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How did one HOA Board Hero win support for a 20% dues hike without backlash? Here’s what they did right…
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Association Reserves finished a reserve study for a 66‑unit townhome association in Las Cruces, New Mexico, earlier this year. It was their first engagement with this property, and they ended up recommending a significant increase in the association's reserve funding and a special assessment. That’s not unusual for a first-time client. Then they received a long email from the secretary of the board, Tim Long. In his email, Tim described how the reserve study got their attention, how they engaged the homeowners with this news, made some adjustments to customize the reserve plan, and then pitched the increase to their association at their annual meeting. Listen to this: at that annual meeting, the board passed the plan to increase assessments, and the news was greeted with a round of applause. That’s what got Association Reserves' attention, and why host, Robert Nordlund, asked Tim to be on the program today as our HOA Board Hero. What the board did to engage the homeowners, to help them understand the needs of the property, and to show how the board was going to lead them forward with the best interests of the association in mind was nothing short of fantastic.

Chapters:

00:00 What challenges did this HOA face before the reserve study?
00:31 What is a HOA Board Hero and why does it matter?
01:03 How did this board successfully pass a 20% dues increase?
04:07 Why did Tim decide to join the HOA board?
05:37 What sparked the need for a reserve study?
09:04 What was the board’s reaction to the reserve study results?
12:19 How did the board create a plan to move forward?
12:59 Why was community engagement critical to success?
16:23 Ad Break - FiPhO Score
16:54 How did involving homeowners change the outcome?
18:32 Why were small group meetings so effective?
20:44 How did the board validate and adjust the reserve study?
22:21 How did they build a 30-year funding plan?
23:24 How did homeowners help shape the funding strategy?
25:09 How did the board present the 20% dues increase?
27:19 What happened when the board voted on the increase?
28:34 What made

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Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com

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Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

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Association Insights & Marketplace

Association Reserves

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Great HOA board meetings build trust. Bad ones create frustration, conflict, and doubt. Which does your association have?
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Today, we'll be continuing our early 2026 series on top HOA trends that we expect you'll be dealing with this year. In this episode, we'll be addressing rebuilding trust by running HOA Board Meetings that are organized and informative. Good meetings, and the message they give of trustworthy leadership, they don't happen by accident. They're intentional, and we want to arm you to be your best here in 2026 The result is an aura of confidence and transparency and trust, and that's good for every Association!

Chapters:

00:00 Why Is Follow-Up Critical After HOA Board Meetings?
00:44 What Do Homeowners Learn From HOA Board Meetings?
03:52 Why Do Disorganized Meetings Damage Trust?
06:31 Why Is an Agenda Essential for HOA Board Meetings?
07:58 Are HOA Board Meetings a “Production”?
09:08 How Long Should HOA Board Meetings Last?
12:57 Why Must Board Members Come Prepared?
14:37 How Can Committees Improve Decision-Making?
17:25 Why Is Homeowner Open Forum Important?
18:40 Should Boards Respond During Open Forum?
21:00 Why Must Boards Follow Up After Meetings?
23:10 Ad Break - Kevin Davis Insurance Services
23:55 What Is the Chair’s Role in Running Meetings?
26:03 How Should Boards Handle Conflict in Meetings?
28:44 When Should You Hold an Information Meeting Instead?
29:10 How Can Boards Prepare for Major Community Issues?
30:21 How Do Meetings Build Future Board Leadership?
31:23 What Makes a Board Meeting Feel Professional?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization

Podcast Links:
Full Episode List
Watch On Youtube

Engage in the conversation!

Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com

Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
Board Hero Nominations

Boardmember Merch Store!

Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn

Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

Support Our Sponsors

Association Insights & Marketplace

Association Reserves

Community Financials

Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Stokelight Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election

Send a text

Rogue HOA Board Members can expose your association to liability. Learn how boards should respond before damage is done.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

When HOA Board Members act alone, bully others, or ignore proper process, the entire association can be exposed to serious legal and financial risk. In this episode, HOA attorney Tom Ware explains fiduciary duty, agency authority, the business judgment rule, and what boards must do when a rogue director creates liability. Learn how to protect your association, your fellow board members, and yourself.

Get in contact with Tom Ware at: http://kgswlaw.com/

Chapters:

00:00 How Can a Rogue HOA Board Member Create Liability?

00:46 What Is the Difference Between Fiduciary Duty and Agency?

04:06 When Does a Board Member Act Outside Their Authority?

06:01 Why Must Boards Make Decisions as a Group?

08:26 What Authority Can Be Delegated in Emergencies?

10:06 What Is a Director’s Duty of Loyalty and Confidentiality?

12:18 What Can Minority Board Members Safely Say?

14:17 When Does a Strong Personality Become a Bully?

17:32 Why Can’t Board Members Abdicate Responsibility?

19:11 Ad Break - Community Financials

19:42 How Can Third-Party Actions Create Legal Exposure?

23:21 What Happens When Directors Ignore Corporate Formalities?

26:35 Why Must Minority Directors Stand Up to Bullying?

27:30 When Should Boards Involve Legal Counsel?

30:39 How Does Rogue Behavior Impact Property Values?

34:04 Why Doesn’t Insurance Always Protect the Association?

The views & opinions expressed in this program are those of the Hosts & Guests, intended to provide general education about the community association industry. The content is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or organization

Podcast Links:
Full Episode List
Watch On Youtube

Engage in the conversation!

Call our 24/7 voicemail line at (805) 203-3130 or send an email or voice memo to podcast@reservestudy.com

Nominate yourself or a Board Hero you Know!
Board Hero Nominations

Boardmember Merch Store!

Connect with Hosts on LinkedIn

Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

Robert Nordlund, PE

Support Our Sponsors

Association Insights & Marketplace

Association Reserves

Community Financials

Kevin Davis Insurance Services

Stokelight Video & Marketing

The Inspectors of Election