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Deferred maintenance doesn’t happen overnight. Learn where HOA boards get stuck and how to start fixing problems before they explode!

✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Deferred maintenance quietly destroys HOAs long before anyone admits there’s a problem. HOA Board Hero Lisa Pieropan shares what happens when boards delay repairs, underestimate risk, and lose political capital with homeowners. Her community’s crumbling infrastructure & recall elections exposed the real cost of waiting and how strong HOA boards decide where to begin before deferred maintenance turns into a crisis!

Chapters:

00:00 How can deferred maintenance expose an HOA to legal risk?
00:59 How can an HOA ignore problems for decades?
05:08 What finally forces boards to confront deferred maintenance?
06:13 Why does trying to fix everything overwhelm HOA boards?
07:14 How does lack of board training make problems worse?
08:01 Why don’t most HOA boards understand their legal duties?
09:34 How did surveying homeowners reveal the real issues?
10:46 Why weren’t owners asking for upgrades, just basics?
12:06 What happens when repairs finally require more money?
12:46 How can backlash and recalls stop progress cold?
14:13 Why does HOA infighting freeze maintenance projects?
15:48 How do personal agendas violate fiduciary duty?
16:31 When do assessment increases become unavoidable?
19:23 Why does political capital matter more than money?
20:58 How does proactive communication soften resistance?
23:32 Ad Break - FiPhO Score
24:03 How did turf reduction become a financial strategy?
27:05 How can edible landscaping build goodwill and savings?
28:29 Why did fruit trees become the HOA’s most loved amenity?
33:09 Why is homeowner engagement so hard for boards?
33:47 How did visual updates change owner perception?
35:05 How does transparency protect the HOA long term?
36:40 What responsibility do most HOA owners misunderstand?

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

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Julie Adamen

Kevin Davis, CIRMS

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What happens when an HOA board leads with purpose? Learn how vision and mission statements transform decisions, trust, and community culture.
✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Most HOA Boards rely on rules and governing documents. The strongest ones rely on a clear Vision & Mission Statement. Paul Butler, board member and business consultant, shares how his newly formed HOA created a clear vision statement and mission statement to guide decisions, lower friction, and build trust from day one. This is what intentional leadership looks like when a board knows who it is and where it’s going!

Chapters

00:00 Why should boards measure decisions against vision and values?
00:55 Why do HOAs need a vision and mission beyond governing documents?
04:29 Why would someone choose to serve on an HOA board?
05:18 How does setting foundations early shape an HOA’s future?
06:07 Why is communication essential to HOA culture?
07:26 How do business and hotel management principles apply to HOAs?
09:14 What inspired this board to act on vision and mission right away?
10:39 How did the board collaborate without outside consultants?
11:33 Why was Slack effective for developing mission and vision?
13:49 How do boards avoid making decisions outside formal meetings?
15:50 How long should it take to create a mission and vision?
16:36 How do mission, vision, and values work together?
18:53 Ad Break - Association Reserves
19:24 How does vision apply to older associations?
21:47 Why should boards revisit vision and values annually?
22:45 How will homeowners respond to a mission and vision?
24:23 How can boards actively use vision in meetings?
26:02 What does a strong HOA mission sound like?
28:02 How can compassion and accountability coexist in HOAs?
30:04 Why does transparency build trust with homeowners?
31:34 What advice should every HOA board take from this episode?

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. Please seek advice from licensed

Podcast Links:
Full Episode List
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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

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Is recruiting new HOA board members seeming harder than ever? Learn in this podcast some practical tools to engage volunteers, reduce burnout, and build a stronger community pipeline!

✅ Is a Reserve Study right for you? 👉 https://www.reservestudy.com/

Struggling to recruit new HOA board members? You’re not alone. In this episode, Robert and guest Cathleen Dunn reveal practical strategies for outreach, engagement, volunteer progression, and preventing toxic candidates from taking over your board. Learn how to build community spirit, create a volunteer pipeline, reduce dissident behavior, and all while inspiring homeowners to step into leadership with confidence!

Chapters:

00:00 Why does homeowner connection matter for recruiting board members?
00:44 What sparked this episode and why are boards struggling to fill seats?
03:41 Why is volunteerism down across HOAs of all sizes?
06:02 How has post-pandemic homebody culture affected HOA involvement?
07:35 Why is recruitment a process of engagement, not just announcements?
08:28 How do recruitment challenges differ in small vs. large associations?
09:43 Why does community spirit matter for volunteer turnout?
10:45 How can branding and volunteer shirts help generate engagement?
11:56 Why is volunteer progression critical before joining the board?
13:15 How do you ease homeowners into small volunteer roles first?
15:55 How does slow, long-term nurturing create strong future board members?
17:33 How do kindness and acknowledgement inspire reluctant volunteers?
18:53 What simple community activities help build a volunteer pipeline?
21:02 How can local business connections strengthen board recruitment?
22:23 Ad Break - Our FiPho
22:53 How do you screen for good candidates and avoid toxic ones?
24:35 How can education and transparency calm upset or misinformed owners?
27:40 How do you avoid letting dissidents gain control of the board?
29:51 How can transparency and open financial review reduce conflict?
32:10 How do you encourage dissidents to participate constructively?
33:15 Can the democratic process keep HOAs stable despite conflict?
36:38 How do you unify the board even when votes are split?
38:32 What final advice helps HOAs grow involvement

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