The HOA vice president plays an important role in keeping the association running smoothly. While the position often receives less attention than the president, the vice president serves as the board’s backup leader. They help ensure continuity whenever the president is unable to perform their duties.
Is an HOA Vice President Required?
State laws and the association’s governing documents often determine if an HOA vice president is required. In Texas, Section 22.231 of the Business Organizations Code only requires a president and a secretary. That said, it says that HOAs may include one or more vice presidents.
In general, smaller associations can function fine without a VP. Medium to large communities, on the other hand, may need a vice president to share board duties or pick up the slack.
What Does an HOA Vice President Do?
The vice president of HOA or condo communities is an elected officer. While exact responsibilities will depend on the association’s governing documents, the VP generally supports the president and assists with leadership duties.
Many vice presidents also oversee committees, work with the community manager on special projects, or help coordinate board activities. They remain informed about the association’s operations so they can step into a leadership role when necessary.
When Does the HOA Vice President Step In?
The vice president does not automatically share the president’s authority on a daily basis. Instead, the vice president typically acts as the president only under certain circumstances.
When the President is Absent
One of the most common responsibilities of an HOA vice president is to step in when the president can’t attend a board meeting, annual meeting, or other official event. In that case, the vice president usually presides over the meeting and performs the president’s duties for that occasion.
Because of this, the VP must thoroughly understand the president’s roles and responsibilities. It is not a job that the vice president can simply wing. It requires knowledge of the association’s meeting protocols and board policies.
When the President is Temporarily Unavailable
If the president is traveling, ill, or otherwise unable to carry out their duties for a period of time, the vice president may handle routine responsibilities until the president returns.
This can include serving as the chair at meetings, signing documents (if authorized), working with the community manager, and communicating board decisions. Of course, when the president returns, they resume all their duties and powers.
When the President Resigns
If the president resigns before the end of their term, the governing documents usually determine what happens next. In some associations, the bylaws dictate that the VP automatically assumes the role of the president for the remainder of the term. This helps ensure continuity, avoiding the time and learning curve of training a new president.
On the other hand, other communities require the board to elect a new president from among the current directors. Until the board makes a formal appointment, the VP can serve as the president.
Every association has different rules for replacing the president upon resignation. The HOA board should always review its bylaws before filling any vacancy.
When the President is Removed
Some associations end up removing the president for various reasons. Examples include fraud, abuse of power, and breach of fiduciary duty. When that happens, the president’s seat is left open.
As with resignations, the VP can either assume the role of president for the remainder of the term or just until the board appoints a new one. It ultimately depends on the association’s governing documents.
Does the HOA Vice President Have the Same Powers as the President?
In general, an HOA vice president’s duties and powers are the same as those of the president, but only when acting in the president’s place. When the president is around, the VP is limited to the authority and obligations tied to their role.
When the vice president serves as the acting president, they generally have the authority to perform the president’s official duties. That said, they don’t gain additional powers beyond what the president would normally have.
Additionally, neither the president nor the vice president can act independently on matters requiring board approval. Decisions such as approving contracts, adopting budgets, levying special assessments, or changing rules generally require a vote of the board.
Can the HOA Vice President Override the President?
The vice president does not have the power to overrule the president simply because of their position. Even as the second-highest-ranking officer, the VP retains the same decision-making authority as every other board member. Their vote holds the same weight.
Both officers are members of the same board. If a disagreement arises, the board can resolve the issue through the voting process outlined in the governing documents. The president does not automatically win every argument just because they are the president.
Can the HOA Vice President Call Board Meetings?
State laws and the association’s governing documents generally dictate whether the HOA vice president has the power to call board meetings. Some bylaws allow the VP to call meetings when acting as the president or when the latter is otherwise unavailable.
In contrast, other communities reserve that authority only for the president. If the VP wishes to call a meeting, multiple directors must request it.
Does the HOA Vice President Get Paid?
In general, the HOA vice president does not get paid for their service. That said, the association’s governing documents may permit compensation, but most do not.
Board members, including the VP, are volunteer homeowners. This means that they agree to serve their community without expecting anything in return. Moreover, paying directors would render their volunteer status void, thereby potentially interfering with certain legal protections.
A Worthwhile Position
The HOA vice president may seem unnecessary to some communities, especially smaller ones. Still, having a VP can make operations run more smoothly when the president is unable to fulfill their role, even if only temporarily. Homeowners must understand the VP’s duties before setting their sights on it.
PAMco offers exceptional HOA management services to communities in Central Texas. Call us today at 512-918-8100 or contact us online to learn more!
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