Rely on the Professionals

By Kevin m. Carroll, President & CEO / Published January 2020

Congratulations on being elected as a member of the board of directors for your community association! If you have been thinking of ways to improve how your community is managed, you are now in a position to help implement new improvements and make positive changes to the operation of your association.

Where to start?

     All board members need to comply with 1) their association’s governing documents and 2) State law. An extensive review should be made of any controlling documents that form a contract among the homeowners within the association. Some documents may appear simple but can be confusing. Don’t hesitate to enlist professional assistance from your property manager and/or legal counsel.

Get certified

     Florida statutes 718 and 720 state that within 90 days after being elected or appointed to the board, each newly elected or appointed director shall certify in writing to the secretary of the association that he or she has read the association’s declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws, and current written policies. In lieu of this written certification, the newly elected or appointed director may submit a certificate of satisfactory completion of the education curriculum administered by a division-approved education provider. I recommend that all new board members take the time to complete this Florida board member certification program as much will be learned!

What type of challenges will you face?

     As you begin to attend board meetings, you will learn that areas requiring your immediate attention can come from adoption and enforcement of rules and regulations, decisions relating to maintaining the common areas, managing the budget and assessments, handling past due assessments, and establishing and maintaining reserves. It is not enough for the board to budget for the existing costs and expenses; it must also assume that some unexpected expenditures will be realized. Each board member has a fiduciary duty to all homeowners, similar to one that directors of a publicly traded corporation have to their shareholders. Board members from major corporations rely on professionals for assistance, so don’t hesitate to do the same.

     The volunteering of your time for the benefit of your community is commendable. 

Kevin M. Carroll

President & CEO, Lang Management

Kevin M. Carroll is president & CEO of Lang Management. For more information, call (561) 750-8800, email kmc@langmanagement.com, or visit www.langmgmt.com.