Not all board members are created equal. A competent board member isn’t defined by how long they’ve lived here or how loud they speak at meetings – they’re defined by their actions, skills, and integrity. Before you vote, here are the key traits to look for:
1. Understands the Law and Their Duties
Competent board members know they have fiduciary duties under the Condominium Act, 1998:
- Duty of Care → They make informed decisions, ask questions, and do their homework.
- Duty of Loyalty → They put the corporation’s best interest above personal agendas.
- Duty to Comply → They follow the Act, Declaration, Bylaws, and Rules without “creative interpretations.”
Red flag 🚩: Board members who make decisions without reading reports, ignore legal obligations, or claim “we can do whatever we want.”
2. Transparent About Money
Competent board members understand your fees are your money.
- They insist on clear budgets, accurate reserve-fund studies, and realistic forecasts.
- They can explain why every dollar is spent and back it up with documents, not excuses.
- They never surprise owners with sudden special assessments unless absolutely necessary and justified.
Red flag 🚩: “Don’t worry about the numbers, just trust us.”
3. Engages and Communicates
Competent board members welcome owner input and share information proactively:
- They provide regular updates in plain language – no secrets, no hidden agendas.
- They encourage owners to ask questions and actually answer them.
- They organize townhalls before major spending decisions, not after.
Red flag đźš©: Meetings behind closed doors, refusing to share records, or dismissing owner concerns.
4. Demonstrates Professionalism and Respect
Professionalism isn’t about titles – it’s about attitude:
- They stay calm under pressure, even when challenged.
- They avoid gossip, retaliation, and personal attacks.
- They know how to separate personal opinions from corporate obligations.
Red flag đźš©: Harassing owners, selective enforcement of rules, or using legal threats to silence dissent.
5. Makes Evidence-Based Decisions
A competent board member doesn’t rely on “gut feelings” — they rely on facts:
- They review engineering reports, financial statements, and legal opinions before voting.
- They seek multiple quotes for major projects and compare them openly.
- They ask “Is this in the owners’ best interest?” before approving spending.
Red flag 🚩: Rubber-stamping property managers’ suggestions without analysis.
Bottom Line
A competent board member:
- Follows the law âś…
- Manages money responsibly âś…
- Respects owners âś…
- Stays transparent âś…
- Bases decisions on facts, not friendships âś…
- Stays transparent âś…
- Bases decisions on facts, not friendships âś…
Before the next vote, ask yourself:
“Do I want someone who protects my investment – or someone who protects their ego?”
