So you’ve just been elected to serve on the board of your community association—congratulations! You are about to embark on an exciting journey.
You have been entrusted with a lot of responsibility. (To learn more about those responsibilities, take a look at WPM Blog “Responsibilities of a Board Member”.) And you have also been given an opportunity make your voice heard and have a valuable impact in your community. It’s a thrilling prospect.
So what does it mean to be a board member? Beyond the list of “to-do’s,” what are the key ways that joining your community’s board empower you to make a difference where you live? To answer those questions and more, let’s take a look at the four top goals of community board members:
Goal #1: Protecting and enhancing property value
The ultimate goal of a community association is to add value to the homeowners’ investment: their property and its surroundings. All of the remaining goals work together to achieve this aim.
Goal #2: Providing services and amenities
Community services and amenities add value for all members. Homeowners who could never afford on their own an Olympic-sized pool, a private secured gate or acres of lush, green fields and other common areas can take advantage of these amenities, thanks to their community association. And it’s your job to oversee the maintenance and beautification of these amenities.
Goal #3: Respecting and hearing the collective rights and interests of homeowners
An HOA or community association is the most local form of government. As a board member, you were elected by your peers to serve their interests which, given the fact that you also live in the community you’re representing, might very well mirror your own interests. It is your job to keep an ear to the ground and solicit and welcome feedback from other owners. You are their advocate.
Goal #4: Cultivating a sense of community
One of the most impactful and rewarding ways that you can make a difference is by fostering a sense of community among homeowners. Neighborhoods in which individual owners experience a deep sense of belonging do a better job keeping existing and attracting new homeowners. When more people choose to stay put, that means that there are fewer vacant homes available for the people clamoring to get in. And as the law of supply and demand dictates, this drives up the prices of available properties. So a sense of community is not just a nice thing to have, it also supports Goal #1: adding value.