Answer: The Association is a nonprofit corporation managed by a Board of Directors. During the development phase of the Association the Board is made up of the development company. Once the developer is ready to transition the Association to the homeowners an election will take place and homeowners will be voted in to serve on the Board of Directors. The Board is responsible for the oversight of the Association’s funds, the enforcement of the deed restrictions, collection of assessments and the maintenance of common area property.

Answer: The “Governing Documents” for your association are the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions plus any Rules and Regulations, Resolutions or guidelines that have been established by your Association Board.

Answer: You should have received a full copy at, or prior to, closing on your home. If you need a copy you may log on to your Association website to purchase a copy. The Governing Documents are recorded instruments so they are also available through the County in which your Association is located.

Answer: It is part of the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions that you agreed to when you bought your home. Through this document, you agreed to certain standards of maintenance, upkeep and behavior in order to make the community as attractive as possible for yourself and your neighbors, as well as to maintain or enhance your property values. When you purchase a home in a deed-restricted community you automatically agree to comply with the restrictions then in place or that are properly established.

Answer: This process ensures that your intended improvement meets with your community’s standards as set forth in the Governing Documents and avoids the problems that arise from the construction of improvements as well as the use of colors or styles that conflict with others in your neighborhood.

Answer: It is the land owned by the Association for the use and enjoyment of the members and their invited guests. This includes facilities such as pools and playgrounds in single-family communities and hallways, exercise facilities and building structures in condominium/town homes.

Answer: The President is the most important role as the leader of the board. The president should encourage the other board members to contribute to association operations. The president should also look to board members for leadership guidance. Challenged by new tasks, board members realize their capabilities, gain a better understanding of association operations and eventually take the place of the president as business and community leader.

Answer: The treasurer is the chief financial officer of the association. The duties of the treasurer include preparing financial reports and understanding budget operations and replacement reserve funds. The president should work closely with the treasurer to confirm that his or her knowledge and understanding of finances is sufficient to maintain association accounts. The budgeting process requires input from the president as well as the board and community manger. Together, the president and treasurer set timelines for completion of each step in the process. It is essential for the president to work closely with the treasurer since the budget is linked so closely to the success of association business.

Answer: The vice president substitutes for the presidents in his or her absence. The person in the position also conducts meetings and presides over the board meeting when the president chooses to stand down from the chair. The vice president should be informed about programs, agendas, etc., so that he or she is prepared to chair the meeting in the event of an emergency. Refer to association bylaws for additional duties of the vice president.

Answer: The secretary, the “official recorder” of the association’s activities, is responsible for ensuring that board meeting minutes are taken. Other duties include filing documents and attesting to the validity of documents by signing them. The duties of the secretary are outlined in the association’s bylaws as well as in the states not-for-profit corporation laws. At the beginning of the secretary’s term, the president should discuss the specifics of the position and go over a schedule of tasks. One task is to determine when a meeting’s minutes should be distributed to other board members. Timely writing and distribution of minutes remind board members of actions taken on authorized projects.