HOA Member At Large: Discover Their Role And 5 Key Duties

Typically, an HOA board consists of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Certain communities, however, have a role that is fairly new to community associations: HOA Members at Large.

It is not a very common role to have, but it can enrich and help community associations reach their goals and tasks with much more ease.

Continue reading to find out what an HOA Member At Large is, their 5 main duties, and the benefits of having a member at large on the board!

What You Will Find in This Article

1. What does an HOA Member At Large do? 
2. Duties of an HOA Member At Large
3. Benefits of an HOA Member At Large
4. Wrapping Up The Discussion

What does an HOA Member At Large do?

An HOA Board Member At Large is someone who can fill different roles; they don’t have a fixed position, unlike the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Their duties tend to vary according to what the board needs. So sometimes, they are required to fulfill the roles of other people on the board who are absent or aren’t able to complete their duties.

You have two types of members at large. One is a resident who is an expert in a field and can help with a specific project. For example, if they’re an architect and the community is expanding an amenity, they could be a great help to the board with the project.

Or they could be someone who does generalist tasks and helps out when needed. Since their responsibilities aren’t clearly defined, they would change depending on what the association’s bylaws are, or in order to fulfill the board’s goals and requirements.

Duties of an HOA Member At Large

Participate in meetings

Since members at large may have such a variety of tasks, with a lot of range, they should attend all board meetings so they have a clear understanding of what is going on and what the board’s decisions are on certain issues. This helps them be more successful in their other duties and allows them to represent the membership well. This communication with the membership is also vital, as it can impact the board’s decision-making process. With that said, an HOA Member At Large does have voting restrictions and can’t vote on certain issues.

Liaison

A member at large also serves as a liaison between the community members and the board. They can act as a spokesperson for the community members and will receive input, give feedback and communicate concerns to the board of directors.

Tip: Being an effective communicator is key to excelling in this. It’s important to listen to others attentively, speak clearly, and be well-informed on the issue being discussed.

Special projects

More often than not, the President can assign specific projects to the member at large to work on. This can include a range of things, such as overseeing tasks and/or collaborating with HOA committees. As mentioned earlier, boards normally work with an expert in a specific area, which helps them achieve their objectives and teach other board members.

Committees

Members can attend board meetings, while committee chairs can’t. Because of this, HOA Members At Large work with the committee to review their progress and status. Additionally, they will update the board on what the committee is working on. If there’s a vacancy, HOA Members At Large might be required to run the committee. Not only will these members be typically required to sub in if a committee member is away, but also for any other roles on the board, since they can easily substitute for different positions.

Help new board members

An HOA Member At Large has a wide scope of responsibilities within the board; therefore, they are well-versed in the association’s activities. They act in various parts of the HOA and can help new board members who are joining. This helps with a smoother and easier transition period for everyone involved.

HOA Members At Large have a wide range of responsibilities and duties that they can fulfill in their HOA. However, they’re still not that common in community associations. So why should a board of directors consider adding this distinct role?

The HOA Member at Large plays a crucial role in supporting the board and ensuring smooth community operations. With Neigbrs by Vinteum, they can stay organized, communicate effectively, and contribute more efficiently to the HOA’s success.

With our platform, HOA Members at Large can enhance their performance, therefore supporting the board more effectively. Want to simplify HOA management? Request a Free Neigbrs Demo today!

Benefits of an HOA Member At Large

They are experts

As mentioned before, boards normally hire HOA Members At Large because they are experts in a specific area. This means that they can help the community grow in certain areas, and have ideas for projects. Not only this, but they can teach members more about their area of expertise.

Helping new members

As explained above, an HOA Member At Large can teach others, but they also help new members joining the board. This makes their transition much easier, faster, and smoother.

Communication

Since HOA Members At Large are responsible for serving as liaisons between the committee and the board, the communication between the two will be much more effective and clear. Not only this, but it will make sure that the committees are on the right track and their concerns are well addressed.

Versatility

Because HOA Members At Large have such a wide variety of tasks, which aren’t fixed, they can do various activities for the community, helping the HOA’s projects and goals be achieved faster.

Filling in

With their wide scope of knowledge about the events and projects happening in the community, HOA members at large can fill in or help with many different roles.

Wrapping Up The Discussion

HOA Members At Large are in a position with a wide scope of responsibilities that are required to ensure clear communication between the board, committee, and community members. They can be helpful not only to the board, but to the community as a whole.