Building a Better Board: Essential Education and Tools for Florida Community Leaders

Congratulations on serving on your Board of Directors! Stepping into this role is an honorable commitment to the place you call home. While you bring invaluable professional experience to the table, community association boards are very different in form and function than other corporate entities. They are essentially political organizations, run by unpaid volunteers, where every "shareholder" (homeowner) has a significant personal investment.

Perhaps the most challenging aspect is that homeowners will rarely agree on a common set of goals, and no matter how successful you may have been in other fields, succeeding in community governance requires specialized knowledge and a commitment to continuous learning.

We would like to provide you with a friendly breakdown of the association's core structure and highlight the essential educational tools available to help you master your new role.

Understanding the Community Association Concept

The community association is the cornerstone of a planned residential community. Its core purpose is to bring continuity and order, preserve architectural integrity, and maintain common elements. A well-run association promotes "community" and protects property values by providing facilities often unavailable to individual residents. Membership is mandatory and requires homeowners to accept financial obligations and abide by governing rules for the betterment of the community.

Building the Board: Roles, Authority, and Structure

The Board of Directors is entrusted with managing the association’s business and common elements according to Florida statutes and governing documents. As a non-profit corporation, the Board executes essential duties without compensation. Effective communities are led by a board with a clear mission.

Defining Officer Responsibilities

• President: The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the association. They execute contracts, serve as the official spokesperson, and preside over all official meetings.

• Vice President: Steps in when the President is absent and is often tasked with chairing substantive committees, such as architectural review or finance.

• Secretary: The official custodian of all association records. Their role includes ensuring accurate minutes are kept for all meetings and guaranteeing that members have appropriate access to official documents.

• Treasurer: The financial overseer. They are the custodian of the association’s funds and records, responsible for overseeing accounting practices, coordinating the annual budget development, and preparing necessary financial reports. 

Essential Board Duties

Collectively the board is responsible for:

• Enforcing governing documents and establishing sound fiscal policies.
• Developing and approving the budget, establishing reserve funds, and setting assessment rates.
• Creating, publicizing, and enforcing rules and associated penalties.
• Selecting essential professionals (attorney, management company, auditor, insurance agent) and ensuring adequate insurance coverage.
• Appoint committees and delegate authority to them
• Informing members of important decisions.

Your Fiduciary Duty

Board service is governed by a fiduciary relationship with the members. This relationship of trust mandates that every director act in good faith and always in the best interests of the association. Fiduciary duty requires directors to exercise due care and diligence within the scope of their legal authority.

Continuing Education: New Florida Requirements

To promote greater community stability and safety, the Florida legislature has significantly changed education requirements for Condominium and HOA Board members:

Condominium Directors—Condominium directors appointed or elected on or after July 1, 2024, must complete a four-hour certification within 90 days after being elected or appointed that covers the following topics: milestone inspections, structural integrity reserve studies, elections, recordkeeping, financial literacy and transparency, levying of fines, and notice and meeting requirements. Condominium directors appointed or elected prior to July 1, 2024, have until June 30, 2025, to complete the four-hour certification requirement. The certification is valid for seven years and does not have to be retaken during the seven-year period if the director serves without interruption. If the director serves for more than seven years, the certification must be retaken upon expiration of the seventh year. In addition to the certification, and within one year thereof and annually thereafter, directors must take a one-hour continuing education course relating to any changes during the past year to chapter 718, F.S., and the related administrative rules.

HOA Directors—HOA directors appointed or elected on or after July 1, 2024, must complete education for new board members within 90 days after being elected or appointed. HOA directors appointed or elected prior to July 1, 2024, must complete education for new board members within four years if the director serves on the board without interruption during the four-year period. The new board member education is valid for four years and does not have to be retaken during the four-year period if the director serves without interruption. If the director serves for more than four years, the certification must be retaken upon expiration of the fourth year. In addition to the new board member education, a director of an HOA association with fewer than 2,500 parcels must complete at least four hours of continuing education annually. A director of an HOA association with 2,500 or more parcels must complete at least eight hours of continuing education annually. Pursuant to section 720.3033(1)(a)3., F.S., all HOA directors, regardless of election or appointment date, may count a board member certification toward the completion of their continuing education requirement once every four years.

Your Toolbox for Success: Essential Resources

As you navigate this dynamic role, remember you don't have to be an expert in everything. Campbell Property Management is committed to providing the resources to help you excel. We encourage you to utilize the powerful educational materials available through our website, making it easy to find everything you need in just a few clicks! Here are two essential resources you should explore:

Events - Check out our upcoming condominium and HOA board certification courses and CEU courses that meet the new Florida requirements. Visit CampbellEvents.org to sign up.

Florida Association News Blog: Get quick-read articles and the latest thoughts on community association topics and legislation in Florida. You can also search the Florida Association News (FAN) to find a variety of topics. Access our Blog at readfan.org.

By committing to the ongoing education found in these resources, you ensure the continued success and stability of your Florida condo or HOA.

This article was originally published in the February 2026 edition of the Florida Community Association Journal.