What Makes a Community Association?

Community associations come in many forms: condominiums, cooperatives, homeowners’ associations, neighborhood associations, recreation associations, improvement associations, and more.  With this broad cross-section of organizations having many different responsibilities, sometimes the message, the purpose, and the benefit can get lost.  Homeowners wonder: what does this association really do?

The Members Make the Community

The simple answer is this: a community is made up of its members.  So if you move into your community and love it, be sure to thank the people involved and contribute where you can.  And if you see a lag or lull in community efforts, or a need for an update or upgrade someplace, roll up your sleeves and get it done!  There may be more people out there that think like you and who are just waiting for the chance to contribute.  Below are some ideas for where to get started.    

Board of Directors

Why not start at the top?  The board of directors for a community association has many responsibilities, but they can be summed up with one word: Governance.  A board will have to hear and consider many different ideas, suggestions, complaints, and proposals, and then vote among themselves to determine the best course of action for the entire community.  Being on the Board means responsibility, decisionmaking, and occasionally dispute resolution; it is not for the faint of heart, and it is often a thankless job.  But building community takes hard work, and this is where a lot of it gets done. 

Officers

In nearly all community association documents, there are certain officer positions that do not have to be held by members of the board of directors.  This is a common source of confusion, but typically board members are simply elected to their directorships, and then the officers are selected afterward by the board.  Sometimes this is a distinction without a difference, since there are only a few willing volunteers.  But if you are looking to contribute – perhaps you think to yourself “I’m good with numbers” or “I can certainly take the minutes” – see if your board needs a treasurer, secretary, or other officer to lighten the load. 

Architectural and Covenants Committee

Of all the committees we will discuss, this is probably the most controversial.  Any decision of the architectural committee that is seen as “arbitrary and capricious” or amounting to “selective enforcement” can possibly cause a dispute within an association.  The best way to avoid these issues and keep your members informed and compliant is to have a robust and transparent architectural committee that meets often, applies well-known standards, and takes swift action in response to violations.  Keep in mind that many of the materials commonly used today for fences and sheds and decks may not even have existed when your community documents were drafted and recorded, so you will want to regularly re-examine your policies and guidelines. 

Facilities and Grounds

Depending on your neighborhood, this could mean the marina, pool, playground, parking lot, fields, landscaped entryways and signs, or other common areas.  A little regular maintenance can make a huge difference for areas like this, whether it be via hired contractors or community member volunteers.  As a neighbor, remember that when you complain to the board about a light bulb on the front sign that needs changing, you are creating more work for your neighbor board or committee member, who is a volunteer.  Consider pitching in. 

Social Committee

Many neighborhoods have vibrant community events; these do not happen by accident.  There are many hours spent behind the scenes planning and preparing for those events.  Consider chipping in, or helping to form or revive a social committee in your community.  One tip here: while this seems like a community benefit, social committee funds should usually be separate from community association assessments and budget; the social committee should generally be funded by donations, ticket sales, or separate contribution. 

Budget and Strategic Planning

With so many responsibilities from day to day, it is easy for community leadership to lose sight of the bigger picture.  Consider volunteering to assist the association by drawing up a long-term plan, creating goals and benchmarks for how to keep the association financially healthy and oriented in the long term. 

Community Benefit

The community association can mean so many things.  It can preserve and protect a certain aesthetic; it can provide amenities and facilities; and it can unite neighbors on a social and personal level.  The most important thing to remember is that a community association is not made up of homes or buildings or land; it is made up of its members, of the people.  So if you see a place to contribute or a missing piece you think you can add, jump right in.  You will be glad you did.