The office of HOA president is important, but sometimes misunderstood. In most associations, presidents are selected by board vote (in an open meeting). Here are some ideas as to what to look for in the HOA’s next president.
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First, know what is not required – a legal, accounting, or executive background. The highest educated or most successful person may not be the best president, since the president is not expected to be an expert in HOA law or accounting – the HOA has experts for that. A successful CEO of a for-profit company could be a terrible president if they are unable to adopt different leadership styles of the nonprofit corporation.
Look for these qualities in a prospective president:
Background
Experience. A track record of prior service to nonprofit organizations, including prior HOAs, may show an understanding of the different style of nonprofit leadership.
Past commitment. Has the nominee successfully headed committees, or served on the board for a few years?
Review. Have they read the governing documents and the Open Meeting Act?
Understands. Do they understand the Business Judgment Rule?
Interpersonal skills
Working with others. Is the nominee a team player or someone who “goes it alone”? HOAs are governed by boards, not presidents, and successful presidents must be able to cooperate with board colleagues.
Handling disagreement and divergent opinions. Is the nominee able to accept other opinions and even gracefully accept a vote of the board which goes against their views?
Gets along with people. Is the nominee a positive person and an encourager?
Consensus builder. Can the nominee work to build a consensus on the board regarding major issues?
Attitude
“Boss” or servant leader? Does the nominee have the attitude of a for-profit corporation in which the president is normally the decision-maker, or that of the nonprofit corporations in which the board is the association’s decision-maker?
Doesn’t need recognition. The best presidents view HOA leadership as service to their neighbors, not an achievement to be defended. Pick someone who is secure in themselves and not threatened by criticism or disagreement.
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The role
Do-it-yourself? A president’s role is not to do all the HOA’s work for 40 hours a week – managers, service providers, and employees perform that work.
Know it all? The nominee should not think they know everything. Good presidents recognize that other directors, residents, and service providers may also have important knowledge and information benefitting the HOA, which knowledge and information the president may not have on a particular subject.
Handling meetings
Listener or speaker? Is the nominee a good listener, or are they always the person talking? A president should encourage all directors to contribute to the meeting.
Parliamentary procedure. President normally chair meetings, and as such should have at least an elementary understanding of parliamentary procedure to help keep meetings orderly.
Balance. They must handle the balance well, encouraging directors to speak while also moving the agenda along.
Agenda
No preconceived agenda. Avoid nominees who come to the board with “campaign promises.” The president should be committed to the HOA’s best interests, not their own agenda.
No single person will completely fulfill all these criteria – but in choosing the president, try to get as close as possible. If you the reader are currently your HOA’s president, consider aspiring to these qualities!
Kelly G. Richardson, Esq. is a Fellow of the College of Community Association Lawyers and Partner of Richardson Ober LLP, a California law firm known for community association advice. Submit questions to [email protected].
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