How To Deal With Common Questions About Appointing New HOA Board Members

At some point, there may come a time when an HOA board member needs to be replaced and an HOA should carefully consider this decision as members directly determine the effectiveness of the homeowners association.  This is why the HOA website emphasizes the importance of finding and retaining competent board members.

However, anyone that has ever attempted to fill a position on the board is well aware of the challenges a new prospect can attract.  You may be questioned about this from many people and the way you answer them will have some impact on your overall success.

 

When you ask a homeowner to join the board, they might ask why they should consider it.  If your prospect in mind has the technical experience required, inform them about all the ways a board member has an influence on the decisions that get made.  This includes matters regarding the budget, legal issues, and discussions surrounding the bylaws.

If they lack the technical experience that’s required, just explain to them that their involvement will motivate them to make a difference in their community.  They can learn all this from the HOA website but it helps to hear such a message from an actual member.

 

An HOA board needs to ensure it has enough members for a quorum so it can make decisions in a timely manner.  If others want to know what happens when the board fails to attain a quorum, inform them of the possibility that an outsider will be appointed that likely has no interest in the future of the HOA.

 

Some people might have excuses rather than legitimate objections.  One excuse is that they claim to not have time for such a commitment so outline the schedule.  List in detail how much of their time the HOA would consume so they can make an educated decision.  For others that claim they don’t care enough to participate, show them exactly how the presence of board members affects their amenities.

If they don’t want to deal with politics, emphasize that your HOA has far less conflict.  You should never force a homeowner to become a board member against their wishes as they will ultimately neglect their duties.  But for those that are merely hesitant, there are ways to gently nudge them in the right direction.