DO: Create and follow a standardized template.

Creating and following a standardized agenda template provides guidance to new board members who aren’t familiar with HOA meeting structures and ensures meetings are consistent and critical business matters aren’t forgotten. Meeting agendas typically follow this format:

• Meeting Name
• Date, Time, Location
• Homeowner’s Open Forum
• Call to Order
• Roll Call
• Approval of Last Meeting’s Minutes
• Officer Reports
• Action Items
• Committee Reports
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn

DON’T: Forget to review your governing documents and applicable laws.

Agendas set the course of action for the meeting, and minutes provide a legally binding record of what occurred at the meeting. Confirm everything on your agenda aligns with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and your HOA’s governing documents. While some items can be discussed behind closed doors, many can’t. If you’re concerned about compliance, consult an association attorney.

DO: Mark start times for each agenda item

One way to control the length of a meeting is to use a timed agenda. To do this, note the actual start time next to each agenda item and then provide an estimate of how much time the discussion should take. A timed agenda will allow attendees to re-focus if a topic is discussed outside of the scope of the agenda or participants become verbose. Meetings over one hour are a key reason for poor meeting attendance.

DON’T: Expose confidential information

Confidential information, such as pending lawsuits, details about specific homeowners, HOA employees or vendors, and other similar topics, should be discussed in executive meetings, which are open only to board members. Be careful not to discuss these topics at public meetings, or your association could quickly become involved in litigation.

DO: Create an agenda policy that addresses homeowner input

It’s beneficial to have a formal process that clarifies how homeowners can suggest agenda items. The process should be applied consistently to avoid the perception of favoring one homeowner over another. You can include specific criteria, such as a submission deadline or a required petition signed by a certain number of homeowners to show support for their idea.

DON’T: Feel pressured to include every agenda item proposed

You should always thoughtfully review and consider adding agenda items proposed by homeowners, but you aren’t obligated to add every item proposed. The board president has the authority and responsibility to set the agenda. Regardless of the outcome, it’s best to let your homeowners know that you appreciate their suggestion and carefully consider it. Here’s what to do with homeowner input:

• Add their suggestions to the current meeting’s agenda.
• Delay discussion and add it to a future meeting’s agenda.
• Include a homeowners’ open forum on the agenda.

DO: Share the meeting agenda in advance

At the very minimum, provide the meeting agenda to all board members, giving them adequate time to create reports, study issues, and prepare for discussion. Your governing documents may also require you to share the agenda with your homeowners prior to the meeting and specify how far in advance the agenda must be made available. Giving advanced notice will help spur attendance and boost confidence and trust between the board and homeowners, too.

Learn More Great Tips About HOAs

A consistent, comprehensive agenda is a great first step in ensuring your HOA meeting is successful and productive. Want to learn more about the roles of board members in an HOA? Check out our article: “Board Members – Deep Dive – What Do They Do?”