Playing Your Part: Knowing Board Members' 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.
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.