What Do They Do? A Deep Dive Into the Roles of HOA Board Officers

Every homeowners’ association (HOA) is required to have an elected board of directors that acts on a community’s behalf. Often, there’s a misconception that all board members do is measure budget performance and create and enforce rules. A completely voluntary role, a board member is also a homeowner in the community, so it’s in their best interest to use their position for the good of the association. While maintaining a safe and orderly neighborhood is one of their primary duties, there’s so much more that goes into the roles of board officers. Here’s a breakdown of each role and how they pitch in to keep things organized and members happy.

PRESIDENT

The HOA board president steers the ship and navigates the direction of the association. They guide the board, handle procedural duties, and serve as the spokesperson for business matters. This person is the main point of contact for partners and contractors and takes the lead on calling and running all meetings, including adding items to the agenda. The president also calls for any votes and announces the results.

Primary Duties:

Directs association business and affairs
Schedules and runs board meetings
Serves as liaison between board and partners

VICE PRESIDENT

The vice president is the president’s right-hand man or woman and acts in their place if necessary. They know—or should know—the president’s duties like the back of their hand. A good VP ensures meetings run smoothly and order is always maintained. They might also chair larger committees, like the architectural review committee.

Primary Duties:

Acts for president when they’re out of office
Chairs important committees
Helps run meetings

SECRETARY

The secretary guarantees all board and association documents are well-maintained. However, it’s much more than just clerical work. Secretary tasks include making sure homeowners know about meetings, and that minutes are taken and approved. They must confirm documents are accessible to appropriate parties, like lawyers and mortgage companies, and may need to sign off on important paperwork, too.

Primary Duties:

Guarantees records are maintained
Confirms proper meeting notice is given
Ensures minutes are taken and approved

TREASURER

The treasurer oversees all things financial. They review records for accuracy, help manage essential accounts, and are closely involved with annual budget preparation. Many financial functions are often outsourced to an accountant, and it’s the treasurer’s job to work with them to complete everything on time and in compliance with the community’s bylaws.

Primary Duties: