Talk about a thankless job - being a board member in your community has got to be up there with the all-time most unappreciated experiences you can imagine. You can't get members to read materials or come to meetings, but they think you shouldn't make a move without consulting them, lots of time spent at late meetings and answering even later phone calls, needing to learn a whole new business - its no wonder that many boards have difficulty filling vacancies and then hanging on to volunteers once they have been brought up to speed.
Yet it is also a critical job, and one that can bring great value (or great turmoil) to a community. Herewith, a top ten list of tips for Being a Good Board member.
21. Serve because you care, not because you have a hidden agenda.
22. Educate yourself. Use CAI courses and other information to learn how to run a community association.
23. Study the documents before you enforce them.
24. Don't go on a power trip.
25. Remember your fiduciary duty is to protect, preserve, and enhance the value of the property.
26. Conduct a reserve study.
27. Let the manager manage.
28. Focus on policies, plans, and objectives.
29. Communicate, communicate, communicate.
30. Communicate some more.
