The HOA Board Quarterly Winter 2013 Issue #8 | Page 10

You Can Make a Difference
By: James R. McCormick, Jr. Esq. Peters & Freedman, L.L.P.

M

erely existing in an association is not the only
option. Living within an association provides
you with many opportunities to become involved
in your community. Assuming you meet any
qualifications which exist within the documents, one
of the best ways to be involved in your community
is to serve on the board.
If you do not believe you have enough time to
volunteer as a board member, you can start
by serving on a committee. Committees can
be created for a number of valid purposes and
members of committees often serve as advisors to
the board for a variety of functions. Almost every
association will have an architectural committee
of some sort. Architectural committees typically
review applications for architectural modifications
and determine whether the applications comply
with requirements set forth in the governing
documents and whether the proposed improvement
is aesthetically consistent within the community.

The board of an association may also create
committees
for
landscaping,
general
enforcement, parking enforcement or for
any other necessary purpose. Enforcement
committees can assist the board in determining
whether violations exist within the association.
Parking committees can help the board in
establishing new parking regulations or assist the
board in enforcing existing regulations.
Committees need not be standing. If the board
has a decision to make which will require in-depth
research and analysis and/or a need to obtain bids
from multiple contractors, the board can establish
a committee for the specific purpose of performing
these tasks. Once the committee has served its
purpose it can be disbanded.
When establishing a committee, boards should
10 | The HOA Board Quarterly | Issue #8 | Winter 2013

set forth the specific purpose, function,
duties and duration of the committee. Setting
up the ground rules for committees at the very
beginning will go a long way toward helping the
committees serve their proper function. This will
also prevent any problems or issues that may arise
if a committee attempts to perform an undesired
function or role within the association or fails to
perform the functions desired by the board.
You can also make a difference within the
community by simply being a good neighbor. Being
a good neighbor does not mean turning a blind eye
to violations; it can simply mean getting to know
your neighbors. In today’s day and age we often
overlook our neighbors in the rush to get to work,
get to the gym, get home, etc. If your association
sponsors community events you should volunteer,
or at minimum attend. You will likely be surprised to
learn how many of your neighbors share the same
ideas and likes as you. Remember, you all moved
to the same community because you liked it!
Being a good neighbor may also mean taking the
time to speak with your neighbor about things
which might annoy you or which might be viewed
as violations of the association’s governing
documents. Take the time to get to know your
neighbors and let them know if they are doing
something you think is wrong. You never know
what kind of a friend you may make in the process.
The converse is also true. Take the time to learn
your association’s governing documents. Even
if you do not have time to learn the rules, make
an effort to think about your actions and how they
may be affecting your neighbors. Do you always
park in front of your neighbor’s home? Have you
thought about how this may affect your neighbor?
Do you regularly maintain your lawn? Do you
regularly paint your home? Do you exhibit pride of
ownership in your home in other manners? Do you
properly screen your tenants and make sure that
they are aware of the association’s regulations?
Do you take the extra 30 seconds to br