Coming Home Magazine

1. Learn what matters most. As a candidate, it's your duty to educate yourself about the association. Residents elect you to make decisions on their behalf, so being informed about what matters most is crucial. What concerns do homeowners have? What topics should be a priority? You can take the pulse of the neighborhood simply by diving in and being more active. Go to board meetings, network with current board members, talk to other homeowners, or join a committee. Then, brainstorm possible solutions and confirm you're interested in making positive change. 2. Review your governing documents. Remember that giant packet of forms you signed when you moved into your home? It turns out that paperwork serves a purpose—especially if you plan to run for a board position. Those forms are your governing documents, and they contain some key info about how your association works and what it means to be a board member. The governing documents will also break down board elections, including candidate eligibility requirements, nominations, campaigning, and voting. Every association operates a little differently, so review these details and know what to expect. 3. Find the right fit. Typically, a board of directors includes four officer positions: president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The board works together to keep things afloat, but each person brings unique qualities that contribute to a well-functioning team. Take the time to learn if one of these roles is right for you: PRESIDENT: Think of the board president as the captain of the ship. This person offers guidance to board officers, handles procedural duties, and generally takes the lead during meetings and communicating with partners. VICE PRESIDENT: Everyone needs a wingman—and that's exactly what the vice president is to the president. A good VP will know the president's duties inside and out, and be able to step in whenever needed. They may chair committees and help run meetings, too. SECRETARY: If you think being a secretary means just taking notes, think again. The secretary must stay on top of records, provide partners with appropriate documents, and sign off on paperwork. TREASURER: The treasurer gets to flex their financial muscles by helping manage the annual budget and serving as a liaison between the board and accounting partners. As you dig deeper into each role, check in on your own skills and qualities. Finding the position that naturally aligns with your interests and talents will make for a much more enjoyable—and productive—time on the board. 4. Connect with the community. It's always nice to be involved in the community and form relationships with your neighbors. However, connecting with fellow residents is more important than ever when running for a board position. Because homeowners select board members, you might want to concentrate on building a reputation as a caring, trustworthy, and detail-oriented community member. Make yourself visible, get to know residents, and engage with the community through digital channels. When you're open and communicative, it's not only easy to get the inside scoop, but it also demonstrates genuine interest in the community's success. 5. Respect the process. Although running for a board position is very exciting, you must stay grounded and focused. Your community most likely has a formal procedure for nominating candidates, and respecting this process shows you're serious about the job. Get familiar with the official nomination process, and follow the rules. Some ways include: • Traditional nominations: A member nominates another member for a board position. • Self-nominations: You put yourself forward for consideration if you meet all the qualifications. • Floor nominations: Members can nominate another member for a particular role during a designated meeting. • Write-in candidates: Even if a member isn't on the ballot, voting homeowners can write a candidate's name to count as a vote. 6. Encourage members to vote. Once you're putting work into your campaign, don't forget to encourage members to vote. It's not enough to promote yourself as the ideal pick from the bunch. You should generate interest and excitement by sharing when and how residents can cast their votes. In the end, more homeowner participation is a win for the community. After you've prepped and feel confident in your candidacy, sit back and enjoy the ride—the best is yet to come! COMING HOME MAGAZINE 35

• Cover