When does a gathering of directors result in a homeowner’s association Board meeting?
By: Dan Rich, Esq.
Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A.
Some of the most frequent questions I face in my representation of homeowner’s associations, or “HOA’s”, relate to whether a gathering of directors is considered a “Board meeting” that must comply with the formalities outlined in Chapter 720, Florida Statutes. These questions usually arise when unit owners complain that the Board is conducting business behind closed doors at meetings that were not properly noticed. In an effort to help both HOA Boards and unit owners better understand the legal definition of a “Board meeting” and its ramifications, I address some of the most common questions I receive below.
What is the legal standard for a HOA Board meeting? Section 720.303(2)(a), Florida Statutes, defines a Board meeting as any gathering for the purpose of conducting association business by the members of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present. Typically, an HOA’s governing documents will specifically define what number of directors constitutes a “quorum”; however, the general rule of thumb is a majority of the members of the Board constitutes a quorum. Board meetings at which association business is conducted must be open to all unit owners, and proper advance notice of the meeting also must be provided to the unit owners, except in limited cases of emergency.
Can a HOA Board hold private meetings? Florida law provides two (2) limited exemptions to the above-referenced requirement to hold open Board meetings. Currently, unit owners can be restricted from attending Board meetings only when the Board is meeting with the HOA’s attorney to discuss proposed or pending litigation or the Board is meeting for the purpose of discussing personnel matters. Please note that in order to satisfy the attorney exemption, listed above, the HOA’s attorney must be present either in person or via telephone.
Can the Board restrict member participation at an “open” Board meeting? Chapter 720, Florida Statutes, expressly provides that unit owners are allowed to speak on all agenda items during a Board meeting; however, Florida law also permits HOA’s to adopt rules that regulate unit owner participation. Typical rules may restrict the amount of time that a unit owner can speak on any given agenda item (i.e., three minutes per agenda item), or provide that no unit owner may speak more than once until all other unit owners have had an opportunity to do so. Once rules are established, consistent enforcement of said rules is crucial even if it means using a watch, cell phone timer or gavel.
Can HOA directors ever get together to socialize? It is not illegal for directors constituting a quorum to socialize while limiting the conversation to the weather, the news or sharing photos of each other’s recent vacations – i.e., non-association business. However, directors must be aware that a gathering of a quorum of members of the Board – even at a purely social event– creates the risk that a disgruntled unit owner might accuse the Board members of improperly conducting a Board meeting in violation of Chapter 720.
To summarize, Chapter 720 does not prevent Board members from socializing or require that a notice must be posted every time a group of Board members might want to go out to eat or play a round of golf. Instead, the law simply provides that a gathering of a quorum of Board members whereat the Board members discuss HOA business or engage in discussions about the needs of the community must occur only in a properly-noticed Board meeting.
The above questions are only examples and are not intended to address all potential scenarios. Therefore, if you have a specific question, you should consult an attorney who has particularized knowledge regarding this aspect of HOA law.
Dan Rich is an attorney with the law firm Clark, Campbell, Lancaster & Munson, P.A. in Lakeland. Questions can be submitted to thelaw@cclmlaw.com.
