Page 10 - New Jersey Cooperator January 2019

A n individual’s interest in their community association is rarely solely financial. In most cases, a building or HOA is also that individual’s home. And as such, they’re motivated to contribute positively to its quality of life, neighborhood congeniality, and aes- thetics – just to name a few factors that make a place somewhere people love to live. For that reason, most of the people who volunteer to serve on their associa- tion board are full-time residents of said association. This is not always the case, however. Occasionally those who do not reside in an association pursue board membership – usually due to some combination of free time and personal and/or financial interests. While there’s nothing inher- ently problematic with having non-resi- dents on a co-op or condo board, it does present certain considerations. Here, association experts delve into what may motivate these non-resident members; whether or not they pose a conflict with the members who do call the commu- nity home; and how potentially differing interests can coexist harmoniously and productively. Motivating Factors When a person who does not live in an association year-round runs for a board position, voters should evaluate that can- didate with much the same criteria they would a full-time resident: what is mo- tivating this individual to seek a board position, and will that person put the interests of the greater association above his or her own? “Over the years, we have repre- MANAGEMENT 10 THE NEW JERSEY COOPERATOR —JANUARY 2019 NJCOOPERATOR.COM Non-Resident Board Members Managing Absentee Decision Makers BY MIKE ODENTHAL