HOA board of directors duties and responsibilities

What is an HOA board of directors?

An HOA board of directors is the elected or appointed leadership group that runs the association’s day-to-day governance on behalf of the community. The board’s job is to follow the HOA’s governing documents (declaration/CC&Rs, bylaws, rules) and handle the operational work that protects the community’s common property, finances, and long-term planning.
 

HOA board of directors responsibilities

While every community’s documents are different, many Texas HOA boards are responsible for:

• Following the governing documents and applying them consistently
   
• Setting the budget and managing association finances
   
• Maintaining common areas and overseeing repairs, projects, and long-term planning
   
• Hiring and managing vendors for landscaping, pools, security, construction, etc.
   
• Carrying appropriate insurance and reviewing coverage with qualified insurance professionals
   
• Holding board and member meetings and keeping accurate records
   
• Maintaining association records and responding to owner record requests appropriately
   
• Enforcing HOA rules and deed restrictions in compliance with applicable laws and the governing documents
   
• Overseeing architectural reviews where applicable and keeping decisions objective and documented
   
• Running elections and votes using the voting methods that Texas property management laws require
   
• Communicating with owners in a clear, respectful, and consistent way

Board member roles

President

The president is typically the board’s chair and primary meeting lead, responsible for keeping meetings organized, guiding the agenda, and helping the board reach clear decisions. In many Texas HOAs, the president also serves as the main point of contact for the property manager and association counsel between meetings, and may sign contracts and official documents when the bylaws or a board vote gives them that authority.
 

Vice president

The vice president typically steps in when the president is unavailable and may handle special projects like capital planning, committee oversight, or vendor negotiations as assigned by the board. This role works best when the board assigns a clear “lane,” so the vice president isn’t just filling in occasionally but is actively supporting day-to-day progress.
 

Secretary

The secretary is the board’s recordkeeper. Typical duties include maintaining meeting minutes, keeping official records organized, tracking board actions, and confirming that notices, policies, and governing document updates are stored and accessible. This role matters because records drive continuity. Boards may change over time, but minutes and records are what keep the HOA consistent when questions come up years later.
 

Treasurer

The treasurer helps manage the association’s finances. While they don’t usually handle bookkeeping personally, they help the board understand the HOA’s financial picture by reviewing financial statements, supporting the annual budget process, watching cash flow and delinquencies at a high level, and helping the board stay aligned on reserves and major expense planning.

In most HOAs, management teams and accounting handle day-to-day bookkeeping, but the treasurer helps translate the numbers into board-level decisions. This includes what’s on track, what’s not, and what questions the board should be asking.
 

Members-at-large

A “member-at-large” usually means a director who serves on the board without an officer title. They still have the same core director responsibilities: preparing for meetings, asking questions, voting in the best interest of the community, and helping the board make informed, fair, and consistent decisions.

For many Texas HOAs organized as nonprofit corporations, directors are expected to act in good faith, with ordinary care, and in a manner they reasonably believe is in the HOA’s best interest (Tex. Bus. Orgs. Code § 22.221). Learn more in our guide to codes of conduct for HOA board members.
 

Common questions answered by real HOA board members

FirstService Residential recently spoke to some of the board members we work with to get their answers to common questions. Check out the video here, and read excerpts from our conversations below.
   

Why did you become a board member?

"I've been on the board for several years. The key concern is that, as a homeowner in Homestead, I knew what the community's vision was from the developer. There were a few issues that started to cause some concern, like landscaping not being maintained. I just felt like the board had lost sight of the importance of our HOA and its property values, so I wanted to get involved and help make sure we were keeping the vision for our community alive. I've been a board member for a long time and am currently the president of the association, which is located just outside of city limits."

Tony Franckowiak, President
Sendero Ranch HOA

What's one thing you wish someone told you before joining the board?

"That there's a lot of small projects and items that can pop up, and you have to give your full attention to that issue depending on how widespread it is. It usually happens with new residents and helping them understand how the community operates. I've been a board member for this community for five years. For my first term, I was a member-at-large, and now I serve as the vice president."

Susan Van Camp, Vice President
Hidden Lakes HOA

What's one piece of advice you'd give to an aspiring board member?

"My advice to somebody who would like to get involved is to get involved! Bring your work and life experience, and you'll find that it will benefit the community, regardless of demographics. Whatever you can bring to the table, we can use that experience to help make our community that much better. I wear two hats: I'm a part of an HOA and a public improvement district (PID) in Fort Worth. I got involved in both back in 2001 because I wanted to help the community, meet new people and do things that are worthwhile."

Randy Acosta, President
Public Improvement District 6

How does your relationship with your management company help you and the community?

"What I like best about FirstService Residential is they offer us a lot of resources and have expertise in multiple areas. It shows itself when they provide webinars on board training or live events where everyone gets together to discuss how to develop a budget. I think they bring a lot of resources to the table, not just to help us as board members, but the community manager and residents, too."

Randy Acosta, President
Public Improvement District 6

Sometimes the best way to learn something new (or quickly review a topic) is hearing it straight from a peer who sees your reality as a board member, no matter how fundamental the roles. After exploring the answers to our top questions for board members based on their leadership experiences, maybe you have reflected on why you got involved yourself and what inspired you to make a difference!

To learn how FirstService Residential can support your board, contact us today.

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.