How Many Board Members Should Your HOA Have?
Running a homeowners association takes great care and making sure there are sufficient members on the board of directors is a balancing act. There can be too few members or too many, which can negatively impact how the HOA operates. Finding the ideal number of directors for your association is crucial.
So, what number is that? Well, it depends! State law and your HOA’s governing documents should determine the number, so it varies from state to state, association to association.
Generally, the bylaws state the HOA’s board requirements and composition, detailing how many directors the HOA should have and how to amend that number. In addition to the specific association’s documents, the community’s needs will influence the required number of directors, determining if the current number of board members is working for you or not.
Let’s dive into some considerations to make if your state’s law and association’s governing documents may not specify the required number of board members, or if you’re looking to amend the number.
Having an insufficient, or even overwhelming, number of directors can impact how HOA business is conducted. With too few members, the board may not meet the legal requirements in order to operate; however, with too many, there may be difficulty coming to agreements. Overall, both scenarios may lead to liability issues and ultimately result in an ineffective board.
When deciding on or changing the number of board members, consider the association’s quorum requirements. The number of directors should allow for quorum to be easily met, without having too few perspectives. Additionally, make sure to accommodate for the association’s workload, factoring in any state-mandated minimum or maximum limitations that may exist.
Most states require at least three directors on the board, with many associations ranging from three to five board members. Some HOAs follow the structure of the four core officers – president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. However, the number of directors should reflect the needs and size of your specific community. For example, a larger community will require a larger board. Also, a master association might need one representative from each individual association.
Depending on the HOA, if its documents do not specify a required number of directors, state law may mandate that the number must be as many as the initial number of board members that existed upon the association’s creation, which should be listed in the HOA’s articles of formation.
Ultimately, consider your association’s growth and changing needs, leaning toward odd numbers to prevent split issues. You can also lean on your management company, if you have one, to help determine or modify the number of directors in your association.
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