Indicators of a Well Run Association

Running a community association such as ours is not fun, and it isn't easy. It is certainly challenging. The board finds that it must make difficult and unpopular decisions from time to time. It remains to be seen if future boards can do better. Of course, there will always be those in the audience who clamor for "change." As we have learned, "change" is not always better.

As for the involvement of owners, I look at some simple measurements. Is the board fully staffed? Do we have full committees? Are our association fees paid on time? If the answers to these questions is "no" then I am of the opinion that there is room for improvement among the bystanders.

I also am of the opinion that the indicators of a well run association include:

1. Does it have long term financial and monetary programs in place?
2. Does it have adequate reserves?
3. Does it have a reserve study, and has it been dusted off recently?
4. What is the most recent (10 year) financial history?
5. Is the property maintained? For example, does it have programs in place for landscaping, capital improvements and so on?
6. Is the association professionally managed? 
7. Is the property professionally maintained?
8. Does the board understand it's duties and responsibilities? 
9. Does the board have a long term financial plan, updated annually and a commitment to avoid special assessments? Can it articulate that commitment?
10. Does the board engage in discussions about the role of the fiduciary?
11. Does the board get training?
12. Does the board treat the professionals as partners, or adversaries?
13. Does the association have procedures in place for managing delinquencies?
14. Does it adhere to the ICA?
15. Does the association avoid catering to special groups?
16. Does it uniformly enforce the Rules and Regulations?
17. Does it enforce the Rules and Regulations? 
18. Does the board adhere to the governing documents?
19. Is the board fully staffed, and what is the duration of tenure of the current board?
20. Are there specific duties and responsibilities for each board member?