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Homeowner's associations managed more than 350,000 American neighborhoods in the United States in 2021. In that same year, almost 75 million US residents lived in a community governed by an HOA.
Have you just moved into an HOA community? If so, you may need to become more familiar with what to expect when attending HOA meetings held by the Homeowner's Association board.
While the meeting format can change depending on the HOA community, many are standard practices across meetings. Knowing what to expect can help you feel more at ease during the session.
Feeling more at ease makes you more likely to take in what's being discussed. So keep reading to learn more about HOA meetings in Columbia, South Carolina.
Types of Association Meetings: In-Person or Online?
One of the first things you may face when preparing for HOA meetings is whether they're held in-person or online (on platforms such as Zoom). They can even be a hybrid of both.
If you're attending an online meeting, you'll typically be given the meeting link, which you must join to attend. To enter the online session, the system will prompt you to enter the password, which the HOA board will provide. The meeting room moderators will also typically mute your mic to minimize distractions.
- HOA Tip: It's considered good etiquette to arrive at least 5 minutes before the meeting's starting time
If the meeting is being held in person, you'll receive the address where the meeting will be held. You'll need to travel there and physically attend. An HOA member will likely hand you a sheet of paper outlining the meeting's agenda if the board did not send it prior by email.
- HOA Tip: Arrive early to secure parking nearby and a good seat at the meeting
The Meeting Agenda
HOA meetings in Columbia, SC, aim to address matters that concern the community while capturing all issues in the meeting minutes. Let's review an example of a typical HOA meeting agenda now.
Call to Order
The Call to Order opens the meeting. This section will announce when HOA board members called the meeting and whether or not enough voting members are present. Without the correct number of voter meeting attendance, the session cannot continue.
Old Business
This section discusses any old business that continues from the previous meeting. These can also be old topics that members want to revisit.
New Business
Next, the HOA board introduces any new business that needs attending. These topics still need to be addressed or discussed by the board or members.
Homeowner Q&A
This is when the floor opens to the other attending homeowners. HOA board members encourage homeowners to voice concerns or ask questions during this section.
Adjournment
This portion is when the meeting is called to a close. The HOA board may discuss the next meeting date and any final announcements.
- Pro Tip: There may also be an "executive session" where the board adjourns to discuss the matter in private, away from the attending homeowners
Attend HOA Meetings Like a Pro
If you want to be an informed homeowner in an HOA community, consider joining your local Homeowner's Association. This way, you can attend meetings directly discussing matters affecting your neighborhood.
HOA meetings are formal settings where you can have a voice as a homeowner living in the community. After reading this, you will hopefully feel more comfortable knowing what to expect.
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