5 Secrets to Shorter Homeowner's Association Board Meetings

Real talk: No board member has ever wished that association board meetings could last longer.

After all, every board member is a volunteer who's sacrificing their free time to make your community a better place to live. The less time they have to spend in meetings, the happier they'll be–and the easier it'll be to recruit new board members!

So, how can you keep meetings short and sweet, while still accomplishing everything on your to-do list? Here are 5 secrets to running more efficient association board meetings.

#1: Set a Strict Schedule

A basic agenda should allot time for the following things: Reviewing old business; discussing new business; making any necessary decisions; assigning action items; then opening things up to homeowners.

#2: Send the Agenda in Advance

To cut down on the amount of time you spend in association board meetings, it's critical to distribute your agenda prior to each meeting. Keep in mind that each board member needs to commit to reviewing it beforehand in order for this strategy to have an impact.

#3: Stick to a Time Limit

Give each agenda item a time limit, and do your best to keep discussions within these constraints. If a conversation that doesn't concern the entire group is derailing the meeting, encourage participants to continue the discussion on their own time. Likewise, if a discussion isn't progressing, table the matter for the night and move on.

#4: Restrict Agenda Items

Decide as a group that agenda items should fit into one of three categories: Directed discussion, appointed action, and meaningful motions. Everything else can be handled elsewhere.

#5: Decide on Action Items

As you wrap up each discussion item, review which actions each involved board member needs to take in order to move forward. This way, everyone's clear on what the next steps will be, who's responsible for what, and what a successful resolution will look like.

Consider Hiring a Property Manager

From managing administrative tasks to maintaining your community, they'll take a number of time-consuming responsibilities off your plate. When you're ready to start your search, All Property Management will be here to help.