Homeowners’ associations (HOA) come with many different and fascinating processes. One crucial process members of homeowners’ associations have to take part in is the election of a board of directors.
It is essential to understand the process by which the homeowners’ association board is elected and how members can participate, as the HOA board will have the authority to create rules, regulations, and enforce the governing documents, all of which impact the homeowners’ overall experience living in an HOA community.
It is also vital for members to understand the election process because the elected members are responsible for ensuring a strong and success-driven community for all. Read all about it from our HOA management service professionals in Flagstaff.
HOA Board Election Process
The procedure for electing a board is typically outlined in the bylaws, which vary from community to community. Generally, a homeowners’ association will endorse a set of bylaws that govern how the first board of directors will be elected and how subsequent elections will take place, and at what intervals of time.
Most bylaws will specify how directors are to be nominated, either by members of the homeowners’ association or by self-nomination. The bylaws also stipulate the number of directors that constitute the board and how vacancies will be filled if a director resigns.
Typically, the HOA board of directors election occurs at a designated time and place annually. These meetings are commonly referred to as annual meetings or membership meetings. This type of meeting is a review of the year and the election of the board, with no regular business of the association being addressed by the existing or new board of directors.
The bylaws also outline the process for electing members from within the board of directors to serve in officer positions and specify the positions they will occupy. A standard HOA board of directors consists of a president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and a number of officers.
In most states, the HOA members elect the directors who then choose the officers. Most HOA boards do mail or electronic elections to save on time and money.
Terms Limits for HOA Board Members
The HOA bylaws also stipulate the number of terms a specific board member can serve, allowing fresh leaders to be elected in each term. However, there are also some set limits so that there isn’t a complete change of board members and officers in any given year, which are typically referred to as staggered terms.
Each community may have different board terms. Many homeowners’ associations hold annual elections of officers and stagger terms for directors, so that only a few directors cycle off the board at any one time.
For an association to have an effective HOA board member election, it must be directed by all the governing documents. Additionally, the community must ensure that all members of the homeowners’ association are up to date with election rules and processes to ensure the elections run smoothly and comply with state requirements.
Get a Flagstaff HOA Managed Home
If you are interested in purchasing a home in Flagstaff that is governed by an HOA, be sure to choose our professionals at City Property Management as your Flagstaff HOA management service provider. Call us today for more information at (602) 437-4777.
