Board members of Homeowners Associations don’t have an easy job. They’re responsible for many different duties, and they want to serve their communities to the best of their ability, all while being ethical and fair.
Board members must adhere to ethical standards while fulfilling their duties to the community. While it can be challenging to find connection and guidance on every issue that might arise, CAI does have a Model Code of Ethics that can serve as a basic framework for Community Associations.
If you’re interested in learning more about CAI’s framework, check it out here!
Here’s a brief overview of what type of guidelines are included within the framework;
- Serve the best interests of the association as a whole regardless of their interests.
- Use sound judgment to make the best possible business decisions for the association, considering all available information, circumstances, and resources.
- Act within the boundaries of their authority as defined by law and the association governing documents.
- Provide opportunities for residents to comment on decisions facing the association.
- Perform their duties without bias for or against any individual or group of owners or non-owner residents.
- Disclose personal or professional relationships with any company or individual who has or is seeking a business relationship with the association.
- Conduct open, fair, and well-publicized elections that allow residents to exercise their right to vote.
- Always speak with one voice, supporting all duly adopted board decisions even if the board member was in the minority regarding actions that may not have obtained unanimous consent.
- Keep confidential any owner, resident, or other third-party discussions, decisions, and comments made at any meeting of the board adequately closed or held in executive session unless specifically authorized by the board.
- Refrain from making unauthorized promises to a contractor or bidder.
- Decline gifts directly or indirectly from owners, residents, contractors, or suppliers.
- Represent only known facts in any issue involving association business.
- Refrain from personal attacks, harassment, or threats with colleagues, staff, or residents.
Remaining ethical and professional is an essential duty for all professionals within the association management space. We hope this code can help you when making decisions in the future.
