some boards that stick rigidly to titles and others that function more as a unit in which everyone plays to their specific strengths."

It’s important to allow those strengths to shine – your board will benefit from it. Having a list of duties associated with each role is important, but it is even more important that your board is focused on leading with integrity, aligning on key decisions, and advocating for the community you serve.
 

About FirstService Residential

FirstService Residential supports Georgia communities with local expertise backed by national resources. Our teams help boards stay organized with governance support, recordkeeping, financial management, vendor coordination, banking and insurance programs, resident communication, and 24/7 customer care.

We help boards apply consistent processes that align with their governing documents and Georgia law, so board members can stay focused on long-term community goals instead of day-to-day administration.

Contact a member of our team today to learn more.

This information is provided for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute, and should not be relied upon as, legal, regulatory, financial, or operational advice, or as a representation or guarantee of any specific services, capabilities, or outcomes. Property management needs, regulatory requirements, market conditions, and available services vary by jurisdiction, property type, and community. FirstService Residential provides services through locally based affiliates and associates, and services and results may vary by community, region, contractual terms, and applicable law.