Election Time
An important election is coming up for the leadership of my condominium homeowner’s association. We are selecting a new president of the HOA, and I have a decision to make. It has provided me with an opportunity to think about who I want to represent me. I haven’t made up my mind about the candidates yet, but here are some thoughts on the attributes I will be evaluating.
1. Character & Honesty – My first evaluation criteria for supporting candidates are their fundamental character and integrity. I wouldn’t vote for an HOA president who I wouldn’t also be comfortable with as one of my grandchildren’s little league coaches or Sunday School teachers. This is so basic as to almost be ridiculous to state, but character matters.
2. Representation – I want a president who represents all members of the community. In this building, we have retirees, middle-aged professionals, and young people; we have homeowners, renters, and landlords; and we have staff who man the front desk, clean the common areas, and maintain the building. We need someone who addresses the needs of the people on the lower floors, respects the owners of the penthouse apartments, and ensures that the middle-floor people are well served. That is the job.
3. Vision – Leaders own tomorrow. Being the president requires a person to deliver today while positioning the community for the future. We are all heavily invested in this condo building and want to see it thrive. That requires long-term planning for outcomes that will not likely be realized during the president’s term. I want someone who has a positive vision.
4. Competence – There is real work to be done here that requires expertise and the ability to execute. We are replacing the fire sprinklers and upgrading the HVAC system. I want someone who makes good use of my HOA dues. I don’t mind paying them or even paying a little more if I see value and progress in return. Let’s keep this building great forever!
5. Positivity & Unity – Great leaders are optimistic people who radiate positivity and unite people. I want a president who loves this building and believes in the potential of the people who live and work here. We need to be clear-eyed about our challenges, but I would never support a candidate who denigrated the home that I love and tried to pit one constituency against another. I respect my neighbors and believe that we are all in this together.
I am sure that as the election draws nearer and I learn more about the candidates, I will expand the list of evaluation criteria, but this feels like a pretty good starter list for sizing up the options. And to be clear, I am not running for president of my HOA. That is the definition of a truly thankless job.
