Homeowner Rights and Responsibilities

As assessment-paying members of our community, we are entitled to certain rights and—in return—we have certain responsibilities. Homeowners have the right to: Participate in governing the community association by attending meetings, serving on committees and standing for election. Access appropriate association books and records. Prudent expenditure of fees and other assessments. Live in a community […]

Guidelines for the Homeowner Forum

Residents are encouraged to attend and observe association board meetings. If you’d like to bring an issue to the board’s attention, you’re welcome to speak during the homeowner forum—a time set aside just for you. So that everyone who attends has an opportunity for a meaningful exchange with the board, we ask that you observe […]

What’s a Motion?

A motion is a proposal that the association’s membership take action or a position on a specific topic or issue. The following are six types of motions anyone who is a member can make at an association membership meeting: Main motions introduce a specific topic for consideration and cannot be made while another motion is […]

How to Make Sure You Are Heard at Membership Meetings

All association members have a right to be heard at membership meetings by presenting, seconding, debating and voting on a motion. A motion is a proposal that our membership take action or a position on a specific topic or issue. To make a motion, wait until the previous person has finished speaking, then stand and […]

How is Your Board Doing?

As board member volunteers, members work hard to make sure our residents feel at home and our community thrives. To be more effective, we feel it’s important to seek out other perspectives to learn about our perceived strengths and weaknesses. So to help us better serve you and your association, we want to know how […]

What Is Alternative Dispute Resolution? (And Why Does the Association Use It?)

Community associations and their members disagree from time to time. When they do, the association board attempts to resolve problems by using a three-step, problem-solving approach called alternative dispute resolution (ADR). It’s an effective and money-saving alternative to the traditional justice system; the three steps are negotiation, mediation and arbitration. In negotiation, we identify the […]

FEMA Assistance Available in HOAs

When we are affected by weather-related damage, it’s reassuring to know that private communities such as ours can rely on the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in certain circumstances. While we must continue to be proactive and adhere to our community’s disaster recovery plan, as well as maintain a contingency fund, we can look to […]

What the Architectural Committee Does for You

Are you getting ready to make an addition to your house or build a new shed or fence in your back yard? Before you break out the miter saw, make sure to get your plans approved by our association’s architectural committee. While it may seem arbitrary from an individual homeowner’s standpoint, the architectural committee looks […]

Know the Rules

Have you checked out the HOA’s covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) lately? If not, now’s a great time to brush up on the do’s and don’ts of the community. For those of you who were unaware, CC&Rs play a crucial role in keeping the association running smoothly. CC&Rs are legally binding rules and regulations that […]