I think everyone reading this knows how long and how hard I
have fought for mandatory education for Board members. I
always thought it was disgraceful to allow someone to get
certified by signing a dumb form that says I read my
governing documents and promise to enforce them.
Finally, we have a change in the law. Let’s start with
HOAs.
Now, within 90 days of getting elected or appointed to the
Board you must sign the form which says you have read the
governing documents and you must take an educational class
approved by the Department of Business and Professional
Regulation. I am so proud to say my class has certified
over 25,000 people all across the state,
The certificate of completion is valid for up to 4 years.
A director must complete the education specific to newly
elected or appointed directors at least every 4 years.
The department-approved educational curriculum specific to
newly elected or appointed directors must include training
relating to financial literacy and transparency,
recordkeeping, levying of fines, and notice and meeting
requirements.
In addition to the educational curriculum specific to newly
elected or appointed directors: A director of an association
that has fewer than 2,500 parcels must complete at least 4
hours of continuing education annually. A director of an
association that has 2,500 parcels or more must complete at
least 8 hours of continuing education annually. A director
who does not timely file the educational certificate is
suspended from the board until he or she complies with the
requirement. The board may temporarily fill the vacancy
during the period of suspension.
The association shall retain each director's educational
certificate for inspection by the members for 5 years after
the director's election. However, the failure to have the
written certification or educational certificate on file
does not affect the validity of any board action.
The department shall adopt rules to implement and administer
the educational curriculum and continuing education
requirements under this subsection.
