February 2023
Despite growing interest and satisfaction with high-rise condominium living, few are interested in serving on the condo board or committees.
Serving on the board provides a feeling of accomplishment, personally influencing decisions, and a degree of control on management of what is the biggest financial commitment for most.
As important as it is to serve on the board, many are concerned about the real or perceived time commitment. There is discomfort about becoming a focus of resident anger or rage. General apathy is also an impediment.
Lack of time is cited most often for not volunteering. Evening meetings, when most have personal responsibilities, is part of the reason. Potential liability and unnecessarily long meetings inefficiently run are also deterrents.
Time commitment is two or three hours a month for meetings, additional time to review materials prior to meetings, and periodic between meeting discussions to address immediate issues. Officers such as president, treasurer or secretary have additional obligations. Committees require less of a time commitment. They take some responsibilities from the board and serve as a training ground for future directors.
Since most people work directors tend to be retired or nearing the end of their career, or without young children, and have more time for volunteering.
Communities successful at attracting owners for service as directors and on committees tend to be better managed with fewer immediate problems. They have good communications among themselves and residents, and directors put time into planning for the future. In these communities many directors serve for multiple terms with sufficient turnover making room for new blood on the board with different ideas and perspectives.
Serving on the board is a commitment every qualified condo owner should make at least once.
