Are you looking for a new HOA board member? It can often be difficult to find new members. It’s a volunteer position that requires work and the right candidate. It’s no wonder why it’s so hard to find the ideal members to join your board. So, how do you get started?
Focus on improving communication and transparency
One thing you want to keep in mind is that the more communication and transparency your board has, the greater chance you’ll have of finding the right people. There’s a reason for this. When people forget about the board and all that they have to offer, they’re not going to even consider joining. But when the homeowners hear about the board and what they’re doing, it will be front and center for them. They can’t forget that there is an active board helping the community run smoothly. Homeowners will also be more excited about what the board is doing and the potential for being involved if they know how essential the board is to the success of the association.
Grow your communication and transparency by being more open with the community. Make sure that they’re up to date on what is going on and that they; have information about public meetings and other activities where they can easily find it. Help the homeowners get to know the board members too by developing good relationships. When community members have questions, make it easy for them to get a hold of someone. This will help them feel heard and appreciated.
Advertise the opening
When you have an opening, advertise it. Make sure that the community knows you’re looking for a new member to fill a position. Put it in your newsletter, on your website, or in a social media post. Be vocal about it. Let them know what will be involved in joining the board.
For people to get motivated to be on an HOA board, they need to know how important the board is for the community. They need to know that they’d be playing an essential role in the future of the community and the welfare of the homeowners. They should know that the decisions made can have a positive impact on their homes and their lives. Try to inspire their civic-duty in your advertisement.
Identify and recruit the right candidates
When searching for a board member, look for certain qualities and expertise. You have various people in the community with different backgrounds, talents and abilities. Try to find ones that will fill the empty seat well. Look for members who want what’s best for the community. Finding candidates who work well with others and are passionate about the association are ideal. Identify those who like to volunteer and are also able to adapt easily to changes. These are all great attributes of an excellent HOA board member.
If you’re struggling to get volunteers, consider sending out letters to those candidates you think would make a great addition to your board. You may find that certain people won’t volunteer on their own, but if they know you’re interested they’ll strongly consider it.
Some of the people you may want to approach are those who often have requests for the board. Those are the people that are most passionate about their community and want to be involved in making decisions. The board members could consider who they think would make an ideal choice and send a persuasive letter letting the person know their interest.
When you do find someone to recruit, make sure you’re honest about what to expect. Whoever agrees to come on the board should do so knowing what would be required of them and what they’re agreeing to.
When a person leaves, if your governing documents allow it, you may able to choose someone for the board. In your letter to appoint the person, let them know how much you’d like them to take this role on. Consider making it harder to say no to you by giving them the option to try it out short-term. You can ask them to agree to a certain amount of months as a test run. Then, if all goes well, they could come on the board on a longer-term basis.
We know it can be trying to find the right board members to fill spots, but with a little push and know how you can find the ideal candidates. When you partner with us, we can help you improve communication and transparency. We provide a portal for which homeowners can reach a manager with questions and concerns. We make it our goal to respond within 24 hours. We also provide a monthly financial packet to the community, once the board has approved it. We keep everyone informed of the important matters and work hard to help the community run smoothly. Please reach out to us to learn more: https://www.propertymanagementinc.com/.
