Article from Volume 6, Issue Number 1, 2019

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Principals of good practice for Board Members - Winter 2019

The responsibility of a Board Member is to gain a basic understanding of all aspects of the complex and then initiate ad/or support Board actions that will advance the standards and goals set forth by the Board or by a vote of a majority of unit owners.

1. A Board Member’s first obligation is to become informed about the Corporation’s history, goals and current operations and concerns.
2. A Board Member should come to meetings prepared, having read the Minutes of previous meetings and other pertinent materials and should participate in the consideration of all matters before the Board. Only through the sharing of diverse opinions can constructive decisions be reached.
3. A Board Member should not hesitate to ask questions about Board policy. A full understanding of the issues is a prerequisite to casting an informed vote.
4. The Board as a whole sets policy. An individual Board Member should never seek to impose a personal agenda at a Board Meeting. A Board Member should not become involved in specific management duties of the corporation without prior approval by an official vote of the Board.
5. A Board Member must always respect the confidentiality of Board Discussions. The credibility of the Board goes hand in hand with confidentiality.
6. Board Members should get involved in various Board duties such as sub-Committees to lessen the burden placed upon the President.
7. A Board Member must guard against any conflict of interest, whether business or personal.
8. A Board Member has a responsibility to support Board policy and to uphold that responsibility when required.
9. A Board Member who learns of a problem should bring that problem to the attention of the President. A Board Member should not attempt to deal with such situations on an individual basis unless prior approval has been authorized by the Board.
10. A Board Member’s responsibilities are to all the unit owners, not just a select few.