20 / 60
O
N
E
DO
THING
BETTER
Important Traits of Effective BoardMembers
By: Mary W. Barrett, Esq., Stark & Stark
SERVING ON YOUR CONDO/HOA BOARD CAN BE A THANKLESS JOBWITH FEWPERKS EXCEPT
MAYBE THE SATISFACTION OF A JOB WELL DONE. SOME BOARD MEMBERS HAVE MORE
SUCCESS THAN OTHERS AND THESE BOARD MEMBERS MAY SHARE CERTAIN IMPORTANT
QUALITIES. EFFECTIVE BOARD MEMBERS SHARE OTHER IMPORTANT QUALITIES — SUCH AS
A THICK SKIN — BUT ANY BOARD MEMBER WHO POSSESSES THE FIVE TRAITS BELOW WILL
CERTAINLY BE SUCCESSFUL AND AN ASSET TO THE ASSOCIATION.
DEDICATED
They are committed to their
communities as a whole - not
just one issue .
They keep their eyes on the prize: fiscal
responsibility and common property
maintenance.
They discharge their duties in good
faith and with a reasonable degree of
diligence.
1
TRANSPARENT
They understand
they are fiduciaries
to a corporation.
They remember they
are spending the unit
owners’ hard-earned money.
They hold open meetings.
They make Association financial
records available to unit owners.
2
RECEPTIVE
They surround themselves with competent experts.
They solicit and consider advice.
They allow unit owners to voice
opinions.
COURAGEOUS
They make decisions – even unpopular ones - in the
best interests of the association.
They know serving on a board is not a popularity
contest.
They increase fees when necessary.
They are not derailed by a few
disparaging comments.
3
DELEGATORS
They delegate duties
to a competent and
professional property
manager.
They utilize
committees.
They do not micromanage.
5