The HOA vice president role is often overlooked, but it can be a valuable position for bridging gaps on an HOA board. Homeowners interested in the role should understand what it entails, and fellow directors can use this information to hold the VP accountable.
What is an HOA Vice President?
An HOA vice president is the board’s second-in-command, typically right after the president. The primary role of the VP is to step in for the president when the latter is absent, but they can also have several assigned tasks to complete.
State laws and the association’s governing documents determine whether the VP role is necessary. Often, state laws specify only the roles of president, secretary, and treasurer. That said, an association’s bylaws may require a VP position.
What are the HOA Vice President Responsibilities?
HOA vice president duties and responsibilities vary by association, but they typically include assuming the president’s role when the president is absent, overseeing committees, assisting with operations, helping enforce rules, and completing delegated tasks. Let’s discuss these below.
1. Assumes Presidential Duties
One of the chief HOA vice president duties is to step in for the president when the latter is temporarily unavailable. If the president is ill or out of town, the VP leads meetings, guides decision-making, and signs legal documents on the president’s behalf.
Because the VP may have to assume the president’s role at any time, they must fully understand the president’s responsibilities. They must also possess the qualities of a good leader, such as professionalism, attention to detail, and integrity.
2. Oversees Committees
The VP’s role is more flexible and can include different tasks and responsibilities. Yet, in most communities, they lead committees. The vice president bridges the board and the HOA committees, coordinating projects and communicating with committee chairs.
3. Assists with Operations
Like other directors, the HOA vice president helps support operational and administrative success. They help plan board and membership meetings, gather vendor bids, and work with HOA management companies.
4. Enforces Rules
Together with the rest of the board, the HOA vice president helps implement the rules in a fair and consistent manner. If there are disputes about violations, the VP can also help resolve them internally.
Rule enforcement often involves a lot of work, especially in larger neighborhoods. The VP can help inspect properties for violations, investigate complaints, send notices, organize disciplinary hearings, and impose penalties. They can also follow up on cures.
5. Completes Delegated Tasks
Because the VP position doesn’t usually have fixed duties, the president may assign specific tasks. For example, the HOA may have a special, one-time project coming up. The president can ask the VP to oversee the project’s execution and management.
Other special tasks can include liaising with local authorities, implementing new policies, and coordinating with vendors. It ultimately depends on the community.
When Does the HOA Vice President Take Over for the President?
Generally, the HOA VP assumes the president’s role temporarily when the president is unavailable.
The president could be sick, traveling, or simply busy. This can also happen when the president recuses themselves from a specific meeting or decision because of a conflict of interest.
When the president is out, the VP presides over the meeting, signs authorized documents, and handles day-to-day duties for that period. The vice president does not gain unlimited or permanent presidential authority.
Can the HOA Vice President Permanently Replace the President?
State laws and the association’s governing documents dictate the procedures for filling a vacant presidential seat, including whether the VP can take on the role permanently.
Several causes can create a permanent vacancy, such as resignation, removal, or death. That said, the VP doesn’t always inherit the title. It ultimately depends on the association’s bylaws.
If the bylaws are silent, standard parliamentary procedure dictates that the VP automatically succeeds to the presidency for the remainder of the term. Some HOAs hold a special election or give the rest of the board appointing authority.
How is the HOA Vice President Chosen?
The HOA vice president is generally elected, like every other board member, but appointment is still possible.
If a homeowner wishes to become VP, they must first meet the qualifications. Exact requirements vary by community, but most bylaws require a board member to be a homeowner, be in good standing (no unpaid dues or outstanding violations), and have no pending legal action against the association.
At the next election, the owner may nominate themselves and submit a candidate statement. If they win the election, they become a board member, but most communities elect officers from within the board. This includes the vice president position.
Some communities also allow appointing a VP. If the current VP leaves or no one volunteers for the role, the remaining directors may appoint an eligible owner, provided the bylaws allow it.
Do HOA Vice Presidents Get Paid?
In general, board members do not receive a salary like a normal job. This means that vice president don’t normally receive compensation for their role.
Still, some communities may allow compensation depending on state laws and the governing documents. Most associations prohibit compensation because it interferes with board members’ volunteer status. If a director gets paid, they may no longer be afforded certain legal protections.
An All-Rounder Team Member
While not all associations elect an HOA vice president, it is still important to understand the responsibilities that come with the job. The VP can serve as a jack-of-all-trades, assisting various officers and completing delegated tasks. That said, they must meet the same eligibility requirements as other board members.
Keymont Community Management offers expert management services to associations in Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. Call us today at 703.752.8300 or request a proposal to start your journey!
RELATED ARTICLES:
- HOA Board Of Directors: Roles, Duties, And Fiduciary Responsibilities
- Who Should Be The Authorized Signers On HOA Bank Accounts?
- HOA Board Member Recusal: When’s The Right Time To Excuse Yourself?
